Best campsites for the Norfolk Coast AONB
Here is our pick of the Alan Rogers Assessors, expert-recommended campsites for the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty wraps around a long section of the coast and covers 451 square kilometres. It is one of a handful of lowland areas which retain elements of ‘wilderness’. There are various types of terrain, each adding interest and unique features: heaths, salt marshes, rocky cliffs, chalk rivers and little fishing ports. Notable features are the silt, shifting sands of the Wash, the exemplary dunes of Winterton and the constantly eroding cliffs east of Weybourne.
The coastal habitats house several bird sanctuaries and nature reserves, which attract ‘twitchers’ from around the world. Other visitors are drawn by heritage destinations like Holkham Hall, Felbrigg and Sheringham Park and countless other points of interest like windmills and museums. Outdoor activities like kayaking, cycling and walking are well-catered for.
Inland the undulating, often watery landscape is noted for its vast skies and picturesque bucolic scenes, complete with flint houses, little churches and quiet country lanes.
Top Norfolk Coast AONB Camping Options
Sandringham Caravan and Motorhome Club site is in a delightfully secluded spot, within the grounds of the Royal Estate in Norfolk. Visitors will love the tranquillity offered by this woodland site where pitches are set in a clearing among trees. Away from the site, nature and RSPB reserves, as well as sandy beaches including Hunstanton and Brancaster will keep all family members entertained. Sandringham House is the most famous residence of the Royal Family, it is usually closed during the Queen's holiday (end of July and beginning of August), but during the remaining months between Easter and October, the House, Museum and grounds are fully open to visitors, as is the Country Park. Flower Show-June, Game & Country Fair-September, Christmas Craft Fair-November. Many woodland paths on the estate to explore. The site has 138 pitches all with electricity 16amp.
Deepdale Camping is a quiet, family-friendly campsite located by the sea in the beautiful North Norfolk countryside. They have 85 pitches suitable for tents, trailer tents, campervans, motorhomes, RVs and winnebagos (sorry, no caravans) set in 6 well-maintained grassy paddocks, with a mix of standard and larger pitches. The site is in the heart of the beautiful village of Burnham Deepdale, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Deepdale is also home to a backpackers hostel, and groups hostel, visitor information centre, supermarket, shops, café and pop up shops.
Not many parks can boast their own railway station and Kelling Heath’s own halt on the North Norfolk Steam Railway gives access to the beach at Sheringham. Set in 270 acres of woodland and heathland, this very spacious holiday park offers freedom and relaxation with 300 large, level, grass touring pitches, all with 16A electricity and six are fully serviced. Together with 384 caravan holiday homes (36 to let, the rest privately owned), they blend easily into the part-wooded, part-open heath. A wide range of facilities provides activities for all ages.
This pleasant caravan park is set in parkland in the beautiful surroundings of north Norfolk’s protected heathland, next to Sheringham Park (National Trust). There are 180 grass pitches, around half of which are on a gentle slope, and all have 10A electricity. They are in two main areas for caravans and motorhomes (tents are not accepted). Caravan holiday homes (160) occupy the edge of the site on three sides, all privately owned.
Woodhill is a seaside site with good views and a traditional atmosphere. It is situated on a clifftop, in a large, gently sloping, open grassy field, with 250 marked touring pitches. Of these, 205 have 16A electricity, 17 are fully serviced, also with TV booster socket, and many have wonderful views over the surrounding coastline and countryside. A small number of holiday homes are available with magnificent sea views. Although the site is fenced, there is access to the clifftop path which takes you to the beach. Locally, it is possible to take a boat trip to see the seals off Blakeney Point.
This is an adults-only park on the outskirts of Mundesley-on-Sea. One of the only clifftop parks with space for touring units on this coastline, there are panoramic views from most pitches. All 28 pitches have 10A electricity and TV aerial hook-ups. The unmarked pitches are arranged on an unshaded sloping meadow, so levelling blocks are advised. There is no reception for the touring area so visitors need to pre-book a pitch of their choice. Primarily a caravan holiday home park, there are mobile homes to rent. The facilities are well maintained but some distance from the pitches. Access to the Blue Flag beach is via a large tarmac ramp. Site roads and touring pitches have been resurfaced to provide mostly hardstandings.
In 2003, David Attew decided that he had an area that would make a superb setting for a caravan park and that he would give up farming. In early 2004 they opened this top quality park, which has since developed into a very popular site. Not far from the Norfolk Broads and close to the East Anglia coast, the park is open all year round. There are 117 level pitches (some with hardstandings, plus a number of pods, bell tents and a shepherd's hut). There are 99 pitches with 16A electricity and TV aerial points. Hedging is established now between the pitches and WiFi access is avail;able throughout. Muntjac meadow, a seprate field 10 minutes walk from the main site offers no frills, back to basics camping for tents throuhgout August.
Pine Cones Caravan & Camping is situated in North Norfolk where the unspoiled and empty beaches are truly remarkable. Set in six acres of pine trees the park is of a very high standard with ample individual luxury heated shower rooms. The site has 65 pitches, some with electric and hardstanding. Accommodation pods are available for a family of four with a double sofa bed and two single camp beds, electric lighting, heating and a mini hob cooker.