Camping in Thetford Forest

·

Across the level heathland of North Suffolk and South Norfolk spreads England’s largest human-made lowland forest: Thetford Forest. The King’s Forest also lies to its south, and together, they are an arboreal wonderland where you’ll find well-kept hiking and biking routes, including the Icknield Way, which claims to be Britain’s oldest road. Nearby, campers can also find ancient sites like the Grime’s Graves prehistoric flint mine, delightful waterways like the River Lark, and an abundance of picnicking spots. For camping, Thetford Forest’s northern fringes have the best choice.

97% (1.4K) 2,571 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds in Thetford Forest

Holistic Woods Wild Campsite

1. Holistic Woods Wild Campsite

94%
(230)
Woodbridge, England · 45 units · Tents, Motorhomes
07733We are a wild campsite with character and history. Our most popular pitch is our beautiful SSSI woodland. There are only 25 pitches available. We have a mid wild pitch on the outskirts of the woods, lovely grassed area between trees. Our top field is perfect for motorhomes & caravans. Plenty of space to breath and relax. Located on the stunning heathlands of the Sutton Heath. We are surrounded by beautiful woodland walks, including the Sandlings walk and just 10 minutes from the river Deben. 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
Pets
Campfires
Potable water
Plum Camping at White House Farm

2. Plum Camping at White House Farm

95%
(176)
Rackheath, England · 25 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Family camping with campfires on a fruit orchard near Norwich, with a farm shop, café and butchers
Pets
Campfires
Showers
Four Winds Camping, Canoeing & SUP

3. Four Winds Camping, Canoeing & SUP

98%
(306)
March, Cambridgeshire, England · 13 units · Tents, Motorhomes
A small, friendly riverside campsite in Cambridgeshire – with campfires allowed
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
Norfolk Coast Path Camping Glamping

4. Norfolk Coast Path Camping Glamping

Hunstanton, England · 215 units · Tents, Motorhomes
🌊 Norfolk Coast Path Camping & Glamping: Holme-next-the-Sea Norfolk Coast Path Camping & Glamping provides a tranquil, back-to-basics coastal escape in one of North Norfolk’s most secluded villages. Located on a spacious 5-acre meadow, the site is perfectly situated for those seeking adventure, peace, and wide-open skies. 📍 Proximity to Path and Beach The site's primary draw is its location at the junction of two major walking routes: the Norfolk Coast Path and the Peddars Way. Beach Access: The secluded golden sands of Holme-next-the-Sea Beach (home of the historic Sea Henge) are a short 10-minute walk away. This highly special location allows guests to witness a rare spectacle on the East Coast: sunsets over the sea, followed by incredible stargazing under the vast, dark Norfolk skies. Hiking Base: The campsite is an ideal base for hikers, cyclists, and birdwatchers, with easy access to wild areas like the Holme Dunes Nature Reserve and RSPB Titchwell Marsh. 🐕 Dog-Friendly & Local Life The site is dog-friendly, welcoming well-behaved companions in all camping and glamping units. The coastal path offers miles of walking, and Holme Beach is vast and dog-friendly. Local Businesses & Activities: The site is close to the village centre, putting you near welcoming local pubs and shops for essential supplies and dining. Nearby coastal towns like Hunstanton (3 miles) and the harbours at Brancaster offer opportunities for watersports (paddleboarding, kitesurfing) and sampling local seafood (like the famous Crab Hut). 🔥 Back-to-Basics & Space Under the Stars The campsite embraces a rustic, back-to-basics philosophy focused on the outdoor experience: Accommodation: Pitches are available for tents, campervans, motorhomes, and caravans. Glamping options include cosy Shepherd's Huts and Bell Tents. Units often benefit from seclusion and privacy on the 5-acre meadow. Campfires: Campfires and BBQs are encouraged and allowed, with glamping units providing dedicated fire pits/braziers. Facilities: Amenities are designed to be simple, clean, and functional, including flushable toilets, shower blocks, and fresh water. The site offers a pure, authentic outdoor retreat blending simple facilities with a prime coastal location.
Pets
Campfires
Showers
Freedom Farm Camping

5. Freedom Farm Camping

98%
(23)
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
The Meadow @ Waples Mill

6. The Meadow @ Waples Mill

93%
(45)
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
Secluded Woodland Camp

7. Secluded Woodland Camp

97%
(16)
Ware, England · 26 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
Daisy May’s Farm

8. Daisy May’s Farm

87%
(180)
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
Barn Owl Camping

9. Barn Owl Camping

97%
(18)
Suffolk, England · 10 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
Dog-friendly camping and shepherd’s huts in rural Suffolk
Pets
Campfires
Showers
Ashcroft Field

10. Ashcroft Field

100%
(5)
Hindolveston, England · 8 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
A small bell tent site in a Norfolk meadow, just 25 minutes from the coast
Pets
Campfires
Showers
Archer’s Field

11. Archer’s Field

97%
(223)
Erpingham, England · 22 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
Scenic, simple camping with North Norfolk's best sights on your doorstep
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
Agar Farm

12. Agar Farm

Holt, England · 33 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Agar Farm is a peaceful, nature-first campsite set in open Norfolk meadows, with direct private access to the water. Camp in our Upper Meadow on comfortable, mown wild grass meadow with wide open skies, while the surrounding land is left wild for birds, insects, countryside vibes & views over Marshes & Coastline. It’s quiet, spacious, and intentionally low-key Step straight from the site onto our private pontoon on Agar Creek, linking you into a beautiful network of inland waterways. From here you can paddleboard, kayak, wild swim, or drift your way out to Blakeney and Morston Quays, the Blakeney Pit, and the famous seal colony. On foot, explore the North Norfolk coastal path,it is a long distance national trail stretching from Hunstanton in the west all the way to Cromer in the east, views include Blakeney point, spit,marshes, mudflats ,and water channels where birds and seals are often seen .we have a great bus service along the coastal road so you can walk as far and as wide as you wish.We also have great amenities on your door step, such as great pubs a walk away try The Anchor at morston ,or walk the other way on the coastal path to blakeney where you can find great streetfood, a supermarket ,willie west fish shop with prawn sandwiches to die for .i also recommend you walk to cley which is a charming village it has a cool pub called The George and a lovely bistro called the harnser , i would definitely recommend The Smoke House ,Made In Clay ,The Secondhand Book Shop , and last but not least the famous Picnic farye full of great local vegetables and artisan foods. You are beautifully placed at agar farm to park the car set up camp and not need your car for the rest of your stay,everything is on your door step Enjoy ❤️ Perfect for campers who want: Space, quiet, and dark skies Water access straight from camp Wildlife, coastal walks, and adventure at your doorstep A genuinely unspoilt base to explore the North Norfolk coast Bring a tent, campervan, or motorhome. Stay a night… end up staying longer.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
Bridge Woods

13. Bridge Woods

100%
(9)
England · 8 units · Tents, Motorhomes
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
North Norfolk Camping & Glamping

14. North Norfolk Camping & Glamping

90%
(15)
Sheringham, England · 191 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
🌲 North Norfolk Camping & Glamping Holt Hollow - Lakeside Forest Retreat North Norfolk Camping & Glamping, known as Holt Hollow, provides a rare, tranquil, and back-to-nature escape in the heart of the Norfolk countryside. Nestled in a wooded area on the outskirts of the AONB, the site's most distinctive feature is its beautiful natural lake and surrounding peaceful woodlands, ideal for walks and wildlife spotting. 🔥 Back-to-Basics & Off-Grid Ethos The site strongly emphasizes its back-to-basics philosophy: Off-Grid Living: Holt Hollow operates off-grid with limited to no phone coverage, promoting full disconnection from technology. Glamping Shepherds Huts & Yurts utilise gas-powered showers and solar lighting, with log burners for heat. Campfires: Campfires and BBQs are allowed. Glamping units include private fire pits/braziers for evening gatherings under the clear, dark Norfolk skies, which are excellent for stargazing. Core Facilities: Essential amenities are kept clean and functional, including shower/toilet blocks and fresh drinking water stations. Glamping 🎪 We have Glamping Shepherds Huts and Yurts, nestled within our woodland retreat. Rustic with wood burners, cosy linens and everything you need to enjoy your time. 🐾 Dog-Friendly Woodland & Accommodation Our campsite is proudly dog-friendly, welcoming companions on all pitches and in our glamping accommodation. The open meadow and surrounding woodlands provide ample space for walks, and the lake allows for paddling. 🗺️ Local Area: Holt Village and the Coast The site’s rural location is conveniently close to key North Norfolk highlights: Holt Village: The charming Georgian market town of Holt is just a short 5-minute drive away. It is perfect for exploring independent shops, cafes, and art galleries, and for accessing local gems like Holt Country Park. The Coast: The stunning North Norfolk Coast (part of the AONB) is only a short drive away, providing access to: Blakeney Point (famous for seal watching boat trips). Wells-next-the-Sea and Holkham Bay. Coastal walks along the Norfolk Coast Path. North Norfolk Camping & Glamping offers an authentic outdoor adventure, blending rustic living with the comfort of having the best of the Norfolk coast and countryside within easy reach.
Pets
Campfires
Showers
Fire and Feast Suffolk

15. Fire and Feast Suffolk

100%
(36)
Cratfield, England · 11 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
Camping in the beautiful country of Suffolk, with a rustic dining experience like no other
Campfires
Showers
Potable water
Hickling Campsite

16. Hickling Campsite

99%
(124)
Hickling, England · 31 units · Tents, Glamping
Tent camping and glamping within walking distance of Norfolk's largest broad and less than 10 minutes' drive from the beach
Pets
Campfires
Showers
Rosehip Woods Campsite

17. Rosehip Woods Campsite

100%
(8)
England · 6 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Rosehip Wood Campsite is a nature rich, off-grid wild campsite set in a peaceful woodland. Camp in secluded clearings surrounded by trees and bushes and be sheltered from the wind or hot sun when necessary. You can spend your evenings staring into a crackling campfire as fire pits are provided and firewood can be purchased on site. This site is completely enclosed by fences so kids can roam free-range-style, make dens using branches and explore the 'secret cedar hideaway'. There is a field with a football goal for recreational activities and adjoining footpaths for road free walks. It is tucked away on the outskirts of the pretty Norfolk village of West Dereham. This beautiful rewilding project offers the unspoilt simplicity and tranquillity of wild camping within the grassy clearings of a quiet mixed woodland and balanced with just enough facilities to make camping fun and comfortable including fresh water and compost toilets. All Rosehip Wood’s pitches are family friendly and allow BBQs and campfires. Your hosts invite you to wander along mown paths, through grassy clearings and wildflowers. The woodland has been planted with lots of nuts and fruits for both wildlife and humans to enjoy. As the sun sets, unwind, and enjoy starlit skies unspoilt by light pollution against the distant calls and barks of local wildlife. The site has no lighting so don’t forget your torch if you plan on an evening amble. Downham Market is around 4 ½ miles away offering supermarkets, a market, food and drink in the town’s historic pubs and a range of restaurants. It also has a train station from which your hosts will be happy to pick you up if you are coming camping without a car. If you need an extra tent this can be rented at an extra cost. Walkers and cyclists will find maps and information available on site pointing you in the direction of local routes over farmland, lanes, long
Pets
Campfires
Potable water
Pigs in Blankets

18. Pigs in Blankets

96%
(71)
Southwold, England · 26 units · Tents, Glamping
A campfire-friendly country campsite on a farm in walking distance of seaside Southwold
Pets
Campfires
Showers
Canal Camping

19. Canal Camping

98%
(125)
North Walsham, England · 39 units · Tents, Glamping
Paddle the waterways, read among the reeds and bask beneath the big, blue skies of the Norfolk Broads at this family-friendly, tent-only campsite
Pets
Campfires
Showers
Snettisham Meadows

20. Snettisham Meadows

96%
(24)
Snettisham, England · 40 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Set on a traditional family-run farm in rural Norfolk, Snettisham Meadows is on the outskirts of the pretty village of Snettisham and short drive away from North Norfolk's beautiful white sandy beaches. Animal-mad campers, form an orderly queue please, as this 329-acre farm has several attractions up its sleeve for you, including meet-and-greets with pigs and ponies, lamb feeding in spring and deer safaris. There’s also a dog paddock for rent so four-legged companions can have a frisk around, and an area on the camping field is reserved for guests with dogs. Campfires and barbecues are permitted and you can borrow firepits from the site owners. Logs are also available to buy. The site is only 10 minutes’ walk from a village pub if you fancy a change of scenery. After a fun-filled day exploring this lovely part of Norfolk, come back to your pitch and keep your fingers crossed for clear skies and some serious stargazing. Facilities include washing-up sinks, a small shop at reception for essential supplies and tourist information, USB phone charging and a freezer for ice packs.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

Thetford Forest camping guide

Where to go

The King’s Forest

Together with Thetford Forest to its north, the King’s Forest helps comprise the biggest human-made lowland forest in England. The Icknield Way long-distance trail passes through, while a reconstructed Anglo-Saxon village sits in the south by West Stow Country Park and a number of camping options.

Isleham & the River Lark

From its confluence with the Great River Ouse, the River Lark winds southeast to Isleham, nine miles from Thetford Forest, before continuing upstream to Bury St Edmunds and beyond. Navigable until Jude’s Ferry between Isleham and Mildenhall, and with a major marina at Isleham, the waterway is a favourite among pleasure boaters and walkers who frequent the footpaths lining the river. Several campsites dot the area, some near the water.

East of Thetford

The town of Thetford hugs the forest’s southeast corner, east of which are many important wildlife areas including Brettenham Heath National Nature Reserve with its nationally rare chalk grassland and heathland habitats, plus the SSSI Knettishall Heath Nature Reserve. The Peddars Way long-distance path runs east of landscaped 18th-century parkland Shadwell Park, then intersects with Icknield Way near Knettishall Heath. Look for a fair number of kid-friendly campsites nearby.

Ely & Around

West of Thetford Forest, pancake-flat farmland spreads across to Ely. This is one of Britain’s smallest cities, arranged around a stunning cathedral on the highest land in all the East Anglian fens  (with a whopping elevation of 85 feet!). Ely’s countrified surroundings, also known as Bedford Level, are the place to come for excellent boating and a fine choice of campsites, many with pitches scattered through lovely wildflower meadows.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are several campsites in the area, some near the water. You can also explore different options for camping near Thetford Forest on Hipcamp.

Nearby, campers can also find ancient sites like the Grime’s Graves prehistoric flint mine, delightful waterways like the River Lark, and an abundance of picnicking spots. For camping, Thetford Forest’s northern fringes have the best choice.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Popular Thetford Forest holidays

Top towns in and near Thetford Forest