Swattesfield Camp

View prices & book 9.8 26 reviews
Aerial view of the site and surrounding farmland
New
Rental bikes available on site
Looking out over the pond from the glade camping field on the jetty
Peaceful camping area

  • Leafy family-friendly Suffolk site next to the Thornham Walks estate
  • Direct access to dog-friendly walks; Norwich 55 minutes’ drive
  • Shared kitchen and camping shop; 11th-century pub half an hour’s walk
Tucked into seven verdant acres of North Suffolk countryside and farmland, Swattesfield Camp maintains an intimate, peaceful vibe as the number of its (unmarked) grass pitches are limited – and yes, you can set up wherever you like, be it in the woods, in the glade, by the hedgerows or by the pond. If you’re looking to explore the Waveney Valley and the historic market town of Diss (20 minutes’ drive) from a thoroughly rural base, then this is the spot for you. Open fires are allowed in the site’s own firepits and the pizza oven is free for all to fire up. Otherwise, make good use of the shared kitchen, equipped with gas stoves, utensils, crockery and cutlery. There’s a large double sink outside the shower block – which has separate facilities for men and women – for pot washing too. And if you need to freeze ice packs, the team can sort this for you. If you hit a rainy day, handy amenities for kids include table football, a chalk board and board games. Left something vital behind? Never fear, the small but well-stocked on-site camping supplies shop has essentials from pegs to sleeping bags or tents. Anything you need in the groceries line, you can pick up from the village store in Gislingham, less than five minutes’ drive away. And by the way, the site is half an hour’s walk from a famed pub so old it’s mentioned in the Domesday Book.

Site type

Tent pitches 20
Motorhome pitches 20
Rent a tent 2
Lodges, cabins, pods or huts 3
Caravans for hire 1
Open now
Opens 2 April
Please note
  • Group bookings of 2 or more units (e.g. tent, touring caravan, motorhome or accommodation hire) travelling together are not permitted via Pitchup.com.
  • Group bookings of 6 or more adults are not permitted (couples and immediate family members excepted).
  • Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.
  • No bachelor/bachelorette parties permitted via Pitchup.com.

Languages spoken

English

Open from Thu, 02 Apr to

No availability here for your search criteria

Pitch types & availability

Reviews

  • 92%
    10
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Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
No rating
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
8

100% would recommend this site to a friend

100% would stay here again

What customers say

A serene spot with lovely pitches by the lake or woods. Top-notch, spotless facilities (loos, showers, kitchen). Friendly owner Jess and a great shop. Private Thornham Walks access. Wi-Fi fixed!

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews. Last updated 2026/06/03

Reviews page 1 of 3
Arrival date (latest first)

Charming little site with character and…

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10 out of 10
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10
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10
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10
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Non-electric grass tent or motorhome pitch

Liked Charming little site with character and friendly people. Would definitely stay again. I was visiting Hoxne the next day, where Saint Edmund the East-Anglian king was martyred by the Vikings, so the camp site's location was perfect.

Recommend to friends Visit again

This site was outstanding and I will definitely be returning again.

Overall

10 out of 10
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10
Value for money
10
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10
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10
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No rating
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10
Wifi
No rating
Lee B. 2 reviews

Non-electric grass tent or motorhome pitch

Liked This site is absolutely perfect for the camper. A large expanse of field or a small area near a lake or even a smaller more intimate wooded area to choose from. Excellent facilities including 2 showers, clean toilets, nice sitting area under cover (superb if it rains) and the use of gas cookers and plug sockets at no extra charge. Small but honestly well stocked little shop on site and the owner is just lovely - made us feel very welcome, nothing was too much trouble for her.

Recommend to friends Visit again

A very nice site with good…

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10 out of 10
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Non-electric grass tent or motorhome pitch

Liked A very nice site with good facilities, reasonably priced.

Recommend to friends Visit again

its great place where to stay…

Overall

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

Non-electric grass tent or motorhome pitch

Liked its great place where to stay with kids and campsite owners are really helpful and friendly. its a place where you definitely want to return. all areas are clean and well looked

Recommend to friends Visit again

One of the most beautiful sites…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
9
Value for money
10
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10
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10
Child friendliness
10
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10
Wifi
10
Anonymous

Non-electric grass tent or motorhome pitch

Liked One of the most beautiful sites we've ever stayed at. There is a large main field and a second smaller almost hidden away field next to a small lake. There are wooded areas to explore with a swing and slide hidden away for the kids to enjoy.
Facilities include a covered games area with a sofa, table football and a kitchen area. The kitchen had various pots and pans and a couple of gas burners which are free to use. There is even a small shop selling a surprisingly wide range of goods from camping essential, medicines, sweets, snacks, kids toys and beer/wine.

A site we will definitely be returning to.

Disliked Nothing at all.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Lots of space for people to…

Overall

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

Non-electric grass tent or motorhome pitch

Liked Lots of space for people to spread out in rather than assigned pitches and that there were several areas to camp in. Good facilities and friendly helpful owner. Location was quiet and very close to Thornham Walks.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Had a fantastic stay and will definitely be coming back. Thanks!

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Facilities / Activities
10
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10
Child friendliness
No rating
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10
Wifi
No rating

Non-electric grass tent or motorhome pitch

Liked Facilities were immaculate. Shop onsite had a good selection of essentials and cold drinks and ice-cream. The site itself was fairly full because of bank holiday weekend, yet still had plenty of room between pitches and rarely had to queue for washing up/showers etc. Drinking water dotted about in easy to access locations. Waste management was spot on, making it easy for campers to separate waste. The lady who checked us in was very friendly and welcoming :)

Recommend to friends Visit again

Stay once you'll love it, keep coming and it'll feel like home

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
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10
Wifi
No rating
Mr P. 4 reviews

Non-electric grass tent or motorhome pitch

Liked Beautiful campsite right out of the way from life.
Wals on tbe site are lovely as is the cafe on the estate that you can walk around.

Disliked Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great Place. Peaceful and beautiful walks

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
5

Non-electric grass tent or motorhome pitch

Liked What a lovely place !!! Stayed for 3 nights over bank holiday in the first field with a non electric pitch. Pick your own space. Good facilities with lovely hot showers. So peaceful. Through the gate straight onto thornham walks. Jess is amazing runnning the site. Any thing you need she’s there and also provides a shop with essentials including ice and ice cream perfect for the 28degree weather! . We will definitely be back !!! Thanks Jess 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

Disliked Nothing !

Recommend to friends Visit again

The surroundings and setting is…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
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10
Wifi
10
Des D. 1 review

Electric grass tent or motorhome pitch

Liked The surroundings and setting is lovely owns very friendly helpful little shop with a few essential

Disliked Not any thing to dislike

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 Off licence 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

D. of E. 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

Camping 2.0

Jumbo tent pitches

Themes

Budget/backpacker Forest Leave the car at home Peaceful Remote location Spectacular scenery Walkers' paradise Wild camping Wildlife haven

Utilities

Charging facilities Chemical disposal 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

Medium (26-50 pitches)

Accessibility

Accessible parking at pitch Bathrooms: Step-free access

Nearby leisure

Canoeing/kayaking nearby Cycle hire nearby Cycling nearby Fishing nearby Golf nearby Indoor pool nearby Mountain biking nearby Restaurant nearby Tennis nearby

Location

Swattesfield Camp

Gislingham Road

Thornham Magna

Eye

Suffolk

England

IP23 8HH

Directions

Timezone

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

GPS

52,30423°N
1,06023°E

Route directions

Satnav co-ordinates 52.304, 1.0606 What3words///blushes.analogy.waggled

Nearest transport

Coach
8,4 km Bus Station
12,5 km Jacobs Close
12,6 km Jacobs Close
Rail
8,9 km Diss Rail Station
12,5 km Elmswell Rail Station
13,4 km Stowmarket Rail Station
Ferry
41,3 km Shotley Point Marina Ferry Landing
41,3 km Shotley Point Marina Ferry Landing
41,5 km Walberswick Ferry Landing
Airport
43,3 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

Swattesfield Camp has direct access to dog-friendly Thornham Walks estate and its 12 miles of waymarked paths (ask the site owners for the map); you can stroll through ancient parkland and woodland, follow the sculpture trail and have a restorative pot of tea in the café. Historic Diss (20 minutes) is home to a lively Friday market held since the 13th century, waterside strolls around the Mere lake and a handsome blend of medieval, Georgian and Victorian architecture in its regenerated Heritage Triangle. If you get the urge to explore further afield, the prestigious colleges and excellent art museums of Cambridge are an hour and 10 minutes by car; Norwich, with its mighty castle and cathedral, is 55 minutes’ drive, and the timeless Suffolk Heritage Coast towns of Southwold, Walberswick and Aldeburgh, with their shingle beaches and arty shops, are all about an hour away.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
Southwold The Denes 42,1 km Sea N/AN/AN/AN/A
Southwold The Pier 42,7 km Sea N/AGoodGoodExcellent
Felixstowe North 43,2 km Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Felixstowe South 43,4 km Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Dovercourt 44,2 km Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Bressingham Steam and Gardens 8,9 km

Banham Zoo 15,9 km

Framlingham Castle 21,5 km

Christchurch Mansion 28,1 km

Ickworth House, Park and Gardens 29 km

National Trust

Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds 24,5 km

Lavenham Guildhall 28,2 km

Ickworth House, Park and Gardens 29 km

Sutton Hoo 30,2 km

Melford Hall 33,8 km

Cycle routes

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

Other

Little Green - Botesdale 3,3 km

Eye 6,7 km

Occold 8 km

Lopham Fen 9,1 km

Hepworth 10,4 km

Local events

  • Latitude Festival (Thursday, 23 July 2026 – Thursday, 23 July 2026)

    Beccles, England 36,6 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 Swattesfield Camp have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Swattesfield Camp dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Swattesfield Camp? Swattesfield Camp has direct access to dog-friendly Thornham Walks estate and its 12 miles of waymarked paths (ask the site owners for the map); you can stroll through ancient parkland and woodland, … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Swattesfield Camp?
    Camping and touring
    Arrive:  2 p.m. –  8 p.m.
    Depart by:  11 a.m.
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Swattesfield Camp? From R438,79 (for 1 night, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.