# Bishops Green Staycation Guide — Where to Stay & What to Do > Discover Bishops Green, a quiet Berkshire hamlet near Newbury on the edge of the North Wessex Downs, with nearby walks, Greenham Common and Highclere Castle. Source: https://staycation.co.uk/bishops-green (Staycation.co.uk). Cite the source page, not this text version. Quiet countryside on the edge of the downs [Guide](https://staycation.co.uk/bishops-green) [🏨 Hotels](https://staycation.co.uk/bishops-green/hotels) [🏡 Cottages](https://staycation.co.uk/bishops-green/cottages) [⛺ Camping](https://staycation.co.uk/bishops-green/camping) [🎟️ Attractions](https://staycation.co.uk/bishops-green/attractions) [🍽️ Restaurants](https://staycation.co.uk/bishops-green/restaurants) Bishops Green sits just south of Newbury, on the Berkshire side of the county boundary that here runs close to Hampshire, in the parish shared with Ecchinswell and Sydmonton. It is a small, quiet place rather than a destination in its own right, with a scatter of housing that grew up around RAF Greenham Common during the Second World War and was redeveloped into its present form from the mid-1990s. What draws visitors is not the hamlet itself but its position, tucked into rolling farmland on the edge of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The surrounding countryside is classic chalk downland: hedged lanes, arable fields and beech-topped hills rolling away towards Watership Down to the south and the Kennet valley to the north. Newbury, with its racecourse, restaurants and rail connections, is a few minutes away by car, while the village of Kingsclere and the old air base at Greenham Common are both within easy reach. It is a good base for slow, low-key exploring rather than sightseeing at pace. ## Getting to Bishops Green Bishops Green lies just off the A339 between Newbury and Kingsclere, with the A34 and M4 both within easy reach for wider connections. Newbury railway station, on the line between London Paddington and the West Country, is the nearest mainline station, around ten minutes away by car. There is no direct bus service into the hamlet itself, so a car is the practical way to get around this rural corner of Berkshire. ## Best time to visit Bishops Green Late spring through early autumn suits the area best, when the downland walking routes are at their driest and the hedgerows and skylark-filled fields of Greenham Common are at their liveliest. Autumn brings good colour to the beech woods on the surrounding hills, while winter racing fixtures give Newbury Racecourse its own seasonal draw. ## Where to stay in Bishops Green [All hotels in Bishops Green →](https://staycation.co.uk/bishops-green/hotels) About staying in Bishops Green Bishops Green itself has no hotels, so visitors typically stay in nearby Newbury, which offers everything from budget chain hotels to comfortable coaching inns and a handful of boutique options within its historic town centre. Newbury’s hotels put you within easy reach of the racecourse, the Kennet and Avon Canal, and the wider North Wessex Downs, as well as being a convenient stop for travellers using the A34 or the London to West Country rail line. Alternatively, the villages around Kingsclere and Ecchinswell have a small number of pubs with rooms and bed and breakfasts, offering a quieter, more rural alternative with easy access to Watership Down and the surrounding walking country. Wherever you choose to stay, the area works best as a base for gentle countryside days rather than as a destination with attractions of its own, so proximity to the A339 and A34 is worth prioritising for getting around. Booking ahead is sensible around Newbury Racecourse fixture dates, when demand for nearby rooms rises noticeably. [Premier Inn Newbury Town Centre South A339 Pinchington Lane, Newbury](https://staycation.co.uk/newbury/hotels/premier-inn-newbury-town-centre-south-a339) [The Swan at Thatcham by Marstons Inns Station Road, Thatcham](https://staycation.co.uk/thatcham/hotels/the-swan-at-thatcham-by-marstons-inns) [The Lodge Newbury Racecourse Racecourse Road, Newbury](https://staycation.co.uk/newbury/hotels/the-lodge) [The George and Horn Basingstoke Road, Kingsclere](https://staycation.co.uk/kingsclere/hotels/the-george-and-horn) [Bel & the Dragon Swan Street, Kingsclere](https://staycation.co.uk/kingsclere/hotels/bel-the-dragon) [Mercure Newbury West Grange Hotel Cox's Lane, Thatcham](https://staycation.co.uk/thatcham/hotels/mercure-newbury-west-grange-hotel) [Regency Park Hotel Bowling Green Road, Thatcham](https://staycation.co.uk/thatcham/hotels/regency-park-hotel) [The Elephant at the Market Market Place, Newbury](https://staycation.co.uk/newbury/hotels/the-elephant-at-the-market) ## Things to Do in Bishops Green [All attractions in Bishops Green →](https://staycation.co.uk/bishops-green/attractions) Top things to do near Bishops Green Bishops Green itself has little beyond a village hall and shop, but the surrounding area offers plenty for a day or two of gentle exploring. - **Greenham Common** — the former Cold War airbase, now open heathland and a nature reserve with the runway, control tower and Second World War history still visible alongside skylarks and grazing ponies. - **Watership Down and the North Wessex Downs** — the chalk ridge made famous by Richard Adams’ novel, with waymarked walking routes and wide views over Hampshire and Berkshire. - **Newbury Racecourse** — a major National Hunt and Flat racing venue a short drive north, hosting race days throughout the year. - **Kingsclere village** — a handsome Hampshire village with a shop, pub and church, and the famous racehorse training gallops on the downs above it. - **Highclere Castle** — the real-life setting for Downton Abbey, with its gardens and Egyptian exhibition, is a short drive to the south. [4 Kingdoms Adventure Park And Family Farm ⭐ 4.3](https://staycation.co.uk/bishops-green/attractions/4-kingdoms-adventure-park-and-family-farm) [The Nature Discovery Centre ⭐ 4.6](https://staycation.co.uk/bishops-green/attractions/the-nature-discovery-centre) [Northway Climbing Centre ⭐ 4.8](https://staycation.co.uk/bishops-green/attractions/northway-climbing-centre) [Vue Newbury ⭐ 4.2](https://staycation.co.uk/bishops-green/attractions/vue-newbury) [The Ugly Duckling ⭐ 4.7](https://staycation.co.uk/bishops-green/attractions/the-ugly-duckling) [Tiny Town Newbury ⭐ 4.5](https://staycation.co.uk/bishops-green/attractions/tiny-town-newbury) [Northcroft and Goldwell Parks ⭐ 4.4](https://staycation.co.uk/bishops-green/attractions/northcroft-and-goldwell-parks) [Northcroft Leisure Centre and Lido ⭐ 4.2](https://staycation.co.uk/bishops-green/attractions/northcroft-leisure-centre-and-lido) ## Where to Eat in Bishops Green [All restaurants in Bishops Green →](https://staycation.co.uk/bishops-green/restaurants) Food and drink near Bishops Green There is no pub or restaurant in Bishops Green itself. The nearest options are in Kingsclere and Ecchinswell, both a short drive away, or in Newbury, which has a wide choice of pubs, cafes and restaurants around its historic town centre and wharf. [Greenham Control Tower Cafe ⭐ 4.6](https://staycation.co.uk/bishops-green/restaurants/greenham-control-tower-cafe) [Ego Kingsclere ⭐ 4.7](https://staycation.co.uk/bishops-green/restaurants/ego-kingsclere) [Newbury Soup Kitchen ⭐ 4.7](https://staycation.co.uk/bishops-green/restaurants/newbury-soup-kitchen) [Mandarin Court ⭐ 4.0](https://staycation.co.uk/bishops-green/restaurants/mandarin-court) [Thatcham Tandoori ⭐ 4.1](https://staycation.co.uk/bishops-green/restaurants/thatcham-tandoori) [Levy ⭐ 4.4](https://staycation.co.uk/bishops-green/restaurants/levy) [Combes Catering At Two Saints Direct Access Hostel ⭐ 3.1](https://staycation.co.uk/bishops-green/restaurants/combes-catering-at-two-saints-direct-access-hostel) [Greece Foodies ⭐ 4.8](https://staycation.co.uk/bishops-green/restaurants/greece-foodies) ## Attractions Near Bishops Green [All attractions in Bishops Green →](https://staycation.co.uk/attractions) Worth the trip — within 50 miles of Bishops Green. [0 mi 4 Kingdoms Adventure Park And Family Farm Thatcham · ⭐ 4.3](https://staycation.co.uk/thatcham/attractions/4-kingdoms-adventure-park-and-family-farm) [2 mi The Nature Discovery Centre Thatcham · ⭐ 4.6](https://staycation.co.uk/thatcham/attractions/the-nature-discovery-centre) [3 mi Northway Climbing Centre Newbury · ⭐ 4.8](https://staycation.co.uk/newbury/attractions/northway-climbing-centre) [3 mi Vue Newbury Newbury · ⭐ 4.2](https://staycation.co.uk/newbury/attractions/vue-newbury) [3 mi The Ugly Duckling Newbury · ⭐ 4.7](https://staycation.co.uk/newbury/attractions/the-ugly-duckling) [3 mi Tiny Town Newbury Newbury · ⭐ 4.5](https://staycation.co.uk/newbury/attractions/tiny-town-newbury) [4 mi Northcroft and Goldwell Parks Newbury · ⭐ 4.4](https://staycation.co.uk/newbury/attractions/northcroft-and-goldwell-parks) [4 mi Northcroft Leisure Centre and Lido Newbury · ⭐ 4.2](https://staycation.co.uk/newbury/attractions/northcroft-leisure-centre-and-lido) ## Camping in Bishops Green(1) [All campsites in Bishops Green →](https://staycation.co.uk/bishops-green/camping) About camping in Bishops Green Camping near Bishops Green means making the most of the quiet chalk downland that surrounds this small Berkshire hamlet, rather than looking for facilities on the doorstep. Remember that wild camping is illegal in England without the landowner’s permission, so any stay needs to be at a recognised site or with an owner’s consent. The good news is that the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which laps right up to Bishops Green, has a scattering of small campsites and farm-based sites on its rolling, well-drained chalk terrain, many aimed at walkers tackling the ridgeway routes near Watership Down or families visiting Greenham Common. The terrain here is gentle rather than dramatic: rounded hills, beech clumps, hedged lanes and big skies rather than rugged wilderness, which makes it comfortable, easy-going camping country. Ground tends to drain well thanks to the underlying chalk, which is an advantage after wet weather compared with heavier clay soils found elsewhere in the region. Late spring to early autumn is the most reliable camping season, when evenings are long and the downland tracks are firm underfoot; midsummer weekends can get busy near the more popular spots such as Greenham Common, so booking ahead is worth doing in peak months. For those who prefer a bit more comfort, glamping options in the wider Berkshire and Hampshire countryside range from simple furnished bell tents to shepherd’s huts and safari tents with proper beds and wood burners, letting you enjoy the downland scenery without full camping kit. Given how few sites sit within Bishops Green itself, it is worth casting the net a little wider across the North Wessex Downs and into neighbouring Hampshire, where the choice of pitches and glamping stays is greater, while still keeping the hamlet’s quiet lanes and downland views within easy reach for day trips. [Bishops Green Farm Camping ⭐ 4.7](https://staycation.co.uk/bishops-green/camping/bishops-green-farm-camping) [Cherry Bird Country Park ⭐ 4.4](https://staycation.co.uk/berkshire/camping/cherry-bird-country-park) [Sandleford Lodge ⭐ 4.8](https://staycation.co.uk/berkshire/camping/sandleford-lodge) [Oakley Farm Caravan Park ⭐ 4.4](https://staycation.co.uk/berkshire/camping/oakley-farm-caravan-park) [Goose Green ⭐ 4.9](https://staycation.co.uk/hampshire/camping/goose-green) [Bucklebury Farm & Deer Safari Park ⭐ 4.5](https://staycation.co.uk/reading/camping/bucklebury-farm-deer-safari-park) [Hollington Park Glamping ⭐ 4.5](https://staycation.co.uk/newbury/camping/hollington-park-glamping) [Upland Park ⭐ 4.3](https://staycation.co.uk/hampshire/camping/upland-park) ## Self-Catering Cottages in Bishops Green [All cottages in Bishops Green →](https://staycation.co.uk/bishops-green/cottages) [The Diary Retreat 1 bed · sleeps 6 · from £668](https://staycation.co.uk/west-berkshire/cottages/the-diary-retreat-ukc7627) [Walkeridge Farm 1 bed · sleeps 2 · from £957](https://staycation.co.uk/basingstoke-and-deane/cottages/walkeridge-farm-uk49416) [The Meadow Pod 1 bed · sleeps 6 · from £751](https://staycation.co.uk/basingstoke-and-deane/cottages/the-meadow-pod-ukc7675) [🏡Cottage Bedouin 1 bed · sleeps 2 · from £997](https://staycation.co.uk/basingstoke-and-deane/cottages/bedouin-ukc5929) [🏡Cottage Bluebelle 1 bed · sleeps 2 · from £677](https://staycation.co.uk/basingstoke-and-deane/cottages/bluebelle-ukc5928) [🏡Cottage Daisy 1 bed · sleeps 2 · from £677](https://staycation.co.uk/basingstoke-and-deane/cottages/daisy-ukc5927) [🏡Cottage Moroccan 1 bed · sleeps 2 · from £997](https://staycation.co.uk/basingstoke-and-deane/cottages/moroccan-ukc5930) [🏡Cottage Old School House 1 bed · sleeps 4 · from £751](https://staycation.co.uk/basingstoke-and-deane/cottages/old-school-house-ukc7248) ## Common questions about Bishops Green How many campsites are there in Bishops Green? We list 1 campsites in and around Bishops Green, of which 1 take tents. Are there dog-friendly campsites in Bishops Green? Yes — 1 of the 1 campsites we list in Bishops Green accept dogs, including Bishops Green Farm Camping. Which campsites in Bishops Green have electric hook-up? 1 of the 1 campsites we list in Bishops Green offer an electric hook-up. ### 🏨 Find Hotels in Bishops Green Search hotels, B&Bs and self-catering on Booking.com. [Search Accommodation →](https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-101762279-15734754?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.booking.com%2Fsearchresults.en-gb.html%3Fss%3DBishops%2BGreen%252C%2BUnited%2BKingdom) Affiliate link ### Explore Bishops Green - [🏨 Hotels & B&Bs](https://staycation.co.uk/bishops-green/hotels) - [🏡 Cottages](https://staycation.co.uk/bishops-green/cottages) - [⛺ Campsites & glamping](https://staycation.co.uk/bishops-green/camping) - [🎟️ Attractions](https://staycation.co.uk/bishops-green/attractions) - [🍽️ Restaurants](https://staycation.co.uk/bishops-green/restaurants) - [🗺️ More in Berkshire](https://staycation.co.uk/berkshire) - [🧭 All of the South East](https://staycation.co.uk/regions/south-east) ## Staycation ideas for Bishops Green [All staycation ideas →](https://staycation.co.uk/staycation-ideas) [The Best Last-Minute UK Staycations Six well-connected UK towns and cities worth booking at short notice, chosen for easy travel and a decent spread of accommodation once the school-holiday crowds have thinned.](https://staycation.co.uk/staycation-ideas/best-last-minute-staycations) [Rainy Day Staycations: Best UK Breaks for Bad Weather When the forecast turns grim, these UK cities and spa towns keep their appeal indoors, with museums, galleries and grand architecture to fill a wet weekend.](https://staycation.co.uk/staycation-ideas/rainy-day-staycations-uk) [The Best Dog-Friendly Staycations in Britain From Cornish coast paths to Lake District fells, these six British destinations offer the open beaches, moors and forests that make a staycation genuinely enjoyable for dogs and their owners alike.](https://staycation.co.uk/staycation-ideas/dog-friendly-staycations) [The Best UK Staycations for Families with Young Kids From New Forest ponies to Cornish rock pools, these six UK destinations combine easy logistics, safe beaches and family-friendly attractions for a stress-free break with young children.](https://staycation.co.uk/staycation-ideas/best-staycations-for-families)