The Old Vicarage Campsite
UK England East Anglia Norfolk Norwich
We love a campsite with campfires at its heart and at The Old Vicarage it’s rare to find a group of visitors who aren’t kindling theirs by 6pm, the second the sun begins to dip towards the horizon. Any excuse and the fires will be going – too cold, too dark, too hungry for marshmallows. Owner Bernie thoroughly encourages it too. “Campfires are an integral part of camping”, he says. “Fire warms, soothes and inspires us”. There aren’t many here who’d disagree.
In fact, Bernie’s custom designed braziers have become such favourites that some visitors have even bought them afterwards, sticking them in the car to take home for evenings of nostalgia. They’re the perfect souvenirs. After all, the simplicity in their design is emblematic of the entire campsite – nothing flashy, nothing too clever, just the basic essentials that do everything you need. It’s a reminder once you’ve left of the simple life that was. The good old-fashioned camping that makes The Old Vicarage so special.
Set in three grassy acres on the edge of the Norfolk Broads, there is pleasantly little to describe about The Old Vicarage. A couple of wooden cabins house the showers and composting toilets and there’s a tap for water. Otherwise that’s pretty much it, save for the scattering of tents that are spread around the field, some tucked near hedges where small gaps peep out at fields of wheat, others pitched more centrally, where children zip around playing catch with their new found neighbours. The space is flat, spacious and car-free (with parking right next to the field) and the entertainment is the sort you make for yourself – think grass stains, sticky marshmallow fingers and daisy chains in your hair.
It’s off site where further activities can be found and there’s enough to write your own guidebook. Three guidebooks, in fact: one for the coast, one for the Broads and another for Norwich, all of which are less than 20 minutes in the car. The city is best saved for any rainy days, when you can retreat into galleries, museums and cafés, while better weather can be spent boating on the network of rivers or pedalling around on two wheels. Arrive by bike and you’ll even get a free bucket of firewood and a broad smile from keen cyclist Bernie. Smiles are generally extended to everyone though. Bernie’s a happy man and the simple truth is, folks who camp at The Old Vicarage are very happy people.
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Details
Facilities
The eco-friendly facilities are designed and built by the campsite. Composting toilets (and a urinal for the gents), hot showers, washing up facilities, drinking water taps, rubbish and recycling bins, and a freezer for re-freezing ice-blocks. Everything you need for a comfortable stay! But the highlight has to be the cleverly designed braziers with an inbuilt cooking grill, free to use and built by Bernie himself. This site is car-free with a separate car parking area right alongside. Wheelbarrows are provided to ferry your camping gear and tired children to and from your pitch.Suitable For
Tents, families, friends, couples, individuals, kids, small organised groups, (well-behaved) pets – yes. Campervans, caravans, motorhomes, trailer tents – no. Larger groups or parties should enquire in advance.
Nearby
The Old Vicarage is on the edge of the Norfolk Broads and a 15 minute car ride from the coast and great beaches like Horsey and Winterton, backed by a vast dune nature reserve. Norwich is within easy reach, a fantastically compact little city where everything is within walking distance – including the castle (01603 493 625), arts centre (01603 660352) and cathedral (01603 218300). The Broads will soak up the rest of your time. Visit nearby Ranworth and climb the church tower to get a great birdseye view of the broads, then visit the Ranworth Broad nature reserve and take a 45 minute guided boat trip, great for seeing the wildlife. Nearby Rockland Broad is one of the least-known, but also most beautiful – and characteristic – Broadland landscapes. Alongside it the Wheatfen Nature Reserve (01508 538036) is also worth a visit. They run regular Sunday nature walks and bushcraft sessions – everything from freshwater mussels and medicinal plants to a 'Swallowtail day".Food & Drink
Fish lovers should head to The Ship Inn (01603 270049), in South Walsham, one of Bernie's favourites, as is The Ferry (01493 751096) in Stokesby, a great riverside spot for meals outside on sunny evenings. For families, The Bridge Inn (01493 750288) is also a fantastic riverside choice, while real ale lovers should try The Cock Tavern (01493 700895) in Cantley. Just a short walk along the footpath from the campsite, Moulton Nurseries (01493 750458) have a coffee shop serving afternoon teas, cakes and meals (not open in the evenings).Opening Times
Late May–mid September (plus the May Bank Holiday weekend).Why book with Cool Camping?
- Best Price Guarantee, with no fees
- Instant booking confirmation
- Trusted for over 10 years
- A chance to win prizes in our regular competitions
The Owner Says
Established in 2011, the Old Vicarage Campsite was created by people passionate about camping especially for people passionate about camping. We are a tent-only campsite, welcoming all forms of fabric accommodation; tents, teepees, wigwams, yurts, bivvys, swags, gazebos or even bedsheets tied between 2 sticks!
We have no formal pitch boundaries, so families or groups can group tents together to make their own camp while couples can have a peaceful corner to themselves. With over 2 acres and a strictly limited number of bookings, you are guaranteed plenty of space.
Have a campfire with one of our custom made braziers: Cook in the fire or on the hotplate, toast marsh mallows over the embers, enjoy the warmth or just get mesmerised by the flames of a real wood fire. We supply home-grown firewood, seasoned and split to the perfect size for the braziers.
Ideally situated to enjoy the Norfolk Broads, Norfolk Coast and the City of Norwich, as well as the local countryside. In the evenings, enjoy the magnificent Norfolk sunsets and gazing at the stars in our clear night's skies.
Social Distancing Measures
With our spacious site, we have always practiced social distancing between pitches. Our camp-where-you-want policy means you are free to distance yourselves further if you wish.
Our facilities are spaced out, each with individual access, so maintaining a safe distance is easy. To reduce cross-contamination, we are colour coding our facilities and will be assigning a toilet to each booking, with no more than 4 bookings using the same toilet. We will be carrying out regular, thorough cleaning of the facilities, adding extra hand cleaning points and providing clear markings for maintaining a safe distance.
There will be restrictions on how the washing-up facilities are used. The shared freezer will not be available.
We will not be offering our bell tents this year and pods are only available for weekends.
Pitches
A 2-acre grass meadow. Pitch wherever you want.
Grass Pitch
Willow Pod
Alder Pod
Location
Contact The Old Vicarage Campsite, The Old Vicarage Campsite, Moulton St Mary, Norwich, Norfolk NR13 3NH
Getting There
Reviews
Add Your ReviewRated ★★★★★ over 30 reviews
A lovely campsite in Norfolk
One night Anniversary celebration
Amazing few days
Excellent Camping Trip
peaceful clean energising
Fantastic campsite
Great little campsite!
Great intro to camping!
Peaceful, chilled out campsite
Peaceful, chilled out campsite
A restorative break in a peaceful, eco site
Simple but so well though out, idyllic peaceful setting
Relaxing campsite
Everything you need, nothing you don't
Fabulous!
Fabulous!
Fab u lous
Smashing stay
Amazing special escape
Amazing 24 hours
Delightful
A lovely stay!
Lovely, quiet, dog friendly place with campfires
Tranquil escape
Peaceful little retreat
Not such happy campers
Response from The Old Vicarage Campsite
Perfect break from city life
Washer uppers paradise.
Beautifully sunny and spacious
Wonderful car-free site with camp fires
Why book with Cool Camping?
- Best Price Guarantee, with no fees
- Instant booking confirmation
- Trusted for over 10 years
- A chance to win prizes in our regular competitions