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Green Heart Farm

Norfolk, Norfolk, England
1 acre hosted by Green F.
A unique, nature friendly smallholding that's part campsite and part on-going-eco-project
There are eco-conscious campsites – those with bottle banks at the entrance and a polite no littering poster – and then there’s Green Heart Farm. This 3½-acre smallholding is a seriously enterprising little place where a fistful of freshly-laid eggs is more than just a ploy to pull in the burgeoning health-centric camping crowd. The animals and the plants here are an integral part of life, where everything forms a holistic, self-sustaining cycle and camping is truly a back-to-nature experience.

Small and off-grid, there's a delightful buzz to Green Heart Farm, a buzz that comes from the love that has gone into its creation. Power is supplied through miniature wind turbines and solar panel projects, while water is harvested every time it rains and purified through their sophisticated filtration system. Even the buildings here are made from recycled materials, with a future project to build a recreation barn almost entirely out of tyres. It’s no surprise then that Emma and Ben Mayes are two of the most tireless owners you’re likely to meet, always thinking of new ways to get the most out of the land. It’s a handy touch too that they’re also exceedingly friendly – setting the tone for your stay.

It’s actually a rather exclusive place here, indeed even when the campsite’s full there are more animals onsite than humans. Just five camping pitches grace the grassy space, with only tents allowed, while those travelling light can choose from two pre-pitched options, the gorgeous Sioux tipi and an old-fashioned caravan, aptly named ‘Tranquillity’. Once you’ve pegged down and spent a while exploring the nooks and crannies that such a quirky site affords, there are ways of getting yourself a little more involved in the activities. The pigs need feeding – their reputation precedes them – and you can help collect the eggs. Campers are also welcome to lend a hand with any on going eco-build projects, whether it be re-seeding the vegetable garden of crafting their new solar-powered showers. It’s almost like stepping into an old episode of The Good Life, though with a little less mayhem and a dose-full of relaxing holiday vibes.

Such green living certainly suits the location. This is rural East Anglia at its best, where a maze of country lanes lead you into yet more wiggling, overgrown little corners. As you approach, the spire of Southburgh’s church reaches skywards, seemingly keeping its distance no matter how far you drive. Suddenly it appears before you, straddling a meadow of wonky tombstones, a church that surely would be closed if it weren’t for the fact the door is always unlocked, inviting you in to enjoy the stonework and leave a community-friendly donation. These tiny hamlets and old market villages offer delightful pit stops as you explore the countryside, though there’s much to be said for simply staying put and enjoying the immediate vicinity. Take a walk down to Blackwater River, taste the tipple in Shipdham’s old, red brick pub or bring a bike along and make the most of the deserted local roads. The Good Life indeed – it’s a shame its only a holiday.

Not currently accepting bookings on Hipcamp
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Location
Norfolk, 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
Hosted by Green F.Joined in February 2015
From the host
About us Green Heart Farm is an eco-small holding in Southburgh situated in the heart of the Norfolk countryside run by Ben, Emma and their 2 children Lorrien and Bryn . Our small off grid campsite generates its own power though a small wind generator and solar panels, most of the buildings are made from recycled materials, we collect rain water which is treated and then used for washing. All waste water is treated in a custom built filtration system and we compost all human waste to be used on the flower gardens. Our family run small holding operates as a ‘Care Farm’ for most of the year offering farm therapy to disadvantaged members of the community but we have a holiday from this in the summer to offer only 5 camping pitches for tents, or for those who like a special treat, a stay in our Sioux Tipi with a small kitchen area, wood burner, sheepskin rug and king size bed. Or perhaps you fancy a night in our small permanently pitched caravan called ‘Tranquility’ offering a small kitchen as well as your own private shower. We have  composting loos, seasonal produce such as fruit, vegetables, eggs, bacon, sausages etc. (when available), solar showers, an indoor bath or shower (on request) as well as laundry (on request) from our battery powered washing machine. Phones may also be charged for free. Activities on the farm There is a range of activities for all of the family to do from taking part in farm work such as feeding the animals and collecting eggs from the ducks, geese and chickens or pond dipping, cycling or walks. You could take part in an eco build project, do some star gazing or maybe relax around the bonfire (quite often Ben will partake in a bit of a music session with his guitar or didgeridoo) or simply enjoying the wildlife and surrounding views (great opportunities for photography and art). Local services and things to do Green Heart Farm is ideally situated close to the towns of Hingham, Watton, Shipdham and Dereham all under 6 miles way. Dereham offers a choice of 3 supermarkets a variety of shops, take aways, café’s,  pubs restaurant as well as a small cinema, bowling, childrens soft play as well as much more. The town of Wymondham is only 8 miles away and the beautiful city of Norwich is situated only around 18 miles away, we are only 40 minutes away from the North Norfolk Coast and the Norfolk broads if you fancy some crabbing or messing around on the river. There are many local attractions situated nearby such as ‘The Dinosaur Park’ in Weston Longville, ‘Gressinghall Museum of Rural Life’ in Beetly, ‘Banham Zoo’ in Banham, taking a trip on the steam train from the nearby village of Thuxton or Dereham as well as many local festivals and markets happening all throughout the summer including the ‘Southburgh World Music Festival’ (1st August) which is directly opposite the farm.  Or simply enjoy walks around the hamlet of Southburgh, playing poo sticks in the steam at the bottom of the valley or relaxing on the farm while the children explore and run around. Local food and drink To eat there a variety of local pubs, restaurants, take aways and cafes to tickle your taste buds. Hingham has the White Hart is a beautiful family friendly restaurant or they have a Hingham fish bar for take away fish and chips.  Watton offers a variety of takeouts that can deliver for a small fee, there are a number of resturants such as the Willow house, Brovey Lair seafood restaurant, Unique Spice indian restaurant, Italian Job italian as well as take aways for indian, Chinese and fish ‘n’ chips. Shipdham offers a kebab take way coffe and cake at the Kings café or good ol traditional ub grub at the Golden Dog. We also have two bbq’s you are welcome to borrow if you wish to eat on site there are plenty of shops in the local towns to keep your larder stocked. Prices Tent pitches: £10 per adult per night, children (aged 3 to 16) £5 per night Caravan (Tranquillity): (sleeps 2 adults and 1 child) £40 per night Soux Tipi: (sleeps 4) £60 per night Well behaved dogs are welcome but must be kept on a lead at all times (just to keep our animals and other campers safe and happy) We only accept tents at present to minimise damage to the meadow. Dates available Dates available in 2015: May 23rd – May 25th, June 6th- July 26th weekends only, August 1st – 1st September. Contact Early booking is essential. Contact Emma Mayes on Tel: 07723998950, Check out our facebook pages www.facebook.com/GreenHeartFarm (care farm page) or www.facebook.com/GHFCamping Well behaved dogs are welcome but must be kept on a lead at all times (just to keep our animals and other campers safe and happy) Getting here Green Heart Farm is situated in the tiny village of Southburgh. We are on Google maps as ‘Green Heart Farm, Cranworth, Breckland District’. From Watton: Head out of Watton in the direction of Wymondham on the B1108. Continue on that road for 3.9 miles until you see a sign for ‘Cranworth’ or ‘Woodrising’ on your left (the turning before ‘The Pine Workshoppe’). Continue on this road for 2.6 miles until  the 30mph signs and ‘Cranworth’ sign take a right (you will see a cattery to the left after you have turned). Continue down this road and take the 2nd left (there is a horse training area to the right). Then you are here the entrance is the 3rd gate on your left you should see our sign and the tipi. From Dereham: At the traffic lights nr ‘Roys’, ‘Homebase’, and ‘The Railway’ take the turning for ‘Norwich A47’ and ‘Shipdham’ ( this road goes in between ‘Roys’ and ‘Homebase’) DO NOT take the slip road up to the A47 but continue on the road through ‘Toftwood’. Continue until you enter the town of ‘Shipdham’ then take the second left (first is a housing estate) just before ‘Kings Café’ continue on this road until you pass a large industrial estate, take the 2nd right. Continue on this road and take the 2nd right (1st right is on a left hand bend) opposite some large duck sheds. Continue on this road until you see a large Red Hall on your right and we are a little further down the road on the left. You should see our sign and the tipi.
Nearby attractions
From the site there are plenty of easy walks around the hamlet of Southburgh – head down River Lane to the stream at the bottom of the valley and play poo sticks on the old bridge. There are plenty of family-friendly attractions at hand, not least the famous Dinosaur Park (01603 876310) in Weston Longville, and Banham Zoo (01953 887771) is particularly popular. If the eco-friendly vibe of the campsite has got you interested then a visit to Gressinghall Museum of Rural Life (01362 869251) in Beetly is worth your time, offering a fascinating insight into the history of the area. It may well inspire you to try out the local steam train (01362 690633) too – board in Thuxton or Dereham. There are plenty of local festivals and markets throughout the summer including the Southburgh World Music Festival (1st August) which is directly opposite the farm.
Food and drink
There are a surprising number of top pubs and eateries nearby. In Hingham try the White Hart (01953 850214), a beautiful family-friendly restaurant, or just grab some battered cod at their local chippie (01953 850006). Watton also features a few good restaurants, the Willow House (01953 881181) and Brovey Lair (01953 882706) are particularly good and Unique Spice (01953 884231) offers Indian cuisine if you're looking for something a bit different. In Shipdham have coffee and cake at the Kings Café (01362 820030) or a good old fashioned pub meal at the Golden Dog (01362 820255). There are two BBQs onsite you can borrow if you like and plenty of shops in the vicinity to keep the larder stocked.

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