D'Oyleys Farm

Liked loved the empty space, massive field , big distances between tent pitches, hammocks by the river, rope swings over the water would be excellent for kids.
hot showers, clean toilets
and the silence ,only bird songs

Disliked wasps,LOL!

Liked Fantastic place, beautifully set and well thought out. The reception area was great and had everything you needed and it was accessible at all times. The self serve concept was inspired and not something I've come across before.

Disliked Showers ran cold only, the portaloos were chemical ones and they smelt very bad. Compost loos would be so much better in this setting

From the manager: Thank you for your review.

We have only just put the freedom spots in place (the eco-pitches are all serviced by compost loos) so we will definitely think about those for the future. The chemical loos usually get emptied once a week and are for the freedom spots only but it appears there was a breakdown. with the cleaning vehicle. The loos are cleaned daily by us and don't normally smell. The showers are all gas but one gas bottle had run out after the busy weekend as had the battery. Sorry, I should have got down earlier to check these before you left. All the showers are working and running hot now. Please come again.

Liked Communication with Fi was brilliant

Disliked most if not all pitches are in full sun until pretty much sunset - something to consider if camping on hot days.

From the manager: Thank you for your review. We were pleased we were able to pitch you on our most shady spot that night as an upgrade and that you also found the shade of the island and the river. The freedom pitches are in the sun with full access to the shade and the river on hot days but the eco pitches have plenty of shade so something to consider when making your booking.

Best wishes

Liked We made a fairly last minute decision to camp for one night rather than going straight home to Oxford (only 20 mins from the camping). D'Oyleys looked the best bet online, with its spaciousness, tranquility, river, good walks etc plus somewhat quirky individual touches; not your standard camping/caravaning site. In actuality it was all this and more. We came on a very hot day and Fi intercepted us and directed us to an eco-pitch rather than the freedom field, in order to get good shade. This was so welcoming and generous and the pitch was absolutely gorgeous, as was the communal hammocks, swimming and BBQ shack area and other immediate surroundings (eg the deep pool on the Cuddesdon path). The pre-sunrise sky colours, with low mist in the field, were so beautiful that my partner stayed awake pretty much all night.

Disliked There was nothing to dislike

Liked Peace and quiet. Location for exploring. Being able to swim in the river on a hot day was amazing.

Disliked Nothing

Liked What an amazing find. The campsite is so spacious and Fi and Phil could not be more hospitable. The views are fabulous and I recommend an hour or two in the hammocks by the river.

Liked Peaceful, no-frills campsite. Good location close to Oxford but still felt wild. Spacious pitches. Hot gas showers.

Disliked Signage could have been improved - a chalkboard map was provided but it was difficult to work out how to get across a field to the swimming hole. Photos showed wooden steps into river but couldn’t find these.

From the manager: Thank you for your comments which are always really appreciated. We will take note of the signage suggestion although we have found in the passed that because the site has a footpath through it the signs don't always last in place very long. The swimming hole across the field is not on our owned land so although the swimming place is on a footpath and therefore accessible for all public we are not entitled to place signage there. The Holt which is on our land is signed and marked on the map too and there is plenty of space to swim there. Thank you for commenting on the photo of the wooden steps - we will contact Pitchup and ask them to remove said photo as this is historic now. The river floods habitually every year and the steps have been washed away on 3 occasions now so we rely on good old fashioned getting in and out. Wishing you all the best.

Liked Enormous pitch and space between pitches. Fresh meats from the farm shop. Hammocks, rope swings, tree house. Wild swimming and paddling area. Kayaking. How peaceful it was.

Disliked Emptying the toilet wasn't our favourite but was a 5 min job and super straight forward.

From the manager: Thanks all of you.

Great to see a family having a fab time. Come again.

Best wishes

Liked Beautiful campsite so glad to have found it. Stayed as a couple will come back with the kids. Stayed on a freedom pitch and will upgrade to eco next time - all pitches are fab and roomy - eco just looks great for the kids being able to roam and adventure. Had a dip in the river and a swing in the hammocks. Good location for Oxford and farm shops. No wifi but have graded for phone signal - why would you want it here anyway!

From the manager: Thank you very much for your lovely review.

It was a hot one this weekend so glad you found the river and the swings to enjoy.

Best wishes for a safe summer.

Liked Large pitches, very quiet, able to have big camp fires and BBQs

Disliked Had to walk a long distance and empty toilet ourselves which wasn't explicitly stated on website.

Confusing fees and payments. Seemed very expensive for a site with hardly any facilities

From the manager: Dear Camper

Sorry to hear that you were not happy to empty the loos and walk the short distance to the showers and the loo emptying. We are first and foremost a wild campsite and as we are a working farm we like to keep everything as clean as possible for the next camper so do have a few stipulations to ensure the smooth running of that whilst we are out moving cows and planting crops. The eco loos were first installed during COVID to allow all our campers the 'freedom' of our farm to commune with their families without the necessity of share facilities and many of our customers like the nature friendly idea of compost loos and because of the COVID issue were happy to clean them. We will certainly contact Pitchup to resolve any confusing fees and payments and get them to underline the point of cleaning out the loos. Have a safe summer. Best wishes