96% (1.9K) • 3,454 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds in Hainault Forest
The Barn KT9
1. The Barn KT9
98%
(322)
Chessington, England · 16 units · Tents, Glamping
A unique rural campsite in Surrey, a stone's throw from London's Zone 6
Pets
Campfires
Showers
Penn Meadow Farm
2. Penn Meadow Farm
91%
(272)
Beaconsfield, England · 50 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Penn Meadow Farm is a beautiful 145 acre, family farm, nestled perfectly into the Chiltern Hills area of outstanding natural beauty. We’re just a 5 minute walk across our grassy fields to the oldest free-house pub in England (The Royal Standard of England)
Say hello to our resident alpacas, sheep, pigs, pigmy goats, flock of 250 sheep and of course our lovely boarder collies.
We aim to be a very relaxed spot to be able to rest for a few nights and maybe enjoying a nice camp fire in the evening.
The site includes;
Showers and Toilet block with toilet paper stocked.
Open family pitches for you to choose where you want to set up
Running drinking water
Shared open kitchen
Fires allowed but must be off the ground
BBQ's allowed
To ensure everyone’s enjoyment and safety, please follow these rules:
Supervise children: Always supervise your children and ensure they do not wander off alone.
Clean up after yourself: Dispose of all waste properly in the designated bins and leave no trace behind. Wash any items you use and return them to where you found them.
Respect other campers: Be courteous to fellow campers and respect their privacy and space.
Pets: If you bring pets, ensure they are well-behaved, kept on a leash or have impeccable recall, and cleaned up after. Do not allow your pet to enter another camper's space.
Quiet time: Maintain quiet hours between 10pm and 8am. All music must stop by 10pm, and noise should be minimal after 10pm.
Campfires: Penn Meadow Farm allows fires; but must be kept off the ground in BBQs or firepits. Fire pits are available to rent from check in. Never leave any fires unattended and ensure they are completely extinguished when finished.
Cars/vehicles: Cars and vehicles can be on the field but should move minimally and always under 8mph. Car stereos should not be used for music entertainment.
We do not typically book Large non-family groups unless they are seeking a calm and peaceful stay. These groups must have authorization prior to the visit.
Pets
Showers
Potable water
Bridge Woods
3. Bridge Woods
98%
(22)
England · 10 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
Small Farm with riverside. Very safe and quiet.
Dog's more than welcome. The land is fully fenced off for dogs to roam freely if wanted. There is a pond for them to cool down in the summer.
There are toilets and a washing machine. There is also a place to do some washing up if needed.
The campsite is located 5 minute walk away from a bus stop that can take you into Cambridge. We can provide a shuttle if needed.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
Fleets Paddock Glamping & Camping
4. Fleets Paddock Glamping & Camping
96%
(136)
Canterbury, England · 21 units · Tents, Glamping
Pitches, bell tents and a gypsy caravan on the outskirts of Canterbury
Pets
Campfires
Showers
Plum Camping in May Tree Orchard
5. Plum Camping in May Tree Orchard
100%
(29)
Cranbrook · 8 units · Tents, Glamping
Simple camping and comfortable glamping amongst organic fruit trees, wild flowers and woodland, bordering an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with some of the darkest night skies in Europe. In the beautiful High Weald of Kent, Tash and Nick have been running May Tree Orchard's low-impact, nature-friendly, seasonal campsite, Plum Camping, for the last 5 years.
The Soil Association certified organic land is full of wild flowers and surrounded by woodland and other orchards. Electricity and hot water for showers and washing up is solar generated. So you can charge your phone if necessary, but we'd recommend stargazing and enjoying the quiet warmth of friends and family around an evening fire instead.
Bring your own tent, stay in the delightful hand-made shepherd’s hut or stylish caravan, or hire the whole May Tree Orchard space. Numbers are kept low here so that there is always plenty of room for everyone, as well as peace and quiet.
The campsite is an hour and a half drive from London and a 20 min walk to the sleepy and pretty village of Goudhurst, with pubs selling great food and two local shops for self-catering. There are also two excellent farm shops within walking distance.
Close to May Tree Orchard, there are walks via Sissinghurst, Scotney and Bodiam Castle, and water activities on the River Rother and at Bewl Water. Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest is a ten-minute drive from the campsite and the coast around Hastings and Rye is just over 30 minutes.
An amazing independent food business, Growing Communities, sells pears, apples and plums grown at the orchard in their box scheme serving North and South London, and you can also buy them from the Pear Necessities stall at Stoke Newington Farmers Market. Delicious apple juice and tasty chutney made from the organic apples grown in the orchard are available to purchase on site, as well as plum preserve and orchard plums.
Pets
Campfires
Showers
Field and Fallow Pop-Up Campsite
6. Field and Fallow Pop-Up Campsite
100%
(3)
Haywards Heath, England · 5 units
Child free campsite- please note before booking :)
Come and stay in the beautiful West Sussex countryside, less than an hour from London.
Nestled amongst rolling fields and ancient woodland, Field & Fallow offers the perfect escape. Our peaceful adults only campsite is surrounded by nature, with a lovely woodland, abundant wildlife and space to relax and reconnect.
Created for Glastonbury Festival's fallow year, this new pop-up campsite is designed to bring people together in a friendly setting, welcoming friends, couples and solo travellers alike.
We have a woodland sauna, a communal campfire (acoustic music is encouraged), badminton and table tennis. Please note the sauna is an additional cost.
Nearby there are lots of beautiful walks and the Ardingly reservoir offers a range of water sports (8 minute drive). The famous bluebell railway is also within walking distance.
Please be aware there is no mobile service at the campsite, which we see as a good opportunity to disconnect from technology and reconnect with nature. There is limited Wifi onsite if necessary.
Please come and help us create somewhere special!
Showers
Potable water
Riverside Farm experience fire & activities
7. Riverside Farm experience fire & activities
87%
(38)
England · 83 units · Tents, Glamping
NEW we have 2 brand new toilet blocks with multiple toilets , showers , basins .
NEW we have 2 full kitchens for you to use with fridge freezers , gas hobs , electric , and everything needed for your stay
we have many different options including bring your own tent , belltent yurts cabins . please enquire for info
farm riverside camping in an idyllic 60 acre grade 1 listed country estate conservation farm and pleasure grounds in central Hertford. Large free camping meadow includes fire pits next to the river and ancient woodlands. Stunning valley views. Paddle swim boat fish in our crystal clear chalk streams , explore our woodland areas , with hammocks swings and huge 1960s army parachute shelter.
NEW Goldings sandy beach , next to our crystal clear shallow paddling area .plus boats paddle boards , fishing instruction and equipment with unique catch nets . Zipwire hammocks , forest activities for the kids , arts and crafts , fireside cooking etc
We have many activities at the farm including woodland activities , cooking campfire with our unique forest school .
Loads of fun with friendly lambs, piglets, donkeys and mini cows to pet and feed. Your stay includes a farm tour with farmer Morag and the team, bottle feed our piglets walk our baby mini pygmy goats, ALL ACTIVITIES INCLUDED IN THE PRICE OF YOUR STAY (no extra costs) such as arts and crafts are available, plus play areas, with zip wire, fishing, boats, swimming and paddling in our crystal clear chalk stream. We have 60 acres of grade 1 listed farmland, woodlands, a canal, river and meadows to explore. We are 5 minutes from Hertford north train station which has trains every 35 mins to Central London. Close to all the amazing activities, museums, bars, restaurants and shops of historic Hertford. Close to Hertfordshire Zoo, Harry Potter World, and loads of attractions.
Pets
Campfires
Showers
Secluded Woodland Camp
8. Secluded Woodland Camp
96%
(24)
Ware, England · 31 units · Tents, Glamping
Glamp or pitch up here in our secluded and peaceful mini off-grid site combining both field and forest.
We have a shared under cover space and also an outdoor fire-pit to gather more than 20 people comfortably. There is a simple compost loo for your use with hand-washing and dish washing area outside. And the rest is all Mother nature! There is no running water or drinking water. You will need to bring your own. No electricity points or WIFI are in the campsite and no masts nearby so enjoy the EMF cleanse.
Whether you chose to stay in the ancient woodland or the herbal pasture, you will feel the benefits of reconnecting with yourself in nature, breathing the clean air and hearing the birds singing. The parking is 800m away and there is minimal tractor use so you can imagine yourself roaming the fields and forest of England in days gone by.
Fitness required. It's a long walk from the car park to the campsite. Trolleys provided.
Pets
Campfires
Picnic table
Camping at Tomkins Farm
9. Camping at Tomkins Farm
96%
(179)
North Chailey, England · 41 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
Relaxed camping beside a lake on an East Sussex farm, with alpacas, llamas, and camels
Pets
Campfires
Showers
Setts Wood Camping and Glamping
10. Setts Wood Camping and Glamping
100%
(5)
England · 14 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
We look forward to welcoming you to Setts Wood Farm and will provide you with all you need for a relaxing and rewarding visit to Tenterden and The Weald.
We offer a selection of bell tents or you can bring your own tent. The camping is set across 2 fields and extends to 12 acres. We have a maximum of 30 tents so it is never crowded.
Come and meet the alpacas, sheep, pigs, goats and horses!
We also have a small fishing lake which guests are welcome to use for a small donation. We restocked last year and there are carp and several species of smaller silver fish. It is ideal for beginners and children. Any children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Setts Wood Farm is perfectly positioned to explore Tenterden and the surrounding villages, and is less than a 20 minute drive to the historic town of Rye, with the beaches of Camber, Dymchurch and Littlestone just a few minutes further.
Pets
Campfires
Showers
The Meadow @ Waples Mill
11. The Meadow @ Waples Mill
93%
(55)
Dunmow, England · 12 units
Spacious grass pitches in the green Essex countryside
A 15-minute drive to Chelmsford; 40 minutes to Audley End
Tractor rides on site; firepits provided for campfires. Rural walks,
How about proper farm activities like tractor rides (ask site staff for details)?
The place to find all this is The Meadow at Waples Mill, an Essex farm site between Chelmsford and Dunmow (and about 15 minutes’ drive from both). This family-friendly site is handy for walks on the Essex Way and other local footpaths, and tractor and trailer rides around the farm are organised on alternate days to give guests a glimpse into agricultural life.
Activities complete for the day, it's time to chill out, and that should be easy here – all pitches have access to toilets and hot showers in a trailer close by, and firepits are provided so you can have a safe campfire (with wood available to buy on site and a great farm shop 10 minutes’ drive away for fireside snacks).
Pitches themselves are large (please note only one tent per pitch is allowed), well kept and well spaced within a meadow that backs onto the River Roding. Dogs are welcome, and there are plenty of places to take them for a walk nearby.
London folk looking for a quick escape to the countryside, this is a place to bear in mind – it’s only about an hour and quarter by road from the city.
Pets
Campfires
Showers
Far and Away Camping
12. Far and Away Camping
100%
(51)
England · 21 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
Nestled within the heart of the Kent countryside, Far and Away allows you to escape into a rural, peaceful and wild campsite. The skies are full of song birds and birds of prey, hot air balloons dominate the still summer evenings and there is always a spitfire or biplane circling from the local aerodrome. With close to zero light pollution, the night skies are a stunning way to end the day not to mention Far and Away sunrise and sunsets are also worth staying up for!
Immerse yourself in the heart of the beautiful Kent countryside and take advantage of the many public footpaths around the campsite. Far and Away is 1.2 miles away from Headcorn village where you can find a host of local amenities, shops, pubs and restaurants.
There is also a host of National Trust sites within a short drive including Sissinghurst Castle and many wonderful villages to visit including medieval Biddenden and the magical market town of Tenterden. Next to junction 8 of the M20 there is also Leeds Castle, only a 20 minute drive from Far and Away and the Big Cat Sanctuary is only a few fields away. At night you can hear the roar of the wild cats really making it feel like you are Far and Away!
Pets
Campfires
Showers
The Sunnyfield Campsite
13. The Sunnyfield Campsite
95%
(111)
Canterbury, England · 26 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
Looking for a place where you can camp, glamp and campervan together with friends? The Sunnyfield is the place.
Pets
Showers
Potable water
Hook Farm Campsite
14. Hook Farm Campsite
98%
(215)
East Grinstead, England · 13 units
Blissfully back-to-basics camping in the heart of the West Sussex High Weald
Pets
Showers
Potable water
Chapter Farm Camping
15. Chapter Farm Camping
100%
(23)
Canterbury, England · 6 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Family-friendly camping in a quiet countryside setting close to the beach at Whitstable
Pets
Showers
Potable water
Ditchling Boutique Camping
16. Ditchling Boutique Camping
88%
(28)
Ditchling, England · 100 units
Hunker down in a historic village, surrounded by vineyards, hilly countryside and some rather spectacular views. With Ditchling Camping as your base, you’ll be on track for rural bike rides or visiting Brighton and its busy coast 25 minutes’ drive away. That’s because this dog-friendly site is in Ditchling – a village in the splendid South Downs National Park and a rather excellent location for all sorts of days out.
Good news if the whole family is tagging along: there’s plenty to play with around the site, including an adventure trail through the woodlands, a swing tree and places for kids to fashion their own little dens.
The site is only a five-minute drive (or a 30-minute walk) from the traditional Jack and Jill windmills and the neighbouring family-run pub, which serves both grub and good ales. A vineyard is 15 minutes’ walk away from the site if you'd like to include a wine-tasting tour on your break. Otherwise, simply pedal along country lanes on the surrounding cycling routes (it’s easy enough to hire a bike locally).
On your route, you might want to stop by in characterful Ditchling, home to local craftspeople and winemakers. There’s a nice selection of independent shops here, plus cosy cafés and pubs that will serve you a good spread of Sussex food, all within a 5-minute walk.
Back on site, end the day with a cosy evening beside the fire-pits. The site facilities are nicely straightforward otherwise and include warm showers and a separate dishwashing area and of course our newly installed Composting Toilets.
Pets
Campfires
Showers
Freedom Farm Camping
17. Freedom Farm Camping
99%
(37)
Newmarket, England · 25 units
Eco permanent pasture farm with 12 mile views across the countryside in West Suffolk near Newmarket, Bury St Edmunds and Cambridge.
Say goodbye to the road whilst camping privately and securely in 70 acres of paddocks edged with post and rail fencing. Footpaths accessed directly from the site to explore further afield.
We produce most of our own food and have a herd of Dexter grass fed beef cows grazing. Beef and vegetables available for sale depending on the season and availability.
Camping hammocks also welcome in the wood.
We also have equestrian facilities including a manege and it is possible to bring a horse by arrangement in summer. We have a guide available for hacking locally and a resident BS qualified instructor. Please contact for details.
Campfires
Showers
Potable water
Daisy May’s Farm
18. Daisy May’s Farm
86%
(187)
Bishop's Stortford, England · 10 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Our pop up campsite is set in 20 acres on a not for profit community farm. Come and join us in the great outdoors! Help collect the eggs, feed the chickens and milk the goat! There is always lots going on at Daisy May’s Farm!
Children’s play areas, paddle stream, woodland walks and lots more!
PITCH FEE INCLUDES ENTRY TO THE FARM & ALL ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS!
Open 7 days a week. Coffee Cabin and Ollie’s Food Hut also serving hot food
(Weekends & school holiday 10-3pm)
Local pub - 5 mins walk
Golf Course (crazy golf, top golf, 9 hole course, bar and food) - 5 mins walk
Shop/post office/chip shop - 10 mins walk
Toilets & shower ; hot gas shower available but we are a basic wild, mostly off grid site. No concrete heated toilet blocks I’m afraid! (Showers unavailable in Winter months)
There will be mud. Bring your wellies!
Drinking water and bins available.
Bring a torch for walking around the site at night. The site is off grid and the toilet lights are solar operated!
CARAVANS - ONLY BOOKABLE MAY - SEPTEMBERTENTS - CAMPER VANS - MOTORHOMES WELCOME ALL YEAR (all pitches are the same. No need to specify which type of unit you are booking)
We look forwards to welcoming you soon!
Pets
Campfires
Showers
Pitchcott Farm
19. Pitchcott Farm
92%
(31)
Aylesbury, England · 11 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
Nearly wild, back-to-nature camping on a regenerative farm in Buckinghamshire
Pets
Campfires
Showers
Hill Top Farm Wild Camping
20. Hill Top Farm Wild Camping
95%
(21)
England · 2 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Hill Top Farm Wild Camping has just a few tiny pitches but the folk here keep the grass trimmed for easy pitching and you can park right next to the pitch. It's a tiny Wild Camping site with no running water, toilets or showers. What Noakes Meadow does have is plenty of space for you to enjoy and camp fires are definitely allowed. A wheelbarrow of fire wood can be purchased for £10 Cash/Paypal/Bank Transfer on arrival. This site is far away from the madding crowds though close to the M20 and A20 for easy access.
A mere 10-minute stroll along the road is a fab 16th-century country inn for food and pints. On the other hand you could always fire up a barbie and sizzle some sausages or grab a take away from the chippie 7 minutes away in the nearby village of Lenham.
This wild camping site operates a leave no trace policy so be prepared to bag up and take everything with you when you leave.
Pets
Campfires
Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community
N
Nicholas
1 week ago
4 m campervan
Lovely peaceful campsite. Host Jayne is very accommodating and checked if everything was ok or I needed anything. Will definitely be coming again.
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K
Karin
1 week ago
Tent
With kids
Large pitches, facilities well maintained, really peaceful
See moreV
Victoria
1 week ago
Tent
We had a really wonderful time at Sunnyfield. The showers are lovely and the toilets are clean, even the pizza’s great! We will be back, highly recommend🫶🏼
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E
Emma-Jane
2 weeks ago
Tent
Lovely stay! Peaceful, beautiful stars at night and Tash and her partner are so welcoming! The plums were delicious
See moreK
Kelly
2 weeks ago
Tent
This is a lovely campsite and we will definitely come back, it was so peaceful waking up in the orchard. It was very kind of Natasha to lend us her OS map so we could do a walk from the site. Make sure you try the pear and apple juices available to buy on the day!
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D
Darren
2 weeks ago
Tent
What a beautiful place! Helena was extremely pleasant and made sure I had everything I needed. The location itself was exactly how it's described with beautiful countryside views and exquisite serenity. I shall be returning soon.
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E
Ella
2 weeks ago
Tent
Loved this campsite. So tranquil and quiet, which was a welcome break from the city. We pretty much ended up with the field to ourselves. Lots of walks and cycling routes from the site, and lots of nice nearby pubs and villages. Helena was very helpful and provided us with lots of local recommendations. We will definitely be back.
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C
Chloe
2 weeks ago
Tent
With kids
Stunning place, a Really a lovely find. Myself and my children had a wonderful time here and didn’t want to leave. Toilets and shower facilities were clean, the “beach” and stream was lovely and kept my little ones happy all day.
Lots of open space, we could choose where we pitched our tent. Animals were great to have around, kids loved how cheeky they were with the food! Daughter loved feeding the horses.
We borrowed fire pit too and were able to get wood from the forrest which was.
It was a really lovely wholesome, relaxed weekend. Will be returning!
Thank you:)
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C
Cristina
2 weeks ago
7 m pop-up camper
With pets
Beautiful spot, good showers and toilets and even a tarped area with picnic tables. Pitches were nice and ample. The only drawback is there’s nowhere to leave rubbish and you have to take it home yourself, fine for a day or two, but slightly more complicated for longer stays.
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S
Sophie
2 weeks ago
Tent
With kids
This campsite is so wonderful! It’s quiet and there’s a lot of space. When you take a shower you can see the rabbits hop in the field across! LOVED IT.
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M
Marie-Theres
2 weeks ago
5 m car
With kids
Alles perfekt, wir haben uns sehr wohl gefühlt zwischen den Schafen und Alpakas. Der Platz ist sehr ruhig und entspannt.
Wir waren gerne dort.
See moreE
Elizabeth
2 weeks ago
Tent
This campsite is absolutely perfect! The pitches were tidy and spacious so you didn’t feel on top of other campers. It was picturesque, peaceful, private and clean. The showers were pretty immaculate and honestly gave Soho House Boutique hotel vibes. From a couple who love luxury as well as the outdoors this was a perfect mix. Would (and have) recommend to anyone!
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Owen
2 weeks ago
Tent
Gorgeous campsite in a really great location. Thoughtfully cared for and put together - notably the showers! Great experience all round.
See moreN
Naomi
3 weeks ago
Tent
I loved this site.Everything thought about and straight forward.Lovely spot.Will definitely be back.
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I
Iain
3 weeks ago
Tent
We had a lovely 2 night stay in the woodland.
It felt secluded and was very peaceful. It’s a great off grid site with lots of great spots to pitch up in the trees or the meadow.
Jon was very nice snd helpful, provided us with a wheel barrow to help shift our camping gear and even carried a few bits himself as we walked and talked about the land and his journey managing the farm.
We really felt like had ‘got away from it all’ for a few days, we loved it and will be back.
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G
Gabriel
3 weeks ago
Tent
With kids
Beautiful pitches, with good privacy; the facilities are pretty spartan but it is excellent value and a lovely spot!
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J
Judy
3 weeks ago
Tent
With kids
Lovely site, very peaceful. Philip gave us a great recommendation for the local woodlands where my eight year-old spent a happy morning cycling all the trails. Pizzas were delicious.
See moree
eden
3 weeks ago
Tent
Helena and family warmly welcomed us to their campsite. The large spacious field was peaceful and all the facilities were clean and close by. Great firewood and pit provided along side some delicious homemade burgers at a very reasonable extra cost. All in all, a delightful and delicious weekend. Thank you all!
See moreG
Gavin
3 weeks ago
Tent
With pets
Had a great weekend stay Plum Camping. Natasha and Nick were great hosts. We were fortunate to have the whole campsite to ourselves and it was lovely and quiet albeit with lots of birdsong all around. The weather was fantastic and we enjoyed lots of great walks around the area. We hope to be back soon.
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J
Joshua
3 weeks ago
Tent
Lovely relaxed vibe on the site. I like their just be cool policy.
See moreHainault Forest camping guide
Where to go
Lee Valley Country Park
Beyond Hainault Forest itself, campers can explore the nearby Lee Valley, which stretches along the River Lea northeast from London into Buckinghamshire and Essex. Some of it was transformed into London’s Olympic Park for the 2012 games, bringing a welcome green lung to the capital’s east. Its handful of campsites take in tent spots, caravan parks, cosy lodges and pre-pitched safari tents, while adventure activities swing from white-water rafting to rowing along the river to leisurely horse riding.
Epping Forest
Another favourite nature spot on London’s fringes, Epping Forest sits just north of Hainault on the Essex-Hertfordshire border. With endless hiking paths, cycling routes, horseback trails and everything from paintball to windsurfing, you’ll be spoilt for entertainment. And while you can’t pitch up in the forest itself, there are wild-camping and caravanning sites on its edges.
Kent Coast
Kent’s beach-strung northern coastline awaits within a two-hour drive of Hainault Forest, offering up lively, bohemian beach towns such as Whitstable and Margate alongside miles of seaside walks, plenty of watersports and tempting ocean-view camping spots.
Suffolk Coast
Trundle less than two hours east from Hainault Forest to reach the pretty villages, Tudor mansions and pastel-painted resorts dotted around Suffolk’s sleepy littoral, not to mention the unmissable Algo-Saxon burial mounds at Sutton Hoo. Rewarding hikes lead along the 96-km Suffolk Coast Path, with tempting stops including Aldeburgh. There’s also fabulous coastal cycling, along with sunset horse rides along the golden beaches.
