Wellies and a tutu seem an appropriate outfit for a day at Cloud Nine Norfolk. It’s the perfect combination of practicality and ‘pretty cool’ that this family-festival style glamping site requires. While your dad heads off for a free yoga session, you can stomp over to your new best friend’s tent to see what they’re up to today. Later, you’ll kick the wellies off for paddleboarding and slip back into them for bushcraft. And, after tea from the Kid’s Canteen, add a pair of headphones to the look for silent disco time.
It’s tempting to say that Cloud Nine Norfolk is all about the kids – but that’s not strictly true. It’s actually all about family, with plenty for parents too. This vast glamping site is home to almost 140 bell tents, kitted out ready for a summer of family-friendly glamping where beds are made, activities are organised and an army of street food vendors cook every night so you don’t have to. You can do as much or as little as you want to but one thing’s for sure; once you’ve arrived at Cloud Nine, there’s little reason to leave.
Launched by an events company in 2020, Cloud Nine Glamping started with a single sell-out site in Dorset. This year, the site at Norfolk’s Narford Hall is one of two new Cloud Nine locations added to the fold. The company’s expertise in putting on events and festivals is evident in the slick operation that keeps 140 families occupied in what must be one of the country’s biggest pop-ups, spread over 270 acres. The Cloud Nine Crew welcome you, whisk you and your luggage off to your bell tent in a golf buggy and are a constant presence keeping things ticking along nicely at all times.
There are three levels of comfort within the canvas tents; standard, classic and luxury (choose the latter if you can’t live without power). Crucially, each has its own portaloo outside so there’s no traipsing for miles in the middle of the night. Other facilities are dotted around so you’re never too far from a shower, mobile phone charging point or water source either. But it’s what’s beyond the glamping field that sets this place apart. There are 25 free activities included with your stay and many more available to book. There’s the climbing and pottery painting for kids, paddleboarding and archery for the whole family and gin tasting, spa treatments and even a babysitting service that will allow a bit of adult time – and that’s barely scratching the surface. The unique attraction of Cloud Nine’s site in Norfolk is its 52-acre lake which means the on-site activities include a lot of water-based fun. Of course, there is the fact that it’s in Norfolk too. It’s a county with beautiful beaches (just a half-hour drive from site) and plenty to see and do but if having everything conveniently laid on for you is your idea of heaven, you’ll probably be on Cloud Nine right here at Narford Hall.
There are more than 25 free activities on site, plus a whole range of paid-for ones too. Free activities include wild swimming in the site's 52-acre lake, storytelling, use of sports equipment, yoga, HIIT classes and a twice-weekly silent disco. Paid-for options include kayak, paddleboard and rowing boat hire, archery, horseriding and bushcraft sessions. There's also a Cloud Nine Retreat & Spa with hot tubs and massages available as well as babysitting and creche facilities. The site is set among the 100-acre Narford Estate and guests are welcome to explore the 80 acres of outdoor space that's been cordoned off for Cloud Nine. Located close to Swaffham in the west of Norfolk, it is just 12 miles from the Sandringham Estate (01485 545400), 20 miles from Thetford Forest in one direction and the North Norfolk Coast in another. The seaside town of Hunstanton and the vast beach at Brancaster are some of the closest places to visit.