Botley Town House

The creak of old floorboards underfoot and the smell of proper coffee drifting up the stairs — this is Botley at its best, a stone's throw from Oxford's dreaming spires without the city-centre crush.

Botley Town House offers something a bit different: camping pods in the garden alongside traditional guest house rooms, so you can choose your level of comfort depending on the season or who's travelling with you. It's a good shout for couples wanting a base to explore Oxford on foot or by bike, or anyone after a night or two somewhere characterful between longer camping stops. Dogs are welcome by arrangement, so worth asking ahead if you're bringing yours.

The setup is relaxed and year-round, meaning you can duck in for a midwinter break or a summer stopover without the usual campsite calendar limitations. Campfires need checking on arrival — they'll let you know what's possible. It's more boutique bolthole than full-service campsite, but that's exactly the charm if you want a bed in Oxford's orbit without the usual hotel feel.