Bicester campsites

Historic Bicester (yep, it's pronounced 'Bister'!) sits in Oxfordshire's Cherwell area. It's nice and easy to get to thanks to the M40 and yet attractive like its big cousin Oxford, with a hive of restaurants, pubs and cafes, as well as a 16th century weekly market. 

Take a stroll through the town and admire its architecture, including the 17th century Dovecote, the 12th century St. Edburg's Church and the Old Vicarage which was constructed around 1500 - the oldest house in Bicester. 

If you're looking to splash a little more cash, Bicester Shopping Village is the place to go. With over a hundred outlet boutiques to discover, this is the ideal place for anyone who is keen to indulge in some serious retail therapy. 

The antidote to all that label hunting is the peace and beauty of Garth Park with its bandstand, scrummy cafe and a play area for your little tinkers. There are slides to swoop down, a big climbing net to spider around on and the intriguingly name 'discovery stream' where kids can shoot jets of water, squirt from gigantic taps and cool off on a hot day. For a spot more greenery and wildlife, try the Island Pond Wood nature reserve.

If a bit of a soaking isn't enough adrenaline, you need to screech your wheels and kick up some mud around the London Rally School for a thrilling rally driving experience. And when you're not behind the wheel, you might be trying archery, crossbow shooting, air rifle shooting and even axe throwing at your imaginary enemies with On Targett Events.

Real high fliers need to try a sesh learning to glide at the Bicester Gliding Centre. Give a trial lesson a go or just sit back and be flown through the clouds by experienced instructors for the experience.

Moving into Bicester's surrounding areas you can explore the places you saw from high above. Browse seven centuries of fascinating history at Boarstall Tower and get stuck into both Waddesdon Manor and the blooming beauties at Rousham Gardens. 

Blenheim Palace is a gem, just a quick drive from this base, where you're not only bound to have a nice roam through its stately rooms, but you can see how codebreakers cracked the mindboggling codes of World War 2 and walk in Churchill's confident footsteps.

A punt on the river and a tour of the world renowned university in Oxford is one for your list too, less than half an hour by car from Bicester.