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Brick Kiln Farm
UK England East Anglia Suffolk Woodbridge
Locating Campsea Ashe can be a little tricky. For one, the village's railway station calls itself Whickham Market. But once you've solved this riddle of the road, navigating your way through the horizon-less green fields of rural Suffolk, you'll know Brick Kiln Farm when you see it, such is the aura of utter contentment that emanates from this herbaceous hideaway.
Conveniently located just off the A12 (but not so close that the passing traffic is heard) adults-only campsite Brick Kiln Farm is helmed by the wonderfully welcoming family team of Tina – who lives onsite in a charming chocolate box cottage – along with brother Guy and their mother. Tina’s father, also called Guy, sadly passed away in December 2018. He was an integral part of daily life at Brick Kiln Farm, keeping the grounds immaculate. The main camping field, named ‘Guy’s Field’ by Tina in tribute to her late father, is a tranquil, flat one acre field with decent-sized pitches (10 x 8 metres) clearly marked. Each pitch has a firepit, with wood and kindling available to purchase on site, and cars are permitted. The neighbouring Orchard field offers a peaceful garden setting where campers can pitch their tents in secluded hedged enclosure under the shade of the fruit trees. For camping couples, the Sunset Pitch suits a single small tent, nestled in the far corner of the site and offering a peerless spot for watching dusk descend.
A pleasingly relaxed pitching policy pervades at Brick Kiln Farm. On arrival, you check yourself in at the erm… ‘check-in hut’. Look for your name and allocated pitch on the whiteboard and, if you don’t see your name, you’re free to plot up wherever you like. For any supplies purchased, an honesty system operates – simply keep a tab of any items purchased on the clipboards provided, then square things up at the hut before you leave.
Gallery
Details
Facilities
30 grass pitches; 3 showers and 3 toilets; no EHU. The kitchen area has 2 sinks, a fridge and freezer, utensils, mugs, crockery, cutlery and camp stove. Board games, outdoor games and books are available on site. Firepits and seasoned wood available to buy on site. Orchard/Garden area, along with Guys Field; flat hedged field.
Suitable For
Tents, campervans, caravans (although there are no electric hook-ups) – yes. Children are not permitted. Group bookings or exclusive hire of site for events are available. Tina is also a Wedding, Baby Naming and Funeral Celebrant. This means she can perform your ceremony either on site or wherever you wish. Campers who appreciate peace and the countryside and a good wood fire!
Nearby
The delights of the Suffolk Coast are easily reachable including Aldeburgh, Thorpeness and Southwold. Southwold. Close to Snape for concerts, shops and food. The 12th century Framlingham Castle and its counterpart in Orford will please the history buffs, while the twitchers can spot some of Britain's rarest birds at RSPB Minsmere nature reserve. Woodbridge on the River Deben and Sutton Hoo. Local farm shop 'FarmCafe' for breakfast, brunches and lunches and cream teas. Good local pubs nearby in Snape, Blaxhall, Easton, Pettistree, Ufford and Melton.
Food & Drink
The Duck, Campsea Ashe is a pretension-free gastropub that's just a short stroll from the farm. Snape - 'The Crown', 'The Golden Key' and 'The Plough and Sail.' Blaxhall 'The Ship.' Easton 'The White Horse.' Framlingham 'The Station' and 'The Railway.' Melton 'The Wilford Bridge'. Ufford 'The Crown.' Pettistree 'The Greyhound.'
Open
Easter – end of October.
Location
Contact Brick Kiln Farm, Campsea Ashe, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP13 0QL
Getting There
From A12 South: Take exit for B1078, right at top of slip road, take immediate second left after flyover. Directly opposite slip road on to A12 South.
From A12 North: Come off the A12 just after the Marlesford Farm Cafe, at cross roads turn right and follow lane to Brick Kiln. Or take exit for B1078, turn right on to lane next to slip road, almost like a U turn. Follow lane to Brick Kiln.
Wickham Market Railway Station – this is actually based in Campsea Ashe, a taxi can be booked in advance to collect and drop. Brick Kiln is a 5 minute drive but a 15-20 minute walk from the station.
Reviews
Add Your ReviewRated ★★★★★ over 16 reviews
Thoroughly recommended
Nice and quiet.
Blissful and pristine
Perfect, thank you!
A very pleasant and relaxing stay
Lovely
not cool camping
Perfect!
A wonderful place!
It was the first camping trip of the year for my two children and me. And it was a perfect place to be. The kids loved all the facilities - especially the trampoline. Tina has created a campsite which makes you feel so at home - the flat ground everywhere on the site meant that there were no preferred best spots - the blissfully hot showers meant you had no excuse to go home unwashed! And there were wonderful finishing touches where ever you looked. A communal kitchen area provided a table to eat at, cooking facilities, utensils, crockery and pots and pans. There were games, an honesty shop, and even a table tennis room. There's a fully fitted Wendy house for the little ones, and for the older ones you can plug in your laptop in the communal area and update your travel blog!. We cooked our meals on open fires, and there's plenty of wood available in the store. Tina was thoroughly charming and made us feel completely at home.
We has a relaxing, fun, comfortable, and welcoming stay at Brick Kiln Farm and I would recommend it to anyone who desires the simple charms of camping. I can't think of a single fault.
Meh
Subjective thoughts aside, I have to question whether the original reviewer has actually visited the site. The review states "just off the A12 (but not so close that the passing traffic is heard)". This is not accurate, traffic can clearly be heard at all hours. I didn't personally find the noise
unpleasant or obtrusive, but unless the reviewer has hearing loss I can't understand their remark. I certainly wouldn't have described the site as "blissfully peaceful".
On a practical note there aren't enough toilets at the site. I had to queue on a number of occasions, and while this isn't the end of the world, it's not my idea of the perfect way to spend a holiday, either.
We didn't have a particularly great holiday in Suffolk. I can't blame Brick Kiln for the mixed weather, my 4 year old daughter's constipation, or my partner's pre-menstrual emotional fragility, but suffice it to say that the site wasn't sufficiently wonderful to lift our mood, let alone sustain a state of "utter contentment" for our 4 day stay. In the end we gave up and left one day early.
Response from Brick Kiln Farm
I am assuming that Tom stayed with us on or during the weekend of 24th August. This was the Bank Holiday weekend – a time when Suffolk is at its fullest and all accommodation providers are at their full capacity – wishing we had more space or accommodation in order to meet the high demands of people desperately seeking somewhere to stay.
I don’t know what Tom was expecting when he came to stay at Brick Kiln Farm. The camp site is off the beaten track; a one acre, hedged field where campers are encouraged to pitch under the hedge line of the field - not only to give protection but also to allow plenty of space in the middle of the field for game playing, bike riding and to give a sense of freedom for children (and parents) to stretch their legs and run about.
The Orchard is not where the glampers reside, but is a more secluded space where I invite ‘adults only’ to pitch if they are looking for a quiet spot. However, it is fair to say that occasionally that I pitch families in the Orchard if they have very young children and are also wishing for a quiet space.
Comments from all guests staying at Brick Kiln are their observation on the peace and quiet. In order for the campers to absorb the peace and quietness of Brick Kiln under the wide, dark and starry sky, the site is quietened at dusk and children are asked to settle down and return to their ‘camp’.
In regards to the toilet facilities; I am always encouraging campers to try to avoid using the showers and loos at peak times, and to also be mindful of time spent in the shower. I have three loos and three showers on the site and another loo and shower is offered if I see a queue form. However, when I offer this alternative to campers, they will often say that they are happy to wait. They make friends at this time, whilst making themselves a cup of tea in the kitchen area and sitting on the patio in the sunshine. The children can play close by and there is always a lovely sense of friendship.
As Tom states, he cannot blame Brick Kiln for the weather and I recall that particular weekend, and in fact, other weekends throughout the summer – we were victim to heavy deluges of rain. Neither, as he states, can he blame Brick Kiln for his 4 year olds constipation and his partner’s pre-menstrual emotional fragility.
I would respectfully suggest that the only place that could have possibly ‘lifted’ their mood in this fragile situation was to either return home or to check into a local hotel where there needs, I am certain, would have been adequately met.
I am sorry that Brick Kiln was not for him and his family.
Tina Morford
September 2014.
A lovely place
I stayed at the campsite for two nights with a friend and our three children. I'm not that keen on camping but from my experience at Brick Kiln Farm has changed that a bit. A lovely small site, very clean with showers, toilets, kitchen with fridge and freezer to use as well as points to charge your phone and iPad at no extra cost. The children loved the trampoline, swing boat and swing and also making new friends. The noise from children of all ages playing and having fun was a joy.
The fires were a great hit and most tents lit a fire in the evening. Children curfew on play equipment was adhered to by all so children going to bed was nit disrupted by noisy children.
The owners were very polite. We accidentally pitched up on wrong pitch and the owners were brilliant in sorting it out and we did not have to move.
Lovely area to explore.
Will definitely going back next year. Perfect for a short break and exploring and just off the A12 with signposts to the campsite.
Thank you.
fantastic place!!!
We have just returned from Brick kiln farm and absolutely loved it!! Everything is just perfect and Tina and Sophie obviously care a lot about their campers and campsite which reflected in amazing attention to detail. Had to drag my little boy away today but loved it so much have already re-booked for next week!! It is a perfect haven for a bit of R & R which is also great for kids cant wait for next week now :-)
Louise9264
I really want to give a shockingly bad review so that Brick Kiln Farm will always be able to fit me in!!!
But I just can't!!!
I travel 5 hours from Cheshire to visit this site and have been twice and it just gets better and better!!
Nothing is too much trouble, a warm welcome is guaranteed, the attention to detail is quite frankly ridiculous!!! Plates cutlery,wine glasses, pans, lanterns,board games to borrow!!!! The barn has a comfy sofa, a radio ,table and chairs ,said board games, crayons, paper,books, an honesty shop, a calor gas stove(!!!) and most importantly bunting!! It's a bunting kind of a place if you know what I mean??
A trampoline for the children ,swings, a Shetland pony (yes) and a toddler den clear the field for lads dads ( and brave mums and gals) to have a whole camp football match without any tents getting banged...the play space is incredible!!
There is a greenhouse in the orchard where you can sit peacefully and cosily at a table and read a book or newspaper out of the wind ( see what I mean about attention to detail??)
Fires!! Yay!!
The toilet facilities are amazing, clean pleasant and a power point for those who need straighteners,dryers etc...the dressing table ( yes I know!!!) even has cotton wool, ear buds, tissues!! There is a massive family shower room that means parents can hose off, dry,redress,toilet and nappy change the whole family !! Three single showers also for those who don't wash our children.
There is NO CHARGE for re freezing blocks or chilling your beer, showers, charging phones etc but don't tell Sophie and Tina other places do ha ha!!
I camp at least 6/7 times a year and this is my absolute favourite!! I urge you to go... but leave a space for me!!!
Lovely experience every time
Originally we came to this site 4 years ago when I was looking for a place that did campfires, where someone wouldn't mind having a 21st birthday group and was reasonably priced. Tina was very welcoming and was happy to give us a space (we had 4 or 5 tents I believe).
Since then we have been back every year, the facilities have improved immensely since our first visit with a new shower and toilet block and
the barn area is a great place to sit in for a while and play some games if you don't want to unload your car in the rain. It's within easy driving distance of some lovely beaches and seaside towns and we received a leaflet saying what was
on nearby last time we were there and ended up in a nearby village which was hosting a farmers market.
There a loads of little things provided to make you feel at home, marshmallows are even available on site in case you forgot to bring some.
We have just made another booking for July and we are all really looking forward to going back.
Brick Kiln Farm Campsite is perfect
We stayed last August 2013 with our 3 children aged 2, 5 & 7. When we arrived we were impress with it's beautiful location, we found our welcome as we had been told.
We pitched up and had 3 of the best nights camping ever. So much so we have told anyone who will listen that they HAVE to go there.
Perfectly located for exploring Suffolk, long walks and quite nights round the camp fire.
It is very well equipped, we bought the wrong gas for our cooker and fortunately the communal shabby chic barn had 2 stoves set up and free to use. There was also an honesty shop for the odd things you might need, which we used for fire wood and marshmallows, oh and tea lights. Fab idea. Very quaint indeed.
The swings and trampoline kept our kids occupied for hours and so did the gorgeous little pony Snudge.
All in all we can't say how fabulous Brick Kiln is and we are raring to return.
The owners who work as well as let people stay on their beautiful farm were lovely. Very welcoming and very helpful.
Give it a go, you will not regret it!!
Emma, Simon, Harrison, Emerson and Maisie xxx
Fabulous Campsite
I have nothing but praise for Brick Kiln campsite. We are avid campers and have been all over the country but for our long weekends we choose to go to Brick Kiln (which is only 3 miles from where we live!). We have camped here about four times now and are set to return this weekend! It is a safe, easygoing campsite with spacious pitches and great facilities. A big bonus is the fact you can have campfires! My kids love it here, they spend hours at the communal trampoline making new friends and we are reassured that they are playing in a safe and secure environment! Tina and Sophie are very helpful and friendly. I am really looking forward to our stay this weekend with friends!
Gave our pitch away!
I wanted to write a positive review of Brick Kiln Farm. I wanted to...
We stayed over the recent Easter holidays in our bell tent and old VW campervan and for the first two nights, the site was idyllic. Lovely flat pitches, a homely honesty shop, beautiful views, hot showers, plenty for our young children to do and campfires allowed. I would have overlooked the fact that once the site got busy on Good Friday, the showers no longer worked. That is often to be expected at busy times at many sites. Besides, we were having a great time and had met some lovely fellow campers.
However, on our fourth day (we were booked in for five days, four nights) we came back to the site early afternoon having spent the day in Southwold and were rather taken aback to find that the campsite owner, Tina, had given half our pitch away and in the place where our campervan chocks were sited next to our bell tent (where they'd been all week and were clearly visible), another tent had been pitched, meaning we could no longer park our van on our pitch.
We found Tina to ask what had happened, presuming it was a mistake, but she explained another tent and small caravan had pitched two pitches away from us the night before and had been late departing so she told the new campers to pitch across half of our pitch, ignoring our chocks. Our children (6 and 9) sleep in our campervan and we sleep in the bell tent so having them side-by-side is an imperative most families will understand and appreciate. Not so Tina and Brick Kiln it seems. We were told another family the other side of us were leaving that night so we could park our van the other side (opposite the tent opening). We explained this wasn't secure enough for the children as we could neither see or hear them that way but were met with shrugged shoulders and an 'it's not my fault' reply.
To cut a long story short, we talked to the new campers next to us who were less than friendly and unwilling to move, so we decided our only option was to end our holiday a day early and pack up and leave that evening. It took just over an hour to pack up the bell tent and campervan, during which time we repeatedly tried to find Tina to tell her we had decided to go and to settle up, but she was nowhere to be found. We drove home tired and very disappointed.
A few days after returning home I received an invoice for the final balance of our stay, charging us for the full 4 nights. I emailed back to explain the situation and to pay for 3 nights as I was sure Tina and Sophie (who handles bookings) would recall the situation and be understanding. However, I was told in no uncertain terms that their cancellation policy is 48 hours notice and they would not budge. Sophie refused to acknowledge that they were responsible for giving away half of our pitch and instead said in hindsight, we should have booked two pitches to accommodate our tent and campervan - an unusual stance as our van was parked next to our tent in the same way as every other camper on the site parked their car. Sadly, Brick Kiln didn't feel the need to give us an apology, they did however say that it was Bank Holiday, the site was busy, it was 'just one of those things' and that 'there were no other issues of that kind over the weekend'. Way to make us feel like it was our fault hey?
We've stayed a lots of campsites over the years and this is the first time we've encountered a situation like this. Of course sites get busy over long bank holiday weekends but as a paying visitor, you expect the campsite owners to have a plan for that, to only take bookings for the number of pitches they have, and to enforce their departure times on campers who occupy pitches long after their entitlement, to precisely avoid situations like the one they put us in. Failing all that, you expect that the campsite owner will do everything within their power to put the situation right when things go wrong, not shrug their shoulders and say it's 'just one of those things'.
I'm afraid therefore that I have to only give Brick Kiln Farm 1 star. It's a good site in a beautiful location but sadly, Tina and Sophie need to work a bit harder on their pitch management and customer care. The situation they put us in wasn't our fault and if we had had even a hint of an apology or a resolution to restore our pitch, we'd have gladly given the site 4 stars. A real shame. We won't be going back I don't think.
Response from Brick Kiln Farm
We at Brick Kiln are sad to read such a review about our campsite. We work very hard at ensuring that all our guests are made to feel very welcome and enjoy their stay with us here.We would like to clarify a couple of points that Mrs Williams raised.
In reference to the title ‘Gave our pitch away’, this wasn’t the case. Mrs Williams had booked one pitch for her Bell Tent and Campervan; this would normally have been a two pitch booking since her young children slept in the VW Campervan and she and her husband slept in the Bell Tent. However, on their arrival we decided not to make an issue of this and charged only for one pitch.Unfortunately, when Mr and Mrs Williams went out for the day – three days into their stay with us – two other campers arrived and pitched their tent close to Mrs William’s pitch which reduced her parking space. It was certainly not their pitch space and due to a self-checking in system that we operate, it was certainly not ‘given away by Tina’ as quoted by Mrs Williams.
The weekend of Mrs William’s stay was one of our busiest weekends of the year, with it being a Bank Holiday and this had been mentioned at the time of booking. Due to the fact that campers on the other side of Mrs William’s were leaving, we offered her another pitch – free of charge – in their space.
We believed that this had resolved the matter but Mrs William’s states in her letter that they were unable to do this due to the fact that her two young children were sleeping in the campervan whilst she and her husband slept in the Bell Tent, and it appeared that the camper van had to be on one particular side of the Bell Tent.
As I, (Tina) am based and live on site, I have a clear view of the site from the kitchen window. I watched Mr and Mrs Williams talking to the people who were packing up their tent in the pitch space that I had offered to Mr and Mrs William’s as an alternative. This family were leaving due to a change in the weather and heavy rain forecast for the following Sunday morning. They had informed me two days beforehand that they would be leaving on Saturday evening.
Mrs William’s did not make any attempt to find me until they had packed up when her husband then came to the door to say they were leaving. He gave no reason and I assumed it was due to the weather. He was unable to settle his invoice at that stage and so I was happy to agree that I would invoice him later.
To suggest that their complaint was met by a shrug is incorrect, since we do everything we can to ensure the happiness of our campers. During Bank holidays we have a 3 night minimum booking and all nights must be paid for whether the pitch is used or not. Our experience in the past has taught us that whenever bad weather is forecast, campers will pack up and leave early which financially is not viable for us.
Mrs Williams stayed on their pitch for the entire day before leaving Brick Kiln Campsite at 6.30pm. We had no notice of them leaving and so no time to be able to fill their pitch at such short notice; it is for this reason payment in full was still expected.
I would like to add that Mrs Williams had nothing but praise for the site on arrival. It is a great shame that the situation that could have been easily resolved has led to this situation.