Woodland camping in Suffolk

With beaches, wild waterways, and ancient forests, Suffolk is a camping haven on England’s east coast.

97% (40 reviews)
97% (40 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Suffolk

Under £50

7 top forest campsites in Suffolk

94%
(8)

Holistic Woods Campsite WILD

24 units · Motorhomes, Tents20 acres · England
We are a WILD campsite , with a choice of 3 pitches. Nearly Wild- Totally Wild- Open Pitch. 50 pitches available with plenty of distance between them. Plenty of space to breath and relax. We are a SSSI. Located on the stunning heathlands of the SuttonHeath. We are surrounded by beautiful woodland walks, located on the Sandlings walk amd just 10 minutes feom the river Deben. It is a lovely walk with some lovely tea rooms along the way. We have a bus stop at the top of the track and Melton train station is a 20 minute walk or 5 minute drive. There are access points onto public footpaths, leading to Rendlesham Forest. A famous site for UFOs! Sutton Hoo is a stone's throw away. Bring your bikes and explore the area on wheels. There is water access and portaloos. We do not have showers yet. Blue/grey waste must be taken away. LEAVE NO TRACE
from 
£13
 / night
100%
(3)

Hill Farm Secluded Camping

5 units · Motorhomes, Tents5 acres · England
Fancy some secluded downtime exploring rural coastal Suffolk? The tree-shaded pitches at Hill Farm are in a peaceful setting near the market towns of Saxmundham and Halesworth, and handily accessible from the A12, as well as to the coast and pretty villages, historical hamlets, and popular seaside towns, such as Southwold and Aldeburgh. This is a site that welcomes families and groups of friends, and it's dog-friendly too (there’s a four-acre woodland to the north of the site that's great for dog walking). The site has good TV reception for relaxing indoors on damp or chilly days. Campfires are allowed too, so you can keep warm and toasty while grilling up a barbecue feast. The popular village of Westleton (10 minutes’ drive) has a village store, a farm shop, a garage and 2 pubs; and if you fancy a change from cooking, there is also a nice pub and a tearoom, in the Darsham village area (only 5 minutes drive or a 30 minute walk away through some lovely fields). Back on site, there’s a toilet cabin with hot running water, plus other facilities including 2 showers, a portaloo, and a washing machine, grey waste and chemical toilet disposal and recycling points. Wi-fi is nearly all over the camping site too.
from 
£22
 / night
88%
(16)

Rushbanks Farm Caravan and Camping

7 units · Motorhomes, Tents4 acres · Suffolk, East Anglia
Riverside camping and bell tents in Constable's countryside, right in the heart of Suffolk's Dedham Vale
from 
£30
 / night
100%
(8)

Brightwell Country Park

1 unit · Glamping58 acres · Woodbridge, Suffolk, East Anglia
Bell tents and an accessible cabin, with activities right from your door
from 
£100
 / night
100%
(1)

Hill Farm Suffolk

6 units · Glamping1 acre · Suffolk, East Anglia
Bell tent glamping in the trees on a rural Suffolk farm
from 
£130
 / night
100%
(2)

Toad Hall Lodges

5 units · Glamping1 acre · Suffolk, East Anglia
Chic timber lodges for cosy couples near Southwold, handy for exploring East Suffolk's quiet coast and heathland
from 
£100
 / night

The Orchard Wagon

1 unit · Glamping5 acres · Halesworth, England
A true escape in the wild, our secluded Orchard Wagon is nestled in the corner of the apple orchard. Close to delightful beaches at Dunwich, Walberswick and Southwold, and a walk to the local pub. Perfect for those that want to get back to basics in nature, the wagon comfortably sleeps 2 people and includes a private bathroom, washing and kitchen cabin. The Orchard Wagon has a double bed (1.5m x 2m) with a smart little wood-burning stove to keep you toasty as you watch the stunning Suffolk sunsets. White Egyptian cotton sheets and towels provided. Cooking couldn’t be easier with the well-equipped cooking cabin next door or the barbeque on the stone terrace in front. Fire up the Chiminea to keep you warm as you eat al fresco. Take the stepping stone path up behind the wagon to find the washing shed with three separate rooms for washing up, showering, and the composting loo. Plenty of hot water and for those who like communing with nature try showering with the door open - it’s a lovely experience and what a view. This is camping in style!
from 
£148
 / night
Value Prop
Value Prop

Woodland camping in Suffolk guide

Overview

With unspoilt countryside that inspired many of Constable’s paintings, meandering waterways, and a coastline with truly beautiful beaches, Suffolk is a great choice for a camping holiday. Its diverse landscape lends itself to all manner of outdoor activities perfect for any trip—from riding through Breckland forests to catching waves on the North Sea. Art lovers can take time to explore the area affectionately nicknamed Constable Country, after Suffolk native John Constable, while history buffs can immerse themselves in Ipswich, or visit wool towns that hark back to Suffolk’s trading past. Winter wanderers are in for a treat too, with annual bird migrations, coastlines, and cosy pubs making the county a cold-season favourite. And campsites make the most of all of these natural assets. While some might complain that there’s no motorway across East Anglia, we think that’s part of its charm. Much of the county is rural, and some of the best campsites in Suffolk are also some of the most basic—farm meadows, countryside tent sites, and caravan-friendly woodlands.

Where to go

Bury St. Edmunds

Another historic city encircled by sprawling greenery, Bury St. Edmunds is best known for its ruined abbey, cathedral, and enormous surrounding parks. Hikers and bikers can follow routes through the Abbey Gardens, Fullers Mill Garden, or West Stow Country Park, or simply use the area’s rural campgrounds as a gateway to Thetford Forest Park to the north or Cambridge to the west.

The Brecks

Straddling the border between Suffolk and Norfolk, this ancient coniferous woodland draws outdoor explorers with its balmy climate, sports trails, flora, and fauna. Most trees are in Thetford Forest, the largest manmade lowland forest in the country, which offers a bit of adventure with a wealth of walking, running, and cycling trails, plus some high ropes. Caravan parks and tent pitches are plentiful in the area, and the nearby town of Brandon is also home to the enormous Brandon Country Park, which appears on many Breckland nature trails.

The Broads

Another shared attraction with Suffolk’s northerly neighbour, the winding waterways of The Norfolk Broads National Park are a boater’s paradise. The Suffolk section is known as the Waveney Valley, centring on the river of the same name. Spend a lazy day sailing from Bungay to Lowestoft, stopping for lunch in a waterside pub garden, or relaxing at a campsite right on the water with easy access to the best fishing and wild swimming spots. The Broads are a great area to camp and explore with 125 miles of peaceful waterways perfect for cruising, kayaking, and wildlife watching.

Suffolk Coast

Arguably Suffolk’s greatest attraction, this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty boasts more than 50 miles of unspoilt coastline, stretching all the way from Harwich, Essex, to Lowestoft on the Norfolk border. Its idyllic villages, dune-backed beaches, and year-round programme of immersive events make it a camping hot spot, so it’s worth booking well in advance.

Ipswich

With its charming old town and vibrant art scene, Ipswich is one of England’s up-and-coming destinations, just an hour’s train ride outside the capital. Campsites abound in the city’s many satellite villages and provide a great springboard for a day of city exploration. Don’t miss the must-see Christchurch Mansion, which hosts a free concert in its grounds during the annual Ipswich Arts Festival.

Family camping in the Suffolk

If it’s family camping in Suffolk you’re looking for, there are plenty of family-friendly sites around the county with a wide range of facilities. You’re sure to find somewhere that suits you, whether it’s a campsite with no cars so your toddlers can trundle about freely or a place with a playground for older kids to practice their climbing skills. And if you’re considering a camping holiday with children for the first time, rest assured—kids tend to love camping and everything that goes with it

Top things to do in Suffolk

There’s nothing wrong with simply relaxing on a camping holiday in Suffolk, but if you do get itchy feet and want to get out exploring, there’s plenty to do. Here are just a few ideas.

1. Spend a day on the beach

With 50 miles of coast and dozens of beaches, there’s bound to be one you like. Enjoy a windswept walk on a dune-backed beach; swim or paddle in shallow waters; find a place for watersports; or sit down with fish and chips.

2. See Willy Lott’s House

Featuring in Constable’s most famous painting, The Haywain still stands in the village of Flatford. Now maintained by the National Trust, you can see the view Constable captured on a self-guided exterior walk.

3. Kayak on the River Stour

One of the best ways to see the wildlife of the Dedham Vale and Stour Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is to hire a kayak (or take your own) and paddle along the river.

4. Visit a medieval village

Suffolk was a wealthy centre for the wool trade in the 15th century, so many of its half-timbered buildings and large, ornate churches are from this time. If you fancy a look around one of these wool towns, perhaps head for Lavenham, one of the UK’s best-preserved medieval villages.

5. Explore The Broads National Park

The peaceful waterways of The Broads National Park are well worth exploring on foot or by water. Hire kayaks or canoes, or hop aboard a river cruiser to sit back and take in the scenery.

6. Take to the trees at Thetford Forest

Thetford Forest is the largest man-made lowland forest in the UK with walking, running, and cycling trails to keep active families busy. But if that’s not quite enough adrenaline, there’s also the chance for a zip line, rope bridge, or tightrope at Go Ape.

7. Stroll down Southwold Pier

This is Britain’s only 21st-century pier, replacing the first pier built in 1900, and it’s home to shops, eateries, and quirky amusements.

8. Go birdwatching

Minsmere RSPB is a great place to see a variety of birds even if you don’t know bearded tits from bitterns. There are self-guided activities for kids, plus a play area and kid-friendly café.

Top counties near Suffolk

Top towns in and near Suffolk

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