Best campsites for hikers near Norwich

The vibrant, compact city of Norwich in Norfolk is just a stone's throw from the Norfolk Broads and less than half an hour from the coast. The result? There's a whole host of local Norwich campsites, which sit right on the outskirts of the vibrant county capital. In the morning you can wake up to the sun rising over the dewy grass of the campsite, and, by day, you can explore the delights of the city: Norwich Castle, Norwich Cathedral, the narrow shopping lanes and the magnificent Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts.

Campsites for hikers near Norwich guide

Overview

Camping and glamping in Norwich

Camping and glamping in Norwich and the surrounding area offer fabulous ways to holiday in Norfolk. Yes, it’s a city – but it’s a compact, historic and enchanting one that’s perfectly placed as a base for camping and glamping holidays where you’re looking to discover all of Norfolk. It’s also the only city in the UK that’s within a national park – The Broads, in case you haven’t worked it out. Choose from the camping and glamping sites we’ve handpicked for the Hipcamp collection and you’ll be within reach of the city sights as well as The Norfolk Broads, the stunning North Norfolk Coast and traditional seaside resorts. Our experts have sought out the best sites in the area so whether you prefer pitching your own tent or staying in a luxury glamping pad there should be something (almost) within sight of the city spires to suit you. There are classic campsites with back-to-basics vibes and campsites with electric hook ups and space for campervans. When it comes to glamping in Norwich and the near area, you’ll have a wide range to choose from with bell tents, shepherd’s huts, vintage caravans and more all within reach of Norwich.

Things to do in Norwich

Looking for things to do in Norwich during your camping and Glamping Holiday? You might like to start at the city’s answer to the Millennium Dome, The Forum. Inside this glass-fronted modern building, is the Norwich Tourist Information Centre – among other things. The impressively large library, a host of eateries and regular events are all hosted here. Back on the city streets, there’s a mix of independent and high street shops and plenty for history buffs and architecture fans to admire. Norwich has a Norman castle, medieval buildings, an art deco city hall and not one but two cathedrals – the 900-year-old Romanesque spired Norwich Cathedral and the Victorian Gothic revivalist, St John the Baptist Cathedral. It's also got a lot of art galleries, not least of which is the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts - associated with the city's University of East Anglia and one of Britain's most prominent university art galleries.

The River Wensum wends its way through Norwich and you can walk along its banks to see more of the city sights including the 14th-century Cow Tower. It's a tributary of the River Yare, which it meets outside the city, making for a direct and watery link into Whitlingham Great Broad and The Broads in general. The water here is surrounded by Whitlingham Country Park, a great place for walking, cycling, wildlife-watching and, of course, boating. The Yare meets the sea at Great Yarmouth. As one of the UK’s best-known seaside resorts, it’s the place to go to for a day by the seaside with amusements, entertainment and arcades. If you prefer the wilder side of the coastline head, instead, for Holkham where there are vast dunes and pine-backed beaches or to Blakeney to see seals and birdlife on the vast shingle banks. Visit the tourist information centre in Norwich city centre or their website for more information on things to do while you’re camping in Norfolk.

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The vibrant, compact city of Norwich in Norfolk is just a stone's throw from the Norfolk Broads and less than half an hour from the coast. The result? There's a whole host of local Norwich campsites, which sit right on the outskirts of the vibrant county capital.