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Guest post from Debbie Woodliffe.
North Norfolk is known for stunning beaches, peaceful sites and wildlife galore – so it’s the ideal place to have a camping break away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. To help you plan your 2023 camping holiday in Norfolk, here’s a list of the top places to camp on the North Norfolk Coast.
Ready for a relaxing, refreshing nature-filled break? Read on to find out more about North Norfolk…
Camping and touring have seen a huge rise in popularity in the last few years, with £2.7 billion spent on the past time in 2021 alone. Millennials and Gen Z are all about that camping life, most likely as it’s affordable, adventurous, and easy to plan. It also doesn’t hurt that there’s little you need to buy to go camping – the most basic setup includes a tent and a bedroll, but we all like our luxuries, so many take a few chairs, gas stoves, blow-up beds and more to make it as comfortable as possible.
However, the real draw and beauty of camping and touring is that once you’ve bought the initial kit, it’ll last for years, so the only outgoing cost is travelling to your site and the pitching cost.
Finding an affordable site
Lots of popular areas near tourist attractions like the Cornish and Dorset Coastlines, and pitching on holiday parks can be a lot more expensive and upwards of £70 a night in peak months, so your best bet is looking for sites off the beaten track in less commercial areas – much like the North Norfolk Coast.
Why North Norfolk?
North Norfolk is a bit of a hidden gem as it’s not on the way to anything and has few commercial interests close by – just some golfing and its proximity to Norwich. However, it is an incredibly good place to visit with children as it has loads of educational opportunities and attractions and gives off classic summer holiday vibes. Some attractions include:
As well as being one of the healthier places to live in the country, it’s an ideal location for those wanting a calmer break where you can get back in touch with nature and enjoy some peace at a slower pace.
Where to camp in North Norfolk?
There are numerous campsites across North Norfolk, so it does depend on what you want to do, although you can drive from coast to coast in less than two hours.
For the Northeast Coast from Cromer to Horsey, there are some lower-cost sites as there are fewer attractions nearby, but there is still plenty to explore, especially with the Hickling Broads right there and more as you get closer to Norwich and Great Yarmouth. For starters, if you want a more commercial site with some extra bits and bobs like a shop, play area and table tennis, then Waxham Sands near Horsey is a great option. At less than £40 per night for a 4m tent in summer, it’s well-priced and not far from some great places to visit, including Bewilderwood, which is a great family day out.
Lighthouse camping has prices as low as £17.50 per night in the summer holidays! As a bonus, this one is located right next to a pub for some fresh local fare, and it’s only a 15-minute walk to Walcott Beach.
Pond Farm is similar to Lighthouse but is near Sidestrand for the ample cycling and walking close-by. There are basic facilities, so it’s more suited to those looking for a base camp to explore the rest of North Norfolk. Prices are as low as £19 per night for two adults.
For the North Coast from Wells-next-the-Sea to Cromer, this is where most of the sites are in North Norfolk due to the attractions nearby, like the beaches, Blakeney, Cromer and several National Trust houses.
Between Sheringham and Cromer is Woodhill Park. If you felt so inclined, you could walk to either town in less than an hour via the beach or the Norfolk Coastal Path since it’s so close by Prices are less than £25 per night for two adults in summer, so it’s super affordable. Plus, there are free family activities on site, it has accessible facilities and is dog friendly.
Nearby Blakeney Point is Stiffkey and the Highsand Creek Campsite. It’s around £30 per night in summer for two adults, but it has a few decent facilities and is perfect for seal-watching.
Blueskies is a back-to-basics site just outside Wells-next-the-Sea with no electric hookups, but at under £30 per night for two adults in summer, it’s certainly affordable. Plus, there is loads to do in the town, including paddle boarding, pitch and putt, and the stunning beach.
For the Northwest Coast to Wells-next-the-Sea, there are several options. For truly wild and basic camping near Wells, try Norfolk Brickyard for around £40 per night – just remember there are no dogs allowed as there is a lot of wildlife nearby. Or there’s Burnham Breck, which is only open in August every year and costs around £35 per night for two adults.
Further along the coast, just before Brancaster, is Deepdale Camping & Rooms for just under £40 per night in summer for two adults in a good size tent. This one is a bit more commercial as there’s a shop on site, activities, events and more.
Or you could camp right by the Norfolk Coast near Holme Dunes at Newholme Nurseries – a Camping and Caravanning Club exclusive site with prices up to £18 a night for members. They’re adult-only and pet friendly, with simple grass pitches for those wanting some quiet time.
For the West Coast near Hunstanton, try Hunstanton Camping & Glamping. They’re mere minutes from the beach and have a range of touring options to best suit your situation. There are no shops on site, but there is Wi-Fi, you can BBQ, dogs are welcome and there’s a toilet and shower block with clean drinking water. Summer prices are around £60 per night for a medium family tent with two adults and no electricity. It’s one of the more expensive sites on this list, but Hunstanton is a great little town to visit, and it’s one of the few places in Norfolk where you can experience an unhampered view of the sunset over the Sea.
Alternatively, there’s Sandringham Estate just down the road, where you can stay for less than £30 per night – but there will be more driving to get to the coast.
Wherever you choose to stay in North Norfolk, the prices range from £17-£60 per night. The facilities may vary, but it’s all still considerably more affordable than a hotel and significantly more in touch with nature for a calming break away from the stress of everyday life.
Welcome to Birds and Lilies! I'm Lou: mother, blogger and freelance writer. This is my lifestyle blog, where I talk about motherhood, infertility and IVF, beauty, my love for food and wine, as well as my thoughts about stuff, and our real-life and travel adventures.
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