Review: Bush Farm Bison Centre Campsite
We spent two nights at Bush Farm Bison Centre campsite in Wiltshire at the start of June. Once a year we meet up with the same group of families for a camping trip. As we only see each other a couple of times a year and we’re a group of 17 adults and children, it’s important we have the right sort of campsite. As the name suggests, Bush Farm Bison Centre farms bison as well as a range of other animals including elk and goats.
The campsite adjoins the farm with pitches dotted through stunning woodland. There are also a couple of fields for caravans (and tents if you would prefer not to be in the woods). We had one non-camper in our group so she took advantage of the “pod”, a wooden hut with a mattress which is situated in the corner of a field next to woodland pitch number one where we were located.
The woodland pitches are spacious; we had four family tents and two gazebos which fitted in the designated area. It felt really secluded as we could only just see our neighbours. Our pitch was in a great location as the children could take a short path through to the field where the pod was located. Here they were free to play and run around, the space was very liberating. We were also close to the small play area which had a tyre swing and a small climbing frame and sandpit plus two sad looking owls in a cage. I expect in the middle of summer the two fields may be a bit busier but I doubt the modest facilities would allow too many more people.
Each of the woodland clearings has a fire pit so we were able to have a campfire each night. Typically, there were rain showers during our stay but the density of the trees meant that we were pretty sheltered from the elements. It also meant that the sun didn’t wake us at 5am as it has a habit of doing when you’re camping; but it was a bit chilly in the mornings whereas the fields were wonderfully warm and sunny. However, we lit a fire each morning which more than made up for the lack of rays. The pitches each have a picnic table which is handy if you’re travelling light without table or chairs.
The campsite has a wash block with separate facilities for men and women. There are two toilets and a shower in each plus two washing up stations. There is a track winding through the woodland for cars to reach the pitches and there are also pathways which made for lovely walks for the children. I could see that the woods had been filled with bluebells a few weeks previously, I’d like to return for a stay when they’re flowering.
The farm has an onsite shop (unfortunately it doesn’t open until 10am). It sells the all-important bison burgers which we barbecued, they were delicious. We also tried the elk burgers which we all agreed, as new burger-consuming experts, were not quite on a par with the bison. Sausages, steaks, eggs and milk plus café-style refreshments are also available. There is a small Native American museum at the farm which seemed slightly bizarre in the midst of the English countryside.
The farm is extensive with a mapped-out walk which passes through fields, past streams and ponds and through woodland as well as through a more landscaped area. There are various animals aside from the bison such as racoons and guanaco and there is a viewing platform and a duck hide.
The walk is really enjoyable but it is overpriced in my opinion: £8 per adult and £4 per child (aged 4-14), under 4s are free. We paid half price as we were staying on the farm but we all agreed we wouldn’t have considered paying the full amount for the walk given the impressive Wiltshire countryside which is visible in all directions.
If the farm walk had been free I expect we may not have strayed from the campsite. However, there are plenty of attractions close by. We avoided nearby Stonehenge and headed instead for Old Wardour Castle, an English Heritage site which is one of the best castles I have visited in the UK. I’ll write more about that in a separate post.
All in all, it was a great stay and I’d definitely consider returning to Bush Farm Bison Centre. The woodland setting is stunning and the space and tranquillity make it a special place. 
Bush Farm Bison Centre camping prices: £8.50 per adult, £4.25 per child, under 4s free. The pod is £40 per night
Location: not far from the A303 and A350, halfway between Warminster and Shaftsbury, about 20 miles west of Stonehenge.
Love camping? Read about our stay at Nettwood Farm campsite in nearby Somerset.
Looking for more farm holiday ideas? I’ve written about our favourite farm stays here: Family Farm Holidays in England.
Fancy a farm stay in another country? Here’s a collection of great farm holidays in Italy.
If you’re driving any distance with your kids, make sure you take a look at my post on the best family friendly places to stop just off the motorway. It features play areas, parks, pubs, castles and much more!
Oh wow, it looks like a great site. I’ve always wanted to camp in the woods but not managed yet! I will definitely have to check out Bush Farm, it looks perfect for families. (I also quite like the sound of the bison burgers!) I agree with you about the walk, seems a bit pricey for something that you can do for free! Thank you so much for joining us at #AdventureCalling
This place looks perfect – so much greenery! And I like the fact that it caers for non-campers, too. We’re going camping with a load of friends too, in July. I can’t wait!
Yes, it was particularly idyllic. Where are you camping?
We’re going to a place called Bopeep, on the Firle estate. It’s lovely to revisit this post as part of #countrykids!
I’ll have to look that one up!
Lovely to revisit this as part of #FamilyFriendlyStays! I’m going to tell our friends who live in Bristol about this place, as it sounds right up their street.
This looks like great campsite. Like you we’ve used Cool Camping a few times and. Ever been let down. I love the woodland clearings and the fact they have fire pits, which really does make a special experience for the kids. Thanks for joining us on #adventurecalling I hope you can again tomorrow.
Yes, Cool Camping are great although a few years ago we went to a few sites listed in a book of theirs which no longer existed..!
You don’t expect to see bison in Wiltshire! This site looks lovely I like that you could have a firepit and that there was plenty of space for the kids to room. #TheWeeklyPostcard
What a pretty place to camp! It looks so green. Nice there is the onsite store, but agree it should open earlier. It’s nice you could make bison burgers, that’s my favorite type of meat, it just cooks so fast. Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard.
Oh I miss camping and this looks like a lovely area! I loved that sign about the rain! Thanks for linking up with #TheWeeklyPostcard!
What a fun campsite that gets you back to nature with a few quirky things to explore.
This looks perfect – I have been looking for a campsite for a family weekend away and this could fit the bill! #familytraveltips
Love the idea of a yearly camping trip with friends! Somehow we’re never organized enough to get everyone together… This campsite looks amazing. All kids (small and big) love campfires 🙂 It would have been nice if the farm walk was free for people staying at the campsite. #familytraveltips
It is an effort to get everyone together but definitely worth it!
The pod has a double futon plus a hammock which can sleep two kids so a family of four. However, it’s pretty small so it would be a bit of a squeeze!
This looks like a fantastic campsite for you and your friends, it’s great that they were so accommodating to such a large group of you. The walk looks lovely, a shame that you felt it was a little overpriced although I would’ve expected more for that cost too. It’s great that they have so many different animals for the kids to see too, bison are so unusual in England.
Thanks for sharing with me on #CountryKids.
what a lovely thing to do, camping with a large group of friends. This sounds like the ideal place to do it. #FamilyTravelTips
Wow, you’ve really sold this place to me. I never fancy camping as I worry about the cold, bugs, damp etc but your pictures make me wistful for all that green and family time. Mich x
Try the pod!
This is right up my street! Love places like this and the bison add a more exotic element. I’ll have to check it out next time we head to Wiltshire. Thank you! #CountryKids
This looks like a lovely campsite but I do agree with you about the walk, I’m not sure I would have done it if it wasn’t free. It annoys me a bit to be charged to go for a walk. I really love the firepits though, such a lovely thing for a campsite to have. Thanks very much for linking up to #Familytraveltips.
Nat.x
I love the look of the pod and your camp set up looks very welcoming. It’s a shame the farm shop doesn’t open til 10 – with kids if you forget something we all know how they create if food related. Hangry sounds are made! Also a bit disappointing re the charges for the walk..
#familytraveltips
Great campsite. What’s with the North American theme? Just falling in with the bison connection? Odd, but interesting. That quote o the tree is one of my favourites too!
I think that’s so special that you all meet up once a year! is it an organised group or are you just all friends? it’s so cute! this place looks lovely and clean x
#countrykids
We’re friends, much more fun than piling round one family’s house!
Aw this looks so lovely, I am not the biggest camper but I have to say the outdoor living is so appealing #MondayEscapes x
We absolutely love camping and cannot wait to get the tent out! Now we’re back in the UK I’ve been looking for good campsites that the boys will love. This one is now on the list! #familyfriendlystays
Do you know about the Cool Camping website? It has some really lovely UK sites on it.
Cool Camping have some brilliant sites. My family and I camp with another family at least once a year but definitely need to get a big group of us. This site looks fabulous and would love to camp in the woods we are always in the open. Will add this to the list of go to places #FamilyFriendlyStays
It was a great place for our group. Our four tents felt really secluded in the little woodland clearing.
This looks like a great site to do with friends – we’re always trying to set something up with a group of us, so I’ll keep this one in mind for future! #familyfriendlystays
It was lovely to have so much space to explore without having to pile all the kids into the car. Off to the Cotswolds for our next camping adventure. Can’t wait!