A working beef farm near Malmesbury where kids meet the cows, raid the play barn and you get proper hot showers.
Our verdict
A cracking first-family-camp site: the play barn, cafe and family showers buy you more grace than a bare field ever will.
| Distance from SN7 | 26 miles |
|---|---|
| County | Wiltshire |
| Price band | ££ what the bands mean |
| Open | Late March to October |
| Tents | Yes |
| Campervans & motorhomes | Yes |
| Electric hook-up | Yes |
| Campfires | Yes |
| Swimming pool | No |
Down on the Farm is exactly what it says: a working beef farm at Little Lype Farm in Charlton, ten minutes from Malmesbury on the quiet southern edge of the Cotswolds. Canvas comes first here, with 47 tent pitches in a tree-sheltered field and just three hardstandings for motorhomes. The facilities block is modern, with family shower rooms, and the farm cafe looks out over the fields, which is a dangerous thing at bacon-roll time.
The play barn is the reason families keep coming back. It is huge, it is dry whatever the weather is doing, and the mini tractor rides (a small extra charge) will swallow an entire morning. Cows watch proceedings over the fence, rural walks start from your pitch, and the pub in Charlton is a short stroll. It is a young site, opened in 2025, so expect the odd wrinkle alongside the genuine welcome.
Why children love it
- The huge indoor play barn rescues wet afternoons: farm-themed games plus mini tractor rides for a small extra charge.
- This is a real working beef farm, and the resident cows are as curious about your children as the other way round.
- Family shower rooms in the modern facilities block, so no juggling towels and toddlers between cubicles.
Days out nearby
- Cotswold Water Park's lakeside beaches, about 15 minutes by car; keep young swimmers within arm's reach.
- Westonbirt, the National Arboretum, around 20 minutes for a leg-stretching day among very big trees.
- Malmesbury itself, 10 minutes away, with its abbey, market streets and reliable ice cream potential.
Know before you go
- Firepits were about £15 a night to hire when we checked; ask about logs and fuel when you book rather than assuming.
- Pizza, disco and stay-and-play nights have popped up on Fridays through the season; their Facebook page is where dates land first.
- The season has run late March into autumn, but this is a new site, so double-check dates before an early or late trip.
The honest bit
The lanes in are narrow and early reviews flagged patchy hot water in the showers, the teething problems of a site this new.
Camping weather this week
Live 7-day forecast for Little Lype Farm, straight from Open-Meteo.
Quick answers
Are campfires allowed at Down on the Farm?
Yes. Campfires or fire pits are part of the experience at Down on the Farm. Follow the site's current fire rules, keep fires off the grass where asked, and check ahead in very dry spells.
Does Down on the Farm have a swimming pool?
No. The nearest pool site in this guide is Hoburne Cotswold Holiday Park, about 9 miles away. Down on the Farm makes up for it outdoors.
How far is Down on the Farm from Faringdon and Oxford?
Down on the Farm is about 26 miles from Faringdon (SN7) and roughly 45 miles from Oxford city centre. Distances are approximate road miles.
When is Down on the Farm open?
Down on the Farm is typically open Late March to October. Dates shift a little year to year, so confirm with the site before travelling.
Kids Under Canvas is an independent guide and takes no commission. Details last checked July 2026; facilities and opening dates change season to season, so always confirm directly with the campsite before travelling. Photography is illustrative, not of the campsite itself.
