Applewood Countryside Park

View prices & book 9.6 10 reviews
Family-friendly site
New
Standard electric grass pitch
Dogs welcome
Camping pod exterior

  • Dog-friendly 13-acre Norfolk site next to Banham Zoo
  • Thetford Forest 25 minutes' drive; 40 minutes to Norwich
  • Adventure play park, games den and nature trail on site
In search of somewhere within easy reach of family days out? That’s certainly one of the selling points of Applewood Countryside Park – this family-friendly 13-acre Norfolk site is right next door to Banham Zoo, which is home to around 2,000 animals from around the world. That’s certainly a good start – and there’s plenty more nearby too, as this site is well set for all sorts of attractions for all ages, including forest walks, National Trust properties and a long list of excellent child-friendly activities. On a more practical front, it’s also handily just a few minutes’ walk from Banham’s village amenities, which include a pub, convenience store, takeaway and butcher (a useful one for bits to load on your barbecue). This isn’t a place that relies solely on its location to win points, though – there’s also a good collection of facilities right here. Kids will be able to let off steam at the adventure play park, play trail and covered games den, and there’s a mile-long woodland nature trail for them to explore (it makes a good place for dog walking, too). On the practical front, facilities include a laundry area, a chemical disposal point, a wifi connection and modern bathroom blocks with two fully accessible/family bathrooms.

Site type

RV sites 130
Tent sites 130
Travel trailer sites 130
Lodges, cabins, pods or huts 11
Open all year
Opens

Tourist board rating

Please note
  • No bachelor/bachelorette parties permitted via Pitchup.com.
  • A cable measuring at least 20 metres is needed for the electric hook-ups.
  • At least one of the party members must be aged 18 or over.
  • The park does not accept breeds/crossbreeds listed in the Breed-specific legislation (i.e. Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro).

Languages spoken

English

No availability here for your search criteria

Pitch types & availability

Reviews

  • 60%
    10
  • 40%
    9
  • 0%
    8
  • 0%
    7
  • 0%
    6
  • 0%
    5
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    4
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    1
Location
10
Value for money
9
Accommodation
No rating
Facilities / Activities
9
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
8

100% would recommend this site to a friend

90% would stay here again

What customers say

This super clean, well-kept site gets props for friendly, helpful staff. Great for kids with a large play area, woods, and a zoo nearby. Modern showers/toilets. Local pub, shop, takeaway. A few mention tree branches and weak Wi-Fi.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews

Reviews page 1 of 1
Arrival date (latest first)

Great site and facilities

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
9
Value for money
10
Accommodation
No rating
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
9
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
8
stephen m.

Powered cement/asphalt travel trailer campsite (XL)

Liked The showers were excellent, quiet pitch, good walking even just round the site.
Nice location

Disliked Only downside was having soft mud part from pitch to road, finishing touches only

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you for sharing your feedback — It’s great to know the location worked well for you too.
We appreciate you mentioning the soft patch of mud between the pitch and the road. We’re sorry for any inconvenience this caused. Our team is aware of this area, and we’re already working on improving the finishing touches to ensure better ground conditions, especially during wetter periods.
Thank you again for taking the time to review your stay. We hope to welcome you back to Applewood soon!
Warm regards,
The Applewood Team 🍎🌲

Love this campsite x

Overall

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

Powered grass campsite

Liked Always accommodating and helpful everywhere is clean. We absolutely love camping here and do so multiple times a year.

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you so much for your lovely feedback!
We’re delighted to hear that you always find our team accommodating and helpful, and that the cleanliness of the site continues to meet your expectations.
It truly means a lot to us that you choose to camp with us multiple times a year — your loyalty is incredibly valued.
We look forward to welcoming you back to Applewood again very soon!
Warm regards,
The Applewood Team 🍎🌲

Big play area for the kids…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
No rating
Facilities / Activities
9
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
10
georgina g.

Powered grass campsite (XL)

Liked Big play area for the kids a bit more suited to 4+ I’d say climbing stuff, a woods to wonder around, kids liked hearing the monkeys from the zoo in the evenings 😜 very tidy site, clothes washing facilities. Book swap and games to borrow modern showers. Very helpful staff that go out of their way to help you. We got there and were worried about getting stuck so she kindly moved things around so there was room for us to stay on a hard standing at no extra cost. Discount on the soo next door. Shop and chip shop over the road. Another park down the road too. We were a large 6 berth seater motorhome.

Disliked Maybe trim some branches of the trees along the roads leading to the pitches as it hits the top of the motorhome and some places unavoidable. Only negative at all :)

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you so much for your lovely feedback! We’re really glad your family enjoyed the play area, woodland walks, and even hearing the monkeys from the zoo.
We’re especially pleased our team could help by moving things around so you could stay on a hardstanding pitch with your larger motorhome. It’s wonderful that you made the most of the zoo discount and nearby amenities too.
We really appreciate you choosing Applewood and hope to welcome you back again soon!
Warm regards,
The Applewood Team 🍎🌲

Great site very well kept.

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
9
Value for money
9
Accommodation
No rating
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
7
Chris R.

Powered cement/asphalt travel trailer campsite

Liked Everything. Nothing to complain about about at all. Reception great and very helpful. Toilets and showers superb and the whole site well kept.

Disliked Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you so much for your feedback!
We really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience and hope to welcome you back to Applewood again soon!
Warm regards,
The Applewood Team 🍎🌲

Lovely friendly welcome and clean tidy site

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
9
Value for money
7
Accommodation
No rating
Facilities / Activities
8
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
5
Derek S.

Powered cement/asphalt travel trailer campsite (XL)

Liked Cleanliness of showers and toilets

Disliked Wi-Fi was weak

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you for your feedback — we’re really pleased to hear you were happy with the cleanliness of our showers and toilets.
We’re sorry to hear the Wi‑Fi felt weak during your stay. We’ve been reviewing the system following comments like yours, but it’s worth noting that getting a strong signal inside a motorhome or caravan can be difficult due to the insulation and materials used. Even so, we’re continuing to look at ways we can improve coverage around the site.
Thank you again for taking the time to share your experience.
We hope to welcome you back to Applewood soon.
Warm Regards
The Applewood Team 🍎🌲

Lovely welcome at reception, excellent facilities…

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
9
Value for money
9
Accommodation
No rating
Facilities / Activities
9
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
5
Geoff L.

Powered cement/asphalt travel trailer campsite

Liked Lovely welcome at reception, excellent facilities with a fab pub, great cafe and children's soft play area within a very short walk plus a well stocked shop.

Right next to Banham Zoo so great for families

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you for your lovely feedback! We’re so glad you enjoyed the warm welcome, excellent facilities, and the great nearby pub, café, soft play, and shop.
Being right next to Banham Zoo is always a bonus for families, and we’re happy it added to your stay.
We hope to welcome you back to Applewood soon!
Warm regards,
The Applewood Team 🍎🌲

First time taking the caravan to…

Overall

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

Powered cement/asphalt travel trailer campsite (XL)

Liked First time taking the caravan to a site we are new to all this. And I cannot recommend this site more quiet really good staff ever so helpful for all our needs. Toilets and showers very clean and safe n good order would highly recommended and stay again

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you so much for your lovely feedback!
We’re delighted to hear that your first caravan trip went so well and that our team were able to help you feel supported throughout your stay.
We really appreciate your recommendation and would be thrilled to welcome you back to Applewood again soon!
Warm regards,
The Applewood Team 🍎🌲

Family friendly site with a great…

Overall

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

Powered cement/asphalt travel trailer campsite (XL)

Liked Family friendly site with a great play area for children. The site and facilities were kept amazingly clean. Super friendly and knowledgeable staff. Park wardens on site 24/7. Zoo in very close proximity. Pub, butcher, take away and local shop all within a couple of minutes walk. Would recommend this site and we will be back ☺️

Disliked Positioning of electric hook up through a piece of pipe through a bramble hedge and having to intrude on other campers privacy to hook up (pitch 11)

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed our family‑friendly atmosphere, play area, and the exceptionally clean facilities.
We really appreciate your recommendation and are thrilled you plan to return!
Regarding your comment about the electric hook‑up on pitch 11 — thank you for bringing this to our attention.
We’re pleased to share that all electrical hook‑ups across the main park have now been upgraded to 16‑amp. We have also moved the positioning of the hook‑up points to ensure guests no longer need to pass cables through hedges or encroach on anyone’s privacy.
Thank you again for your helpful feedback. We look forward to welcoming you back to Applewood soon!
Warm regards,
The Applewood Team 🍎🌲

Excellent site with clean facilities

Overall

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

Powered grass campsite

Liked Very well kept site
Friendly warden
Layout of site very well spaced
Good lighting and paths

Disliked Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you for your lovely feedback!
We're glad you enjoyed your stay.
We hope to welcome you back to Applewood soon
Warm regards,
The Applewood Team 🍎🌳

Nice campsite

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
9
Value for money
No rating
Accommodation
No rating
Facilities / Activities
8
Customer service
9
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
9
Wifi
9
Stuart R.

Powered grass campsite

Liked Welcomed by the office and site well thought out.

Disliked Would have preferred to have been spaced out away from others if possible. Due to time of booking ie the end of season there was empty pitches but we had someone beside us and in front of us.

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you for sharing your feedback — we’re pleased to hear you felt welcomed on arrival and found the site well thought out.
Regarding your comments about pitch spacing, we completely understand your preference for a quieter area.
To clarify, guests are able to choose their own pitch at the time of booking, and we don’t allocate pitches on arrival. That said, we’re always more than happy to discuss pitch locations when you check in, and we will always do our very best to find a spot that suits your needs, subject to availability at the time.
Thank you again for your helpful feedback.
We hope to welcome you back to Applewood and help ensure your next stay feels perfectly placed.
Warm regards,
The Applewood Team 🍎🌳


Features

Leisure on park

Bar or club house Cycle hire Evening entertainment Fishing Fitness centre Indoor swimming pool Kids' club On-site restaurant/cafe Outdoor swimming pool Playground Recreation room/arcade TV room Takeout Tennis Watersports

Amenities on park

Baby-changing facilities Bath available Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Free wifi Grocery store Ice pack freezing Internet access Laundromat Parent & baby washroom Payphone Pick-up from public transport Picnic table Portable toilet Pub toilets Restrooms Shower available Washing-up area Wifi

Groups welcome

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

Rules

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

Themes

Peaceful

Utilities

Charging facilities Dump station Electric car charging point(s) Propane/gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Convenience store nearby Dog walk nearby Nearby farmers' market Public transportation nearby

Type

Large (51-200 sites)

Accessibility

Accessible parking at site Bathrooms: Large spacious shower Bathrooms: Large spacious toilet Bathrooms: Step-free access Bathrooms: Wheelchair accessible shower Bathrooms: Wheelchair accessible toilet Level campground, no steep slopes Site close to accessible bathrooms Smooth, hard roads e.g. tarmac Step-free or level access

Nearby leisure

Fishing nearby Golf nearby Indoor pool nearby Mountain biking nearby Restaurant nearby

Touring and motorhomes

Caravan storage facilities Motorhome service point Seasonal sites

Location

Applewood Countryside Park

Kenninghall Road

Banham

Norfolk

England

NR16 2HE

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London GMT (GMT+00:00)

GPS

52.44523°N
1.02708°E

Route directions

Follow the brown tourist signs to Banham Zoo from the A11 and A140. Enter the Banham Zoo car park and follow the signs to Applewood Countryside Park.

Nearest transport

Coach
8.2 km Queens Square
9.6 km Bus Station
15 km The Chestnuts
Rail
4.8 km Eccles Road Rail Station
7.7 km Attleborough Rail Station
8.1 km Harling Road Rail Station
Ferry
37.7 km Reedham Ferry North
37.7 km Reedham Ferry South
45.9 km Southwold Ferry Landing
Airport
30.2 km Norwich International 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

Banham Zoo will surely be the first port of call for a lot of guests here – all it takes is a five-minute walk and you’ll be meeting primates, big cats, reptiles and all sorts of other exotic beasts. There are also indoor and outdoor play areas, a safari road train and a busy programme of activities to join in with. For more family days out, take a look at the adventure courses of Go Ape Thetford (25 minutes’ drive), the dinosaur-themed attractions of ROARR! (45 minutes) or the safari activities of Africa Alive animal park (an hour). The classic fairground rides and steam trains of Bressingham Steam Museum & Gardens (15 minutes) are popular too – and the museum is also home to the national Dad’s Army collection for a taste of wartime life. If you don't have kids with you, you may like to turn your attentions to places like the cathedral and castle in Norwich (40 minutes) or National Trust properties like Oxburgh Estate (40 minutes) and Ickworth (45 minutes). There’s also the option of a whisky tour at The English Distillery (15 minutes).

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
Southwold The Denes 46.4 km Sea N/AN/AN/AN/A
Southwold The Pier 46.6 km Sea N/AGoodGoodExcellent

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Banham Zoo 0.2 km

Bressingham Steam and Gardens 7.1 km

Grimes Graves 24.4 km

Colman's Mustard Shop and Museum 27.4 km

Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery 27.4 km

National Trust

Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds 31.1 km

Oxburgh Hall 34.4 km

Ickworth House, Park and Gardens 35.4 km

Lavenham Guildhall 40.6 km

Blickling Hall, Gardens and Park 42.8 km

Cycle routes

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

Other

Banham Mlllennium Walk 1.1 km

New Buckenham 4.3 km

Lopham Fen 7.2 km

Blo-Norton 8.8 km

Burston 8.9 km

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.

Want to know more about camping in Norfolk?

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Applewood Countryside Park have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Applewood Countryside Park dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Applewood Countryside Park? Banham Zoo will surely be the first port of call for a lot of guests here – all it takes is a five-minute walk and you’ll be meeting primates, big cats, reptiles … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Applewood Countryside Park?
    RV, travel trailer and tent sites
    Arrive:  noon –  8 p.m.
    Depart by:  11 a.m.
    On-park accommodation
    Arrive:  3 p.m. –  8 p.m.
    Depart by:  10 a.m.

    From 01 October to 26 March, arrivals are until 5pm.

    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Applewood Countryside Park? From $45.48 (for 1 night, 4 people) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.