Old Waterworks Boutique Glamping

View prices & book 9.3 17 reviews
Venus bell tent with outdoor seating area
Exterior of tropical tent
Outside of mercury tent
Tipi exterior

  • One-acre glamping site in grounds of a former Edwardian waterworks
  • Under a mile from the centre of Clare; Long Melford 15 minutes' drive
  • Furnished glamping accommodation at the end of an old drovers' track
Tucked away at the end of an ancient drovers' road in the East Anglian countryside, Old Waterworks Boutique Glamping is a one-acre glamping getaway under a mile from Clare, Suffolk's oldest town. With gorgeous views over the area and very little background noise, this glamping spot is on the site of a natural spring, hence its past life as an Edwardian waterworks. The site isn't shy about showcasing its industrial heritage and makes a point of upcycling as much as it can, but this is also a place for nature, peace and quiet. There are several communal seating areas where you can soak up the atmosphere, one of which is in an old filtration pit, which handily provides shelter from the elements. The site is run by Ben and Netty, who have created a mix of industrial and cosy accommodation. All units come with access to a kitchen, showers and toilets, with toiletries provided. Although the units differ in terms of how they are decorated, each has proper beds, bedding, blankets and hot water bottles. Barbecue packs can be bought too, and for other drinks and snacks an honesty shop system is in place. Clare can be reached within about 15 minutes' walk and has restaurants, pubs and independent shops to explore. There are a number of trails along the river Stour to try out, with many footpaths starting directly at the site gates.

Site type

Rent a tent 6
Open now
Opens 23 May
Please note
  • Your dog must be tattooed or microchipped.
  • Group bookings of 6 or more adults are not permitted (couples and immediate family members excepted).
  • Bookings must not be for more than 14 consecutive nights.
  • No cars/motorbikes by the pitch/unit. All cars must be parked in the designated area.
  • Commercial vehicles (vehicles used for work-related purposes, carrying goods or fare-paying passengers) and sign-written vehicles are not permitted on site.
  • Discount cards and gift vouchers cannot be applied to bookings made via Pitchup.com.
  • At least one of the party members must be aged 18 or over.
  • If making a fire, the fuel, logs and coal have to be purchased on site.
  • Please note that the toilet/shower facilities are unisex.
  • No gas barbecues allowed.
  • No electric barbecues allowed.

Languages spoken

English

Open from Fri, 23 May to

Pitch types & availability

Reviews

  • 76%
    10
  • 0%
    9
  • 17%
    8
  • 0%
    7
  • 0%
    6
  • 0%
    5
  • 5%
    4
  • 0%
    3
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    2
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    1
Location
9
Value for money
9
Accommodation
9
Facilities / Activities
9
Customer service
9
Child friendliness
9
Cleanliness
9
Wifi
9

88% would recommend this site to a friend

88% would stay here again

What customers say

This campsite offers a peaceful, rural escape with friendly and helpful hosts. Guests praised the well-equipped tents, communal kitchen with provided breakfast items, and amenities like hammocks and swings. The location is ideal for walking, with easy access to a local town. While most found the site welcoming and great value, one review mentioned noise and excessive weed smoking from the owners' socialising, impacting family-friendliness. Some minor points included challenging access for low cars and comfort of single beds.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews

Reviews page 1 of 2
Arrival date (latest first)

Good value for money, dog friendly

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
No rating
R T.

Saturn bell tent (five person)

Liked Very very nice owner, lovely and quiet spot, lovely clamping tents has everything you need, bed was comfortable.

The toilets are really nice.

Would recommend to anyone wanting to get away.

We plan to go back really happy 😊

Recommend to friends Visit again

Too much shouting and weed being smoked

Overall

4 out of 10
Location
6
Value for money
5
Accommodation
6
Facilities / Activities
6
Customer service
5
Child friendliness
4
Cleanliness
7
Wifi
No rating
Isobel L.

Saturn bell tent (five person)

Liked We loved the campsite. It was a great place to stay with friends. The owners were very friendly and helpful on arrival. The tents were lovely.

Disliked The downsides were that the owners and their friends were smoking a lot of weed and making a lot of noise in the communal kitchen which was loud when our children were trying to get to sleep.It was not ideal as there were many young children there. The owners and their friends were gathering near the toilets when our children were coming out of them which was a bit strange and chatted very loudly in the kitchen and socialised there until the early hours.Also we could hear a couple of them (the owners friends?) having a huge argument at 1am in the morning which woke us up and we had to ask them to be quiet (pretty loudly as they were screaming at each other) so this made it not hugely family friendly and would sadly not return because of this because of the noise and excessive weed smell.

Recommend to friends Visit again

We had a wonderful and welcoming stay, Netty and Ben couldn't of…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
10
Anonymous

Mercury bell tent (four person)

Liked We had a wonderful and welcoming stay, Netty and Ben couldn't of been nicer and more helpful.
We had everything we needed and more and the setting was lovely.
All round a lovey time was had!

Recommend to friends Visit again

Really open space, lovely people! Tent was done amazingly and in a…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
10
lily w.

Venus bell tent (five person)

Liked Really open space, lovely people! Tent was done amazingly and in a great location!

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great little site

Overall

8 out of 10
Location
8
Value for money
8
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
8
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
8
Cleanliness
8
Wifi
8
brett a.

Tipi

Liked Loved the site well layed out kitchen was well equipped tent was lovely Both Ben And Netty were great hosts and helpful my two young sons loved there time there playing on the swings and hammocks and have asked to return

Disliked Nothing to dislike

Recommend to friends Visit again

Lovely bell tent with a nice Asian theme, also lovley atmosphere around…

Overall

8 out of 10
Location
6
Value for money
8
Accommodation
8
Facilities / Activities
8
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
8
Wifi
8
Anonymous

Jupiter bell tent (five person)

Liked Lovely bell tent with a nice Asian theme, also lovley atmosphere around the camp. Ben and netty were very welcoming and were there to help if needed. Our bbq was not cleaned however ben and netty were very quick to clean this for us. They were very helpful and answered any questions that we had. Lovely walks that u can go on around the surroundings of the campsite.

Disliked Me and my friends have not really been camping so the only dislikes was the bugs quite a few little beetles in the tent and surroundings which resulted in us not being able to sleep and one crawled over my head whilst sleeping. No fault to the campsite as this is camping! Also the little lane driving up to the campsite off the main road was not the best roads to drive up. There were some overgrown bushes which made the road very tight. Also if u have a fairly low car to be warned. I have a puma ST that we took I would say the lane was not necessarily practical for my car due to being uneven and rocky. I would give more stars for the location however the off road part let's it down.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Definitely recommend

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
6
Karl R.

Tipi

Liked Everything about it was wonderful

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great value for money glamping that has lots of potential

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
8
Wifi
6
Lauren H.

Venus bell tent (five person)

Liked Laid back, friendly, peaceful site. If you're looking for a high end manicured glamping site (where you'd pay double the price) then this is not for you. If you are looking for a quiet, comfy and well equipped place with good sized tents and a friendly welcome then it is. Ben and Nettie live on site in the summer so are around to help. Ben lights the communal fire pit in the evening. The kitchen (fridge, hob, oven, microwave, kettle) is shared with them so has many utensils, crockery, condiments, herbs etc to use. Cereal, bread and milk are ther in the morning for all to share. If you want a BBQ just ask Ben and he will bring one over to your tent.

There is running hot water in the sinks and electric showers in a repurposed horsebox. The site itself is an old Edwardian Waterworks with the industrial tanks still seen in the ground. So there are some bits and pieces lying around but the tents are positioned around a grassy circle perfect for the kids to play in. Mine found a croquet and kubbs set, they also liked the swings and hammocks.

You can walk 15 minutes on footpaths and across Clare common to reach the town. There are footpaths leading directly from the site so a walkers dream. Lovely sunset over the fields.

The tent was spacious and comfy with proper mattresses, blankets and fresh bedding. Hot water bottles are in the kitchen for use. You could honestly turn up just with your clothes and dinner and you'd be provided with all you need. We will be returning next year with more friends. I also really value places that allow you to book just one night.

I didnt get WiFi at the tent but I think you can get a signal at the entrance, to be honest, this wasn't a priority for me when switching off in a peaceful location with a book.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Excellent site with loads of potential, looking forward to going back.

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
10
Lauren W.

Venus bell tent (five person)

Liked The tent was wonderful, comfy beds and plenty of space.
Quiet, rural location just off the beaten track (literally) but close to the small historic town of Clare.
We took a short walk into town for a great Sunday lunch, wander around the church and to explore Clare country park and only a 15 minute stroll. Perfect!
Facilities kept clean and tidy by the lovely Mary and plenty of choice for breakfast in the kitchen too.
The children spent hours using the hammocks and tree swings which were a great idea. Beautiful views all around, the sunset was gorgeous.

Disliked Not a dislike but be mindful that some places are closed on Mondays including the fish and chip shop.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Beautiful place with various incredible views and walk,friendly staff.

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
6
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
8
Anonymous

Tipi

Liked Beautiful place, the tents were a lot bigger then i thought and the design on the tipi are great, the staff are friendly and the location is good for stargazing and has a relaxed feel, especially with the campfire at night. There are multiple walk routes in the area and Clare town is under a 20 minute walk away.

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 Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Food shop Free wifi Ice pack freezing Internet access Launderette Local produce Parent & baby washroom Pick-up from public transport Picnic table Portable toilet Pub toilets Public telephone Shower available Toilet block Washing-up area Wifi

Groups welcome

Family friendly Motorcycle friendly Rallies welcome Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcome

Rules

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

Themes

Forest Peaceful Remote location Spectacular scenery Walkers' paradise Wildlife haven

Utilities

Charging facilities Chemical disposal Communal freezer Communal fridge 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

Pop-up campsite Tiny (1-10 pitches)

Nearby leisure

Canoeing/kayaking nearby Fishing nearby Golf nearby Horse riding nearby Indoor pool nearby Restaurant nearby Tennis nearby

Location

Old Waterworks Boutique Glamping

Sheepgate Lane

Clare

Suffolk

England

CO10 8RQ

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London BST (GMT+01:00)

GPS

52.08326°N
0.5708°E

Nearest transport

Coach
12.8 mi Bus Station
13.1 mi Horse Racing Museum
13.1 mi Horse Racing Museum
Rail
7.7 mi Sudbury (Suffolk) Rail Station
11.5 mi Bures Rail Station
11.9 mi Dullingham Rail Station
Ferry
27.3 mi Brightlingsea Ferry Landing
27.3 mi Point Clear Ferry Landing
Airport
18.8 mi London Stansted Airport
19 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

Clare has timber-framed houses to see, as well as a wealth of antiques shops, tea rooms to try and the ruins of a Norman fortress in Clare Castle Country Park Trust to visit. Clare Priory should also be on the agenda, as should nearby historic villages like Long Melford (15 minutes) and Lavenham (20 minutes), which have more pretty medieval buildings to discover. For more East Anglian countryside, you're about half an hour from the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the Essex border or an hour from the Suffolk Heritage Coast. You could also take yourself off for rambles around National Trust properties like Kentwell Hall (20 minutes) or Melford Hall (15 minutes), or make a day of it punting past historic colleges on The Backs in Cambridge (50 minutes). After a day out shopping, bar hopping or sampling traditional Suffolk ales? Both Bury St Edmunds (30 minutes) and Ipswich (an hour) have a range of shops, food spots and breweries where you can experience the best treats that this rural region has to offer.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
West Mersea 26.5 mi Sea N/AGoodN/AN/A
Brightlingsea 26.8 mi Estuary N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Ickworth House, Park and Gardens 10.3 mi

Newmarket Racecourses 13 mi

East Anglian Railway Museum 13.5 mi

The National Stud 13.8 mi

Audley End House and Gardens 15.5 mi

National Trust

Melford Hall 6.4 mi

Lavenham Guildhall 9.7 mi

Ickworth House, Park and Gardens 10.2 mi

Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds 12.5 mi

Paycocke's 15.4 mi

Cycle routes

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

Other

Clare - Poslingford - Hundon - Chilton Street - Clare 0.5 mi

Clare - Cavendish - Stour Valley Path - Clare 0.7 mi

Clare - Stour Valley Path - Stoke by Clare - Clare Camp 0.7 mi

The Belchamps 2.9 mi

Ridgewell - Tilbury Green - Great Yeldham - Ridgewell 3.5 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.

Nearest sites

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable sites.

Want to know more about camping in Suffolk?

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Old Waterworks Boutique Glamping have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Old Waterworks Boutique Glamping dog friendly? No View all features
  • What attractions are near Old Waterworks Boutique Glamping? Clare has timber-framed houses to see, as well as a wealth of antiques shops, tea rooms to try and the ruins of a Norman fortress in Clare Castle Country Park Trust to … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Old Waterworks Boutique Glamping?
    On-site accommodation
    Arrive:  2 p.m. –  9 p.m.
    Depart by:  11 a.m.
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Old Waterworks Boutique Glamping? From £85 (for 1 night, 3 people) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.