# Constable Park

A holiday and leisure park ideal for kayaking and paddleboarding, with premium glamping options

See photos, check availability, and book on Hipcamp: https://www.hipcamp.com/en-GB/land/england-suffolk-constable-park-6p0hjzro

- **Location:** Brantham, England, United Kingdom
- **Price:** from £120.00/night
- **Rating:** 100% recommend (18 reviews)
- **Sites:** 8
- **Size:** 4 acres
- **Host:** Sarah W.

## Overview

What is Constable Park?

Set in the heart of Constable Country overlooking Dedham Vale and the RSPB nature reserve in Brantham, Constable Park is a new holiday & leisure park, uniquely offering direct access to the River Stour for day visitors and holiday makers alike.

All visitors are welcome in our on-site coffee house with a great range of breakfast, lunch, specialty coffee and of course homemade cake! You can also hire a paddleboard or open kayak, both available as single or tandem hire.

The accommodation side of the park offers a range of options from cosy, fitted out bell tents and upcycled, super-wide containers, to our premium ‘Heron’ lodge with a private balcony and BBQ offering stunning views over the RSPB reserve and beyond.

You don’t need a car to enjoy the area as we are only a short walk from Manningtree train station. The perfect base to explore Flatford and Dedham Vale on foot, cycle the many miles of Suffolk cycle routes, or hire a kayak to see Constable country from a new perspective. The bustling town of Manningtree is also only a short distance away with several pubs, restaurants and bars for a more lively evening during your stay.

Who are we?

Ian and Sarah, along with their son Ollie, have lived in the area for 20 years. Ian is an approved activity provider for the Duke of Edinburgh Award and is unique in offering Gold canoe expeditions in the East Anglia region. Sarah is a local PE teacher with wider responsibilities for department standards and teacher training. Ollie is a keen paddleboarder, so often helps out with the watersports!

Where did Constable Park come from?

“We originally bought a field of brambles with a view to allow our Duke of Edinburgh’s Award students to have somewhere to pull up in their canoe and wild camp. Having done this for several years and with support and encouragement from the AONB and the local planning department, we decided to develop the site for others to enjoy too: an ideal place to sit by the river, enjoy the water or visit for a holiday. We’re also off-grid! Everything has been up-cycled where possible to minimise our carbon footprint.”

The family benefited from a Rural Development Grant as the park provides employment opportunities as well as benefiting the local community with a new leisure facility.

## Highlights

- **Creature comforts:** Enjoy the comforts of home in nature at some pitches — including real toilets, showers, and kitchen.
- **Private pitches:** 100% of recent Hipcampers say pitches are private.

## Amenities

- **Amenities:** Potable water, Toilets, Campfires, Showers, Trash, Cooking equipment, Picnic table
- **Activities:** Biking, Paddling, Wildlife watching
- **Terrain:** River, stream, or creek, Field

## Sites

- **5M Bell Tent - Firepit Site** (bell-tent, up to 4 guests, £120.00/night)
- **5M Bell Tent - Firepit Site2** (bell-tent, up to 4 guests, £120.00/night)
- **6 - Touareg Tent Site** (bell-tent, up to 5 guests, £140.00/night)
- **Site 1 - Bell tent - Riverside location** (bell-tent, up to 4 guests, £140.00/night)
- **5 - Touareg Tent** (bell-tent, up to 5 guests, £140.00/night)
- **5M Firepit Bell Tent** (bell-tent, up to 4 guests, £120.00/night)
- **5m Bell Tent Firepit** (bell-tent, up to 4 guests, £120.00/night)
- **Site 2 - Bell tent - Riverside location** (bell-tent, up to 4 guests, £140.00/night)

## Recent reviews

> Fantastic glamping site by the river plus kayak / paddle board hire, great facilities, friendly staff & a lovely coffee shop
>
> - Richard W., August 28, 2025

> A lovely weekend spent at Heron Lodge. The lodge is well equipped and in a great setting overlooking the river. We will be back!
>
> - Samantha A., July 28, 2025

> We stayed in the bird house for one night. Four of us fit snuggly in the house which was warm , we had the doors open all night and we were still toasty! The bird house is set by the river so you get to enjoy the wildlife of geese, cows and birds. The campsite itself is clean and well maintained. The showers were lovely and hot. We ate in the cafe which was delicious, one staff member in particular went above and beyond to help us. We rented canoes and enjoyed the river.
>
> - Hayley E., August 31, 2024

> Beautiful setting for camping, great facilities and very helpful host.
>
> - Iain M., August 5, 2024

> A small campsite with a lovely family feel to it. The tent had everything we needed, from pots and pans, to cutlery, a coolbox and ice-blocks and a decent barbecue. The firepit was great in the evening, with different families gathering around the fire with marshmallows on sticks.
>
> - Daniel W., July 28, 2024