Orchard Wild Camping

View prices & book 9.6 59 reviews
Visitor image of their pitch with the perfect amount of shade
Visitor image of their pitch with the perfect amount of shade
Visitor image of their fantastic pitch
Out in nature
Nothing but nature
Secluded areas
Grass pitches
Lots of greenery
Lots of room to spread out
1/44
Visitor image of their fantastic pitch
Out in nature
Nothing but nature

  • Back-to-basics wild camping in scenic Suffolk countryside
  • A 20-minute drive from Southwold and 35 minutes from Ipswich
  • Africa Alive, Oasis Camel Park and Sutton Hoo within a 25-minute drive
Looking for a back to basics getaway without all the unnecessary extras? Keep it simple at Orchard Wild Camping, a particularly well-named family-friendly site five minutes’ drive from the small Suffolk town of Saxmundham and around 15 minutes from Aldeburgh and Southwold. The clue is in the name here: this is proudly wild camping where everything's off grid and as nature intended, giving guests lots of space and scope for no-frills stays. There’s a bowser full of water for cooking and washing (drinking water must be bought, but the first bottle will be provided), and a firepit is at each pitch for toasty times and chatty evenings. There is a shower but it's worth noting that it's solar powered and therefore at the mercy of the elements (on some days it may only be for the brave…) Nature-filled hols can extend beyond the limits of the site if so desired: it's about five minutes from here to the edge of Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), putting guests in a prime location for lengthy coastal walks, quiet cycles down country lanes and wildlife spotting. The site is also 20 minutes from RSPB Minsmere (which falls within the AONB) for an afternoon of birdwatching; more animals can be spotted at Africa Alive, 25 minutes from base, and the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary about half an hour away. Getting out and about should be easy as the site is handily located just off the A12.

Site type

Tent sites 8
Rent a tent 1
Open now
Opens June 23
Please note
  • Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.
  • Group bookings of 4 or more units (e.g. tent, caravan, RV or accommodation hire) traveling together are not permitted via Pitchup.com.
  • Group bookings of 5 or more adults are not permitted (couples and immediate family members excepted).
  • Minimum spacing of 15 metres between pitches.
  • There is no reception building on-site: on arrival please contact the number provided on your booking confirmation.

Languages spoken

English

Open from Mon, Jun 23 to

Reviews

9.6

Overall rating from 59 Pitchup.com customers

  • 83%
    10
  • 1%
    9
  • 13%
    8
  • 0%
    7
  • 1%
    6
  • 0%
    5
  • 0%
    4
  • 0%
    3
  • 0%
    2
  • 0%
    1
Location
 9
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 10
Facilities / Activities
 9
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 5
Wild camping

100% would recommend this site to a friend

97% would stay here again

What customers say

This well-kept, back-to-basics site has private, roomy pitches with fire pits. Guests love friendly owner Simon. Facilities, like clean toilets and a hot shower, are ample for wild camping. Road noise from the A12 is minimal; many want to return.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews

Reviews page 1 of 6
Arrival date (latest first)

Excellent individual secluded pitches with lots of space

Overall

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

Primitive grass tent or trailer tent campsite (wild)

Liked Idyllic secluded pitches in a spacious campsite. The noise of the road was to be expected being so near the A12 but convenient for getting around the local area. The portaloo/compost toilets were clean and the shower in the elements was fine and hot! Simon was there on arrival to help us find the most suitable pitch but they all looked great with various, benches, tables, hammocks, bbqs around the site. Obviously it would be easier if there was running water but there were bottles on arrival and a water container for washing up etc. We loved the blackberry and apple picking too! Thanks Simon - it’s a great plot!

Recommend to friends Visit again

Very lovely back to basics campsite. Simon was very friendly and helpful.…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 7
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 10
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 3
Richenda B.

Primitive grass tent or trailer tent campsite (wild)

Liked Very lovely back to basics campsite.
Simon was very friendly and helpful.
Really like the seperate areas too with seating area.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Perfect combination of wild for us, toilets were clean and solar shower…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 10
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 7
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 2
Anonymous

Primitive grass tent or trailer tent campsite (wild)

Liked Perfect combination of wild for us, toilets were clean and solar shower was hot and powerful. Pitch was private and very generous in size with our own large area approx 17m x 17m for 2 tents, a pop up gazebo and car with picnic bench, 2 other benches and fire pit provided, and an abundance of apples and blackberries during our August visit. Will definitely be returning next year.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Good location, convenient for the local town. Excellent value for money with…

Overall

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

Primitive grass tent or trailer tent campsite (wild)

Liked Good location, convenient for the local town. Excellent value for money with plenty of space between pitches.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Perfect peaceful site, loads of space around each pitch, shower always hot…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 6
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 10
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Garga C.

Primitive grass tent or trailer tent campsite (wild)

Liked Perfect peaceful site, loads of space around each pitch, shower always hot even early in the morning. I'll be back!

Recommend to friends Visit again

Beautiful spacious campsite, had a little tucked away corner all to myself.…

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

Primitive grass tent or trailer tent campsite (wild)

Liked Beautiful spacious campsite, had a little tucked away corner all to myself. I was made very welcome by Simon the host. Would definitely recommend and stay again. Many thanks! Giles

Recommend to friends Visit again

Good weather, very nice site owner, great site. Perfect as always.

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
 1
Andrew W.

Primitive grass tent or trailer tent campsite (wild)

Liked The peace and quiet and cleanliness of the campsite. We have been a few times now and will be back.

Disliked Nothing.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Really nice pitches. BBQ, fire pit, toilets and that's all we really…

Overall

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

Primitive grass tent or trailer tent campsite (wild)

Liked Really nice pitches. BBQ, fire pit, toilets and that's all we really needed. The owner was very nice and really helpful.

Even though there had been torrential rain for many days preceding our trip, the ground was perfect and didn't affect our stay at all.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Nice neat little site. Very friendly and helpful. Very close to the…

Overall

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

Primitive grass tent or trailer tent campsite (wild)

Liked Nice neat little site. Very friendly and helpful. Very close to the A12 so ideal for a stopover.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Back to basics camping with private pitches and a warm welcome

Overall

8 out of 10
Location
 8
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 10
Facilities / Activities
 8
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 2
Anonymous

Primitive grass tent or trailer tent campsite (wild)

Liked I wish more sites were like this! Orchard setting with mown out paths and pitches was great, gives the pitches a lot of privacy and space and a sense of adventure. Facilities are obviously basic as expected for a 'wild' site, it isn't for everyone but the toilets were clean and the shower was warm and having no WiFi or phone reception was great!! Simon was really friendly and relaxed. Also a bonus of apples straight from the tree!

Disliked Road noise, though we knew to expect this from the location and other reviews. Earplugs helped at night!

Recommend to friends Visit again

Features

No dogs allowed

Campfires allowed

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

Bath available Car parking by site/unit 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 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 No dogs allowed

Themes

Budget/backpacker Hikers’ paradise Peaceful Remote location Spectacular scenery Wild camping Wildlife haven

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

Tiny (1-10 sites)

Nearby leisure

Fishing nearby Golf nearby Horseback riding nearby Indoor pool nearby Leisure/theme park nearby Mountain biking nearby Outdoor pool nearby Restaurant nearby Sailing nearby Tennis nearby

Location

Orchard Wild Camping

A12

Kelsale-cum-Carlton

Saxmundham

Suffolk

England

IP17 2QZ

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London +0100 (GMT+01:00)

GPS

52.23855°N
1.48748°E

Route directions

Travelling along the A12 towards Lowestoft, pass Saxmundham on the right hand side, pass a turning for Rendham on the left and look out for a white sign with red writing saying 'concealed entrance'. Slow down and show caution as this is the entrance to the campsite from a busy main road.

Nearest transport

Coach
22.3 km Broad Street
22.4 km School Lane
24.5 km Chaucer Street
Rail
2.6 km Saxmundham Rail Station
4.6 km Darsham Rail Station
11.5 km Wickham Market Rail Station
Ferry
15 km Walberswick Ferry Landing
15.1 km Southwold Ferry Landing
28.3 km Bawdsey Ferry Landing

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

To make beach days part of your stay, it’s just 15 minutes' drive from the site to the seafront stretch of Aldeburgh, 20 minutes to Southwold and a little under 40 to Lowestoft. Early birds and adrenaline junkies might want to flap along to the latter – Lowestoft is the first place in the UK to see the sun rise every morning, and it’s also home to the rides and games of Pleasurewood Hills. Meanwhile, fans of traditional British seaside towns with candy-coloured beachfronts and restored Victorian piers might wish to opt for the first two instead. There’s history hereabouts too: the spectacularly sprawling Somerleyton Hall is just outside Lowestoft (and 45 minutes from base), and jousts at Framlingham Castle, clambers around the tower keep of Orford Castle, seeing the unusual 'House in the Clouds' water tower and visits to the famed Anglo-Saxon royal burial site of Sutton Hoo are between 15 and 25 minutes away. When rural rambles, seaside strolls and historical haunts are finally exhausted, there are museums, mansions and shops to explore 35 minutes from the site in Ipswich, and even busier city days within relatively easy reach an hour away in Norwich.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
Southwold The Denes 15.8 km Sea N/AN/AN/AN/A
Southwold The Pier 17 km Sea N/AGoodGoodExcellent
Lowestoft (South Of Claremont Pier) 30.6 km Sea N/AGoodGoodGood
Lowestoft (North Of Claremont Pier) 31.1 km Sea N/AGoodGoodGood
Felixstowe North 32.2 km Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Framlingham Castle 9.8 km

Orford Castle 16.4 km

Orford Ness National Nature Reserve 16.6 km

Sutton Hoo Anglo-Saxon Burial Mounds 19 km

Christchurch Mansion 29.9 km

National Trust

Orford Ness National Nature Reserve 16.7 km

Sutton Hoo 19.1 km

Elizabethan House Museum 43.8 km

Flatford: Bridge Cottage 44.6 km

Thorington Hall 47.7 km

Cycle routes

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

Other

Leiston - Eastbridge - Middleton - Theberton - Leiston 6.4 km

GLEMHAM HALL 7.4 km

SNAPE (CURRENT BOUNDARY FROM 01/01/2007 8.1 km

HEVENINGHAM HALL 8.2 km

MINSMERE (CURRENT BOUNDARY FROM 11/01/2006) 8.3 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.

Nearest sites

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable sites.

Want to know more about camping in Suffolk?

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Orchard Wild Camping have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Orchard Wild Camping dog friendly? No View all features
  • What attractions are near Orchard Wild Camping? To make beach days part of your stay, it’s just 15 minutes' drive from the site to the seafront stretch of Aldeburgh, 20 minutes to Southwold and a little under 40 to … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Orchard Wild Camping?
    RV, travel trailer and tent sites
    Arrive:  2 p.m. –  9 p.m.
    Depart by:  11 a.m.
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Orchard Wild Camping? From $55.55 (for 1 night, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.