Newbourne Woodland Campsite

Borrow a map from the Elephant Shed, prepare the pooch for a long day (if you don’t have your own dog, borrow one; this is proper walkies land) and take off into the Suffolk countryside all around for wanders and nature walks. Woodbridge is at the head of the Deben Estuary, so walk from here along the mudflats, marshes and riverbank of the River Deben and keep an eye out for ducks, swans and other watery flutterers. Start at the Newbourne Springs car park (just one mile from the site) and walk through wooded countryside and fields (and past the Maybush Inn and the golf course at Waldringfield) to reach the Newbourne Springs Nature Reserve and the marked trail and several pedestrian trails leading through it: look out here for woodpeckers, nuthatches and treecreepers. Another nature reserve is at Orford Quay 10 or 11 miles from base, a spot where boat people can hop on a tour around Havergate Island to see avocets and marsh harriers. Both North and South beaches at Felixstowe are less than six miles away and the beaches of Essex – Walton, Clacton-on-Sea and Frinton – within about half an hour’s drive. If you’re sticking to Suffolk, Landguard Fort with the Felixstowe Museum and the Victorian promenade with trad beach huts are scenic sights to see before a foraging trip to the quayside at Felixstowe Ferry to find fresh fish for the campfire later. Away from the countryside, the old city of Ipswich is nine or 10 miles west of Woodbridge for shopping, art galleries and a sample of more Suffolk cuisine at the restaurant and farm shop of Jimmy’s Farm.