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Hillside Farm Camping

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· Market Weston, England
1 acre hosted by Deborah M.
2 glamping pitches · 10 tent pitches
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Camping with campfires on the Norfolk-Suffolk border

Hillside Farm Camping is in the remarkably flat fenlands of East Anglia. What passes for a hill here is actually gently sloping fenland, which helps give this level camping field its lovely countryside views. This is a small, easy-going meadow campsite with 10 pitches for tent campers – and campfires allowed. While it’s close to some lovely places, including Knettishall Heath and the market town of Diss, it’s also centrally located on the southern side of the Norfolk-Suffolk divide. That means it’s as good as a central base from which to explore all of East Anglia as it is for local adventures.

You arrive into the yard at Hillside Farm where you’ll be greeted by hosts, Deborah and James, the mother and son behind this simple Suffolk site. They’ll point you to your spot in one of two meadows whether you’ve come in your own tent or booked one of their bell tents (available furnished or unfurnished). But however you choose to stay, all are equally welcome: glampers, campers, couples, families, and those with dogs as well. Facilities are simple: just a pair of combined loo and shower rooms in a converted horsebox and outdoor dishwashing sinks. The site is off grid but there’s a handy undercover space in a rustic cart shed, which has a plug or two for phone charging, as well as space to sit down and relax if it rains.

Getting around from Hillside Farm Camping is easy as it’s just off the B1111. Understandably, that means a little road noise can be heard – but the lie of the land and a hedgerow means passing cars are out of sight. That B-road sets you off in the right direction for Diss, about 10 miles east, or Thetford, 12 miles to the west, from where you can radiate in any direction to find East Anglia’s highlights. Thetford Forest, Bury St Edmunds, Norwich, and the coast; all are reasonable day trips from here, but you don’t have to go so far to have a good time. Within three miles of the campsite you’ll find the nature reserve at Knettishall Heath and it's less than ten to Banham Zoo and Bressingham Steam Museum. But closer than all of that is a little museum right here on site dedicated to the US Airmen who flew from a nearby airfield in the Second World War – ask Deborah or James if you want to see it.

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100%
3 Ratings · 3 reviews
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Nigel G.recommends
August 14, 2023
Hillside Farm Camping
Ideal for campers like me, who prefer small, quiet sites with just the basic facilities, but near the village for its shop and pub.
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Sue K.recommends
June 16, 2023
Hillside Farm Camping
The site suited me really well. Sheltered by beautiful trees with a wonderful view of the setting sun. The environmentally compatible facilities were well managed and maintained. I enjoyed my brief stay here with my dogs who settled easily in the friendly environment.
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Mani B.recommends
August 14, 2022
Hillside Farm Camping
1st time camperess
1st ever camping experience after 38 years lol .. host was lovely to speak to helped in ever possible way and I would do it again xxxx
Location
Market Weston, England, United KingdomTraditional, ancestral territory of various First Nations according to To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
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Hosted by Deborah M.Joined in May 2022
From the host
Welcome to Hillside Farm, a small farm located on the Norfolk/Suffolk border in the heart of East Anglia. Here you can enjoy wide open skies, stunning sunsets and a view over a beautiful fen valley. We provide rustic toilet and shower facilities, have an electric car charging point available, welcome well-behaved dogs and permit off-ground fires in fire pits. If you have an interest in the second world war, we have a small wartime museum on the farm to commemorate the American men who flew B-17's from Knettishall airfield. Viewing by appointment with a donation is appreciated. We are located just a short drive from Knettishall Heath, a popular local destination for enjoying the outdoors. It is also the intersection of national walking routes Peddar's Way and Angles Way and very close to the intersections of national cycling routes Sustrans 30 & 13. Further afield, the beautiful historic town of Bury St Edmunds with its stunning Abbey Gardens and excellent shops and cafes is just 30 minutes drive away, as is Thetford Forest; Norwich, a fascinating historic city, is less than an hours drive with the Norfolk Broads just a bit further away; the coast can be accessed in an hour at the renowned coastal town of Southwold or many of the other coastal locations that abound on the East Anglia coastline; and Sandringham House and Framlimgham Castle are just an hour's drive. Sutton Hoo, made famous by the recent film The Dig is just an hour's drive to the southeast and there are an abundance of National Trust and English Heritage properties to visit. Whatever your interest, there's something for everyone to enjoy in our beautiful part of the country.
Nearby attractions

Hillside Farm has a small museum about the Second World War in a Nissen Hut on site. Speak to hosts Deborah or James if you are interested to see it – donations are appreciated. Three miles up the road is Knettishall Heath Nature Reserve; an area of Breckland that’s grazed by ponies with six walking trails. For a long walk, you could navigate your way there from Hopton (half a mile away) on the Angles Way, a long-distance walking route, which passes close by the site. The Peddars Way National Trail also starts at Knettishall Heath and follows the route of a roman road to the coast, almost 50 miles away. The site is around eight miles from both Bressingham Steam Museum & Gardens and Banham Zoological Gardens. It’s also just 10 miles from the ancient market town of Diss, which is worth a mooch around – especially on Fridays which is market day. Thetford Forest and Bury St Edmunds are about a half-hour drive from site with Norwich just under an hour away and the coast at Southwold just over, all possible on day trips from here.

Food and drink

There’s a village shop in nearby Hopton for any basics but for local produce head three miles north to Garboldisham Shop or three miles south to Hillcrest Nurseries where there’s a farm shop deli and cafe. For baked goods, it’s worth the five-mile drive to Bardwell and Wooster’s Bakery where the bread and other baked goodies come highly recommended by your hosts. You can get the best fish and chips in the vicinity from the Hopton Chippy, a mile away, and perhaps head into the village pub, The Vine, or the nearby Well Coffee Shop if you’re thirsty. The closest place for a pub meal is in Market Weston; The Mill Inn. It’s just a mile away but on the main road – so if you want to walk there, ask Deborah or James for directions on the back roads.

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