Camping at Totterdown Hill during RIAT – What to Expect

Totterdown Campsite Experience at RIAT

Totterdown Hill Farm is a legendary spot for RIAT attendees, offering a unique airshow experience. During the Royal International Air Tattoo, the campsite becomes a vibrant community of aviation enthusiasts. You’ll camp on a hilltop overlooking RAF Fairford’s runway, with many display aircraft flying right overhead. The atmosphere is lively and camaraderie is high, it’s a rite of passage for many RIAT regulars. Campers often spend weekdays watching arrivals and practice displays from their tents (the site is open Tuesday through Monday of RIAT week), then either watch the main show from the campsite or head into the showground on the weekend. Totterdown offers an unmatched mix of convenience and spectacle, essentially an air show from your campsite.

On-Site Facilities at Totterdown Hill

Despite its temporary nature, Totterdown provides all basic amenities to keep campers comfortable:

Toilets- – On-site portable toilets (serviced regularly).

Showers- – Hot shower blocks are available on the hilltop.

Drinking Water – Fresh water taps on site for refilling bottles (e.g. near shower block).

Food & Drink,. No permanent canteen. Typically, food vendors or snack vans may visit during show days, but plan to be self-sufficient. Many campers bring their own food or BBQ, and Fairford village (with pubs, takeaways, small supermarkets) is a 20 minute walk away.

Electric Hook ups – No electrical hook-ups for caravans/campervans. Limited charging may be offered (e.g. small device charging), but plan to use battery packs.

Waste Facilities – Waste bins provided; chemical toilet disposal point available (be considerate when using water taps).

Camping Areas, Grass fields on the hilltop for tents, caravans, and motorhomes. (No separate glamping tents here – it’s a traditional camping setup.)

On-site Social, No on-site bar or club officially. Evenings are often informal social gatherings by camper groups. (Some years a mobile bar or beer tent has popped up, but not guaranteed.) The vibe is friendly but can be noisy at night with post-show celebrations.

Note: Totterdown’s campsite is fairly basic but adequate – think of it like a festival campground geared toward plane spotters. There’s no formal shop on site, so bring supplies before show days (traffic restrictions Fri-Sun make off-site trips impractical).

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Booking Your Pitch at Totterdown

Getting a spot at Totterdown requires planning well in advance – it’s extremely popular and sells out fast. Here’s how the booking process works:

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Runway Views & Plane Spotting from Totterdown

One of the biggest draws of Totterdown is its incredible viewing location for the air displays. The campsite sits on a hill opposite the showground, almost under the aerobatic display box. This means:

• Aircraft Overhead: During flying displays, fast jets and display teams often fly right overhead or very nearby. You’ll see topside passes and maneuvers from angles you’d never get inside the showground.

• Panoramic Perspective: Being elevated, you can look out over RAF Fairford’s runway and apron. You won’t see fine details on the ground, but you do see aircraft climbing out, banking, and descending at a distance. On arrival days, you can watch planes land and taxi (though from afar), and on show days you get a broad view of the entire airshow in the sky.

• Notable Limitations: Because Totterdown is outside the base perimeter and north of the runway, certain views are partially blocked. You cannot see the near end of the runway or show centre up close,  the runway itself is mostly out of sight due to terrain and fences. Small aircraft and helicopters will appear distant. Also, you are looking toward the sun for much of the day (the sun is generally to the south), meaning lighting can be challenging for photography. However, for many enthusiasts the trade-off is worth it for the unique angles.

• Practice & Arrivals: Totterdown is ideal for Wednesday–Friday arrivals and rehearsals. Many display jets use the airspace above/around Totterdown to line up for practice runs. Campers often spend these days at the campsite fence line with cameras and scanners in hand.

• Safety Note: Because of the overhead activity, Totterdown is technically in a “Danger Zone.” The staff will remind you that you’re watching at your own risk. In practice, thousands of people enjoy the view every year without issue, but it’s good to be aware.

Overall, if your priority is spectacular photos and nonstop plane action, Totterdown’s vantage point is unbeatable. You’ll be surrounded by fellow spotters, lenses pointed skyward, as fighters roar above.

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Benefits of Totterdown vs. Other Campsites

There are several camping options around Fairford, but Totterdown Hill offers some distinct advantages:​

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• Enthusiast Atmosphere: Totterdown tends to attract die-hard aviation fans, including many photographers and veteran RIAT-goers. The campsite community is friendly and passionate – expect BBQs, radio chatter about aircraft, and a collective cheer for standout displays.

• Avoiding Traffic Hassles: Located in the countryside near Fairford, Totterdown offers alternative ways to access the show. If you prefer, you can skip driving in and instead watch from camp – avoiding the massive traffic queues entirely.

• Flexibility – Park & View Option: Totterdown welcomes day visitors (£10/day) without camping. This is a perk if some of your friends can’t camp but want to join you for a day of spotting.

• Proximity to Fairford Village: Of all the camps, Totterdown is one of the closer ones to Fairford town’s amenities. A 20-minute walk gets you to the village for a pub meal, ATM, or supplies.

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Getting to the Airshow from Totterdown

Although you could be content watching from your tent, most campers at Totterdown do venture into the official RIAT show at least one day. Here’s how to get from the campsite to the show:

• By Foot: Totterdown is about 5 miles (8 km) from the main show entrance, roughly an hour’s walk. There is no special pedestrian gate directly from Totterdown’s side.

• By Bicycle: A great option if you have a bike – cycling cuts the travel time to about 15–20 minutes. Bring a lock.

• By Car: If you prefer to drive, you must have pre-booked RIAT parking. Traffic can be very heavy – you might spend 30+ minutes in queues if you leave at peak time.

• Shuttle/Taxi: There is no official shuttle from Totterdown.

• Route Tips: Grab a map from the campsite or ask the staff – they can point you toward public footpaths and quieter roads into town.

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Helpful Tips for Totterdown Campers

• Come Prepared for Weather: Bring sun protection, rain gear, and a sturdy tent. Evenings can get chilly.

• Gear for Plane Spotting: Bring binoculars, camera, airband scanner, and maybe a radio. A step stool or chair is useful.

• Earplugs and Eye Mask: It can be noisy at night. Jets and campers alike can disrupt sleep.

• Cash and Essentials: Bring cash, flashlight, power banks, and a full camping kit. Shops in Fairford will be busy.

• Food Planning: Bring your own meals or a stove. Don’t count on food vendors.

• Show Entry Tips: Go early to beat crowds, or enjoy the show from Totterdown in the morning and head in later.

• Crowd and Safety: Be mindful of valuables. Follow staff instructions and stay safe.

• Enjoy the Atmosphere: Totterdown is social, scenic, and a great spot to relax with fellow aviation fans.

By following this guide, you’ll be well-prepared for camping at Totterdown Hill during the RIAT. From the thrilling front-row seat it offers for aviation action, to the practical aspects of facilities and booking, Totterdown is a fantastic choice for an immersive air show adventure. Just be ready for an early start, a bit of a hike, and a lot of great memories watching the world’s greatest military air show from atop that famous hill.