Bella Vista Camping, Oxford

The GuardianJun 17

Cycling in the tracks of Britain’s camping pioneers from Oxford to Surrey

Britain’s Camping and Caravanning Club started as a cycle camping club 125 years ago. I cycle from its birthplace to one of its oldest campsites to see if its free-wheeling spirit survives Skylarks call out a cascading trill as I pedal between the pink and white hawthorn blossoms that make my path look like a May Day parade. I’m on the outskirts of Oxford, a city I thought I knew well, yet as I…

Family-run club site on the Chiltern Cycleway.

10 things in this story

National Cycle Route 57TrailCycling route on the outskirts of Oxford.
Bella Vista CampingHotelFamily-run club site on the Chiltern Cycleway.
Old FishermanRestaurantStop for a sandwich and coffee.
Phoenix TrailTrailFormer railway track, part of Route 57.
Crown PubPubPub a five-minute walk from the campsite.
Walton CCC campsitePlaceOne of the oldest campsites in the CCC network.
Crocus cafeRestaurantCafe for lunch.
Hampton Court Paddle SportsPlaceLaunch from our private pontoon in West Molesey, or at Hampton Court Bridge, and explore a lovely stretch of the…
Mezzet BoxRestaurantFalafel stop.
AnglersRestaurantPub built on the banks in 1870.

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Bella Vista Camping

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Cycling in the tracks of Britain’s camping pioneers from Oxford to Surrey