Dating back over a thousand years, Bicester hasn't forgotten its history - in fact its 16th century market still stands and still hosts a fresh farmer's market. And once you've got a feel for the town, hop in the car and you'll soon be in the gorgeous Cotswolds or you can whip over the M40 and see Blenheim Palace, Churchill's birthplace. It's all in reach from these top Bicester campsites.
Adderbury, Banbury, Oxfordshire (9.2 miles)
Adult-only site on a pig farm on the banks of the Oxford Canal. Onsite farm shop, bar/cafe and firepit areas!
4.55 /5
Brackley, Northamptonshire (9.3 miles)
Countryside camping and bell tent glamping in a charming setting surrounded by nature. Next to Hinton Airfield.
4.78 /5
Chackmore, Buckinghamshire (10.6 miles)
Tent campsite set ten minutes from Silverstone Circuit. A mini onsite farm shop, just a five minute walk to a pub!
Farthinghoe, Brackley, Northamptonshire (11.1 miles)
Glamping in luxury, dog and family friendly yurts near the Cotswolds. Tearoom, petting farm and playpark nearby.
4.88 /5
Fringford, Bicester, Oxfordshire (2.9 miles)
A small, quiet site with good basic facilities and pods, set close to Bicester and Oxford. Open all year.
Poundon, Bicester, Oxfordshire (3.6 miles)
A delightful, adult only shepherd's hut set overlooking the Aylesbury Vale, near the Cotswolds and Chiltern Hills.
Weston-on-the-Green, Bicester, Oxfordshire (4 miles)
A quiet, ideally situated and easily accessible campsite with beautiful food on site.
Bletchingdon, Oxford, Oxfordshire (6.6 miles)
This park is located near Oxford with great access to main roads, being just 6 miles from junction 9 of the M40.
Clifton, Banbury, Oxfordshire (8.2 miles)
A rural, fully serviced campsite in an idyllic corner near the Cotswolds, next to a pub serving excellent food.
Waterperry, Oxfordshire (8.4 miles)
Idyllic camping and touring on the Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire border, by the Chiltern Hills. Members only.
Horspath, Oxford, Oxfordshire (10.8 miles)
A dog friendly CS site with access to a country park. Topnotch views and lots of space - 5 mins from pubs.
Historic Bicester (yep, it's pronounced 'Bister'!) sits in Oxfordshire's Cherwell area. It's nice and easy to get to thanks to the M40 and yet attractive like its big cousin Oxford, with a hive of restaurants, pubs and cafes, as well as a 16th century weekly market.
Take a stroll through the town and admire its architecture, including the 17th century Dovecote, the 12th century St. Edburg's Church and the Old Vicarage which was constructed around 1500 - the oldest house in Bicester.
If you're looking to splash a little more cash, Bicester Shopping Village is the place to go. With over a hundred outlet boutiques to discover, this is the ideal place for anyone who is keen to indulge in some serious retail therapy.
The antidote to all that label hunting is the peace and beauty of Garth Park with its bandstand, scrummy cafe and a play area for your little tinkers. There are slides to swoop down, a big climbing net to spider around on and the intriguingly name 'discovery stream' where kids can shoot jets of water, squirt from gigantic taps and cool off on a hot day. For a spot more greenery and wildlife, try the Island Pond Wood nature reserve.
If a bit of a soaking isn't enough adrenaline, you need to screech your wheels and kick up some mud around the London Rally School for a thrilling rally driving experience. And when you're not behind the wheel, you might be trying archery, crossbow shooting, air rifle shooting and even axe throwing at your imaginary enemies with On Targett Events.
Real high fliers need to try a sesh learning to glide at the Bicester Gliding Centre. Give a trial lesson a go or just sit back and be flown through the clouds by experienced instructors for the experience.
Moving into Bicester's surrounding areas you can explore the places you saw from high above. Browse seven centuries of fascinating history at Boarstall Tower and get stuck into both Waddesdon Manor and the blooming beauties at Rousham Gardens.
Blenheim Palace is a gem, just a quick drive from this base, where you're not only bound to have a nice roam through its stately rooms, but you can see how codebreakers cracked the mindboggling codes of World War 2 and walk in Churchill's confident footsteps.
A punt on the river and a tour of the world renowned university in Oxford is one for your list too, less than half an hour by car from Bicester.