The Camp at The Wave Review: Glamping in Bristol with Kids
Glamping at Camp at The Wave Bristol means falling asleep within earshot of a surf break that never has to wait for a swell, just off the M5. We swapped a city hotel for a safari tent on one of the hottest nights of the summer. Here’s my honest review.
A ‘slice of the ocean’ just outside Bristol, The Wave is a 180-metre-long state-of-the-art inland surfing pool that provides consistent year-round surf conditions to people of all ages and skill levels. Its Wavegarden Cove technology can generate up to 1,000 quality waves per hour, which curl out on two sides of the fan-shaped pool, divided by a central viewing platform.
If you follow me on my socials or are familiar with this blog, you will know our family loves a glamping trip. We have stayed at many a Eurocamp in our time, whisked the little ones off camping abroad, and found the freedom of this kind of outdoor lifestyle is just what our energetic brood need.
In the multiple heatwave summer of 2026, I decided that to celebrate the end of term and kick off the holidays, I would take the kids for a night away in Bristol as a treat. We opted for a night under canvas at The Wave Bristol rather than staying in a traditional hotel.
Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links. If you click through and book, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, which helps keep this blog running. Our surf lesson and dinner were provided via a Visit Bristol media pass as part of their Summer in Bristol campaign; we paid for our safari tent ourselves. As always, all opinions are my own.
The Wave Bristol glamping at a glance
Where: The Camp at The Wave, Easter Compton, just off junction 17 of the M5
Our stay: one night in a safari tent at the start of the 2026 summer holidays, myself and two of our three children
Best for: outdoorsy families, surf-curious kids and anyone who would rather spend a warm evening outside than in a hotel room
Think twice if: you’re the only adult and hoping to surf yourself
Don’t miss: dinner on the Clubhouse terrace as the experienced surfers take over the lake
New: a wood-fired sauna and ice baths beside the waves
What is The Wave Bristol?
Tucked away in the South Gloucestershire countryside near the village of Easter Compton, The Wave Bristol is a state-of-the-art 180-metre inland surfing destination. Powered by clever Wavegarden Cove technology, the fan-shaped lake produces clean, perfectly consistent waves on demand – peeling down both sides of a central pier so surfers of every ability can get guaranteed, perfect waves.
You don’t need to be a seasoned surfer to enjoy The Wave Bristol. Beyond the lake, the place feels like a lively coastal hub with a café-bar serving hot food and drinks, complete with an upper deck offering front-row views over the water, a surf shop, a children’s play area, skate ramp, a winter sauna, plus pilates and yoga sessions.
Why choose The Camp at The Wave Bristol?
The summer of 2026 delivered heatwave after heatwave, with days that seemed to hover permanently around 30 degrees. I’m a sun-worshipper by nature, and while I wanted to book somewhere in the city for a night away, the thought of spending one of those golden evenings behind hotel double glazing would give me a serious case of balmy evening FOMO. Armed with a Visit Bristol media pass to explore some of Bristol’s best attractions (we also squeezed in We The Curious and Aerospace Bristol), I chose a night under canvas at The Wave over a traditional hotel.
The Camp at The Wave sits just off junction 17 of the M5 on Bristol’s northern fringe. It’s roughly a 30-minute drive from the city centre and minutes from the shops of Cribbs Causeway. On paper, that doesn’t sound like a holiday. In practice, the place has an unmistakable surf-town ease: the roar of the waves, the green fields running away on every side. Only the pound signs and chatter of English gave the game away. Otherwise it was easy to imagine we could have been somewhere on the Atlantic coast of France.
Family glamping near Bristol: Safari Tents
Designed for families, couples and groups, these glamping tents are just metres from the surf break, with the Clubhouse, café-bar and surf shop a short stroll away. This proximity means you can hear the sound of peeling waves from your safari tent.
The tents are clustered in a circle and linked by wooden walkways. The layout has the sociable hum of a good campsite without sacrificing privacy. There’s grassy space around each tent, and the children took full advantage. Within minutes my son had made friends, and somehow secured me an invitation to a game of beer pong. Campsite diplomacy at its finest.
The tents sleep up to eight and are a step up from traditional camping, particularly if you have children in tow and no appetite for wrestling a tent into submission after a long day out. If that’s exactly your idea of fun, The Field campsite at The Wave is right next door, with tent and campervan pitches in season.
Two fully DDA-compliant tents are also available (sleeping up to 6 people with two single beds replacing bunk beds).
Inside our safari tent, we had a double bedroom and a second bedroom with two single beds, along with a small kitchenette, dining table and sofa bed. There was also a log burner with wood provided (not that we needed it as it was so warm), a small fridge and a hob.
Each tent includes an ensuite basin and chemical toilet which fills quickly, so save the tent loo for the night shift and make use of the public facilities as much as you can. Showers are located a short walk away on site, although there are more expensive tents available with a private shower.
You’ll also find a private outside decking area with a table and chairs and a wetsuit washing line.
See which safari tents are free for your dates
Practical tips for glamping at The Wave Bristol
You can drive right up to The Camp to unload. Trolleys are available from the reception desk, tucked in one corner of the site, for ferrying your belongings the short distance to your tent. My two took command of ours with the zeal of a pit crew. Check-in for our stay was from 4pm, and check-out was 10am.
What to pack:
- Crocs or flip-flops for padding around the site and to the shower block
- Towels and toiletries
- Layers for cooler evenings
- Swimwear and anything you need for your surf session. Lessons are booked separately from your accommodation, and wetsuits and boards are provided with lessons
- A scooter, skateboard or bike if your children like to explore on wheels (there is also a skate ramp)
- Worth knowing: pets aren’t allowed on site, and neither are barbecues or open fires. The Wave’s Stay page also mentions minimum stays at some times.
Food and drink at Camp at The Wave Bristol
One of the highlights of our stay was dinner at the Clubhouse. After a busy day exploring one of Bristol’s best attractions, We The Curious, we wandered over in the evening, ordered chicken nuggets for the kids, a burger and chips and a gin and tonic for me, then settled outside on the upper terrace overlooking the surf lake. It deserves a place alongside my favourite Bristol restaurants with a view.
It was a lovely way to spend a summer evening, there was a constant stream of surfers to watch and as the evening progressed, the surf sessions became increasingly exciting as more experienced surfers took to the lake to tackle the waves.
The Clubhouse is just as useful in the morning, which is exactly where we had breakfast before my daughter’s lesson. Alongside it you’ll find a playground and outdoor games, including table tennis, which are ideal for burning off the last of the day’s energy before bed.
Surfing at The Wave Bristol
You could stay here without getting in the water, but you’d be doing yourself a disservice. The Wave offers lessons with qualified coaches for every level, as well as sessions for those who already have the skills.
My daughter had surfed here before with her sister and loved it, so I booked her a lesson during our stay. I was itching to join her. But I was the only adult looking after two children, and younger children’s sessions need an accompanying adult (Little Rippers runs at one adult per child). So I stayed firmly on dry land.
It didn’t quite go to plan. Without a familiar face beside her, my daughter was nervous about joining a mixed group of adults and children. We could sit close by and watch throughout, but she attempted just one wave before deciding it wasn’t for her that day. Next time, I’ll book a friend or sibling to surf alongside her (or sack the kids off and go myself). Her younger brother was desperate to get in, too, and will be old enough to join her next time.
Which session suits your kids?
These details are from The Wave’s website at the time of writing, so double-check before booking:
- Little Rippers (ages 4-12): a first go on a surfboard with support from an adult, at one adult per child.
- Play in the Bay: an hour of splashing and swimming in the shallows, with no surfboards. Bodyboards and armbands are allowed, and it’s suitable for all ages, although under-8s must be accompanied by an adult at one adult per child. It was sold out when we booked, and the timings didn’t tally with our plans so do check this when making a reservation. Sessions are especially popular in school holidays and hot weather, so book well ahead. If your kids love it, my round-up of splash pads and water parks in Bristol has plenty more.
- Beginner surf sessions: Any beginner aged 6+ with little or no surf experience, who can swim 25m unaided and is looking for their first surf experience. A minimum height of 1.4m for all participants is recommended.
- Little Improver surf session: the next step for young surfers who are ready to move on from riding white water. Children who have attended the Little Rippers lessons or a standard Beginner Lesson before and are confident riding white water waves standing all the way to the shore.
Book sessions on The Wave’s website.
New at The Wave: a wood-fired sauna by the surf
Since our stay, The Wave has added another reason to linger in the winter months. The Sivo Wellness sauna is a seven-person wood-fired sauna set beside the waves, with a cold shower and two ice baths, one cool and one colder. Sessions last 55 minutes. Bring swimwear, because wetsuits aren’t allowed inside.
It’s booked separately through Sivo rather than The Wave. Check Sivo’s site for prices here.
Is glamping at The Wave Bristol good for families?
For us, the magic was in combining an activity-packed destination with the freedom of a campsite. The kids could play outside, we could eat without driving elsewhere, and there was always something happening on the water to watch or join in with. It felt like a mini holiday, despite being so close to home.
If you’re after an outdoorsy place to stay near Bristol, this is a fantastic option. I’d recommend it to families who love camping, outdoor activities and trying something a little different. It also lends itself to big family gatherings, special occasions and hen and stag parties.
Staying over means you can soak up the evening atmosphere, have dinner overlooking the waves and be ready for an early session the following morning. With children, it also takes the pressure off getting everyone fed, dressed and out of the door for a day trip. We loved the relaxed summer-campsite atmosphere, the outdoor space and the sheer novelty of sleeping beside an inland surf lake. The tent was comfortable for our short stay, very affordable considering its proximity to Bristol and watching the sunset from our deck was a joy.
If that sounds like your kind of break, check dates and prices at The Camp at The Wave.
Final verdict: would we go back to The Camp at The Wave?
Absolutely. On paper, The Wave shouldn’t work as a holiday: a field off a motorway junction, within 10-minutes of a shopping centre. Yet it gave us everything I love about a family camping trip: children running free, wide open skies, dinner with a view, the sound of breaking waves and a glorious sunset.
The safari tents are a fun, characterful alternative to a conventional hotel, and I could watch the surfers from the Clubhouse terrace forever! I’ll be back on a warm weekend, ideally with another adult, surf buddies for my daughters and a small boy finally old enough to paddle out. For families who love glamping, it’s a brilliant way to turn a visit to Bristol into a little adventure.
Check availability at The Camp at The Wave.
Planning more Bristol adventures? Browse my day trips from Bristol and things to do in Bristol with kids, or if only real Atlantic rollers will do, our Huttopia Arcachon review.
Where else to stay near The Wave Bristol
If you miss out, or would simply rather have four solid walls, these are my picks:
- Mollie’s Motel Bristol: a retro, American-style roadside motel just off the same M5 junction. We’ve stayed here with the kids, and it makes a fun, good-value base for this side of the city. Read my Mollie’s Motel Bristol review or check prices.
- More canvas: if glamping is your thing, browse the best campsites near Bristol.
