The brain child of Jen and Larry Risdale, two of the friendliest owners you are ever likely to meet, Newbourne Woodland is a simple rural campsite that finds its charms in the form of location, scenery and thoughtfully managed facilities. With an adults-only policy, the atmosphere here is one of calm and quiet – but not in a regimented, anti-activity sort of way. Come evening the crackle of campfires and rattle of branches is a natural background soundtrack, as friends sip drinks around the flames and share the stories of the day.
The campsite itself is a three-acre space of predominantly evergreen woodland. At the far end, where the trees end, it is possible to pitch along the blackberry bush-lined perimeter, with views down towards the River Mill, while the remainder of the campsite is a light but enclosed selection of clearings within the woods. There are no designated pitches and a maximum of 20 tents at any one time means there's ample space and if you take a spot by one of the picnic benches dotted around you’re even guaranteed some extra seating. There’s the covered Elephant Shed to keep you dry if it rains, complete with wood burner, a fridge freezer and charging for your mobile phone – a real communal shelter within the campsite – plus, if you don’t fancy pitching the tent, the Kingfisher’s Cabin, down by the waterside, is a superb glamping hideout with the most secluded location on the site.
It’s unusual to describe toilets as a highlight when camping yet, as with everything here, these too deserve a mention. Modern, clean and newly furnished their a little luxury within the miniature woodland wilds really shining for the thoughtful little touches, like bottles of bug-spray and sting cream you can use, alongside a big box full of blankets, in case you’re worried about a cold nights sleep. Jen and Larry have really thought of everything. The pub, well there’s nothing they can do about that – it’s just good fortune that it happens to be a fantastic spot for enjoying an evening pint, with a beer garden overlooking the pond and a pleasant walk from the entrance of the campsite. If you’re heading back late then don’t forget a torch – with no artificial lighting and the darkening effect of being hemmed within the trees, Newbourne has a genuinely wild type of darkness, the perfect accompaniment to the quiet of the night.
Nearby Newbourne Springs nature reserve is worth a visit, awash with different varieties of birdlife, and it's around a 30 minute drive to the excellent RSPB Minsmere (01728 648281). Locally, there are plenty of excellent footpaths that link up the villages (and village pubs), most notably heading through Newbourne, Bucklesham and Waldringfield. Further afield, it is a short drive to the coast (try Felixstowe Beach) and 15 minutes to the local market town of Woodbridge, home to remarkable Sutton Hoo (01394 389700), an Anglo Saxon burial site now looked after by the National Trust. For something more active try hiring a canoe or a kayak (01728 688267) at Iken and paddling the River Alde.
