Bardwell Manor Equestrian Centre

View prices & book 9.2 42 reviews
Corner plot
Large tents welcome
Views from the site
View of the orchard from the site

  • On a working equestrian centre 15 minutes' drive from Bury St Edmunds
  • Lessons and rides for ages five and up, including for beginners
  • Modern heated shower room, toilets and launderette
Horsey guests, non-horsey guests, non-horsey guests hoping to be transformed into horsey guests… all sorts of visitors are welcome to stay at Bardwell Manor Equestrian Centre, a friendly site within a riding centre 20 minutes’ walk from the village of Ixworth and 20 minutes’ drive from Bury St Edmunds. Experienced riders champing at the bit to set off into the Suffolk countryside can sign up for various hacks here, and lessons can be arranged as well – both adults and kids aged five and above. Book your riding activities in advance to avoid disappointment. Actually (whisper it…) not all that fussed by all the equestrian activity? It’s possible you may be converted – but even if you’re not, this is a splendid spot for a Suffolk break. The riding centre is set well back from the road and the site has just a handful of pitches – they’re next to an orchard and surrounded by horses grazing in the fields, so you should be in for a peaceful stay. With all this countryside roaming to be done (on horseback, on foot or on two wheels as you wish) it’s entirely possible you’ll end up a bit mucky at some stage. That situation doesn’t have to last long, as the site has two showers and washing-up facilities for guests.

Site type

Motorhome pitches 3
Tent pitches 3
Touring caravan pitches 3
Open now
Opens 12 April
Please note

Languages spoken

English

Open from Sat, 12 Apr to

Pitch types & availability

Reviews

  • 69%
    10
  • 2%
    9
  • 19%
    8
  • 0%
    7
  • 7%
    6
  • 0%
    5
  • 2%
    4
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    3
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    2
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    1

93% would recommend this site to a friend

93% would stay here again

Reviews page 1 of 5
Arrival date (latest first)

Basic, inexpensive site having all essentials for a bike packer

Overall 9/10

Location
8
Value for money
8
Accommodation
No rating
Facilities / Activities
No rating
Customer service
No rating
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
No rating
Wifi
No rating
Matt T. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked Presence of horses
Level suitable ground
Clean effective shower
Friendly staff

Disliked Rough entrance route for bike

Recommend to friends Visit again

An excellent small site with beautiful sunsets and wildlife.

Overall 10/10

Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
10
Paul W. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Electric grass pitch

Liked We liked that everyone was very friendly and gave us a tour of the site and explained how things work. A very peaceful and quiet site. There are at least 5 good pubs within walking distance.

Disliked I didn't like the step coming out of the shower room

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great peaceful site, very relaxing. Loved our stay.

Overall 10/10

Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
No rating
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
No rating
Ros G. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Non-electric grass touring pitch

Liked The beautiful and peaceful surroundings. Lovely place to watch a sunset, no light pollution, so great for enjoying the night sky.Sharon and her team were very friendly and helpful. Great showers and clean toilets. Well kept level pitch.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Excellent site with clean facilities and level electric pitches

Overall 10/10

Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
No rating
Anonymous The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Electric grass pitch

Liked Lovely, quiet location
Friendly helpful hosts
Children loved seeing the horses.

Recommend to friends Visit again

A beautifully peaceful site. Toilets and showers might be basic and a…

Overall 10/10

Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
8
Facilities / Activities
8
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
2
John M. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Electric grass pitch

Liked A beautifully peaceful site. Toilets and showers might be basic and a little old fashioned but are spotlessly clean. Being surrounded by horses in the paddocks around the camp site adds the calm ambience of the site and aids the unwinding process. Perfect for walkers, cyclists, adventure bikers and couples wanting to “get away from it all”.

Disliked WiFi kept dropping out and was super slow. OK for checking email but not really up to surfing the web and definitely no streaming possible.

Recommend to friends Visit again

OK if on a budget

Overall 6/10

Location
6
Value for money
6
Accommodation
6
Facilities / Activities
6
Customer service
8
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
6
Wifi
2
Anonymous The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Electric grass pitch

Liked Friendly and convenient for us. Quiet and rural.

Disliked Basic. Toilets not great. Walk through field or wet ditches to toilet. Dreadful lane to get to the pitch. No wifi code.

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: The site is basic and it is a little walk to the toilets.
The wi-fi code is available in the office and displayed on the campsite.#
The weather had been poor, hence the mud.
Most people enjoy the rural nature of this site.

Overall good stay

Overall 6/10

Location
6
Value for money
8
Accommodation
6
Facilities / Activities
8
Customer service
8
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
6
Wifi
8
Paul A. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Electric grass pitch

Liked Peace and quite

Disliked No chemical toilet waste

Recommend to friends Visit again

Well kept friendly site

Overall 10/10

Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
No rating
Roy H. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked Quiet small site set in a working stables , simple but pleasant site.

Disliked Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you.

Excellent site, friendly staff, dog friendly.

Overall 10/10

Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
10
Cindy S. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Electric grass pitch

Liked EVERYTHING! Sharon and her team were lovely, responsive and accommodating.

Lovely pitch, level ground. Easy to find. Amazing views! We had such good weather that we opened the van backdoor, watched the horses and the sunset. It was so quiet and peaceful, it felt like getting away from the world.

The facilities were very clean, which is especially impressive when it's a working Equestrian centre.
The facilities were NOT far from the pitch. I don't understand other reviews saying that they are, when it's a short walk away. I've definitely stayed at pitches where the toilets are much further!

Wifi at the pitch was good. Something unique to offer, as there is a router by the campsite.

All the horses looked very well looked after and were sweet, they enticed me into a riding lesson. I had a 1-1 with Sharon and learnt a great deal. Very knowledgeable and a kind teacher.

I would definitely visit again, both for camping and a riding lesson.

Disliked Not being able to stay longer (personal life commitments)!

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you, what a lovely review. :)

Small quiet campsite with horses in all the fields around. Showers hot…

Overall 8/10

Location
10
Value for money
6
Accommodation
6
Facilities / Activities
6
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
10
Virginia E. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked Small quiet campsite with horses in all the fields around. Showers hot and worked very well and clean. Nice staff at riding school

Recommend to friends Visit again


Features

Leisure on site

Bar or club house Cycle hire Evening entertainment Fishing Fitness centre Games room Indoor swimming pool Kids' club On-site restaurant/cafe Outdoor swimming pool Play area TV room Take away Tennis Watersports

Amenities on site

Bath available Car parking by pitch/unit Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Food shop Free wifi Ice pack freezing Internet access Launderette Parent & baby washroom Pick-up from public transport Portable toilet Pub toilets Public telephone Shower available Toilet block Washing-up area Wifi

Groups welcome

D. of E. welcome Family friendly Motorcycle friendly Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcome

Rules

Barbecue provided Barbecues allowed Campfires allowed Commercial vehicles allowed Dogs allowed Dogs allowed all year

Themes

Budget/backpacker Peaceful Wildlife haven

Utilities

Charging facilities Chemical disposal Electric car charging point(s) Gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Dog walk nearby Nearby farmers' market Public transport nearby Shop nearby

Type

Tiny (1-10 pitches)

Nearby leisure

Cycling nearby Horse riding nearby Restaurant nearby

Location

Bardwell Manor Equestrian Centre

Ixworth Road

Bardwell

Bury St Edmunds

Suffolk

England

IP31 1AU

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London BST (GMT+01:00)

GPS

52.31533°N
0.84329°E

Route directions

Turn off the A1088 at the signpost for Bardwell; once you've made this turn the site is the second drive on the left: the long drive between leylandii hedges. Look out for a brown sign at the end of the drive with a caravan, tent and horse on.

Nearest transport

Coach
1.3 mi Village Hall
1.4 mi Village Hall
1.6 mi Jacobs Close
Rail
4.7 mi Thurston Rail Station
6.1 mi Elmswell Rail Station
7 mi Bury St Edmunds Rail Station
Airport
29.3 mi Cambridge Airport

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Local attractions

Bardwell’s a good place to set out for a stroll or a cycle ride in the Stanton Rides, which has three circular trails running through the splendid Suffolk scenery (totalling 28 miles if you do the lot). For dog walks, head to nearby Knettishall Heath. If you’ve still got leg power left, there are more walks to be had in Thetford Forest Park (20 minutes’ drive), as well as Go Ape. If not, perhaps it’s time for a gentler day out at Bressingham (25 minutes), where you can hitch a ride on the steam railway, take a slow-paced gallop on traditional fairground rides and explore Walmington-on-Sea memorabilia at the official Dad’s Army Appreciation Society collection. Leave the country views behind for a bit and head over to Bury St Edmunds (15 minutes) for a day of bimbling around the historic town, taking in the cathedral and abbey gardens, or meandering around the market (if you’re in town on a Wednesday or Saturday). It could well be thirsty work, so perhaps it’d also be wise to plan a stop at the Greene King brewery for a tour or a pint at the beer café.

Must see

Bressingham Steam and Gardens 10.2 mi

Ickworth House, Park and Gardens 10.2 mi

Banham Zoo 11.8 mi

Grimes Graves 13.8 mi

Newmarket Racecourses 20.3 mi

National Trust

Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds 7.5 mi

Ickworth House, Park and Gardens 10.2 mi

Lavenham Guildhall 14.4 mi

Melford Hall 16.9 mi

Oxburgh Hall 21.7 mi

Cycle routes

Find local routes on the National Cycle Network - over 12,000 miles of cycling routes.

Other

Ixworth - Great Livermere - Troston - Ixworth 1.3 mi

Ixworth Thorpe 1.5 mi

Fakenham Magna 3 mi

EUSTON PARK 4 mi

Hepworth 4.2 mi

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Offers

Conditions apply - see pitch type section for details

Nearest sites

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable sites.

Want to know more about camping in Suffolk?

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Bardwell Manor Equestrian Centre have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Bardwell Manor Equestrian Centre dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Bardwell Manor Equestrian Centre? Bardwell’s a good place to set out for a stroll or a cycle ride in the Stanton Rides, which has three circular trails running through the splendid Suffolk scenery (totalling 28 miles … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Bardwell Manor Equestrian Centre?
    Camping and touring
    Arrive:  2 p.m. –  6 p.m.
    Depart by:  12 p.m.
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Bardwell Manor Equestrian Centre? From £19 (for 1 night, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.