Reading Festival Camping: How It Works and Campsites Nearby

Reading Festival takes over the meadows beside the Thames at Richfield Avenue over the August bank holiday weekend, a walk from the town centre and the railway station. It is one of the longest-running music festivals in the country and shares its line-up with Leeds Festival, which runs on the same days. This guide explains how camping at the festival works and lists campsites in the surrounding area for anyone who would rather sleep somewhere quieter. The full list is on our Reading camping page.

Camping at the festival

A weekend ticket includes camping in the festival campsites, which open before the music starts. The campsites are named by colour and differ in character: some are close to the arena and loud through the night, others are set aside as quieter areas. Pitches are not reserved, so arriving early gives you the most choice. Day tickets do not include camping.

Campervans

Campervans and caravans are not allowed in the main campsites. They go in a separate field that needs its own pass, bought in addition to weekend tickets for everyone on board, and the passes are limited.

Pre-pitched tents

The festival and its partners sell pre-pitched tents and more comfortable glamping in separate areas, as an add-on to a weekend ticket. These cost a good deal more than carrying your own and tend to sell out first.

Campsites near Reading

There are no campsites within walking distance of the site; the nearest are six miles or more away, so you would need a lift, a taxi or the train back each night. They suit day-ticket holders, families, and anyone combining the festival with a few days by the Thames. Book early: it is a bank holiday weekend whether or not you are going to the festival.

Ellis' Hill Farm Campsite takes tents, caravans and motorhomes and is rated 4.6. Wellington Country Park at Riseley, south of the town, is a family park with tent and touring pitches, electric hook-ups and dogs welcome, rated 4.6 from over 2,500 Google reviews. Near Wokingham, California Chalet and Touring Park takes tents and tourers and has glamping.

Henley and the Thames

Swiss Farm Touring and Camping at Henley-on-Thames has an outdoor pool, takes tents, caravans and motorhomes, and is rated 4.8 from over 900 reviews. Henley Four Oaks Caravan and Motorhome Club Site is on the edge of the same town. Further downriver, Hurley Riverside Park is a family-run park on the Thames with fishing, rated 4.6 from over 900 reviews. Upriver, Rolling Fields Glamping at Moulsford is rated 5.0 and Ridgeway View Campsite near Wallingford takes tents and motorhomes.

What to check before booking

The last train. Henley and the Thames valley stations are on branch lines with early last services; check times against the headline set. Gate curfews. Many family campsites close their barrier late in the evening. Minimum stays. Three nights is common over the bank holiday. Group bookings. Some sites do not take single-sex or under-21 groups in festival week; ask first.

Beyond the festival

Reading has the Thames Path on its doorstep, Henley-on-Thames is the classic riverside town, and Wallingford and Wokingham are quieter bases.

We have similar guides to camping for Leeds Festival, Cheltenham, Castle Combe Circuit and the Great North Run.