Fairford Air Show Camping
On this page you will find information regarding Townsend Farm Campsite.
Booking Open for 2026
Camping at Fairford Air show Camping
Why stay at Fairford Air Show Camping?
Directly Under the Flightline
Do you want to see views you will not see inside the showground? Well your in for a treat stating at FASC, due to there prime location of being directly under the flight path and seeing the displays overhead.
17 Fields and 75 acers of Land
FASC offers more space than any other RIAT campsite, with no restricted pitch sizes.
There’s plenty of room for everyone to set up comfortably.
Perfect for families who need extra space, and ideal for larger groups wanting to camp together.
20 Minute Walk to the Show
With FASC’s dedicated footpath leading directly from the campsite to the showground, campers can simply walk straight in. It’s a safer, clearly marked route that keeps you away from the busy vehicle approach roads.
No waiting around in arrival traffic each morning.
What to expect at Fairford Airshow Camping
Stay at Townsend Farm – Your Ideal Fairford Air show Camping Experience
In this Section we will discuss all the key information you will need to know when camping at Townsend Farm. This campsite is perfect if you're a die hard aviation enthusiast or simply after a brilliant weekend away. Townsend Farm Campsite is the perfect place to stay during the Royal International Air Tattoo. Sitting right beneath the flightpath, it’s one of the best spots to watch the aircraft as they arrive, depart, and take to the skies throughout the day.
Why Choose Townsend Farm?
Stay Close to the Action
Townsend Farm sits directly under the RIAT flightpath, so you’ll see plenty of aircraft arriving and departing throughout the day without needing to leave the campsite. It’s a great introduction to the atmosphere of the show before you’ve even reached the gates.
Plenty of Space to Suit Your Setup
With 18 different camping fields available, you can choose an area that fits how you want your weekend to feel:
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Quiet Fields – Best suited to families or anyone who prefers a calmer base.
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Group Friendly Fields – A good option if you're attending with friends or an organised group.
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General Camping – A mix of campers, offering a relaxed and sociable environment.
On-Site Camp Store
Jenner’s Barn Camp Store is located on site and stocks basics such as milk, bread, drinks, snacks, and other camping essentials. It’s especially useful if you’re new to camping and realise you’ve forgotten something once you arrive.
What happens on arrival?
The Staff at Fairford Air Show and Camping have a well organised arrival system. They have pop up tents where you drive up (shown in the image above ) where staff check you in, give you a wrist band, then let you know where to head to. Given you advice on what field has room, This is mainly for the Friday, Saturday arrivals. As it gets busy, but the staff manage this well.
If you are arriving during peak times, then queues form quickly, generally in the later afternoon and evenings. It looks worse than it is, however the staff manage this very well.
Please have your booking details and QR codes ready to make check in smoother for all. If you are arriving from Saturday to the Wednesday, you will have more of a selection and a better chance of picking the pitch you that suits you. Plus check in is very quite compared to the weekend, This isn't to put anyone off, just to make you prepared.
It makes it easier if you have a few fields as options to pitch up on.
No Need to Book a Specific Field
At Townsend Farm, you don’t need to reserve a particular field in advance. Simply arrive on site, have a look around, and choose the field that best suits your setup or the kind of atmosphere you’re after.
Please note this is subject to availability on your day of arrival, as fields can start to fill up quickly from Thursday onwards.
Yellow field is generally Full by Thursday as its the smallest of the 18 fields. So please don't expect to find a space on the weekend.
You will also find this with Blue as its the first field as you enter the campsite.
Best chances for later arrivals will be the fields further out, like rainbow, corn, pink and teal. Please see the map further down for more of an idea to wear they are located. The campsite will also release an up to date map closer to the show, which I will post on this page
Below is a Google Earth image of the campsite in 2024, This was taken on the Friday afternoon, this will give you an idea of how the fields look. The exception for this year is that the Navy field is closed. You will need to cross reference the Campsite map for the locations and names of the fields
Camping Map FOR 2026
This was Fairford Air show and Camping campsite map for 2025, this will show what fields you can camp in and where all the Toilets are located ( U ) and the Showers are. Depends on booking, other fields are opened up, including 3 new fields that opened in 2025. Rainbow Extension and the Corn Field.
Please note that, Navy Field, will not be open in 2026, due to works located on that field.
Showers & Toilets
THE CAMPSITE LAYOUT
Campsite Overview
The Google Maps view below shows the full layout of Townsend Farm Campsite as it appeared on the Friday afternoon of RIAT 2024. All available camping fields at that time are visible in the image.
We’ve highlighted a few key features to help you get your bearings:
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Red Line – The walking route from the campsite towards the RIAT showground entrance.
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Jenner’s Barn – Marked as a blue triangle so you can easily locate the on-site shop and bar area.
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Green Line – The typical flightpath for aircraft arriving onto Runway 27.
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During display's planes will flyover in all sort of directions
Aircraft using Runway 27 will often pass over the campsite at approximately 500ft, descending to around 100ft as they approach RAF Fairford. This can provide excellent views and plenty of engine noise as they come in to land.
Please note that landings on Runway 27 generally only take place when the wind is blowing from the west, so flight activity over the campsite will depend on the day’s conditions.
The field that has been circled in the image indicates the usual location of the campsite’s Park & View area.
To match the coloured fields shown in the image with their names, please refer to the official campsite map provided below.
Walking Route to the Show
The red line shown on the map highlights the designated walking route to the showground. Starting from Jenner’s Barn as a reference point, labelled as Townsend Farm on the map. The path takes you through the Yellow Field and Navy Field (CLOSED FOR 2026) passing by the Park & View area operated by the campsite owners. Once you reach the main road, follow the signs directing you to the Yellow Pedestrian Entrance. from Jenner's Barn it takes a good 20 mins to the yellow entrance.
Pass Through Yellow Field and Navy Field
This path leads past the Navy Field (Closed for 2026)
Pass over a single track road and you will see a path with this sign.
The Path takes you past Flyby Camping.
This field is for Park & View, walk towards to gate at the other end.
This is the View from Park & View run by the campsite.
The exit gate to road, turn left on main road.
Another refernece point for exit gate.
Main Road towards yellow entrance. You will see temporary traffic lights. Cross there and head into Airfield gates. Everyone will be heading the same way.
Follow the Yellow cones and you will see the big yellow entrance tent where they check your bags and tickets.
What amenities are at Fairford Air show Camping?
Comfortable Facilities
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Hot Showers – Clean and regularly maintained, available throughout the site. These are located in Yellow and Grey Fields
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Toilets – Ample toilet facilities across the campsite. Every Field has plenty.
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Drinking Water Points – Fresh water taps are spread across the fields. These are marked in Blue and Red dots on the map.
Jenner’s Bar – The Social Hub
Located in the Blue Field
After a full day at RIAT, Jenner’s Bar becomes one of the main places on site where campers head to relax in the evening.
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Fully Licensed On-Site Bar – Serving beers, spirits, soft drinks and other refreshments throughout the night.
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Evening BBQ – Hot food is available nightly, making it easy to grab something to eat without needing to leave the campsite.
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Live Music & Entertainment – Expect live bands, DJs and occasional themed nights across the weekend.
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Friendly Atmosphere – A good place to meet other aviation fans and chat about the day’s flying.
Evening Entertainment
There’s usually something going on once the flying has finished:
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Live Bands & Reggae Sessions – Regular live acts throughout the weekend.
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Bonfire & Chill Zones – Quieter areas where you can sit back with a drink and wind down for the night.
Getting to the Show
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20 to 30 Minute Walk to RIAT – The walking route starts from the Yellow Field and is clearly signposted from the campsite. If in doubt, just follow the steady stream of people heading in the same direction each morning.
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On-Site Parking – Park next to your pitch for easy access to your tent or vehicle.
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Suitable for Tents, Caravans and Motorhomes
Suitable For
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Solo Travellers
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Families
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Groups of Friends
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First-Time Visitors
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Returning RIAT Regulars
What to Bring
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Tent, Caravan, Campervan or Motorhome (depending on your pitch)
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Usual camping equipment
You can find a full packing checklist in the detailed RIAT Camping Guide.
Local Shops & Essentials Nearby
If you need supplies during the weekend, the following are all a short drive away:
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Shell Petrol Station with Londis (GL7 4DT)
Open 06:00 to 23:00 | Approx. 5 minute drive -
Co-op Fairford (GL7 4AB)
Open 07:00 to 22:00 | Approx. 10 minute drive -
Budgens Fairford
Open 06:30 to 22:00 | Approx. 10 minute drive -
Budgens Lechlade (GL7 3AP)
Approx. 10 minute drive -
Boots Pharmacy, Market Place, Fairford (GL7 4AB)
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Yang’s Kitchen, Lechlade (GL7 3AX)
Chinese takeaway | Approx. 10 minute drive
Book Early
Fields fill up quickly for RIAT weekend, so it’s always worth booking in advance to secure your stay
Townsend Farm remains a popular choice thanks to its location, on-site facilities and welcoming campsite atmosphere throughout the airshow weekend.
Showers & Toilets
When camping at RIAT, showers are available on site, but they’re not quite what you’d expect from your local Premier Inn. Campsites like Fairford Airshow Camping are based on working farms, so the facilities are brought in specially for the event. This means portable showers and toilets are installed for the weekend to make sure everyone has access to the essentials.
Below is an example of what you can expect during your stay at Fairford Airshow Camping. Both the showers and toilets are cleaned regularly throughout the event to keep things as fresh and comfortable as possible for campers.
