Hi! We are the Williams family, based in the Cotswolds and we document our vanlife travels across the UK and beyond on our Instagram @midnightandthefam. In this guest blog we are sharing our recent experience at Cotswold view caravan and camping park, located in Oxfordshire. This family friendly campsite is nestled in the middle of the breathtaking Cotswold countryside. Cotswold view offers stunning landscape to family friendly activities ensuring there is something for everyone. So grab your van or camping gear, sit back, and join us on this virtual journey as we take you though our mini vanlife adventure.
Day 1: Arrival and settling in: Even though we are based in the Cotswolds we never tire of the scenic drive through winding country roads. We arrived at Cotswold view after the mad dash of the after-school Friday getaway. Greeted by a beautiful drive way and the super easy contactless check in system we relaxed straightaway. As we approached the barrier it raised due to the pre arrival registration, we gave our number plate and they issued us with a map and pitch number before we arrived- meaning less faff and straight into vanlife/ camping mode. The spacious and well-maintained grounds were the perfect spot to set up our VW Campervan, Midnight. With ample shade from towering trees and well-defined pitches, our pitch, 045 was the perfect spot.
Day 2: Exploring the campsite: Waking up to the sweet chirping of birds is never a bad way to start the day and our girls tend to sleep better in our van than they do at home so the mornings for us our pretty slow. The campsite offered a variety of nature trails suitable for all skill levels. We decided to start with the forest trail- this took us through the campsites forest, and lead to stunning viewpoints across the Cotswold countryside. On the trail we came across the many outdoor gym stations and a zip wire- of course they were all given a go by the family whilst mummy watched on as head photographer! There was also a Disc golf course, which we didn’t try but would add this to our things to do on the next trip. Cotswold view also had a well used football pitch, tennis court and games room.
The afternoon was spent exploring the local village of Charlbury- which you can walk to from the campsite along the footpath in around 30/40 minutes. Cotswold view is also a great location for exploring Chipping Norton, Burford, Bibury, and Bourton-on-the-Water. By late afternoon we were all ready to head back to the campsite and enjoy a BBQ whist the girls played on the play area right behind our pitch.
Day 3: We woke up to another beautiful morning and even though the campsite was almost full the noise didn’t replicate this. We made some Cinnamon swirls and headed out for another walk on one of the trails, the farm trail. The trail didn’t disappoint, we saw Woody, Maude, Saturn and Dolly the donkeys, plus sheep and their lambs- a perfect little walk to end the trip.
Conclusion: As we packed up our campervan, Midnight and prepared to leave Cotswold view, we made use of the washing up area, showers and refilled with water. From the well-maintained grounds to the plethora of activities for all ages, Cotswold view left a warm mark on our hearts. If you're seeking a family-friendly camping experience that combines adventure, relaxation, and natural beauty, Cotswold View should be at the top of your list. Until next time, happy adventures- love @midnightandthefam