Orchard Wild Camping

View prices & book 9.5 91 reviews
Visitor image of their pitch with the perfect amount of shade (added by manager 17 Jan 2023)
Visitor image of their pitch with the perfect amount of shade
Visitor image of their fantastic pitch
Out in nature
Woodland adventure
Nothing but nature
Secluded areas
Grass pitches
Lots of greenery
1/107
Favourite
Visitor image of their fantastic pitch
Out in nature
Woodland adventure

  • 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 pitches 10
Open now
Opens 1 May
Please note
  • Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.
  • Group bookings of 4 or more units (e.g. tent, touring caravan, motorhome or accommodation hire) travelling 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.

Languages spoken

English

Open from Wed, 01 May to

Reviews

9.5

Overall rating based on 91 reviews View breakdown

Wild camping

Voted 84% of visitors View breakdown

99%

would recommend this site to a friend

97%

would stay here again

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    8
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    1

Only showing reviews for the last 30 months.

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

Overall 8/10
Location 8
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 8
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi No rating
Anonymous The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch (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 8/10
Location 8
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 8
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 2
Anonymous The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch (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

The campsite is a well carved out space with lots of blackberry…

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi No rating
Anonymous The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch (wild)

Liked: The campsite is a well carved out space with lots of blackberry bushes and apple trees making each pitch rather private, we were given the most tucked away spot in the site which gave the children the chance to roam a little without worry. The shower was perfect. Toilets were kept very clean and stocked up. I thought I’d be worried that the children would get bored without a play area. But with the setting as it is, the fruit picking, and the few activities we brought with us there was very little boredom. A great wild site and very well looked after by Simon.

Disliked: Nothing.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Lovely site with friendly owner and private pitches

Overall 10/10
Location 8
Value for money 8
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 2
Chloe B. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch (wild)

Liked: Loved the individual firepits on each pitch - perfect to sit around stargazing in the evening

Recommend to friends Visit again

The site is exactly how it is described, fantastic wild camping sites…

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 8
Facilities / Activities 8
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi No rating
Aaron B. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch (wild)

Liked: The site is exactly how it is described, fantastic wild camping sites with private pitches. Recommend this to anyone looking to get back to the basics whilst enjoying a fantastic fire.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Lovely campsite, friendly owner, lots of apples and blackberries.…

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 10
Simon K. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch (wild)

Liked: Lovely campsite, friendly owner, lots of apples and blackberries.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Simon was so friendly and helpful. The whole site was clean, excellently…

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 8
Emma M. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch (wild)

Liked: Simon was so friendly and helpful. The whole site was clean, excellently planned. lovely clean loo and hot shower. Beautiful surroundings and private sites. We will be back. Thanks so much Simon.

Disliked: Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

Camping in the wilderness is always a 5 star experience. The site…

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 2
Anonymous The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch (wild)

Liked: Camping in the wilderness is always a 5 star experience. The site is well kept, inclusive and yet private, and overseen by the wonderful Simon. Local villages are Dark Skies so there is no light pollution, and there are many of activities and day trips in the local area. Always we'll be back every summer.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great site in a good position

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 8
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi No rating
Anonymous The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch (wild)

Liked: Nice private off grid pitches, simple facilities (toilet, shower). Helpful, friendly owner.

Disliked: N/A

Recommend to friends Visit again

Overall cleanlyness of the site was excellent, well laid out pitches, inlcuding…

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 8
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 8
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi No rating
James B. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch (wild)

Liked: Overall cleanlyness of the site was excellent, well laid out pitches, inlcuding firepits BBQ's and seating for the larger pitches, we had a large pitch that was completly enclosed and a short walk to the central basic facilities that covered all your needs, excellent location for exploring the Suffolk Area, Our kids loved the endless blackberrys around our pitch! early August trip

Disliked: The road noise, but we expected this as it is located on the A12

Recommend to friends Visit again

Features

No dogs allowed

Campfires allowed

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 Car parking by pitch/unit Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Food shop Free wifi Ice pack freezing Internet access Launderette Parent & baby washroom Pick-up from public transport 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 No dogs allowed

Themes

Budget/backpacker 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

Tiny (1-10 pitches)

Accessibility

Disabled facilities

Nearby leisure

Fishing nearby Golf nearby Horse 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°W

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 2020 2019 2018 2017
Southwold The Denes 15.8 km Sea N/A N/A N/A N/A
Southwold The Pier 17 km Sea N/A Good Good Excellent
Lowestoft (South Of Claremont Pier) 30.6 km Sea N/A Good Good Good
Lowestoft (North Of Claremont Pier) 31.1 km Sea N/A Good Good Good
Felixstowe North 32.2 km Sea N/A Excellent Excellent Excellent

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

Local events

  • Aldeburgh Food and Drink Festival (Saturday, 28 September 2024 – Saturday, 28 September 2024)

    Aldeburgh, England 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?
    Camping and touring
    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 R698.11 (for 1 night, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.