Camping in Norfolk - Some of the best campsites in the region
Published date: March 2019
Norfolk - big skies, stunning beaches, windswept marshes, pretty flint houses, meandering inland waterways, ancient woodland, historic houses and a very fine city. It is said that the locals have ’one foot on the land, and one in the sea’, and in Norfolk you are never far from water, whether it’s the beautiful Norfolk Broads or the wide, wildlife-rich shores of the Norfolk coast.
The bustling cobbled streets in the centre of Norwich are home to a majestic castle and a cathedral, a popular market and some of the best shops, restaurants, cafes and bars. Picturesque villages and quaint market towns are scattered all over Norfolk and offer visitors many interesting places in which to explore; Norfolk has so much to offer.
Brits love to camp and there are so many reasons why camping in Norfolk makes the perfect summer holiday or weekend break. There is something very romantic about sleeping under canvas, close to nature and making coffee on a portable gas stove. You can choose your own view and decide where you wake up; by the Norfolk coast, in ancient woodland, nestled next to the Norfolk Broads, in a pretty Norfolk town or village or close to Norwich’s city centre.
Camping is perfect family time and provides the opportunity for families to reconnect without the usual distractions of phones and the internet and to eat together, play together and create some wonderful, life-long memories.
Nowadays camping doesn’t have to be basic, with no mod cons, facilities and electricity. Many sites offer luxurious glamping, with large, fitted out tents that are furnished with beds, table and chairs, a stove, comfy seating, fridge and outdoor fire pits and BBQs. The obligatory bunting normally comes as standard too!
Camping offers freedom, aside from choosing your location, campers have the freedom to come and go as they please and don’t have the normal schedules and timetables that other types of holiday enforce. You don’t have to arrive and leave on a specific day and breakfast can be served all day, if you so wish. You can visit whatever you like whenever you like and it’s cheaper than other types of holiday.
We are a nation of dog lovers and many Norfolk campsites are pet-friendly, so you can take your four-legged friend with you. And with the wide blue Norfolk skies at your disposal, your dog can enjoy all the outdoor activities with you, with no costly kennel fees.
The are many beautiful campsites in Norfolk, here are some of the best:
Deer’s Glade Caravan and Camping Park
Open all year round, Deer’s Glade Caravan and Camping Park is a David Bellamy Conservation Gold Award winning caravan site and is a 15-minute drive from Cromer and a 30-minute drive from Norwich. This family-run site is quiet, picturesque and dog-friendly and is set in a stunning woodland clearing. It caters for touring caravans, motor homes and tents and has its own pods, mega pods, bell tents and shepherd’s hut to hire. Those who are looking at glamping rather than camping, this is the site for you.
Deer’s Glade Caravan and Camping Park, White Post Rd, Norwich, Norfolk, NR11 7HN
Tel: 01263 768633
Top Farm Campsite
Top Farm has a range of year-round camping and glamping accommodation and is located in Marsham, rural north Norfolk. The campsite directly adjoins 350 acres of wood and heathland and is a great base for walking and cycling holidays. Set in a secluded and tranquil location, this is the perfect place to relax, unwind and get close to nature and escape the hustle and bustle of daily life. Top Farm also has a dedicated site for touring caravans, campervans and trailer tents.
Top Farm Campsite, Kittles Lane, Marsham, Norwich, Norfolk, NR10 5QF
Tel: 01263 733962
Kelling Heath
Set amongst 300 acres of woodland and open heathland, Kelling Heath is an area of outstanding natural beauty and is a 15-minute drive from Sheringham and a 50-minute drive from Norwich. A peaceful location where you can relax and unwind surrounded by mature pine and woodland. Offering pitches for touring caravans and tents, Kelling Heath also has woodland lodges and luxury holiday homes.
Kelling Heath, Weybourne, Holt, Norfolk, NR25 7HW
Tel: 01263 588181
Ling’s Meadow Diss
At Ling’s Meadow they offer greener camping and provide facilities that are sustainable and leave as little impact on the environment as possible. In their words “camping is all about living lightly on the land for a few days – leaving as little trace as possible and enjoying the environment that surrounds us”. To find out more about Ling’s Meadow and to read their ‘Green Policy’, go to their website. Part of a working farm, the camping meadow is full of wild flowers and wildlife during the camping season and is a beautiful place to holiday. There are tent pitches, bell tents, shepherd’s hut and living van and a StarDome (??!!) – go to their website to find out more!
Ling’s Meadow, Stanton Road Farm, North Common, Hepworth, Diss, Norfolk, IP22 2PR
Tel: 01359 250594
Wardley Hill Campsite
This is an ecological campsite located in the Waveney Valley, a 30-minute drive from Norwich. Wild flowers and grass are left to grow around mown but unregimented camping spots, to encourage wildlife on this six-acre site. Enjoy woodland, a stream and seasonal ponds and a car free camping field that is exclusively for tents. Small campervans are welcome in their own area and the site also offers glamping in their bell tents, shepherd’s hut, hammock hut and they even have a Tentsile Connect tent suspended in trees.
Wardley Hill Campsite, Wardley Hill Road, Kirby Cane, Bungay, Norfolk, NR35 2PQ
Tel: 07733306543
High Sand Creek Campsite
A campsite located on the edge of the picturesque village of Stiffkey, a 1-hour drive from Norwich and close to the coastal villages of Wells-next-the Sea and Blakeney. It is in an area of outstanding natural beauty, overlooking the coastal saltmarshes rich in flora and fauna. High Sand Creek is a family and dog friendly campsite that is surrounded by beaches, woodlands and mud creeks and a great place to stay and enjoy nature and Norfolk’s beautiful landscapes. Tents, trailer tents and motor homes are all welcome but unfortunately caravans are not permitted.
High Sand Creek Campsite, Green Way, Stiffkey, Norfolk, NR23 1QF
Tel: 01328 830235
www.highsandcreekcampsitestiffkey.co.uk
The Old Vicarage Campsite
This no-frills tent only campsite on a working Norfolk farm was created by people passionate about camping and is 2 miles from Acle and a 30-minute drive from Norwich. The Old Vicarage Campsite is in a great rural location and is ideally situated to take advantage of the Norfolk Broads, the Norfolk coastline and the city of Norwich. Set in beautiful countryside, experience magnificent sunsets and enjoy stargazing in the clear wide Norfolk skies.
The Old Vicarage, Moulton St. Mary, Norwich, Norfolk, NR13 3NH
Swallowtails
Swallowtails is just a few miles from the beautiful north Norfolk coast, on the outskirts of the charming town of Holt. The campsite is hidden away within a tranquil woodland glade and offers a unique camping experience within the idyllic grounds of Holt Hall Environmental Learning Centre. There are grass pitches for tents, campervan pitches, luxury yurts and a ’Lotus Belle’ tent.
Swallowtails, Holt Hall, Kelling Road, Holt, Norfolk, NR25 7DU
Tel: 01603 507056 / 07771 620790
Dreamy Hollow Campsite
Relax and unwind in 3 ½ acres of secluded and sheltered private woodland that is close to the north Norfolk coast.
Dreamy Hollow Campsite, Fakenham Road, Stanhoe, Norfolk, PE31 8PX
Tel: 07564 226780
Canal Camping
Located in the heart of the Norfolk Broads, Canal Camping is a beautiful and peaceful campsite in the
village of Dilham, close to North Walsham. Enjoy views of water, reeds, wide skies and stunning Norfolk countryside, and after a full day of exploring, go back to camp for a hot shower, some stargazing and camp fire songs.
Canal Camping, Honing Road, Dilham, North Walsham, Norfolk, NR28 9PL
Tel: 07811 440 280
Hickling Campsite
Located in the pretty village of Hickling, this campsite is 22 miles south-east of Cromer, 20 miles north-east of Norwich and right on the doorstep of Hickling Broad, Norfolk’s largest broad. Hickling campsite is the perfect base to explore the Broads, the surrounding Norfolk coastline, Norwich and its many quaint towns and villages. There are pitches for tents, pods and shepherd’s huts available on this secluded and beautiful village campsite, in the heart of the Norfolk Broads.
Hickling Campsite, Heath Road, Hickling, Norwich, Norfolk, NR12 0AU
Clippesby Hall
This independent family run holiday park is by the Norfolk Broads, a 30-minute drive from Norwich and 20 minutes from the seaside town of Great Yarmouth. There are camping and touring facilities at Clippesby Hall, spread over eight different areas from secluded individual woodland pitches to more open, family-oriented lawns. Tents, caravans and motorhomes are welcome.
Clippesby Hall, Hall Road, Clippesby, Norfolk, NR29 3BL
Tel: 01493 367800
Whitlingham Broad Campsite
Set in 80 acres of Country Park, and just a 15-minute cycle ride from Norwich’s historic city centre, Whitlingham Broad Campsite is a great base to pitch up and explore the region. Hire canoes and kayaks and head out on the Broad and enjoy many woodland walks and the family-friendly low ropes course. You can bring your own tent or hire pre-erected accommodation such as shepherd’s huts, bell tents or a yurt.
Whitlingham Broad Campsite, Whitlingham Lane, Trowse, Norfolk, NR14 8TR
Tel: 07794 401591