Whitlingham Broad Campsite

From £26 For 1 night, 4 adults 9.3 59 reviews
Upper field (car free) (added by manager 02 Aug 2022)
Sunset over the campsite (added by manager 02 aug 2022)
High up in the trees your woodland holiday home (added by manager 02 aug 2022)
Yurt (added by manager 12 jul 2022)

  • Norfolk Broads site in 80 acres of country park
  • Watersports centre less than five minutes’ walk away
  • Shop, bike storage and café next door
Say Pah to the passport, avoid the airport and don’t go a-broad for a holiday overflowing with activities and attractions – go to the Norfolk Broads instead. There's a wide range of all-weather things to do around Whitlingham Broad Campsite once you’re there: the Broads are in its back garden with a watersports centre less than five minutes’ saunter from your pitch; the city of Norwich is an easy 15 minutes by bike or bus, and the site is in 80 acres of country park with masses of room for kids to run around and with a network of walks stretching directly from it. The site itself is entirely made of grass, but the country park landscape also takes in rivers, water meadows blooming with wildflowers, and wildlife-laden woodland with trees young and old. Sturdy (not disposable) barbecues are allowed on all pitches, and some firepits are available to hire from the Whitlingham team. Just steps away from the accommodation fields are the three large lakes of the Great, Little and Conservation Broads: take a canoe out here or fish, picnic and wildlife watch from the banks. The Outdoor Education Centre a few minutes’ walk away has kayak and dragonboat hire and sailing and surfing courses as well as landlubber activities like archery and rock climbing. Family washrooms are available at Whitlingham Broad for guests and other amenities include an onsite shop and cycle storage. A café is right next door, but local companies will deliver to your pitch if you fancy a takeaway for dinner: ask the team for their broad list of recommendations…

Site type

Rent a tent 5
Lodges, cabins, pods or huts 2
Tent pitches 40
Motorhome pitches 25
Open all year
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).
  • Single-sex bookings of 3 or more people (couples and immediate family members excepted) are not permitted via Pitchup.com.
  • Group bookings of people under 16 are not accepted through Pitchup.com.

Languages spoken

English

Pitch types & availability

Other pitch types

Reviews

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93%

would recommend this site to a friend

92%

would stay here again

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Only showing reviews for the last 30 months.

The location is great, secure and peaceful. Good shower / facilities and…

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
Leigh S. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Lower Meadow non-electric grass tent, campervan or trailer tent pitch

Liked: The location is great, secure and peaceful. Good shower / facilities and the little shop is perfect for those bits you forget.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Super location, friendly staff, short grass, and level site.

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 8
Facilities / Activities 8
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 6
Trevor W. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Lower Meadow non-electric grass tent, campervan or trailer tent pitch

Liked: Had a wild camping atmosphere if you wanted that, but all the facilities too

Disliked: No water point in lower field

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thanks for taking the time to review us - we do have a water point in the lower field, We apologies if staff did not convey this. We hope to see you back another time

Wonderful stay. Would highly recommend

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

Lower Meadow non-electric grass tent, campervan or trailer tent pitch

Liked: Everything! Location was beautiful, the shower/toilet block was excellent. Can hire fire pits. Rent cool bricks and everyone was lovely.

Disliked: Nothing.

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: thank you for your review

Second Stay. looking forward to our next Stay.

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
Kelly C. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Lower Meadow non-electric grass tent, campervan or trailer tent pitch

Liked: Pitch sizes, being able to pitch up anywhere, facilities, Staff, cleanliness.

Disliked: Nothing.

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: thank you for your review

Good family campsite

Overall 8/10
Location 8
Value for money 6
Accommodation 6
Facilities / Activities 6
Customer service 8
Child friendliness 8
Cleanliness 6
Wifi No rating
Anonymous The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Bell tent

Liked: Not too busy and simple campsite

Disliked: Cool showers

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: thank you for your review

The space…

Overall 8/10
Location 6
Value for money 8
Accommodation 6
Facilities / Activities 6
Customer service 6
Child friendliness No rating
Cleanliness 8
Wifi No rating
Emma T. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Upper Meadow non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked: The space

Recommend to friends Visit again

Worthwhile

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation No rating
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 8
Wifi 4
Paul N. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Lower Meadow non-electric grass tent, campervan or trailer tent pitch

Liked: All expectations were met and it was good to experience staff went the extra mile to accommodate us and made us feel welcomed.

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you for your review

Beautiful site, poor management and lack of safeguarding.

Overall 2/10
Location 8
Value for money 2
Accommodation 2
Facilities / Activities 8
Customer service 2
Child friendliness 2
Cleanliness 6
Wifi 2
Anonymous The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Upper Meadow non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked: Lovely location and nice facilities.

Disliked: On our second night I reported a group of men on the pitch next to us taking cocaine. I rang the emergency number which was answered promptly and the lady I spoke to said she'd ring the warden to go check things out and call the police if needed. I strongly expressed that I didn't feel safe and that I had a young child with me (as many other families on the site did). After 30 minutes the warden had not attended pitch next to us and the drug use continued. I contacted the emergency number again and the warden rang back to tell me he had checked the site and found no evidence so there was nothing he could do. I can say with absolute confidence that the warden never went to check the pitch I reported as I was close enough to hear the cocaine being snorted let alone hear conversations. The warden did not check the site, did not report the suspected drug use to the police, did not make any note of the conversations I had recorded or take any steps to protect the safety and wellbeing of fellow campers, a large majority of which had young children with them. It is a shame that one group of inconsiderate, selfish young men decided to make the dangerous decision to use illegal drugs and potentially endanger the people around them. The only thing more shocking and disappointing is the campsite's complete lack of care and safeguarding during this whole incident. They failed to act and failed to keep people and their children safe. A police report has been filed. I sincerely hope new management can be brought in and the campsite can do better as it is a beautiful area and would be such a waste.

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Dear Rebecca I need to respond to your review and subsequent email to the campsite in which you demand a refund and also additional payments in compensation for distress caused and expenses incurred. My name is Fergus and I own and run Whitlingham Broad Campsite with my partner Linda. The first thing to say is that I am sorry that you did not enjoy your stay with us here. Here at Whitlingham we welcome all guests and, unlike some other campsites, we do not have a strict ban on (for example) groups, bookings by young people or families with young children; we think having a mix of people on site creates a nice atmosphere and makes this a better place. Having said that, we do work hard to ensure that all guests know our rules and how these apply on site. To that end we emphasise both the specific rules (set out in our camping code) and the general approach (be kind, enjoy yourselves, be considerate to other guests) when booking, on arrival and, as needed, during guests’ stay. At this time of year we have staff on site between 0830 – 2000. Whilst we have (lots and lots!) of other jobs to be getting on with throughout the day, we also keep an eye on the camping fields and speak to any guests we feel may be acting in an inconsiderate way. Outside of those hours we are always contactable by phone, have a regular whole-site walk around between 2230 – 2300 and we also live on site. Your complaint centres on the behaviour of one group of campers and the campsite’s response to your concerns, expressed on the night of Saturday 19th August. Specifically, you state: • The group of campers were taking cocaine; and • You reported this to campsite staff; and • The staff did not check the site, did not report the suspected drug use to the police, did not make any note of the conversations I had recorded or take any steps to protect the safety and wellbeing of fellow campers, a large majority of which had young children with them (quote from your online review on Pitchup). Unfortunately, I do not believe this to be a true reflection of events so, for clarity and transparency I set out my record of the night: • On walking around the campsite at approximately 2030 I noticed that the pitch of the group in question was very messy, with a pile of rubbish, a bottle of sprits and bottles of beer left strewn around the pitch. We had received no complaints regarding either the state of the pitch or the behaviour of group (this being their second night) but, this notwithstanding, I felt the condition of the pitch was unacceptable and that due consideration was not being given to our other guests. Accordingly, I confiscated the bottle of spirits which had been left outside the tent and spoke with the group about the condition of the pitch and the respect they needed to show both to the campsite and their fellow campers. I also confiscated the group’s fire pit as it was clearly being used in a way which breaches our campsite rules. The group tidied the pitch and apologised. • At 2132 you called and reported drug taking by that same group • At 2158 you messaged to say no action was being taken by campsite staff • Between the time you called and the time you messaged I visited the pitch and spoke at length with the group. On visiting the pitch, I noted that the group were not being particularly noisy and the pitch had remained tidy. Because of the nature of your complaint, and because the group were friendly and cooperative, I went inside their tent to speak with them. Whilst in the tent (a bell tent with no internal partitioning) I saw no evidence of drug taking. I explained to the group that someone had reported drug taking, which they denied. In further discussion with the group it became clear that they were in the process of leaving the site to go to our local pub, and also that they lived relatively locally (Norwich). Given that, and mindful of my earlier issue with the state of their pitch and the concerns expressed by a fellow camper (i.e. you), I suggested that it would be best for all concerned if they did not return to the campsite as it was likely that both they and I (as the person responsible for dealing with complaints in the night) would end up having a rubbish night. Again, they were friendly and agreed that they would probably just go home (i.e. not return to the pitch) after the pub. At this stage, mindful that I had received no other complaints, had seen no evidence of drug taking and was dealing with a group that were being cooperative, I did not think I had good reason to demand they leave the site. I also took the view – conscious that it was now approaching 2200 and I had received no other complaints regarding the groups behaviour over the preceding day and night - that the disturbance associated with taking the tent down and packing up was going to be greater than any issues being caused by the group. • At 2212, having visited the group and discussed the situation with my partner, I called you to explain the situation. We spoke for approx. 6 minutes during which I apologised that the group’s behaviour had impacted you, explained I had visited the tent and seen no sign of drug taking, received no other complaints and that I was confident that the group had taken the message regarding respecting other campers on board. I also explained that I had suggested to the group that they would be better not returning to the site, but did not feel I could force them to leave on the basis of both their behaviour and the evidence I had before me. I finished the call by reassuring you that I would be conducting walk-arounds later and also that I lived on site and would be able to respond to the emergency line all night. • Between 2230 and 2245 I did a walk around and the site was quiet • Between 2315 and 2330 I did a further walk around and the site was quiet (on one of these walk arounds I saw someone leaving their tent with a rucksack, which may have been you leaving the site, though your tent was still on the pitch the following morning so I was not sure) • At 0000 I walked to the edge of the campsite and all was quiet. • To date, I have received no other complaints regarding the behaviour of this group and have had no engagement with the police I understand that it was upsetting for you to have your holiday impacted by other campers who you believed were behaving inconsiderately, and I am sorry that this experience has soured your stay with us. However, your assertion that we did not respond to your concerns is simply wrong. The suggestion that we did not take appropriate steps to protect the safety and well-being of our guests is incorrect and potentially damaging to our business. Your expressed hope that ‘new management can be brought in’ to ‘improve’ the campsite is personally insulting to Linda and myself who, as the founders and owners of the business have worked hard over the last 10 years to create a campsite that we are proud of and which gives many people many happy memories each year. Finally, your request for refund and compensation are entirely without basis and, as such, will be disregarded. This is a very busy time of year for our small, family-run business and this matter has taken up far too much time already. However, I wanted to make sure that we provided a full and truthful response to the concerns raised in your review. Given the time taken to date on this matter, I will not reply to your email requests for payment of compensation, or engage in any further correspondence with you. Fergus

Would come again!

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

Upper Meadow non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked: We had a fantastic couple of nights in Norfolk at Whitlingham Campsite. It was our first camp as a family for a couple of years now our youngest is a bit older. We had a tent pitch on the upper field. The small shop and staff were friendly and explained the site. You can hire, firepits (£3 a night), buy logs, basic camp essentials, food, ice creams and drinks. We used 3 bags of logs over 2 nights and got the biggest pit. Campsite is nice and open and parking is free and lots of it. They also have the country park across the road with a cafe, nice walks a lake and they even has an open air cinema showing dirty dancing. There is also a morissons 6minutes away but it gets busy when Norwich are playing at home.

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thanks for taking the time to review us, we are glad you had a wonderful time on site and hope to welcome you back

Maybe best out of holidays if you’re looking for a peaceful stay.

Overall 8/10
Location 8
Value for money 8
Accommodation 6
Facilities / Activities 8
Customer service 8
Child friendliness No rating
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 2
Darren D. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Lower Meadow non-electric grass tent, campervan or trailer tent pitch

Liked: Location was great for access to the broads and the river wensum. Very clean facilities and decent sized shower and toilet block. Well kept grass areas. Children’s play area although this was largely ignored by the older kids.

Disliked: Unfortunately since covid a lot of asbo campers have now chosen to stay in campsites rather than Spanish coastal resorts. Although not directly the campsites fault the noise of these campers which continued way beyond 10pm was annoying. The rules seem optional and not obligatory. Shame as this could be a lovely spot but spoilt by other guests. The lower meadow also flooded after heavy rain one evening. Luckily the following day was dry and warm otherwise it would make exiting the lower field very tricky.

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

Car parking by pitch/unit

Composting toilet

Disabled facilities

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

Tents for hire

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

Gastronomic delight

Lake and/or mountain

Leave the car at home

Luxury

Peaceful

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

Large (51-200 pitches)

Medium (26-50 pitches)

Nearby leisure

Canoeing/kayaking nearby

Climbing nearby

Cycle hire nearby

Cycling nearby

Fishing nearby

Golf nearby

Indoor pool nearby

Leisure/theme park nearby

Mountain biking nearby

Outdoor pool nearby

Restaurant nearby

Sailing nearby

Tennis nearby

Watersports nearby

Location

Whitlingham Broad Campsite

Whitlingham Lane

Trowse

Norwich

Norfolk

England

NR14 8TR

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London GMT (GMT+00:00)

GPS

52.61939°N
1.32617°W

Nearest transport

Coach
1.4 mi Bus Station
2.1 mi Lime Tree Road
2.2 mi Lime Tree Road
Rail
1 mi Norwich Rail Station
3.9 mi Brundall Gardens Rail Station
4.8 mi Salhouse Rail Station
Ferry
10.3 mi Reedham Ferry North
10.4 mi Reedham Ferry South
25.4 mi Southwold Ferry Landing
Airport
4 mi 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

Sticking to the Broads – just to start with – you’ll have the pick of waterside walks, watersports, cycling and wildlife spotting on the Whitlingham Broad doorstep. The café next to the campsite has a visitor centre with interactive info on the Broads to help you narrow things down a bit, and you can also catch the river boat here into Norwich city centre. For something a little more unusual, a ski club is a smooth 10 minutes away. Walks with a view are all around the site and within easy dandering distance: kids might like to monkey around on the child-friendly low ropes course through the nearby woods, in a spot where there’s also a play pirate ship to batten down the hatches at and an old lime kiln to have a peek at (be careful not to disturb the bats that roost there). The Wherryman’s Way path along the Yare in the Yare Valley is also a very good walk (and ends at a very good pub); the 12 circular walks along its route are handy for those who don’t fancy following it all the 35 miles to Great Yarmouth.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020 2019 2018 2017
Sea Palling 16.6 mi Sea N/A Excellent Excellent Excellent
Hemsby 16.9 mi Sea N/A Excellent Excellent Excellent
Caister Point 17.3 mi Sea N/A Excellent Excellent Excellent
Great Yarmouth Pier 17.4 mi Sea N/A Excellent Excellent Excellent
Great Yarmouth South 17.4 mi Sea N/A Excellent Excellent Excellent

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery 1.4 mi

Norwich Cathedral 1.4 mi

Colman's Mustard Shop and Museum 1.5 mi

BeWILDerwood 8 mi

Blickling Hall, Gardens and Park 13.8 mi

National Trust

Blickling Hall, Gardens and Park 13.8 mi

Horsey Windpump 15.8 mi

Elizabethan House Museum 16.8 mi

Felbrigg Hall, Garden and Park 20.1 mi

Sheringham Park 22 mi

Cycle routes

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

Other

CROWN POINT 0.4 mi

THE ROSARY CEMETERY 0.7 mi

Norwich City 1.4 mi

CHAPELFIELD GARDENS 1.6 mi

THE PLANTATION GARDEN, NORWICH 1.9 mi

Local events

  • Latitude Festival (Thursday 25 July 2024 – Thursday 25 July 2024)

    Beccles, Suffolk 21.9 mi

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 Norfolk?

  • Does Whitlingham Broad Campsite have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Whitlingham Broad Campsite dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Whitlingham Broad Campsite? Sticking to the Broads – just to start with – you’ll have the pick of waterside walks, watersports, cycling and wildlife spotting on the Whitlingham Broad doorstep. The café next to the … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Whitlingham Broad Campsite?
    Camping and touring
    Arrive:  2 p.m. –  7:30 p.m.
    Depart by:  11 a.m.
    On-site accommodation
    Arrive:  2 p.m. –  7:30 p.m.
    Depart by:  10:30 a.m.

    Please do not arrive before check-in at 2pm. There are parking restrictions on site - your parking charges are not covered by the site until you have checked in.

    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Whitlingham Broad Campsite? From £26 (for 1 night, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.