Campsites in Suffolk

Calling all happy campers – come and explore some of the best sites in the UK here in Suffolk! Whether you’re taking advantage of the fantastic line up of festivals on offer over the Summer, heading to the coast for family days on the beach, escaping on a tranquil fishing holiday, or just exploring the beautiful countryside with plenty of hiking or bike rides, Suffolk is the place for you. An added bonus is that this is the place to see the most wonderful night-time stars due to the lack of atmospheric pollution and artificial light – take advantage of Suffolk’s famous open skies. If you’re a campsite owner you can click here to find campsite and glamping insurance cover.

Here is a list of campsites in Suffolk:

Wheathill Campsite

Ipswich Rd, Ipswich

Wheathill Campsite offers a fantastic range of camping options including grass and hardstanding pitches around a carp-filled fishing lake, as well as glamping options such as The Nest Cabin and The Hive Shepherds Hut.

Alde Garden

Low Road, Sweffling

Alde Garden offers a fantastic range of camping options including smaller pitches that can be booked individually or together as adjoining pitches, as well as glamping options such as a treehouse style cabin, Mongolian yurts, a traditional gypsy caravan, or a bell tent.

Gralyns Caravan Park

Eyke, Woodbridge

Gralyns Caravan Park just outside Woodbridge is a quiet site in the countryside. Not far from Bentwaters air base and Sutton Hoo Anglo-Saxon village if you like history, and perfectly placed for exploring Aldeburgh beach or rowing at Thorpness, around 30 mins drive. Family and dog friendly and open all year. Click the link above for more information.

Peewit Caravan Park

Walton Avenue, Felixstowe

Peewit Caravan Park has been welcoming visitors since 1965. The 13 acre tree-lined and landscaped parkland is situated just 900m from Felixstowe’s 4 miles of seafront making it popular with families. The site welcomes tents along with touring caravans, motorhomes and holiday home owners and many return year after year – dogs are also welcome! Click the link above to find out more about this picturesque, family owned site.

Cosy Camping

Bucklesham, Ipswich

For a little slice of peace and quiet in the countryside at any time of the year, visit Cosy Camping in Bucklesham. Open all year round, this small independent family run campsite is situated on a working arable farm. You can pitch up your tent in their landscaped field, whilst enjoying the facilities which include a Shower Block. Or for a bit of luxury try out one of their 2 fantastic camping pods, complete with ensuite bathrooms! There is also fishing and a great pub nearby. A great family friendly site – their prices also stay the same all year round. To find out more, click on the link above.

Shottisham Campsite

Hollesley Road, Woodbridge

If you are looking for a family friendly stay in the country then Shottisham Campsite near Woodbridge is perfect. There are 45 spacious pitches, some with electric hook up in this beautiful setting. The campsite is part of a working smallholding with rare breed sheep, pigs, alpacas, ducks, chickens and turkeys. Children (and adults!) are welcome to go along every evening when the animals are fed and eggs collected. There site also has shower blocks, dishwashing areas, a sceptic emptying point, waste and recycling bins and a fridge-freezer. Campfires are allowed (in firepits – which you can hire). Dogs on secure leads are welcome and there is a well stocked shop selling sausages, bacon and eggs from the campsites very own free-range heritage pigs and poultry, as well as home-made preserves from their vegetables and fruit. There is a lovely village pub and play area within walking distance and you are a just a few miles away from the Suffolk coast. They also have a fully restored vintage caravan and a swanky bell tent available for hire if you are looking for something a bit special.

The Croft Campsite

Ubbeston, Halesworth

The Croft Campsite is a small, family run site close to the Suffolk Coast, welcoming tents, motorhomes, campervans, caravans, children, teens & well behaved dogs on leads. With lovely Framlingham and Halesworth close by, this is a fabulous area to explore, or head for the Coast for a day out at Southwold or Aldeburgh. Click on the link above to find out more.

Newbourne Woodland Campsite

Newbourne, Woodbridge

Newbourne Woodland Campsite is an adults-only campsite in Woodbridge. This tranquil site has just 20 pitches, perfect for a relaxing and quiet getaway.

The Hollies Kessingland

London Road, Kessingland

The Hollies Kessingland Camping & Leisure Resort is located right next to a beautiful beach, making it ideal for a family holiday as it allows you to combine a seaside holiday with a camping trip.

Dan’s Meadow

Martlesham, Woodbridge

Dan’s Meadow in Martlesham is a family friendly site, with useful facilities to keep you comfortable, including shower and toilet suites, a family/disabled wet room, and a utility room with hot and cold water and a fridge freezer.

Haw Wood Farm

Hinton, Saxmundham

Haw Wood Farm Caravans & Camping is a family run campsite, set on a 14 acres of land and surrounded by countryside. Located in Saxmundham, the site has award winning facilities including spacious bathroom areas with underfloor heating, making things easier for families and those with mobility requirements.

Other Camping Sites

For those who enjoy shopping and don’t want to be far from the action check out the camping facilities at Stonham Barns in Mid Suffolk. Open all year, you can also hire static caravans, park your motorhome or even purchase your own holiday home! There are a large variety of on site attractions for children as well as the adults, including Suffolk Owl Sanctuary, and you can stay for just one night or a week or more. If you’re interested in a caravan holiday, read our list of caravan sites in Suffolk. Or browse our guide to Suffolk accommodation to see all sorts of different places to stay.

How to Pack to go Camping

So what do you need when you go camping?

Less is more – don’t forget you have to carry it! Light and simple are good – don’t bring the kitchen sink. If the wanderlust grabs you you can be up and off in under an hour, on to the next great Suffolk sight or festival.

Light – lanterns are good as you need a bit of light to get about when nature calls in the middle of the night. Watch out for insects though – they don’t like citronella tea lights so maybe pack a few of them. Tea lights are romantic and practical, but remember to blow them out! Maglite torches are ideal for camping – light and reliable.

Stove – for heating the baked beans. Broad and solid bases are good so that the beans don’t get blown over.

Something sharp – pocket knives and Swiss army knives are good for emergency opening situations as well as a variety of other obvious uses

Picnic blanket – as frankly carrying chairs around is a bit daft.

Silk linings – bearing in mind our unpredictable Summer weather, it’s best to take precautions and these linings go inside your sleeping bag, making it nice and toasty. You can also put them over your head to cover your face if it gets really chilly, as you can breathe through them. (Top tip – don’t breathe in your sleeping bag as moisture from your breath will wet it and reduce it’s insulating properties.) Not as pricey as they sound, from £25. Or try a Thermarest

Mattress – inflatable and well insulated, but not cheap ranging between £50-115.

Mallet – essential for hammering in those pegs at a 45-degree angle – flip flops just won’t do!

…and Don’t Forget

Be pitch perfect – Remember: High ground equals dry ground; stag parties are to be avoided; it’s good to be close to the toilets but not too close; water taps are better near not far; natural windbreaks such as hedges are good; if you have to pitch on a slope then pitch facing downhill to get rid of the rain; and pitch the door away from the wind.

Stay toasty warm – lining your tent with a metallic safety blanket, shiny side up is good insulation as it reflects body heat; see silk lining above; pack pyjamas, bed socks and a woollen hat – it is the UK after all!

Avoid getting bitten – the good thing about camping UK is that there are fewer of these blighters – midges and mozzies = than in more exotic climates, but nevertheless take some citronella bamboo torches with you to keep what there are at bay. Lavender pine and wild rosemary are also disliked by the mozzies –chuck them on the campfire. They don’t like garlic nor Marmite so make Marmite and garlic sandwiches a night time snack and you’ll be left alone (and not just by insects either!). A less radical and sweeter smelling alternative is coconut – use it as a soap, sun lotion or shampoo and it will have the same effect.

And, whatever the weather, just be thankful there are no bears wandering around UK campsites!

Camping & Glamping in Suffolk