Hickling Campsite

Bring a bike to Hickling Campsite and you’re pretty much sorted for your stay. Everything is within pedalling distance here. It’s less than a mile to the banks of Hickling Broad, the largest waterbody in the Broads National Park and a haven for wildlife, and only four miles to the coast, where beaches and protected dunescpaes await. In the other direction, there’s Ant Marshes and several good pubs and, when you finally decide you’ve done enough pedalling, you still don’t need to get in the car. There are canoes for hire, dinghies to sail and board walks to wander, stretching out like hugging arms around Hickling Broad, leading you to tree-top huts and bird-hides in the reeds. It really is the best of the Broads parcelled up into one small area.

Cycling is also particularly easy owing to the handy flatness of the region. There are no big hills to trek up here and, consequently, Hickling Campsite itself is blessed with a perfectly flat meadow. Tents are welcome, preserving a traditional camping feel and keeping the grass in good condition, while campfires are a must – firepits are provided with every booking. Initially, tents are recommended to pitch around the edge of the meadow, allowing extra space in the middle for children to run wild and make friends, while mature hedges along the border (look out for wild raspberries in summer and blackberries in autumn) provide shelter from the breeze.

“It’s our little piece of paradise”, owners Tom and Jo proclaim. The couple grew up locally and have a very clear affection for the area. If you need more advice on where to go, they’re happy to give recommendations – should you stroll to The Greyhound Inn or to The Pleasure Boat Inn, for example; such tough decisions to make. It’s the Norfolk Wildlife Trust that look after Hickling Broad itself and a Visitor Centre is open on the shore (½ mile away) from 10am–5pm daily during summer.

There’s an excellent little picnic spot, along with toilets and a café, and you can catch boats across the water to a 60ft tall tree tower on the far side. From the top the view is outstanding and it’s a great place to soak in the surroundings. You may well find yourself agreeing with Jo and Tom too – it's a little piece of paradise indeed.