Camping in Oxfordshire: Swiss Farm Touring and Camping in Henley-on-Thames
Interested in Camping in Oxfordshire for your summer holiday this year? If so, Swiss Farm Touring and Camping in Henley-on-Thames is a brilliant UK campsite to add to your list.
We love shining a light on beautiful places in the UK and Henley-on-Thames is no exception. Voted by The Times as one of the best places to live in the English countryside, it’s no wonder this town sees plenty of visitors during the summer months. So if you plan to visit it might be worth knowing about the immaculately kept, five-star campsite that sits just up the road called Swiss Farm, which has been owned and run by the Borlase Family since 1946.
Where is Swiss Farm Touring and Camping?
Swiss Farm Touring and Camping sits on the Marlow road which runs straight into the town of Henley-on-Thames. The campsite is easily accessible from the M4, M40, A4130 and A4155 and has great links to London and Reading.
The nearest train station is a mere 21 minute walk from the campsite which (with one change) takes you into Paddington in around an hour or less. Also, there’s a handy bus stop right outside the campsite for trips into Maidenhead or Reading.
It’s incredibly well connected all whilst being peaceful and secluded, the perfect balance for us.
Swiss Farm Touring And Camping, Marlow Road, Henley On Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9 2HY
You’ll see the reception below where the Swiss Farm team are always on hand to check you in, help with any queries and make sure all their guests are enjoying their time here.
There’s plenty of check in information to be found on their website.
The reception at Swiss Farm - you check in here (there’s also a little convenience shop inside!)
The Farm Kitchen at Swiss Farm
What’s great about Swiss Farm is that they have everything you need; especially when it comes to food and drink. So for the times that you don’t quite fancy tuna pasta cooked on the hob outside your tent, then make sure you book a table at The Farm Kitchen.
Not only are we coffee fanatics but we love a good bit of grub too and the menu at The Farm Kitchen is a winner. It’s also great as it’s packed with vegan and veggie dishes. Whether you’re up for a meaty breakfast baguette or looking to try their homemade plant-based burgers, you’ll find something that takes your fancy.
The other extra is their fully licensed bar which comes in rather handy when you realise you’ve just finished the last cold beer and the gin is running out!
The bar and restaurant at The Farm Kitchen
The covered outdoor seating area at The Farm Kitchen
The veggie and vegan full breakfast option at The Farm Kitchen
The swimming pool at Swiss Farm Touring and Camping
Now what a treat this is, a swimming pool on site! And it’s one that us ‘residents’ can use, all within the appropriate time slots, mind.
Matt might appear somewhat angry in the image below but rest assured, he’s not. He’s merely squinting at the camera due to ALL the sun the UK has seen these past couple of weeks. Here’s hoping it returns. And if it doesn’t, well it’s OK because this pool is heated, baby!
The hygiene levels are second to none due to Covid and the pool’s capacity has been limited, so to swim you just need to book your time slots over at reception. Easy peasy.
It’s not a deep pool at all so perfect for kids, plus there are changing rooms, two toilets and the sun loungers are safely spaced out around the pool area. We felt very smug frolicking about here over the past few days.
Click here to see more of the amazing services the campsite has to offer…
The swimming pool at Swiss Farm Campsite which is free to use for all paying guests and residents.
The accommodation options at Swiss Farm
Touring Options
OK, brace yourself as there is quite the choice when it comes to where to stay on the campsite. It really caters for all which means if camping ain’t your style, then the stylish shepherd huts might well work.
There is free Wi-Fi too but it’s worth noting it's not the strongest so we have our Netgear Nighthawk wifi keeping us connected.
Whether it’s grass pitches, all-weather pitches, or fully serviced pitches you’re after, Swiss Farm can cater for all types of touring options.
Camping options
The camping field is located at the back of the campsite with endless views of the Oxfordshire countryside as well as the on-site fishing lake. On a sunny evening around 9pm when the sky turns a shade of dusty pink, you can smell the summer scent of sizzling BBQs and hear the faint sound of laughter, it’s clear to see why a camping holiday is such a huge hit for so many.
There are three pitch types to choose from…
Standard tent pitch – 12m x12m pitch
Electric tent pitch -15m x15m pitch with 10 amp electric hook up
Deluxe tent pitch - 15m x 15m pitch with 10 amp electric hook up, a picnic bench and conveniently located water point
Glamping options
Now if falling asleep under the stars to the sound of a campfire and the relentless attacks of midges isn’t your thing nor do you own a campervan, what about a bit of glamping? Glamping in Henley this summer sure does have a mighty fine ring to it.
Enter the bespoke Cedar Cabins, there are only two of these bad boys available and the word on the street is that they are pretty popular. We can see why!
Situated on the edge of the campsite’s lake, they are both equipped with a toilet, shower and sink, a small kitchen, BBQ, and sun deck. Perfect for weekend escapes or short breaks to Henley and of course, The Henley Royal Regatta - it’s said that Swiss Farm is quite the destination for accommodation when the iconic rowing event is on.
It’s worth noting that there’s no oven but hell, you’ve got a BBQ and you’re on your ‘olidays. So dinner out in Henley or a classic cookout on the barby it is!
The camping field at Swiss Farm Touring and Camping.
The Swiss Farm bespoke glamping cabins - there are two of these available to stay in.
Shepherd’s Hut in Henley-on-Thames
Say hello to the new kids on the block…
A taste of the great outdoors and a pretty brilliant option for a typical English summer; no risk of a soggy sleeping bag but the gentle pitter-patter of rain hitting that roof means you’ll still feel delightfully close to nature.
The fishing lake that the camping field, cabins and shepherd’s huts look over.
The facilities at Swiss Farm Touring and Camping
OK, now it’s the all-important facilities and amenities. There are two modern, clean, private washing & bathing blocks as well as convenient dish-washing facilities.
Oh, there’s also a full-length mirror too!
They’re always on top of things looking spick and span here, you don’t earn a five-star campsite rating for nothing!
Scroll down and you’ll notice the beautiful wisteria adorning one of the blocks - washing up under the wisteria has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?
The toilet, shower and laundry block.
The washing up block.
The farm shop at Swiss Farm
Oh, we’re not finished yet!
The icing on the cake comes in the form of The Farm Shop by the Bosley Patch, a market garden & farm shop based on site which sells homegrown & organic vegetables, homemade bread & cakes as well as organic dairy, local Eggs, Henley honey, AND their own British grown flowers. Phew, what a long old list but how wonderful is that!
When we’re on the road we always stop when we see a farm shop sign, we just can’t help ourselves. We’ve enjoyed many a van picnic scoffing local cheeses spread across crackers-with-a-twist and necking (sorry, ahem, I mean sipping) organic red wine.
Follow Bosley Patch on Instagram
The entrance to The farm shop at Swiss Farm.
So there you have it, we’ve fallen in love with Henley-on-Thames and can see why this stunning town has quite the rep.
So if you do visit and are lucky enough to stay at Swiss Farm Touring and Campsite then make sure you try to shop and eat out locally at the gorgeous little independent restaurants and boutiques in town.
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