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Rated ★★★★★ over 105 reviews
★★★★☆
Peaceful site in beautiful surroundings
It was great being able to choose where to pitch. A lovely secluded location with lots of wonderful walks and cycling opportunities near by. Good toilet facilities. Jess and Phil were very friendly. I hope to return.
★★★★★
Perfect get away.
Couldn't have wanted more. My husband and I needed a quiet secluded spot to rest and relax. Swattisfield was perfect. Evenings spent round the camp fire (which we hired along with the firewood. ) A good book and a glass or 2, or 3 of wine, my idea of heaven. Even the dog made friends. Gorgeous walks, Great little dog friendly pub nearby and the lovely little town of Eye only a few minutes up the road. Have been before and will definitely go back again. Much thanks to the owners, who are very friendly and accommodating.
★★★★★
Lovely little campsite, where we hired a firepit and grill, logs & kindling. Camped under a beautiful ash tree, with a large sink in the corner for drinking water, veg washing etc. Use of the communal gas rings became nescessary as our camping stove replacement didnt fit- so used it to boil our kettle- there are 2 whistling kettles there already though. We arrived on bank holiday monday , and enjoyed our peaceful stay. Heard owls, robins, ducks, and pheasants. On our walk were delighted to see a hare hopping off, and a couple of muntjac deer!
★★★★★
AMAZING
We took our dog Olive on Monday 21st August and the owners of Swattesfield Campsite treated us so well. We can't thank you enough, we had a lovely stay!
★★★★★
Comfortable stay with great campfire experiences
Swattesfield is quite a small, well run campsite. It was lovely to literally choose where to camp and we were impressed with all the things they had thought of. For example, a communal kitchen with gas stoves and kettles so we could fill our hot water bottles easily in the evening, lots of drinking water taps all around the site and washing up areas. I had been concerned that you couldn’t take your car right to the pitch, but this was not a problem, firstly, in the main field it is possible to take the car there for loading and unloading, and secondly there are trolleys to help you get your stuff further afield and it really isn’t far. The toilets, showers and little shop were also all fine, though you will need to go to a supermarket for much food. We enjoyed the half an hour walk to a cafe on Thornham walks, and I believe you can visit other places (by car) if you are staying longer. The staff are very friendly and helpful. However, the highlight for my teenager and myself was definitely the camp fires. Swattesfield hires out fire pits and sells kindling and logs. We went for the fancy fire pit with a grill that you can move up and down to get the optimal cooking position. We enjoyed lighting and sitting round the fire all three evenings, and decided to cook all our evening meals on it rather than going out. It turns out even cheap meat tastes Delicious when cooked and smoked over the open flames. A short stay, but very enjoyable and I definitely recommend the fire pits if you stay here.
★★★★★
Lovely site surrounded by woods and wildlife
A very pretty site surrounded by woods, with plenty of wildlife and a pub within walking distance. The site is well looked after with good facilities. There are two main fields, one of which is more lively than the other. The only problem we had was that the drinking water was salty for some reason. Other than that, it was a brilliant stay.
★★★★★
Jess looks after her campsite with care and attention, and it was a delight to stay there
There's space here. There are woodland walks here. There's a gentle, quiet vibe here. I really relaxed here. The communal areas are kept clean and tidy, and Jess was always helpful.
★★★★★
A great experience for us
This was our first encounter with camping and I’m relieved to say, very positive. The site is lovely and Jess greeted us upon arrival and informed us of all the bits we needed to know and a bit about the surrounding areas. We opted to stay in the woodland bell tents, and I strongly recommend this for anyone who wants a more private camping experience as it’s away from the main field of tents and offers a more relaxing experience! The tent comes with comfortable double bed and fold out beds for the kids. It was practical, well presented and had everything we needed. The kids loved it. The swings in the trees, our own stove and fire pit area, and running around woodland was just bliss. You can still walk down to the main site and explore but at least there’s the option to return back to the woods. Facilities were all clean and well kept. The walks surrounding the site are brilliant with dogs and the kids loved walking down to the park. Thank you Jess for a great stay!!
★★★★★
A wonderful glamping Holiday
We love this site, it’s wonderful for the kids, the accommodations is great, especially the pixie huts, the showers and toilets are good and clean and we bumped into people we met last year, so everyone who’s goes to the site returns again an again, which speak volumes, thank you Jess and Phil
★★★★★
Really lovely site
Fantastic campsite! We had a really lovely stay here camping in the woods - it was a such a great spot - nicely secluded but not cut off from everyone else. The site was lovely, friendly and had everything we needed. Facilities were clean and well managed. We would definitely return here - and would highly recommend to others.
★★★★★
Relaxed, clean and friendly
We have just stayed for 4 nights in the ash tent in the woods. My three boys had an absolute blast. Lots of kids to play with and everyone was so friendly. Jess was lovely and took all our stuff upto the tent and also back to the car when we left. She was always at hand and happy to help. My youngest 2 years old loved the sheep and chickens. My older two enjoyed the football table and playing cricket and ball on the field. The tent had everything we needed for our trip and was well equipped. The beds were comfy and made the trip even better waking up fresh as a daisy 😊 the camp fires provided were brilliant and we cooked food on it most nights and the boys enjoyed toasted marshmallows later. We enjoyed a short walk to thornham walks where there is a little park and a fab cafe, food was delicious. They had woodland sculptures throughout the walk and was fun for the kids to find. Overall it’s been a very enjoyable few days and I would definitely recommend and return myself. Hopefully we can bring friends next time and if you get the two tents in the woods you are literally alone so would be fab for a couple of families or friends. Happy customers highly recommended 5*
★★★★★
Woodland peace
Fabulous set up, the site is run buy the charming and amicable and eternally helpful Jess, lots of nearby amenities. Our song was there with a broken leg and even under these circumstances it was comfortable, clean and joyful.
★★★★★
Fabulous quiet rural site
Peaceful site in lovely countryside, with a 30 min walk to a great pub!
★★★★★
Idyllic campsite and great hosts
Fabulous campsite in a truly peaceful setting. Warm welcome from Jess and her Dad who are happy to give you the benefit of their local knowledge. It’s obvious the campsite and the surrounding countryside is a real labour of love for them both and it shows in a relaxed and harmonious setting surrounded by wildlife, walks and cycles….🚴🏻♀️
★★★★★
Best campsite in Suffolk so far
We just enjoyed a weekend camping at Swattesfield campsite. It’s spacious, laid back and you can pitch your tent more or less wherever you want to. We had a shady spot near the pond which was quiet and peaceful. There’s plenty of wildlife in abundance - from mummy ducks with their duckling broods to owls hooting at dusk. We hired a fire pit with the tripod grill for cooking and enjoyed campfire cooking. The shower and toilet block is very clean and is well maintained through the day. The highlight of the campsite is it’s immediate proximity to Thornham Walks which was a delight to walk and explore. There’s a cafe as well which serves up the most delicious coffee and walnut cake. There is a deli at Thornham Walks if you’re looking for something for dinner although you’ll be paying deli prices, not supermarket prices. The bread is very overpriced for what it actually is despite the fancy artisan names - just basic white and brown bread. If you’re tired of cooking, there are pubs nearby which serve meals including breakfast. We really enjoyed the campsite and are planning to book again for September.
★★★★★
Relaxed and great fun for kids!
We stayed at Swattisfield this May half term, for 2 nights. Its so relaxed here, you can pitch your tent wherever you like, and the owners are SO welcoming and friendly! There's loads of space for kids to play safely, woods and trees and paths to follow and hide in, I barely saw my children they were having so much fun playing 😆 right next door to Thornham Walks too so perfect if you bring a dog along like we did. Toilet block was very clean and we loved being able to borrow the bbq/stove tripod, we used ours both nights for cooking, and then the fire pit for a campfire. We enjoyed fishing with the kids too, just round the corner from the campsite, only £5 a rod. Local shop also provides neccessities and ice for our cool box. We will be returning for sure, a lovely stay!
Response from Swattesfield Campsite
Thank you so much Susanna for your kind words and lovely review, its always much appreciated to hear. We are so glad that you all had a lovely stay and you wish to return again!
★★★★★
Beautiful and tranquil campsite
The owners Jess and Phil are friendly and helpful hosts and make you feel really welcome at this stunningly beautiful and peaceful campsite. We were able to walk through the fields and woods to the wonderfully atmospheric Four Horseshoes for an unmissable meal. Great local walking opportunities. The local village is within walking distance. We really enjoyed that there was plenty of room between tents and we were encouraged to have a campfire. There was a well stocked campsite shop. Bathroom facilities were basic but adequate.
Response from Swattesfield Campsite
Your feedback is much appreciated Tim and we are glad you enjoyed your stay and the surrounding area. We wish you all the best and hope to see you again sometime in sunny Swattesfield!
★★★★★
Paradise Camping
We had an idyllic week with two other families. We had three pre pitched bell tents in the most picturesque glade away from the main field. The fire pit is a fantastic addition and doubles up as a BBQ. A lovely quiet campsite with really respectful ambience and very quiet after 10pm. The shower block was only a couple of minutes walk away. Always hot water and a good booking system to avoid queuing. The toilets were always clean - occasionally ran out of loo roll but that is to be expected. Bring your own as back up. Some small suggestions would be to make the shop more accessible. It was the only place to place ice blocks to be frozen and it often appeared closed. An easier way to access these would have been great rather than a chance encounter with Jess. Having a freezer freely accessible to campers purely for ice blocks would be a huge plus e.g. placed in the covered kitchen area. It was not clear how to access WIFI - clear signage on the shop would have been helpful. Overall a fantastic retreat and we would definitely love to go again!
Response from Swattesfield Campsite
Thanks so much Georgia for your kind review. We take on board the feedback and try to improve every year. Unfortunately, due to complications we do not have public access to WiFi currently, our apologies for this. Due to covid we can not currently have a communal kitchen or fridge freezer available to public. When we are allowed the communal kitchen area open we still won't be having a communal freezer. This is due to food and hygiene, health and safety and to prevent arguments onsite between campers. We offer the free addition to freezing ice blocks and appreciate it maybe frustrating to find me twice a day to exchange ice blocks. I try my best to be onsite at all times but as I do everything; emails, stock, cleaning etc I can not remain in the campsite shop at all times. In addition to this due to covid I am trying to minimise my contact with campers outside of the basics of check-in and buying logs. Many have said the shower time slots work well to prevent cueing so maybe this is something we can continue for the future. Thank you again for your time in giving us positive feedback it is much appreciated!
★★★★★
We couldn't have a better experience
This camp site is super idyllic. Beautiful land all around, plenty of space for kids and adults alike to explore. Walks, canoeing, wild swimming, seaside fun all within easy reach. Toilets, showers, washing up facilities and pizza oven were great. Kitchen area looks fab but unfortunately out of bounds at the moment (covid). Owners helpful and accommodating. A real gem!
Response from Swattesfield Campsite
Thanks so so much Catrin! I'm glad you got to explore and enjoy not only Swattesfield Campsite but the local village and surrounding area. Really appreciate your time to write a review and we hope to see you back here again sometime!
★★★★★
Paradise for kids
Wonderful long weekend stay at Swattesfield. Beautiful location, paradise for kids with space to roam. We will be back.
Response from Swattesfield Campsite
So glad to hear you will return to make more memories and enjoy Swattesfield Campsite! Thank you for your review, it's always good to hear and see you all again sometime!!
★★★★★
Superb campsite fantastic hosts
Despite rain, wind, hail and thunder the lovely people at this beautiful site made our trip memorable. Lovely clean facilities, hot showers, great washing up area, pizza oven and communal area all fantastic. We will definitely be back. Thank you both for a wonderful time despite our lovely UK weather xx
Response from Swattesfield Campsite
Thank you so much Julie for your kind words and positive feedback, it's very much appreciated! We are glad you had a lovely time despite the British weather, and always a pleasure to see lovely campers back enjoying our site. Look forward to seeing you all again soon. All the very best, regards Jess and Phil
★★★★★
Another fantastic stay ,can’t wait to return
We have just enjoyed our 3rd stay at Swattesfield. We stayed in the Woods in one of the bell tents, after lockdown it was refreshing to see that Jess and family had all the right procedures in place to keep people safe as they could. The last time we were there was Easter 2019 and it was so nice to return and everything had kept its charm. Swattesfield has a community atmosphere that is appealing. The facilities are clean and checked regularly and nothing is ever to much trouble. It is clear that their hearts go into it and it is that and the relaxing feeling that keeps my family returning . Thanks for another great experience. X
Response from Swattesfield Campsite
Thank you so much for your kind feedback and lovely words, it means a lot to us as we try our best! So good to have you all back again, and glad you enjoyed your stay despite the British weather! :) Keep up the jogging and we hope to see you all again soon. All the best, from Swattesfield Campsite
★★★★★
Wonderful place!
We have been here several times and stay in the pixie huts with our small son. Everything is fantastic here: quiet location, pubs with good food nearby, campfire, clean facilities, wonderful walks, so many stars on clear nights, great memories. We toasted marshmallows, sat round the fire, cozied up in the hut, went on some wonderful walks, and relaxed from the stresses of life. This is a wonderful retreat from everything but still within driving distance of lots of great activities such as Bewilderwood, Southwold, Rendlesham Forest, and lots of woodland walks. The owner Jess is so friendly and the atmosphere on the campsite is very friendly and relaxed. We are enjoying making so many memories here.
★★★★☆
Lovely site...shame our pitch was re-allocated during our stay.
Lovely small site...high points - fires allowed, pitch where you like (at a distance from others), woodland walks straight from the site (Thornham Walks), friendly pub and cafe within walking distance, clean toilets, good base for local points of interest (we walked from East Bridge to Walberswick on the coast path, and went to Sutton Hoo). We did however have an awkward situation that could have been avoided with a phone call. We took our campervan to Walberswick to meet or son and girlfriend for a walk. On our return our pitch had been reallocated, and our wood had disappeared. We parked close to our original pitch as it had been raining so we needed to stay high in the field to avoid getting stuck the next day. I phoned Jessica the next morning to see what had happened, to be told 'we assumed you'd gone, lots of people just leave early without letting us know'. She had taken the wood but left our windmill marker. I said we were not happy that she had assumed we'd gone and asked what we were supposed to do. To her credit she did own the mistake and apologised and offered us some money. We did not want the money we asked her to show us where we could park without fear of getting stuck, as quite rightly she said she couldn't ask the new campers to move their tent (we didn't expect them to move). We were left feeling very uncomfortable in front of other campers for our last night on a lovely site, as it must have looked as if we were in the wrong ☹ In future a simple phone call would avoid any uncomfortable situations for future campers.
★★★★☆
Attractive site with a friendly relaxed atmosphere
Loved the site, the friendly relaxed atmosphere and great walks directly from the site. Would be 5 star but at the moment there is nowhere to empty own toilet but this is being sorted for next year, and if you need to maintain communication with the outside world, phone signal is poor to non-existent but there is site wi-fi, unfortunately it wasn't working which, I guess, is why their card reader wasn't either. So, bring cash or pay off site at the moment. Would definitely come again.
★★★★★
Excellent Campsite With a Good Atmosphere
Really appreciated the choice in where to camp, with some great options in the woodland. Facilities were always clean and tidy. All round great campsite, no complaints 🙂
★★★★★
Lovely
My dog and I booked a grass pitch for two nights. It was lovely, quiet and well thought out. There are multiple taps dotted around the site, even in the more adventurous wooded area. The toilets and shower facilities are nice and clean. I appreciated all the separate recycling bins and the food waste bin that goes to the chickens on site. We loved the access to Thornham Walks from the site and also checked out the art businesses and the eco shop at Thornham. There are also plenty of ideas on the Swattesfield Campsite website, so check that out for food and adventure ideas :)
★★★★★
Lovely Site.
We had a fantastic time in the Pixie Huts! Everything here was balanced perfectly for us and our two young kids - facilities, space and atmosphere, all overseen by the friendly and attentive owners. Walks around the local fields and woods to a playground, small store, cafe and good pub meant we didn't have to use the car either, which is always a bonus. We’ll certainly be back soon!
★★★★★
We had 4 nights at Swattisfield in our Motorhome. The location is brilliant, the atmosphere relaxed, the facilities great and the welcome warm. Thoroughly recommended.
The site has a really relaxed and friendly feel to it but at the same time feels safe and organised, not an easy balance to achieve at the moment. And the fire pits are an absolute bonus.
★★★★★
3 days of peace and tranquillity!
My husband and I had 3 nights in a glamping tent just to get away from the troubles of the world. It was so peaceful here. Lots of great walks to go on. The fact it is pet friendly made all the difference to having 4 legged furry neighbours. We liked the way it was set either on the main field or in the woodlands, pitching tents/campervans wherever you liked. It was also great to be able to cook on campfires at your own leisure. Agood few days re-charging the batteries!
★★★★★
Lovely setting
It is in a lovely, sunny position on the edge of Thornham Magna Park. The owner could not have been more helpful and even went to the local shop to get beer as we had forgotten to bring any. Lovely to hear owls at night.
★★★★★
Relaxing spacious clean
We had 2 nights here on a lovely flat pitch. (You can plonk your tent where you like pretty much.) The campsite has a very chilled vibe. Extremely helpful owners. Was lovely to cook all our food over the firepit. The showers were clean and hot. Would definitely recommend.
★★★★★
A very peaceful campsite
Nothing was too much trouble for Jess and her dad. It was obvious that they went out of their way to ensure everybody who stayed at Swattesfield had a memorable visit. Although we were in our campervan we felt as though we were back in our tent! Camping at its most pleasurable. The shop stocked a good choice of basic camping needs, and even had some camping chairs (we forgot ours) and gas when ours ran out. Access was out of a gate on the campsite and straight on to the Thornham Walks which took you to a cafe and excellent pub not too far away. There are a great number of footpaths in the area - superb. A nice touch was the fire pits available and they gave the campsite a warm friendly atmosphere in the evenings. The facilities were well managed for Covid 19 rules and although simple were clean and efficient. Overall a relaxing couple of days. Thank you.
★★★★★
Idyllic spot, super friendly owners
My Husband and I have just arrived home from a long weekend camping in our own tent at Swattesfield. We had a really lovely time. It's a picturesque spot, right on the beautiful Thornton Walks, with a chilled and friendly vibe. having the freedom to pitch where we chose was a nice bonus- we very much enjoyed camping by the pond with the woodland as our backdrop, and hanging out with the resident ducks and chickens. Hot, powerful showers and clean facilities too. And even though the campsite was full on the Saturday night, it is still felt lovely and spacious.
★★★★★
Special stopover on our cycle tour
Swattesfield was a surprise gem. We'd booked the campsite more for its location (on our cycle tour route) than anything, but we stumbled on a absolute gem. We pitched our 2-man in the pond area with the wodland area behind us, and felt sheltered through the night from the wind, and woke to sunshine and duck calls in the morning :) The facilities were good, and we had a brilliant pub a walk/cycle away. We'd definitely stay again, and next time enjoy the fire pit!
★★★★★
Great family experience
This was our first glamping trip with our 18month old and we made so many lovely memories, especially roasting marshmallows around the fire. The staff were hugely accommodating to anything we asked, the site was clean and modern. No worries on the covid front in terms of everything allowed for social distancing and cleanliness. Local amenities were superb. Play park and cafe in walking distance. Nearby pubs with lots of choice and good service and so much to see and do within an hours drive. Thanks for a great stay
★★★★★
Lovely Suffolk Campsite
We’ve just returned from 6 nights at Swattesfield and both agree that is a special place. Jess & the team are really friendly and helpful, any COVID requirements were thoroughly signed and catered for. Shower and toilets were cleaned regularly and there was plenty of hot water. There’s also a charging point for phones or to blow an airbed which was really useful. The site itself is made up of three parts, a main field with mixed pitches and hits/bell tents, the second field by a pond and then fixed pitches in the woods, there’s loads of space available between pitches and talking to Jess & Phil we understand that they never overbook so you’ll always have good room around you. Kids will love the woodland and open space, there are a couple of homemade swings and play areas dotted around. We stayed in the smaller field by the pond and despite a bit of mixed weather we had a wonderful time, cooking over the fire pit most evenings and falling asleep to the sound of owls hooting. The site is a great base for exploring both Suffolk and Norfolk, beaches are about an hour’s drive away. We also cycled around the area locally and had a lovely Sunday lunch at the local pub, where service and staff were both friendly and helpful. Highly recommend Swattesfield, we’ll definitely be booking again and have already mentioned Swattesfield to my brother in law for a family get together next year!
★★★★★
Lovely relaxed site - great for kids
Just returned from a weekend at the Swattesfield Campsite - what a gem! Our kids (6 and 9) loved the relaxed nature of the site, plenty of space to roam about, spaces to explore and plenty of blackberries for impromptu snacks in the hedgerows. We stayed in the bottom field as we were only there for two nights and were experimenting with putting up a new tent, but another time we'd borrow a 'festival trolley' to take our gear into the field by the pond or into one of the woodland clearings. The COVID-safe measures put in place by the site were reasonable and well adhered to by most campers. A really lovely spot, and the children have already asked if we can come back again next summer for a longer stay!
★★★★★
Delightful little site
A lovely relaxing place with great facilities and fantastic stars at night! Our family had a wonderful few days there. Thank you!
★★★★★
Firmly on my list of favourite camp sites
I spent 5 nights at Swattesfield this summer with my young teenage sons. We felt welcomed and comfortable from the moment we arrived. Beautiful setting. Lots of space. Clean facilities and very well organised. The location couldn't be more perfect to enjoy the wonderful Suffolk and Norfolk countryside. On lazy days it was great to just chill on site without feeling crowded. There's a lovely friendly vibe and we had many memorable evenings sitting around the firepit with a beautiful night sky above us. We were sorry to leave but really look forward to returning again with friends.
★★★★★
Hidden gem
Perfect campsite if you like the more relaxed and natural/wild experience. The campsite is beautiful, surrounded by lovely walks. It's the most chilled campsite we've stayed at, the owners are really accommodating and friendly and we have already booked again for next year. The campfires are just the winning touch that so many other campsites don't allow and we loved sitting out in the evenings with friends. We have two young children who loved the tree swing and the woods. We also took a walk to the Four Horse Shoes for a brilliant lunch and the cafe and playground nearby. I can't fault the campsite or location. The showers and toilets might benefit from an upgrade one day but for us, as regular campers, absolutely fine and no complaints. Being able to pitch up where you want is also a brilliant touch. The place has a completely magical feel to it and we can't wait to get back again.
★★★★☆
Great Small Campsite
We had a lovely few days at Swattlefield, it was well run, the owners were really friendly and helpful. The walks around Thornham Walks were lovely. The campsite facilities were good for the size of the campsite, the only downside was people not always observing the Covid rules for the showers by leaving 15mins between users. That's tricky for the owners to regulate though. I would recommend the site for anyone, we had a lovely stay.
★★★★★
Great Place To Relax
I loved this place. The staff were great with my children. We meet other campers who were very friendly. Nice showers and toilets and a lovely quiet location. Paul
★★★★★
Excellent stay and great facilities
We really enjoyed our stay in the Ash Bell Tent in the forest area at Swattsfield - we will definitely be booking again!
★★★★★
Simply lovely!
2 nights of loveliness in Walnut bell tent! Everything you need is provided or can be! Kitchen box, solar charging unit, sheet on main bed, gas for the stove. We made pizzas in the oven, walked through the woods and said hello to the sheep and ducks, swung on the various rope/tyre swings. Loved it and will definitely be back!!
★★★★★
Great kid friendly site
We had an amazing 5 days. The site was well maintained with so much space. The owners do a great job at not packing every corner, so there was plenty of room for everyone and the kids loved it! Lovely walk to the cafe through the woods and Southwold wasn’t too far away for a day at the beach. We would definitely recommend this site and would happily return.
★★★★★
Lovely quiet camping, great woodland
Great site work so many safe places for children to explore. Great options about where to pitch tents
★★★★★
Peaceful, relaxed site in wonderful surroundings with great facilities!!
Just completed a fantastic weekend at Swattesfield, a wonderfully quiet and relaxing site with no sense of crowding, freedom to wander and explore the surrounding countryside and fantastic facilities. Management are extremely welcoming and helpful. A great place to take the bikes with quiet roads in several directions. And a lovely pub (Four Horseshoes) within reasonable walking distance. We cant wait to return!!
★★★★★
Pitch Perfect 🎶 🏕
Charming and characteristic with a cosy friendly vibe. Perfect setting for wanting to chill & soak up the ambience. Lots of creative space for children to explore & play.
★★★★★
Friendly, Relaxing, Clean
We stayed as two familes and were pitched in the wooded area. It was a lovely spot and felt very relaxing. The staff very always super firendly and helpful. The facilities were clean and well looked after. Ask for some tips before using the pizza oven. It is a great facility but there is a nack to getting the tempreture right.
★★★★★
Family camping
This was our first camping with our 7 and 3yo and it's been great. Swattesfields campsite is just perfect for families and friends. Owners/Management were great, friendly and helpful and the place was well maintained and clean toilets! Highly eccomend it! We will definitely be back again! :)
★★★★★
Lovely site
Lovely rural site. Pick your own spot if camping, loads of space between pitches. Quiet and pretty flat roads for cycling, Thornham walks just down the road had a lovely childrens play area and cafe. 2 nice pubs nearby. Very friendly and helpful owner. Would definitely go back.
★★★★☆
Relaxing 3 day break
Rustic site, located in a mix of meadows and woodland. Some glamping available but plenty of pitches for tents of all shapes and sizes. Some of the facilities closed due to Covid19 but essentials such as toilet/showers readily available - nothing special but adequate. Rented a firepit for our stay and had taken our own wood - this needs to be seasoned etc or you will have to purchase from the site. Local walking plentiful and nearest pub, with large garden, did excellent food. Would certainly use again.
★★★★☆
Lovely setting , helpful owners , low key . Perfect!
Lovely natural environment , and site sustainably managed as far as possible . Loved that there was minimal ‘shouty’ signage around the site . No litter , overall clean even if the toilet / shower block a quite run down as other reviewers have said . Nice walk to cafe , playground and art gallery / pottery nearby . Kids loved running around the enclosed site and playing in the small woods . Have already rebooked !
★★★★★
Perfect camping in peaceful woodland
Really loved it at Swattesfield campsite. We found a really quiet woodland pitch away from the main camping area which was lovely. Had our bikes so could get around the site easily. The fire pits with cooking grills for hire were really useful. First camping experience since lockdown so was worried about communal showers/washing areas etc. But they were clean and never too busy so didn’t really need to queue and owner Jess was really helpful. Lots of great walks and bike rides around the local area and weather was perfect the whole time as well - so all in all a perfect camping trip.
★★★★★
Peaceful
Lots of spaces and can choose where you want to stay either main field or in the woods. Owner was really lovely and made sure we had settled. Rained the whole time we were there but still had a great time!
★★★★★
our first nights away since lockdown
A lovely site deep in the Suffolk countryside. A very warm welcome when we arrived. We pitched our tent in a quiet area near a pond and the woods. Water and picnic tables nearby as well as a fire bowl. Showers and loos very clean and in full compliance with the latest regulations. A small shop on site is handy if you've forgotten anything - which we always seem to do! A popular site with families and plenty of room for children to explore and play games. The Four Horseshoes pub in nearby Thornham Magna served a delicious meal and a very welcome break from the seemingly incessant rain. I would certainly recommend this site to all who enjoy a bit of peace and quiet in the countryside.
★★★★★
Very nice, small, friendly camping site with nice walks straight from the site
The site is nicely kept, with a pond and a woodland area. The kid’s enjoyed the freedom of the woodland with swings and a slide. The atmosphere is very relaxed and there was plenty of space between tents. The owners are super super friendly and helpful. The wc/ shower block was clean And well prepared after the pandemic. There is a train line near by, but at night trains are not passing by. The overall experience was very positive.
★★★★★
Wonderful camping ground with great atmosphere
I really enjoyed my brief stay at Swattesfield Campsite. Its a magical place really and very well run. Some LOVELY walks which start at the site. I really wish it all the success it deserves.
★★★★★
Lovely set up
Just spent a couple of nights at Swattesfield to try out our new tent. Peaceful, uncrowded & relaxed. Good facilities, friendly hosts & great walks. We enjoyed our campfire & would definitely recommend to other campers.
★★★★★
Great facilities and atmostphere
We have just had a great stay here with a big group of friends. This campsite has a lovely laid back atmostphere with good facilities and really helpful owners. Fantastic for children and adults who want to explore the woods and walks while staying on site where you can enjoy cooking on the fire and playing games.
★★★★★
We always enjoy staying at this site.
There are no caravans on the site so you will always be with campers which is nice. Having somewhere to be able to get under cover if it rains is not available everywhere you go. Feels homely and calm. Not too many pitches so not loads of people about.
★★★★★
Brilliant camp site
We have just got back from a great week camping at Swattesfield. Jess and Phil were really helpful pointing out walks and where to go for wild swimming. The Option of booking an empty bell temp along with the brillaint facilities to cook ( Pizza oven is great) enabled our camping trip to be hassle free.
★★★★☆
Nice little camp site
It’s quiet, a good idea to have a covered communal kitchen and dining area
★★★★★
Beautiful family run campsite in lovely setting
Couldn't recommend this enough really. We stayed out in the forest which was really nice and secluded and away from the main field. Surrounded by forest with nice forest walks all round the area. Friendly, helpful owners. Good facilities. Perfect family outing.
★★★★☆
Great campsite for family camping.
This was our second trip to Swattesfield. Our children (aged 4-8) love the "den trees", i.e. a den made of trees that they can all climb, with a rope swing in it, as well as the horizontal tree in the woods, also great for climbing! There is a covered area for bad weather with a couple of games, big chalk board and some books. This area also has four gas rings and some utensils. We always choose sites that allow campfires, are fairly quiet and a good price, and this really fits the bill! The only slight issues, and they really are very, very minor, is that the soap in the loos was not replaced when it ran out (which of course wouldn't have been a problem if we had taken our own), and there is a slide that has a lump of concrete in the middle of it, but it didn't hurt the children or anything, just makes it less slippery! Overall, this is a great site, and we won't hesitate to book again if we decide upon another Suffolk holiday!
★★★★★
Family Fun
An amazing laid back feel, with all the thoughtful touches, like a covered play area for reading a massive chalk board and table football, not to mention on the pizza oven. Three different families with seven kids from 7 to 18 years old and all just spent hours playing, even in the rain. Highly recommending for an outdoor experience. All that's missing are the chickens to feed!
★★★★☆
Nice vibe at Swattesfield
Great spot for family camping. Laid back vibe, plenty of space for kids to enjoy, fire pits, a wood fired pizza oven. Near enough for day trips to seaside, rivers to swim in, woodlands and nice countryside on the doorstep. A really nice camping experience.
★★★★☆
Great little campsite
Lovely campsite which was perfect for relaxing, great walks on you’re doorstep,with pubs within walking distance. Great place for the kids too. We would all go again. Only slight quibble showers an toilets weren’t cleaned while we were there, or not very well?
★★★★★
Camping Made Easy On This Lovely Site
It doesn’t matter whether it’s your first time camping or your 100th time - camping at Swattesfield Campsite makes it so easy and enjoyable. The communal kitchen with provided gas (free) means you don’t need to take your own stove if you don’t want to; but if you would prefer to cook by your tent, either on stove or fire/BBQ, you can do that too. Everything is so easy going at Swattesfield. There’s an on-site shop to buy a few essentials (and some luxuries) should you wish. There’s even a table-football provided to use. Jess and her Father who run this campsite, work tirelessly to ensure their guests have a great time. The campsite is immaculate everywhere; showers, toilets, kitchen, pitches etc.
★★★★★
Peace & Quiet
We stayed three nights during a hot week here in July. It’s a small site & all other campers appreciated & maintained the peace & quiet of this site. The facilities are clean & are kept clean. We had a meal at The Four Horseshoes which was great, & it was nice to have walks right by the campsite. We loved it & we hope to visit again
★★★★★
Magical
I simply wanted to get away from it all for a few days, just me and the dog. The site was everything I was looking for - honest, straightforward and in a glorious setting. Run by some very lovely people Do you remember when you were a kid and your caravan/camping holiday finished to soon, you didn't want to go home and you shed a few tears. Well I cried like a baby as I pulled away from the site and I'm a grandad these days ! Going back real soon whether 'er indoors likes it or not !!
★★★★★
Very welcoming and peaceful campsite
We spent a couple of nights here and are already making plans to return. The site is very peaceful with plenty of room between the tents, and even though a fairly large group had occupied the bell tents in the centre of the field it still felt very private and quiet. Lots of space for everyone. The children enjoyed exploring the woods (especially the swings and climbing tree) and we took a signposted walk which starts right from the field where we stayed and leads to a nice cafe (great ice cream!) with some fun activities for the little ones nearby also. Facilities were great with proper hot water for showers and washing up, and a communal kitchen with a library and some games. The hosts were really friendly and welcoming, and since there were no new arrivals on the day we were leaving we could spend the afternoon on the site still after packing up the tent. A perfect break and we'll surely return.
★★★★★
Great service
We stayed here in our campervan with awning for 2 days over the weekend. When booking this site we didn't really know what to expect as we are slightly new to camping. There wasn't a lot to do on the site, but we did take a few strolls on the beautiful Thornham walks. The lady that runs/works the campsite is a star and nothing is too much trouble. Even out of hours she will help if she is onsite. The toilet/shower facilities were really good, clean with lots of soap and toilet rolls and electricity for your own hairdryer. There was a communal area with table, chairs, picnic tables, hob and pots and pans etc and a communal kitchen area to clean pots etc. All in all a lovely family run site that we would definitely recommend.
★★★★★
Amazing family time
Just got back from a couple of night break with the family, we had a great time, hosts were super attentive and so friendly. Facilities were perfect and the kids loved exploring the site. Thank you, we will be back!
★★★★★
Lovely campsite in great location
We stayed at Swattesfield for three nights over the late May bank holiday - it was small and friendly in a lovely location with easy access to beautiful country walks and wildlife, also within easy reach of nearby pubs and shops. The site is relaxed but well organised with a very useful shop and good shower and washing up facilities.
★★★★☆
First time, very happy and great value
Had a really good stay here, was freezing during the night but thats not the campsites fault! Highly recommend for people with children, well set up with covered communal kitchen and use of hobs and utensils. Also really good location as our day out adventure with the kids into the nearby woods was great for den building etc.
★★★★★
First timers at Swattesfield
Spent the May Day weekend at this lovely little gem Four adults two campervans and Syd the dog The weather threw everything at us and it was so so cold bit the site kelt our spirits up. Lots of facilities including clean toilets and hot showers. The site shop was well stocked and the firewood and BBQ pit were awesome! Friendly owners that were very helpful regarding local pubs, walks etc. We shall return
★★★★★
Last minute retreat that exceeded expectations.
We have just returned from a wonderful long Easter weekend at Swattesfield Campsite. In tow was me, my partner, two under 11-year olds and our Cockapoo. Booking through Cool Camping was quick, easy and fantastically painless. Swattesfields is a small family run, first come first serve bases camp site. It has all the amenities one would need for a comfortable stay. We found it safe and the children really enjoyed playing in the woods and walking around to the main kitchen where there was “fuzball”. We stayed in one of the two furnished Bell tents which was situated in a quiet woodland area about 3 mins walk from the communal kitchen and bathroom facilities. We never used the kitchen itself because our Bell tent had its own outdoor kitchen, equipped with everything we needed for our stay. Well, I say that... ... the one thing that was missing, was the wine glasses, but they very swiftly appeared after mentioning it to Jesse, the campsite owner :o) We really enjoyed cooking on the fire pits and making the most delicious pizzas in the pizza oven - and from what we saw – most of the other campers enjoyed it very much too. We highly recommend making your own dough, rolling out the (not so perfect) round pizzas and let the children add toppings per their preference. All round a brilliant evening. The campsite itself is very well run, clean and the owners friendly and very helpful. There was a small shop that had most necessities (even ice!) and for good quality meat for the BBQ and bacon/eggs for breakfast, there is a small butchers one minutes’ drive from the site. We spent an half a day in Southwold, which was a hour drives away and a beautiful little beach town, with pretty pier and we had a stroll along the promenade. Warning (!) PARKING is a nightmare, so either be prepared to wait for a parking space or go to the beach really early. Swattesfield Campsite will definitely see this family plus dog again.
★★★★★
A hidden gem..perfect.
When I booked it was on a recommendation and was not sure what we would find...what a total surprise when we arrived. The staff were always friendly and helpful. There is an open kitchen and childrens play undercover area that was free to use at any time. A pizza oven that was and enjoyable experience to use.. the site field allows free camping for campers and the wooded area for tents... perfectly located with enough space away from each other. The toilet and shower facilities as we understood has recently been upgraded... and we found them to be clean and tidy and the hot water was hot. The other campers were friendly and a perfect place to allow your little one some supervised freedom... There is a very small shop on site which for us was adequate. All in all it was a perfect camp out and I would definitely go again....
★★★★★
Hidden Gem
We made a last minute decision to head East for Easter weekend and came across Swattesfield on Cool Camping. The hosts were friendly and the site perfect and not too over crowded. You are free to camp where you like, tents can opt for the field by the pond or the glade. Camper vans are restricted to the main field, which is equally nice. Lovely couple of days with a village (essential pub) only 20 mins walk away.
★★★★★
Family site
I stayed in a pixie hut and my family camped next to the hut. The field we camped in was lovely and the surrounding area has beautiful countryside. There was also another field and a wooded area that are used for camping. For each gender there is one shower and three toilets. There are communal areas for cooking and washing up but the pixie hut had its own cooking area, fire pit and bench. We had a lovely time. The manager seems to be on site most of the day and we found him helpful and polite. I saw him help a family cook their pizzas in the pizza oven and play cricket. There's a great pub nearby, which I think is called The Four Horseshoes and there's a village shop not far away. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and would come back. I loved the pixie hut. It's a great site for families.
★★★☆☆
Lovely countryside setting
Small site with kitchen and dishwashing facilities, however, both areas in need of a good scrubbing. 3 toilets and one shower per block, again, in need of a good cleaning session. Some of the accessories, such as the brushes for the toilets and those for washing dishes really should be replaced. Overall, cleanliness was very much lacking. I really didn't want to stand on the shower floor and used my small towel to do so. Shame really, because a bit of elbow grease, a pot of paint and a general spruce up would be all it would take to justify the £20 per night charge for a camper van of 2 people and would have made this reviewer write more positively. Open field with 4 bell tents, two lodges and a grassed area for tents or camper vans. Cars are parked just outside the entrance gate, which is a great idea and lends to a feeling of more space. A small lake and forest area is situated at the opposite end of the entrance. There is a busy train line alongside and if you can ignore the noise, you'll find it a peaceful setting. The manager was very attentive and we enjoyed his daily visit to see how we were. Eye is only 3 miles away and we can recommend the Chinese restaurant and the chippy. Diss is around 8 miles away and that's great for general shopping, having a coffee etc. Nice vibe.
★☆☆☆☆
Dirty facilities and LOTS of flies
The location is lovely and I think that the campsite's popularity is based solely on this fact! The woods and fields around offer children lots of room to run and play football, if that's what you like on a peaceful campsite. However, the site manager was rude and abrupt and the facilities were never clean in the 3 days and two nights that we stayed there. The showers and toilets have not had a decent clean for a long time...I would rather use an outdoor solar shower and composting toilet than these ones! Shame really because the website does a good marketing job of advertising the campsite in all its glory. Few tweaks and it would be really lovely.
★☆☆☆☆
Shower room of nightmares
We booked this campsite as it had been recommended by one of the Sunday papers. The site itself is beautiful and sectioned off into small paddocks and woodland areas and there are pre-erected bell tents and wooden hut options for camping. There is a covered field style kitchen with gas hobs, cooking pots and a microwave that's quite handy. There are firepits you can hire that you can barbecue on and there is a pizza oven. That's the positive. The toilet facilities are absolutely appalling. The toilets and shower were filthy and unhygienic. I have never stepped into anything more unsanitary and decrepit in all my life. It's a shame I can't upload photos to prove it. I'm not talking about not cleaned that day, or week but it looked like years of filth build up. Live black mould and walls encrusted with yellow stains of limescale build up and as soon as you ran the shower the smell from the drains kicked up with an offensive sulphur odour. There is only one shower and three toilets per gender. We stayed for three nights and had the entire campsite to ourselves thankfully otherwise I suspect there is huge queues. The distance from the top tiers of the campsite to the toilet facilities is great so not good if you have small children. The campsite has a basic camping supplies shop which doesn't have any opening hours but only when the campsite manager feels like it. The freezer is also locked in the campsite shop so difficult to gain access to change freezer packs. The campsite manager is sexist and rude. He stuffed an ice pack down my back whilst changing the freezer packs and was rattling the toilet door when I was using the toilet with no regard to privacy. He wouldn't allow us to drive onto the site to set up our pitch but put everything in his tractor trailer on arrival, which was helpful. When we left he refused to help - probably because we hadn't found his sexual innuendos funny, so we has to make multiples trips with rickety trolleys in 38C heat. If the toilet and shower blocks were upgraded and cleaned and the site managers attitude moderated then this could be a good campsite.
★★★★★
Wonderful, simple pleasures
Just had our second stay at Swattesfield - 2 families with 5 young kids. We loved it. The field is safe as cars aren't allowed on and you can see all corners of it from your pitch. Wonderful for the kids to run around, climb in the trees, play table football and make new friends. Dave is always very helpful. Easy access to Thornham Walks so plenty to do. Good kitchen facilities and nice fire pits. Would recommend.
★★★★★
LOADS of kids and big groups, 1 shower only
Basically just a field-states 15 pitches at any one time but we counted over 20. Not a huge thing but when each pitch has at least two adults, plus most had at least two kids-that's a lot to get through one shower in the morning! There were always really long queues, and even queues for the toilets as toilet roll wasn't replaced so everyone was queuing for the one that had some left! Website states no groups but there was a huge group when we were there that monopolised most of the site and were very loud. Also website stated no kids under 11 years old.....there were so many kids it was crazy! Again, wouldn't have been an issue if it wasn't advertised as being a site not for kids (as an adult group this appealed to us). Fire pits are nice but even though we had pre-booked one we had to ask the owner three times before it was brought over. Basic campsite with basic facilities-not what we felt was advertised. Wouldn't stay again.
★★☆☆☆
Pretty site but grumpy manager
Must say I read other people's reviews with amazement...not sure I stayed at the same place! There were a few positives - the fire pits you get are great, the wood fire pizza oven is a lovely idea and there was plenty of hot water - but more negatives overall I have to say. The campsite manager is far from friendly - after spending over 7 hours in traffic we arrived later than planned (at 8pm) and as I walked across the field to greet our friends, he barked at me to get our tent up! We were never sure when he would be around to buy wood or answer any questions, and you have to ask him to open the on site "shop". The fridge freezer is also kept locked away in the shop, rather than in the kitchen, so again you could never be sure when you would be able to access it as his hours seemed erratic. There is only 1 shower for each sex so unless you get up pretty early, you will always have to wait for a turn and the facilities could certainly do with a thorough clean. There are some nice ideas like a chalkboard and some building blocks in the kitchen area for the kids to play with but this is spoilt again by the manager barking at kids to "pick the blocks up or I'll take them away altogether!" We discovered a play area for the children (monkey bars and a swing) through the top field which would been nice to have been told about. I get the feeling it was nice a while ago but the owners perhaps don't have much involvement in the day to day running of the site, and it felt tired. Shame as it could be lovely with a little more care!
★★★★★
Truly memorable
I have just come back from a stay here and had a truly fantastic time. We took my parents both of whom are first timers, more accustomed to luxurious hotels and even they loved it. We were extremely well looked after by Dave who kept the campsite clean and stocked up. Nothing was too much trouble. Despite it being peak season, numbers were restricted so it meant that I never had to queue for the shower. I also managed to leave my iPad there and got a call almost immediately so was able to pick it up. Thank you Dave!
★★☆☆☆
Don't believe the website!
We’ve just returned from a 4-night break from Swattesfield and overall had a lovely time. We are very careful to book small campsites and after much research decided that Swattesfield sounded ideal – their website boasts no more than 6 tent pitches aside from their own bell tents, pixie huts and Shepherd’s hut and no groups of campers allowed. We were less than impressed to discover on our first night that while we had been out during the day, some noisy neighbours had arrived and pitched their tent less than 1 metre away from our guy ropes and there were far more than 6 tents. By the third night of our stay we counted 29 tents, which included 4 groups of campers, plus the campsites own accommodation. Put this in context with only one male and one female shower on site. When we voiced our disappointment we were greeted with an indifferent attitude from the site manager. It is such a shame as the campsite could be lovely but the facilities cannot cope with such a huge volume of guests.
★★★★★
Fantastic & Friendly
We had originally planned to go to Wales but due to the poor weather forecast we followed the sun to Suffolk. I called up on the day we were due to arrive and told we would be most welcome. If you want a friendly, quiet campsite this is the place for you. It is surrounded by the most beautiful woodland walks. Evenings are spent around a camp fire with plenty of space for children's games in the open area. (most tents were pitched around the edge of the field). The toilets were clean and drinking water available. The showers are fairly basic but nice hot powerful water. Dave the manager could not have been more helpful bringing us wood for our campfire and lending us a gas cooker as our kettle was taking ages to boil on the fire. There is a basic shop which, for their financial benefit as much as the campers benefit, could have been better stocked by Dave's own admission. All in all this is a fairly new camp site which they are building and i think in a few years it will be a very very popular place, so go now before it gets too busy. I would recommend travelling by car as the nearest train station is in Diss about 7 miles away. Taxis are around £18-£20 to Diss. Diss itself is a nice town unfortunately like most high streets it is taken over by Pound and charity shops. So i recommend walking up the hill to the "old town triangle" where you can find lovely shops, a fantastic Indian restaurant called Indian Cottage, art shops, pubs, etc. Seek out the Norfolk House Courtyard on St Nicholas Street for a lovely cafe, deli, old fashioned sweet shop. I was told they are pumping alot of lottery money in to this area also so i can imagine it becoming the go to area. If you see the chap selling local Pork Pies buy one as they are the best i've ever tasted!!
I wish Dave and the team the best of luck at Swattesfield as they deserve it.
★★★☆☆
Good but too busy
I chose this campsite based on what I read on their website. It states "There are only six pitches available so book early and we no longer accept group bookings". Unfortunately this is not the case, during my stay there were at least 15 tents including a large group comprising 7 tents! This campsite doesn't have enough shower/wash facilities for this many people and the 'boutique' atmosphere we were hoping for was not there. Apart from that, we had a great time, but I would not recommend if you are looking for a quiet, 'get away from it all' trip.
★★★★★
fantastic campsite. cant fault anything
Were just back from a great last minute weekend away to swattisfield campsite. I and my children had never been camping before so thought we would start of in a bell tent. This didn't dissapoint, spacious and comfortable, equipt with all the essentials, cutlery,pots pans, tea towels, gas hob etc. The site itself is exactly what we were looking for. Spacious, quiet and safe for the children. Having cooked all our meals on the firepit/tripod bbq, playing endless games of football and catch with the kids, taking the dog for some great walks and warm showers with great washing/wc facilities what more do you want from camping.
We would like to thank Dave the site manager for the hospitality and making our stay a great one (especially when the fire stopped working).
The kids especially enjoyed making their pizzas and being cooked on the pizza oven.
If your after a quiet, relaxing well presented campsite we would highly recommend swattisfield campsite.
There really is nothing better than waking up hearing the whistle of campers kettles then getting your own on the fire, cooking your breakfast while all the kids on the campsite played with smiles and laughs. If the kids are happy we are happy and swattisfield made all happy.
Many thanks Jonathan and Dave. We are already planning our next weekend there (may even bring our own tent next time)
★★★★★
Lovely quiet site
Our first stay with swattersfield and it was lovely! The site is very peaceful and set around beautiful countryside. We stayed on until Monday so had the entire site to ourselves for the Sunday evening. This gave us the perfect opportunity to use the pizza oven! David, the site manager, really looked after us. The toilets were clean and well kept. Although I think the one shower might get a bit busy in the summer months. We have a sneak peek in the bell tens and the pixie huts. They looked brilliant and had everything you could need. Very tempted by them for the future. Although we like to try new sites each time, I think this is one of the best and we'll always have it in mind to return
★★★★☆
Bell Tent Campers
This was our first time at Swattesfield, our friends had recommended it and it didn't disappoint! We were greeted by the site warden and he was very helpful for our whole stay of 4 nights. It was easy to find and just enough out of the way. The bell tent was great and the bed was comfy. The facilities are basic, but more than adequate. With lots of hot water, shower and washing up facilities. Also the fridge and freezer came in handy. We had fantastic weather and its a great base to visit the coast (we did Southwold) and the historic Framlingham Castle. Really lovely campsite and great campers, the kids had a blast running around and playing games with the other kids camping. The Pizza oven was great fun as well, it became a social point.
We will definitely be back soon and would recommend.
The only minor gripe was the unseasoned wood that was supplied for sale. A bit of a smokey fire rather than a flame to gather round at night.
★★☆☆☆
Let down by
I visited the site this year with friends and our children and I'll admit to being dissappointed enough to write some feedback. During our stay there were repeated issues with the hot water and at one point the cold water in the wash facilities. This was dissappointing.
After the matter had continuing into the second day I was again fustrated by the lack of presence from the owner who during my four day stay I only saw once and that was when I went to pay for my stay.
Now it might be that I am comparing this site to one I stayed at the week prior to visiting this site, there the owner was very present. He popped round on a regular basis and shared info, weather forecasts etc and was charming with it.
I also considered the sites facilities to be tired and generally poor. You can make wash facilities earthy and rural without looking rundown, which I guess makes them harder to clean as well.
The site has plenty of potential and hopefully the owner will take time to address the faults, but given the other better alternatives available I'd look elsewhere first next time.
Response from Swattesfield Campsite
Thank you so much for your constructive review. We continue to develop Swattesfield Campsite, ensuring it represents the relaxed informal and car free campsite with great, limitless and free hot water, and all with clean and open facilities for all. Unfortunately the period you stayed coincided with an emergency power cut by National Grid, completely out of our control - this prevented the pumps from working for our fresh water borehole and consequently no water. A sign was placed for all visitors to see and I personally visited every camper when this happened but there were some campers that had left for the day to visit the beautiful Suffolk countryside and so was obviously unable to speak with you at the time. All campers are free to contact me if they have specific queries but Swattesfield Campsite is a low density, intimate campsite and experience has shown that many campers like to be left to enjoy the walks and open space on the campsite. There is plenty of information and walks maps on the open kitchen and near the free to use fridge and freezer.
It's obviously unfortunate that you felt the need to post your experience here, many months after your visit and without mentioning your issues when we met when I would have been more than happy to explain.
As can be seen by the numerous excellent reviews already received you can see yours is an unusual experience. And here is some recent feedback around the time you also stayed: "I never had to queue and enjoyed a piping hot shower every day", "Well run and well located", "the shower was very good, always hot water when we used it", "nothing disappointed us from the cleanliness ... and the facilities", "We found Jonathan, the owner, to be friendly, helpful and laid back", so it may be your interpretation of rural facilities are simply the location of Swattesfield Campsite being of a delightful countryside location with easy access to walks, play areas, pubs and restaurants not to be what you're looking for. Kind regards, Jonathan
★★★★★
Lovely relaxed site
Have just returned from 3 nights at this campsite and had a lovely time. We were camping with our two young children and were keen to find a site that didn't allow cars and that was family friendly.
The site is divided into two fields and we stayed in the lower field (which also contains some bell tents and log cabins). Cars are only allowed in this field while dropping and picking up belongings. The upper field seems lovely and offers some hidden camping spots within the woodland (as well as some hidden rope swings) but this field contains an unfenced lake that we felt was just too dangerous with an 18 month old.
This site overall is very relaxed. We were happy to be able to let the little ones roam a little and they had a great time playing with some neighbouring children. It was a real plus that campfires are allowed (using the provided fire pits). Jonathan the owner was friendly and on hand to answer queries from time to time but generally seems to leave the campers to enjoy themselves. It is nice to be able to chose your pitch wherever you fancy and the layout of the site suggests that it would rarely feel packed. The shower/toilet block is more basic than some sites but is MORE than adequate and although there is only one shower, I never had to queue and enjoyed a piping hot shower every day.
This is a great spot for real campers. Well run and well located. We would be VERY happy to return.
★★★★★
Family birthday celebration
We needed a campsite that would cater for a large family group for our first camping experience. We were lucky that we found Swattisfield. We had a bell tent, a Pixie hut and the Shepherds hut, all 3 provided excellent accommodation for 4 people and 5 in the bell tent. The utensils, cooking facilities were very good, we cooked breakfasts and dinners on 2 days. Never having used shower/toilet blocks before, we were thinking that maybe a week without a shower would be ok. But the shower was very good, always hot water when we used it. The kids (5 aged between 9 and 2) loved the space and freedom of running around outside. I have had quite a bit of communication with Jonathan before our visit, during our visit and since we arrived home and at all times I have found him to be very friendly, very helpful and fair. Wanting to spend a special birthday with all the family but conscious of costs for some, Swattisfield ticked all boxes, we loved it.
★★★★☆
Bell Tenters
Had a lovely, relaxing time for 3 nights in a Bell Tent with our doggy. The Bell Tent itself is really cute – tonnes of space, really comfy bed and a straw carpet. They provide you with a gas cooker and all plates/cutlery. We went just before kids broke up for summer holidays and so the campsite was really quiet – perfect! Jonathan is really friendly and you barely see him after you check in – nice to be left to your own devices. Facilities are basic but no less than you need.
It’s a fair walking distance to the local pub or shop (especially in the heat!) Local forests are lovely, but the heat is absolutely baking in the open wheat fields. Have no complaints about our stay, just that the local area has relatively little in terms of breathtaking landscape. The area is very flat and so there is a lack of sightseeing such a mountains or streams/lakes where you could have perhaps dangled your legs in the summer heat.
But if you love Suffolk, this is the place for you!
P.S- there is a great tree swing in the forest off the back part of the campsite where the Shepherds Huts are!! Nice forest too :)
Beware of the lack of phone signal in the campsite or anywhere locally! Luckily the local pub, The Four Horseshoes, kindly let us borrow their landline to call a cab! We did discover that there was signal in the forest by the Shepherds Huts though – strangely!
★★★★★
Just Perfect! :)
My partner and i have just returned from a spontaneous weekend away (along with our pug) at Swattesfield and it couldn't have been better. We arrived at 11pm Friday eve after deciding we'd like to get away from everything for a few days and nothing disappointed us from the cleanliness of the tent and the facilities, the facilities which were provided, the walks we went on and the fab country pub we found. The atmosphere was extremely relaxed with an honesty box for the kindling and logs if we wanted them (which we did!). We started the saturday having breakfast at the local cafe and then headed out on the walking trails (for which maps are provided) ending up at the four horseshoes pub which was really lovely and the food was amazing too. We then returned to camp, lit our fire pit and laid outside our bell tent for the evening with nothing but the sound of birds and our conversation to listen to which was for us was wonderful. A weekend with no phones, TVs or iPads was exactly what we wanted. We don't normally write reviews but after visiting here we couldn't not write one. Thanks for such a lovely weekend, we will most definitely be back :)
★★★★★
Great weekend!
Me and my boyfriend chose this campsite for a weekend away from technology, for his birthday and just to enjoy ourselves. Went by train and a cab, cab service was bad, charged way to much for a 15 minute drive because he got lost, nothing to do with the campsite. However, it was just a really pleasant weekend, we arrived on Friday 6th June and got a warm welcome greeting from Jonathan, the campsite owner, he told us where everything was and where we could find the shop, which was very helpful indeed. After we found our place to pitch our tent we went to explore everything that was around us. The walk to the shop was a bit of a pain in the hot weather as we had to walk through a lot of fields and tall grass however it was a really nice atmosphere and good to be away from London. We had great weather the whole time we were there. Every night we made our own little fire with the fire pits given to us and the wood that we brought on site, the best part was the roasted marshmallows. For my first time camping it was a pretty good experience, unfortunately me and my boyfriend forgot some things which was annoying as we planned it out for so long. The showers there are clean and have a temperature dial so you can choose how you want it, which was nice. The toilets were clean and always lit up of a night time so you could see where you were going. The nature was very pretty and I loved it. On our second to last day we were the only ones left on the campsite which was very peaceful. On our last day we had time to waste so we walked around for a while and found a tree craved into a lion and saw what we think to be a wild deer. Even though our last day was really stressful with trying to get home as all of the cab companies wouldnt take our calls or they wouldnt come to where we were or none of the were avaliable, for a long while we thought we weren't going to get home and catch our train, so we thought we were going to have to walk 6 miles to the train station however Jonathan the campsite owner kindly offered to give us a lift to the station which we couldn't be more thankful about and appreciative. The worst part of the whole thing was the journey through London on tubes in rush hour as we had heat stroke from being in the sun the whole weekend and forgetting suncream so we were burnt, and the packed out hot stuffy trains didn't help. This was nothing to do with the campsite though even with all of hassle me and my boyfriend had a great weekend break together here away from everything and just being together. I want to thank Jonathan for being so generous to us otherwise we would of been stuck. I will like to go here again but I think I'll wait until I can drive as everything is a lot easier and you can get around easier.
Shelby Lewis and Luke Miller.
★★★★☆
Great tranquil site
Location
Swattesfield campsite is situated in lovely countryside with pleasant surrounding villages, a secluded location, well away from main roads. Although there is a train line nearby, it is far enough away that the sound is not a disturbance.
You can access the Thornham walks directly from the gate which is a huge plus for the campsite for us. As well as the local woods, these walks can take you through surrounding countryside and villages around the Thornham estate along quiet, lovely and well waymarked paths. The nearby Forge Café does a nice cuppa, cakes and meals, and is recommended.
Also recommended is the Four Horseshoes inn, that does a good meal at a fair price, and a nice selection of ales, ciders, etc.
Site
The site itself is pretty in a natural way, and surrounded by trees, hedges and wildlife - a real ‘relax and enjoy nature’ kind of place. The pitches are unmarked, and the provided fire pits are great, adding to the back to basics feel.
We visited just after the Easter holiday as others were leaving, and so had the site to ourselves. But with the size of the site and the number of pitches that are advertised, I can’t imagine it feeling too busy. It really does feel as if it is run more as a hobby than a commercial enterprise.
The facilities block is basic, but clean and more than adequate, with plentiful hot water. Washing up is undercover. There are the ‘fridge and freezer for campers use, and nice little touches like leaflets for surrounding attractions, map of the local area, a couple of shelves of books to borrow from, the weather forecast on a blackboard, etc.
We found Jonathan, the owner, to be friendly, helpful and laid back. He appears to rely on campers natural consideration for others rather than a long list of rules to be followed, asking only for sensible things like parking your car near the entrance once you've unloaded to keep the site car free, and keeping fires off the grass to keep it looking nice.
Glamping
Our visit was partly to celebrate a special birthday, and so we opted to stay in one of the glamping accommodations - the shepherds hut. This was fantastic, lovely inside, a great wood burning stove to keep the chill at bay in the evening, even solar lighting. Picnic bench, ‘cooking station’ and fire pit. Very comfortable and highly recommended.
And even though we came to ‘glamp’ on this occasion, we would love to visit this campsite again with our tent.
★★★★★
Would definitely recommend!
Had an overall enjoyable experience at this campsite.
The site and surrounding areas were very lovely (even though it was a grey and rainy weekend), lots of walks on offer, and the facilities available were very good. I had gone to get away from London for the weekend and be just out in the countryside by myself (great since I was the only person there that weekend) and that is exactly what I got. The owner was very friendly and easy to have a conversation with as well as helpful while I was there. While shops and pubs are not extremely close they are hardly a difficult trek from the campsite and are in two very nice and friendly villages nearby. All in all I would definitely go again and recommend it to others who would like to get away to the countryside for the weekend.
★★★☆☆
not quite cool...
Had a nice night, good weather helped, and a nice pitch in the trees, but the site is let down by lots of small things: It's looking very tired after only a few years (last years pizza oven is falling apart), I would not call it small-child safe with the unfenced pond and the map and signs are pretty useless. Also, if they are pitching at this end of the market, then the "Ryan Air" approach to pricing needs to go, in that if they say they provide fire pits, they need to make it clear that this is only if you pay for their wood and kindling! Lastly, there are two good sorts of campsite owners, those you never see, and those you do see, but who are properly friendly and don't make you feel like you've suddenly appeared in their back-garden! Lastly....maybe a small thing to some people, but the main reason I won't be back, or recommending it; when I shake hands with someone, and introduce myself, the other person is supposed to do the same....VERY rude!
Response from Swattesfield Campsite
A warm welcome is always open at Swattesfield Campsite to all lovely campers that are looking for a delightfully natural and open country campsite. For those happy campers looking for dappled walks, free-to-use showers, pizza oven, fridge and freezer, with a large double sink station and covered information area and car-free environment it's a welcome breath of fresh air.
We welcome all campers that would like open fires, to get back to real camping if they wish with the freedom to camp almost where they wish as we don't have marked pitches. And for those that would like more comfort then there is always one of our Bell Tents. With double beds and two further kids beds if needed, there is also it's own cooking station with all your cooking implements, your own picnic table and fire pit you - really only need bring your bedding. We greet with open arms any camper that would like to stay in our Pixie Hut; big enough for two adults and two children, it has it's own wood-burning stove, outside chimenea, picnic table and all your cooking equipment. It's called a Pixie Hut because it's cute, quaint and set in the trees and it helps to keep trolls away - we don't like trolls.
Swattesfield Campsite is nature's garden, a truly back to nature experience where campers have the experience of seeing many wild birds and animals with Herons, Kingfishers, Moorhens and Eegrets all frequenting the natural pond on the upper field. On the lower field, which is almost two acres large, there is plenty of room for campers and is surrounded by trees and hedges and a real sun-trap. From here there's easy access to the free-to-use showers and free-to-use fridge and freezer to pop your cool beers, wines and ice-creams in. From the main camping area the free-to-use Thornham Walks offers 12 miles of way-marked walks where campers can visit the 11th Century thatched pub, The Four Horseshoes. Walkers can also take the easy going woodland paths to The Forge Cafe and free-to-use play area. There's also The Coach House - a family run cafe/restaurant offering delicious home cooked food at great value.
Back to Swattesfield Campsite and campers can choose to have a fire and, whilst firewood literally does grow on trees, it's unable to be sustainable, slow-grown hard wood, dried, seasoned, hand-cut and netted for your convenience and like the fire wood we sell, there is also the hand cut kindling, dried, bagged and small enough to start the fire in our firepits. The fire pits we use are specifically chosen to be raised off the ground thus avoiding scorching and killing the grass below and keeping the site looking as lovely as possible. We also actively discourage campers that wish to burn and destroy the hedgerows and surrounding trees which are homes to many birds and insects and are a key part of the lifecycle of a real countryside campsite.
Then there is the hand made, clay pizza oven, full of character and charm and a delight to cook in with a little practice! The pizza oven was made by squelching clay, straw and grit to make the perfect consistency so it will hold it's shape and retain the heat for cooking. The free-to-use pizza oven is an organic cooking station which is offered continuous tlc throughout the seasons to maintain it's appearance.
Swattesfield Campsite is lovely, we love lovely people to come and stay, to relax and enjoy a warm welcome, a great country side environment, that has space and big skies for small and big kids to enjoy.
With Love, Swattesfield Campsite
P.S. Hugs are always available to cheer you up...they're free too!
★★★★★
Swattesfield
This is a fantastic site, very, very pretty and well run by Jonathan and Phil who are very easy going but accommodating when you have a need.
The showers and toilets are pretty basic but the location is superb and caravans are banned so if you are a proper camper this is a great site. There are plenty of decent pubs and shops nearby. Firepits are available for real fires.
The site is great and very safe for children who have plenty of room, including a woods and playing field, to make their own fun. There are a few homemade swings and he most fantastic natural 'bushcraft' den.
The site is not far from the London/Norwich main line, which can be irksome sometimes but the trains are few and far between, just the odd one very late at night or very early in the morning.
We've been three times now, including a week-long break so it's definitely recommended.
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