England
Van Life Campsites in Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire has two outstanding landscapes for van life: the Cotswolds to the east and the Forest of Dean to the west, separated by the broad plain of the Severn Valley.
The Cotswolds AONB is probably England's most photogenic landscape — honey-stone villages, dry-stone walls, and rolling sheep pasture. Farm sites here are often basic (a field, a tap, an honesty box) but the settings are unbeatable. Bourton-on-the-Water, Burford, and Chipping Campden are all within easy reach of good van stops.
The Forest of Dean is Gloucestershire's secret. An ancient royal hunting forest on the banks of the Wye, it has mountain biking trails, caves, and a quirky industrial heritage. Vehicle overnights require a designated campsite or express landowner permission; ordinary forest parking is not a campsite. Wild boar and deer are residents.
No listings yet in Gloucestershire
Know a great van spot here? List it free during our launch period.
Add a site in Gloucestershire →Van Life Tips for Gloucestershire
Cotswold lanes are narrow and honeypots like Bourton-on-the-Water and Bibury get extremely crowded in summer. Use farm sites outside the main villages and walk or cycle in. Forest of Dean roads are better but still narrow in places.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I camp in the Forest of Dean in a van?
Forestry England permits organised camping in designated areas of the Forest of Dean. Wild van camping in the forest itself is not permitted. Check the Forest of Dean website for current camping options.
What are the best Cotswolds van life spots?
Farm sites around Stow-on-the-Wold, Bourton-on-the-Water, and in the Windrush Valley offer the best access to the Cotswolds honeypot villages while avoiding the worst parking congestion.