Ferrygate Lane Camping
UK England East Anglia Norfolk Great Yarmouth
Ferrygate Lane Campsite, Martham, Gt Yarmouth, Norfolk NR29 4RG
If ever a place was ready made for aquatic adventures, it’s the Norfolk Broads. You simply can't help but want to get out onto the bodies of water the region is famed for – ditch leads into stream, stream leads into channel, channel leads into river and river wiggles it's way into one of the great broads or lakes that dot the area. It's no surprise, then, that Ferrygate Lane Camping positively encourage people to arrive at the campsite by boat. There's a convenient launching point for kayaks, canoes and dinghies, while a mooring spot, just along the riverside, lets you tie up and camp for a night or two. For waterside living under canvas, this is the place to come.
Opened in 2018, Ferrygate Lane Camping is a simple, traditional affair. Caravans and motorhomes are not permitted, so tents rule the roost, while smaller campervans are allowed if they have a canvas awning that they can use. There are no fancy bells or whistles – no shop, electric hook-ups or playground – instead, entertainment comes from campfire cooking in the evening and enjoying charging around in the great eight-acre space that the campsite affords. Pitches right beside the water are usually in the highest demand but there's plenty of room for all with open grassland in the middle of the camping meadow leaving room for bumper family ball games or a frenzied game of frisbee.
While the Broads location and rural setting makes for excellent stargazing, it's not far to the nearest village. Step out onto the road and it's a one-mile walk into Martham – though stick by the waterside first to watch the unusual floating bridge being towed into place that allows cars to pass from Ferrygate Lane across the River Thurne. The village itself is a quaint old spot, with a large village green, two duck ponds and a collection of Georgian houses (along with a couple of good pubs). It's not far, too, to the sandy coastline. It's a 10-minute drive to Winterton-on-Sea, where a summer swim is positively refreshing before taking a wander in the Winterton Dunes National Nature that back the beach. Other top beaches include Horsey, Sea Palling, Waxham and Happisburg, all eminently drivable from the campsite, while a pair of local boat-hire companies, moments away from the campsite, mean to access the best of the Broads you needn't use the car at all.
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The Owner Says
Tucked away in the beautiful Norfolk village of Martham. Ferrygate Lane’s picturesque campsite is located in the heart of the Norfolk Broads, with generous space for tents on wonderfully flat grassy pitches set beside the quaint broad mooring Martham Boat Dyke. Campers are encouraged to sail to the campsite and moor up. The wonderfully quaint Village of Martham is situated only a mile away from the site, so don’t forget to pack your bikes!
Ferrygate Lane believe fire is an essential part of outdoor living, therefore, to save you the trouble of making your own, they have plenty of braziers for you to gather around with marshmallows or simply cook your burgers on, with firewood available to purchase too.
The campsite also benefits from being in an area with extremely low light pollution, and the sky on a clear summer’s night is truly a wonder. The Milky Way and myriad constellations are on display for your personal enjoyment and, if you are lucky enough you can catch a shooting star or two! The site is only a hop, skip and a jump away from the Martham & District Angling Club, so if there are any keen fisherman in your party, feel free to bring your kit!
Reviews
Add Your ReviewVery good, clean and safe camping experience
Won't be coming back
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Pitches
Never any more than 40 pitches across the 8-acre site at any one time. No electrical hook-ups.
Who's In
Tents, couples, kids, groups, dogs (on a lead) – yes. Campervans, caravans, motorhomes – no.
Facilities
Showers, toilets, wash-basins, firepits for campfires (with removable grills to cook on) and logs (£5 per bag). Boat/canoe launch directly from the site.
If it rains
Head to the impressive moorings at Sutton Staithe and take a seat behind a potting wheel at Sutton Pottery (01692 580595).
Nearby
There's plenty to do right from the doorstep. Launch canoes from the campsite and paddle on the Tharne. The local stretch of river gives access to Hickling Broad (the largest of the Norfolk Broads) and Horsey Mere, as well as flowing through Martham Broad. Martham boat dyke is situated next to the campsite, immediately upstream of Martham ferry, a floating bridge which can be swung across the river. Martham Dyke is narrow and shallow at the far end so only really suitable for small vessels, making it a pleasure to paddle about in a canoe undisturbed by any other boats. If you'd prefer something motorised, try hiring a vessel from Martham Ferry Boat Yard (01493 748291) or Martham Boats (01493 740249) both just along the river from the campsite. Ferrygate Lane is also next to the Martham fisheries, so, if you're a keen angler, don’t forget to pack your rod. The village of Martham is a mile away, while Winterton (3½ miles) is the closest beach – a massive sandy stretch, backed by the rolling dunes of a National Nature Reserve. Horsey Beach is also very close by, famous for the colony of grey seals that breed there in winter.
Food & Drink
Bring bikes to cycle into nearby Martham (1 mile) or walk to the pubs there – The Victoria (01493 740774) is good for a summer pint, while The Kings Arms has a pool table, jukebox and more lively atmosphere (01493 749156). There's also an excellent fish and chip shop (01493 740316) – eat on the picnic tables outside, or take your food to the beach or back to the campsite. There's also a Co-Op in the village for essential groceries.
Open
May–end of September.
The Damage
Adults £12, children (3–16yrs) £6, under-3s free. Dogs one-off £5 payment.
Public Transport
The nearest train stations are Acle (20-minute drive) and Stalham (25-minute drive).
Facilities
- Dogs welcome
- Campfires permitted
- Groups welcome
- Good for kids
- Showers
Looking For...
- Walking
- Nice Views from Site
- Waterside Campsite
- Beaches nearby
- Fishing nearby
- Good walks nearby
- Bicycle routes nearby
