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Thornage Campsite

97%
·
· Holt, Norfolk, England
1 acre hosted by Jo .
8 tent pitches
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Best in East Anglia / East of England: Finalist
Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2023.
Jo is a Star Host
Star Hosts are highly rated, responsive, and committed to providing incredible experiences.
Almost wild camping in a central location along the North Norfolk coast, with just eight pitches and ample space

Nature does the work in North Norfolk. Yes, the old market town of Holt is quaint and foodie and Benedictine Binham Priory is a historic treasure, but it’s really the coast that people come for. The shingle beach at Salthouse, the sweeping sands of Holkham Bay, the tidal marshes at Blakeney where seals make their home out on the point. Nature does its thing and holidaymakers enjoy it. It’s the same approach at Thornage Camping, six miles inland, pocketed in the little village of Thornage. There’s little to the campsite. It’s a meadow and it’s left pretty natural. That’s the North Norfolk way and it's just the way we like it.

The campsite is really designed for those who don’t mind something very similar to wild camping but who still want a decent toilet. There are no showers and the water supply comes from a big tank, so it really is a pretty minimal place, but with just eight pitches across three acres, you’re guaranteed plenty of space and there’s a wonderfully quiet and hidden ambiance, with tents populating the pockets in the long grass and not a caravan in sight.

The surrounding village is a mixture of old flint cottages and newer brick builds, along with an ancient church in a sea of cow parsley. There’s no pub but you can drive five minutes to a good family-friendly inn in Letheringsett where there’s also a working watermill with a pleasant riverside picnic area alongside. There are plenty of good dining options in Holt, too, also five minutes away.

For the coast, the campsite finds itself midway along the most well-known stretch of North Norfolk. From Holkham Hall in the east to Sheringham and Cromer in the west, nothing is more than half an hour in the car and some of the most exciting bits are within 15 minutes. Book a boat trip from Morston Quay to see the birds and seals out on Blakeney Point or take your binoculars to Cley Marshes Visitor Centre, which is built in the style of a giant bird hide. It’s a good place to revel in more nature, doing its natural, naturey thing. It's the reason people come to Norfolk and, of course, to a natural spot like tiny Thornage Camping.

Car (max 2 per pitch, included) , barbecue, campers' kitchen, car parking by pitch/unit, lanterns/fairy lights, smoking, picnic table - all welcome. Arrival, 2pm onwards.Departure by noon.
Activities
Biking
Hiking
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97%
45 Ratings · 35 reviews
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Aldara E.recommends
September 6, 2022
Wild Camping Pitch
Really lovely campsite and good communication. Recommend
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C A.recommends
September 5, 2022
Wild Camping Pitch
Autonomy of selecting pitch was great and fire pits welcome addition. Toilets clean too. Lots of wildlife to enjoy and nearby nesting buzzards were a treat to watch hunting.
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Mia W.recommends
August 30, 2022
Wild Camping Pitch
Perfect Spot
Great dog friendly campsite. Loved the fire pit and really enjoyed our stay with our 2 dogs. Perfect location also.
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Meredith B.recommends
August 29, 2022
Wild Camping Pitch
Great campsite very beautiful lots of space. Just a loo and that's a bout it
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Emma M.
August 29, 2022
Wild Camping Pitch
The campsite was absolutely beautiful. We had so much fun. However we didnt have anyone to check in with or advise us on where to set up. We did get on the most gorgeous spot though, sharing with another party of people.
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Peter C.recommends
August 29, 2022
Wild Camping Pitch
Great wild camping experience
Fantastic site, close to the towns and great beeches. Site is clean and tidy. Lovely setting with wild feel. The facilities were great and the horse box with supplies in, is a nice touch. We loved the fire pit and made it v special for us.
Location
Holt, Norfolk, England, United KingdomTraditional, ancestral territory of various First Nations according to To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
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Hosted by Jo .Joined in January 2017
From the host
Nature does the work in North Norfolk. Yes, the old market town of Holt is quaint and foodie and Benedictine Binham Priory is a historic treasure, but it’s really the coast that people come for. The shingle beach at Salthouse, the sweeping sands of Holkham Bay, the tidal marshes at Blakeney where seals make their home out on the point. Nature does its thing and holidaymakers enjoy it. It’s the same approach at Thornage Camping, six miles inland, pocketed in the little village of Thornage. There’s little to the campsite. It’s a meadow and it’s left pretty natural. That’s the North Norfolk way and it's just the way we like it. The campsite is really designed for those who don’t mind something very similar to wild camping but who still want a decent toilet. There are no showers and the water supply comes from a big tank, so it really is a pretty minimal place, but with just eight pitches across three acres, you’re guaranteed plenty of space and there’s a wonderfully quiet and hidden ambiance, with tents populating the pockets in the long grass and not a caravan in sight. The surrounding village is a mixture of old flint cottages and newer brick builds, along with an ancient church in a sea of cow parsley. There’s no pub but you can drive five minutes to a good family-friendly inn in Letheringsett where there’s also a working watermill with a pleasant riverside picnic area alongside. There are plenty of good dining options in Holt, too, also five minutes away. For the coast, the campsite finds itself midway along the most well-known stretch of North Norfolk. From Holkham Hall in the east to Sheringham and Cromer in the west, nothing is more than half an hour in the car and some of the most exciting bits are within 15 minutes. Book a boat trip from Morston Quay to see the birds and seals out on Blakeney Point or take your binoculars to Cley Marshes Visitor Centre, which is built in the style of a giant bird hide. It’s a good place to revel in more nature, doing its natural, naturey thing. It's the reason people come to Norfolk and, of course, to a natural spot like tiny Thornage Camping.
Nearby attractions

It's a five-minute drive into the pretty market town of Holt. Parking can sometimes be a hassle but there's usually plenty of space in the Albert Street Car Park (or park a little outside of town and walk in – there's a popular layby area on the A148 heading out of Holt towards Letheringsett). The town is good for a general amble around, with independent shops, a couple of good art galleries and plenty by the way of fine food. There's also the local Owl Trail, a loop around the town with plaques and information that teaches you about Holt's history and the people behind the Georgian architecture. North of the campsite, and just outside Holt, Letheringsett Watermill (01263 713153) is the last working watermill in Norfolk, still producing flour to this day. You can visit parts of the mill, see it all in action and buy the flour. There's also an excellent, sheltered picnic area outside, reached by crossing the river. Of course, most people are here for the coast and some of the best stretches are within a 15-minute drive; the National-Trust owned quay at Morston where you can catch boats to see the seals, the old harbour town of Blakeney (well linked with Morston via the coastal footpath), picturesque Cley-next-the-Sea with its iconic windmill, and the endless pebble beach at Salthouse to name a few. From the campsite, you really are in one of the most central locations when it comes to the best of the North Norfolk coastline, with the likes of Holkham Bay, away to the west, and the Cromer, to the east, still both easily within a half-hour drive. The National Trust-owned estates at Sheringham Park (01263 820550), Blickling (01263 738030), and Felbrigg (01263 837444) are also all well within the 30-minute mark.

Food and drink

There's no pub in the village but there are a couple within around 30 minutes' walk (though in both cases, it's a walk down a peaceful quiet lane, rather than via footpaths, so the five-minute drive may be your preference). The 300-year-old Hunworth Bell (01263 711151), inland, overlooks Hunworth village green, is well stocked with real ales, and serves a menu that includes game from the adjacent Stody Estate. Towards the coast, The King's Head (01263 712691) in Letheringsett has a modern interior with two different rooms and plenty of space outside, including a play area for children. Holt (five minutes drive) is the main place to go for options, though. It's home to a clutch of good pubs and hotels, including the upmarket cafe in Byfords (01263 711400), which is great for pastries and treats, as well as takeaways to enjoy back at the campsite, a grocers, a fishmongers, and a butchers.

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