Old Waterworks Boutique Glamping

View prices & book 8.9 20 reviews
Venus bell tent with outdoor seating area
Venus bell tent with outdoor seating area
Exterior of tropical tent
Saturn exterior
Jupiter exterior
Oriental inspired Polaris bell tent
Neptune bell tent
Outside of Mercury tent
Beautiful sky and views
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Exterior of tropical tent
Saturn exterior
Jupiter exterior

  • East Anglia 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 May 23
Please note

Admission

  • At least one of the party members must be aged 18 or over.

Vehicles

  • Commercial vehicles (vehicles used for work-related purposes, carrying goods or fare-paying passengers) and sign-written vehicles are not permitted on site.

General

  • Discount cards and gift vouchers cannot be applied to bookings made via Pitchup.com.
  • Please note that the toilet/shower facilities are unisex.

Occupancy

  • Group bookings of 6 or more adults are not permitted (couples and immediate family members excepted).

Safety

  • If making a fire, the fuel, logs and coal have to be purchased on site.
  • No electric barbecues allowed.
  • No gas barbecues allowed.

Dogs

  • Your dog must be tattooed or microchipped.

Languages spoken

English

Open from Sat, May 23 to

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Pitch types & availability

Accommodation

Tent sitesTravel trailer sitesRV sitesLodges, cabins, pods or hutsMobile homes for rentRent a tent
Choose your dates
2 adults
0 children
0 dogs

Reviews

8.9

Overall rating from 20 Pitchup.com customers

  • 70%
    10
  • 5%
    9
  • 15%
    8
  • 0%
    7
  • 0%
    6
  • 0%
    5
  • 5%
    4
  • 0%
    3
  • 0%
    2
  • 5%
    1
Location
 9
Value for money
 9
Accommodation
 9
Facilities / Activities
 9
Customer service
 9
Child friendliness
 9
Cleanliness
 9
Wifi
 9
Peaceful

85% would recommend this site to a friend

85% would stay here again

What customers say

This peaceful glamping spot offers rural charm and views, near Clare town/park. Welcoming hosts, comfy tents, and a good communal kitchen were highlights. Enjoy hammocks, swings, and campfires for a relaxed, stargazing vibe. A few mentioned a narrow lane. One review noted noise/weed smoke, which management called a one-off.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews. Last updated 2026-09-08

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Reviews page 1 of 2
Arrival date (latest first)

It turned out to be the best first glamping trip!

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
 Oonagh K. 1 review

Venus bell tent

Liked Absolutely loved everything about this site. It was the first time camping for me with my autistic 14yr old daughter and it was a huge success due to how fantastic this site is. It was quiet, it was surrounded by fields and woods and cows which my daughter absolutely loved. The owners live on site and couldn't have been more helpful and welcoming. The owners Mum was so sweet to us too. I loved having a fridge in the tent as well as the fantastic beds and sofa. The communal kitchen had everything we needed. And it was so thoughtful to provide towels for the shower as well. We definitely plan on going back. My daughter wants it to be the same week and month next year but I'm hoping we can go before then, maybe for my birthday as it was so nice to relax the way I did there it would be a lovely treat to relax like that again. Really can't score this site any higher.

Disliked Nothing.

Recommend to friends Visit again

I wouldn’t recommend or return sadly

Overall

1 out of 10
Location
 8
Value for money
 1
Accommodation
 5
Facilities / Activities
 1
Customer service
 4
Child friendliness
 1
Cleanliness
 2
Wifi
 No rating
Jennie Y. 1 review

Mercury bell tent

Liked Very friendly on arrival tent lovely clean and comfy.

Disliked The night time drinking from owners and friends- very noisy didn’t feel suitable with children around. In morning had to step over dead mouse to get into showers. All good left out by owners flies everywhere, raw meat just gross. Lots people sleeping in cars and vans over night after drinking. Shower hot but dirty lots hair, empty bottles/half bottles left of shampoo from other guests, razor blades, open in shelves in shower. Didn’t see owners in morning as still asleep. I wanted to cook in kitchen but found someone’s half eaten breakfast in oven, so we left.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Beautiful setting, and very peaceful, had…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 10
Facilities / Activities
 No rating
Customer service
 No rating
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 No rating
Wifi
 No rating
Emma A. 2 reviews

Venus bell tent

Liked Beautiful setting, and very peaceful, had everything we needed and the tent was nicely decorated. The host was very welcoming

Recommend to friends Visit again

Will be booking agsin

Overall

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

Venus bell tent

Liked Lovely and very friendly
Lit fire at night was lovely
Love you the tent and beds wS great
Fridge as well
Cooking facility
BQ

Recommend to friends Visit again

Second visit and will return again

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
 10
 Francois B. 1 review

Mercury bell tent

Liked Love the quiet location and great friendly hosts. Short walk to shops and town. Clare is a lovely little town to explore.

Disliked No dislikes

Recommend to friends Visit again

Everything was fantastic, better than we…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 10
Facilities / Activities
 9
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Allan P. 1 review

Mercury bell tent

Liked Everything was fantastic, better than we thought and we had high hopes to begin with.

The hosts, Ben and Netty were very helpful and accommodating.

The tent was perfect and had plenty of space inside and out.

The pit area was great and a nice surprise, our daughter loved playing down there.

The location was great, easy to find and in a beautiful village. The site itself was very quiet, peaceful.

All in all, really happy.

Recommend to friends Visit again

A lovely stay and a lovely new town to explore

Overall

8 out of 10
Location
 8
Value for money
 8
Accommodation
 8
Facilities / Activities
 7
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 8
Wifi
 No rating
Laura M. 1 review

Saturn bell tent

Liked Really friendly hosts who even provided cricket and a new game they taught us which was viking chess, they even played a round with us. The tent was really clean as was the bathroom. It was a lovely few days. The last night Nettie gave us some Marshmallows and sticks to toast which we were really grateful for.

Disliked Maybe the road you have to drive down to get to the accommodation but that's not their fault. It was just a little narrow

Recommend to friends Visit again

Friendly camping with great facilities

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 9
Value for money
 7
Accommodation
 9
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 8
Cleanliness
 8
Wifi
 No rating
amy c. 1 review

Venus bell tent

Liked Everything. Shower was best campsite shower ever

Recommend to friends Visit again

A beautiful sunset Good walks nearby A great…

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
 8
Value for money
 9
Accommodation
 8
Facilities / Activities
 No rating
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Seonaid M. 1 review

Mercury bell tent

Liked A beautiful sunset
Good walks nearby
A great welcome
Ben was so helpful, checking our fire was set up properly
Community atmosphere - the kitchen was well-stocked
Clean toilets!

Disliked Not really a dislike but next time, I'd choose one of the more traditional / white canvas bell tents

Recommend to friends Visit again

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
Richard T. 1 review

Saturn bell tent

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

Features

Pop-up campground

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 Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Free wifi Grocery store Ice pack freezing Internet access Laundromat Local produce 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 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

Forest Hikers’ paradise Peaceful Remote location Spectacular scenery Wildlife haven

Utilities

Charging facilities Communal freezer Communal fridge 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

Pop-up campground Tiny (1-10 sites)

Nearby leisure

Canoeing/kayaking nearby Fishing nearby Golf nearby Horseback 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 +0100 (GMT+01:00)

GPS

52.08326°N
0.5708°E

Nearest transport

Coach
20.7 km Bus Station
21.1 km Horse Racing Museum
21.2 km Horse Racing Museum
Rail
12.4 km Sudbury (Suffolk) Rail Station
18.5 km Bures Rail Station
19.2 km Dullingham Rail Station
Ferry
43.9 km Brightlingsea Ferry Landing
44 km Point Clear Ferry Landing
Airport
30.2 km London Stansted Airport
30.6 km 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 National Landscape 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.
(within 10 km)
Castle, Aquarium, Theme park and Zoo (within 16.1 km)

Food and drink

  • The Globe Pub 0.7 km
  • The Cock Inn Pub 0.8 km
  • Mughal Knight Restaurant 0.9 km
  • The Swan Pub 0.9 km
  • The Bell Pub 0.9 km
  • The Lantern Restaurant 0.9 km
  • Lion Pub 3.2 km
  • Rose and Crown Pub 3.7 km
  • The Plough Inn Pub 4.2 km
  • Five Bells Pub 4.3 km

Groceries

  • Clare Co-op 0.9 km
  • Lidl 8.5 km
  • Aldi 8.9 km
  • Tesco 9.1 km

Parks and play

  • Clare Common park 0.6 km
  • The Nuttery park 0.6 km
  • Clare Castle Country Park 1.1 km
  • East Town Park 7.7 km
  • Stambourne Playing Field park 8.2 km
  • Stambourne Playground 8.2 km
  • Haverhill Recreation Ground park 9.4 km
  • The Green park 9.4 km
  • Camping close park 9.7 km
  • Melford Country Park 9.9 km

Family days out

  • Clare Castle Visitor attraction 1.1 km
  • Anne of Cleves House Visitor attraction 8.7 km
  • Castle Hedingham Visitor attraction 9.8 km
  • Hedingham Castle 10.3 km

Public transport

  • Common Street 0.8 km
  • Memorial 0.9 km
  • Folly Road 1.1 km
  • Westfield 1.2 km
  • Hill Terrace 1.3 km
  • Old Shepherd & Dog 2.5 km
  • The Lion 3.2 km
  • Farmerie Road 3.6 km
  • Council Houses 4 km
  • Plough 4.1 km

Other nearby

  • The Pear General shop 0.9 km
  • Haverhill Golf Club Golf course 7 km

Local services

  • Guildhall Surgery Doctors 0.8 km
  • Stonehall Surgery Doctors 0.9 km
  • Clare Pharmacy 0.9 km
  • The Castle Surgery Doctors 7.4 km
  • Esso Fuel station 8.2 km
  • Jet Fuel station 8.5 km
  • Tesco Pharmacy 9 km
  • Boots Pharmacy 9 km
  • Lloyds Bank Cashpoint 9.1 km
  • Well Pharmacy 9.2 km

© OpenStreetMap contributors

Must see

Ickworth House, Park and Gardens 16.5 km

Newmarket Racecourses 20.9 km

East Anglian Railway Museum 21.7 km

The National Stud 22.3 km

Audley End House and Gardens 24.9 km

National Trust

Melford Hall 10.3 km

Lavenham Guildhall 15.7 km

Ickworth House, Park and Gardens 16.5 km

Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds 20 km

Paycocke's 24.8 km

Cycle routes

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

Other

Clare - Poslingford - Hundon - Chilton Street - Clare 0.8 km

Clare - Cavendish - Stour Valley Path - Clare 1.1 km

Clare - Stour Valley Path - Stoke by Clare - Clare Camp 1.1 km

The Belchamps 4.7 km

Ridgewell - Tilbury Green - Great Yeldham - Ridgewell 5.6 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 Suffolk?

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Old Waterworks Boutique Glamping have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Old Waterworks Boutique Glamping dog friendly? Yes 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-park 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 $168.75 (for 1 night, 4 people) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.