Camping Westmoor Farm

TV buffs may recognise some of Bampton's streets (five minutes' drive), as this location was used to shoot village scenes in Downton Abbey – serious fans of the series could also drive south to Highclere Castle (45 minutes), whose imposing architecture and gorgeous gardens appeared in pretty much every episode. Similarly grand surrounds are also on display at Buscot Park (15 minutes) and Blenheim Palace (35 minutes). Heading west into the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (15 minutes) is another bright idea – you have the choice between traditional market towns like Stow-on-the-Wold (30 minutes), zoos like Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens (15 minutes) and Crocodiles of the World (20 minutes) or the fab foliage at The National Arboretum in Westonbirt (an hour). To the east, Oxford (25 minutes) has illustrious seats of learning – including Christ Church and Magdalen College, which are both particularly scenic – plus world-class museums and vantage points like Carfax Tower and St Mary's Church where you can admire the splendid cityscape below. There's also ample scope for punting yourself up and down the river or taking a gentle boat cruise on the Thames.