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Little Wild Wellie Campsite

92%

· Hethel, Norfolk, England

8 acres hosted by Michelle H.

A simple summer site in the Norfolk countryside with abundant wildlife and super sunsets for tent campers only

A lot of footprints have been left on Potash Farm in the Norfolk village of Hethel. There are the bootprints of US pilots who were stationed there in the Second World War. There are the delicate patterns left by the free range chickens who lay the farm’s Happy Eggs. And there are the fancy formal prints of brides and grooms who get married on the farm. But now, a new set of prints have joined the mix; the impressions left by little wellies on the feet of happy campers. They’re headed for the farm’s latest enterprise: a back-to-basics, family-friendly, tents-only campsite.

Opened for the first time in 2021, Little Wild Wellie is a simple, summer site that aims to offer low-impact camping. There will be 30 pitches mown into the long grass of a huge, 10-acre meadow that’s been left to grow wild. Birds, butterflies and deer are among the more permanent residents of this place and the aim is for the camping to give people a chance to connect with wildlife. And enter in the farms summer photography competition. With that in mind, naturalists and photographers will be as at home here as the young families that the campsite name suggests.

On site, there's family yoga sessions every Wednesday morning and family fitness on Fridays. If you want to stretch your legs further, there's a footpath that crosses the farm fields, through woodland and past two pretty churches. For little legs, there’s a play park a half-hour walk away. Longer ones can keep on striding and choose where to go. The country roads and flat countryside make the area popular with horse riders and road cyclists too. But if you’ve come in the car, the best of Norfolk is within easy reach. Norwich, The Broads and the coast at Cromer are all great day trips from here.

Facilities are basic but just enough for those who enjoy proper camping: water taps, a washing-up sink and a few new composting toilets. Campfires are allowed in off-ground fire pits. Bring your own or hire one of the five fire pit packages for your stay that includes everything you need, including the marshmallows. There are no showers and no shop (although fresh eggs can be ordered) and you’ll need to take your rubbish away at the end of your stay. That’s the wild in Little Wild Wellie Camping. Michelle and Michael, who run the place, say the traditional camping code is important here. Campers are asked to tidy up, remove all traces of their pitch and to leave only footprints.

Activities

Biking

Hiking

Natural features

Field

Farm

Not currently accepting bookings on Hipcamp

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92%

6 Ratings · 6 reviews

Sharon V.recommends

May 31, 2022

Grass Camping Pitch

Wonderful off grid site that is perfect to let kids be kids and adults to relax with a lovely “communal field” for socialising and wonderful private pitches. Will definitely return!

Laura D.recommends

August 31, 2021

Grass Camping Pitch

We had a wonderful long weekend at Little Wild Wellie. The owners were friendly and helpful. We enjoyed singing around the campfire, barbecues under starlit skies and bike rides around the local lanes. A quiet and simple Campsite that is great for reconnecting with family and nature.

Sarah C.

August 30, 2021

What a lovely wild campsite. We only stayed here a couple of nights, and it was our first experience of wild camping, but it was a really relaxing visit. I love the fact that no cars are allowed on site, and having to carry everything to our pitch encouraged us to pack more lightly too! The hosts Michael and Michelle are super helpful; the pitches are large and spaced out so you really feel you have your own space and don't hear too much noise from other campers; the compost toilets are great and easy to use, although people need to read the instructions carefully so they don't block them! There is also no running water at the toilets, just hand sanitiser. We struggled to find the footpaths at first, there is a road which appears fine but is actually private. We eventually found the real footpath outside the site entrance and were rewarded with lots of blackberries ready for picking. We just wished we had longer to explore further afield. The firepit was a luxury and allowed us to sit out until late looking at the stars, including shooting stars. We saw deer, and heard owls nightly. It's a 10 minute drive to the nearby town of Wymondham (pronounced Windum) where there is a fascinating museum, beautiful Abbey, shops and cafes. Parking is very reasonable, and free on Sundays and Bank holidays. It's worth noting that the site is next door to the Lotus racetrack. One of our days coincided with an owners track day so there was loud noise from the racing throughout the day, although we were able to watch the cars through the fence so found it more exciting than annoying. It's also not a daily occurrence! In summary we'd definitely recommend the Little Wild Wellie Campsite and hope to return next season to try out the yoga sessions. Even our outdoor-phobic teenager admitted it was a lovely place and just about coped with the toilets!

Vicci U.

August 28, 2021

Nice and friendly staff absolutely amazing place so peaceful could of lived there forever

Natasha G.recommends

August 5, 2021

Grass Camping Pitch

We had a great time camping here for a couple of days. We knew what to expect with the basic eco toilets and they were fine to use, fairy lights at night were a lovely touch. Did enjoy a flushing toilet, sink and a shower when I got home! If you don't mind being a bit dirty for a few days then not having a shower block onsite is fine. There is so much space here and the children loved looking for wildlife in the tall grass. We found crickets, saw loads of butterflies and bees, a couple of bats, birds of prey and an owl flew over our heads on our last night, just wonderful. Good sized pitches, which feel private and spaced out well. We also really enjoyed falling out of bed and doing yoga in the sun, a great start to our day, and the children enjoyed it aswell. Had fun sitting by the fire and spotting shooting stars at night, the mist on our second night added to our spooky stories too. Important to go knowing that it is basic campsite so just remember to bring hand sanitizer, wet wipes, washing up bowl and a sense of adventure and you will enjoy the peaceful, laid back camping experience.

Amy B.recommends

August 3, 2021

Grass Camping Pitch

Lovely campsite with beautifully mown pitches in a really well thought out design. The owners Michelle and Michael were very welcoming and made us feel at home. We saw lots of butterflies, birds of prey and even sheep in the field right behind our tent! It's a vast field so beautiful sunset views are really easy to find with spectacular night sky displays. The pitches are mown in circular designs with tall wild grasses and wild flowers growing in between so you get a feeling of privacy. But there is also a giant triangular play patch in the middle for children to play, great for a kick around and if you like socialising. The toilets are cleaned once a day and have been decked out beautifully. We loved the added touch of fairy lights and solar lights lighting up each of the pitches, it makes the campsite look really beautiful at night. You can see a lot of thought has been put into this site. It could do with a few more wheelbarrows as we did have a lot of stuff in our set up to transport to our pitch and could only find one spare so it took a few trips. Unfortunately we didn't find the walk across the farm (in hindsight I think the pathway was right next to the entrance gate) so a signpost for this might be beneficial for future. Thanks for a great stay!!

Location

Hethel, Norfolk, England, United KingdomTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking

Hosted by Michelle H.Joined in May 2021

From the host

Burrow down the family-friendly Little Wild Wellie Campsite in Norfolk, where it's not just human visitors that unwind… there are resident wild red deer, a cuckoo and an old brown owl too. A 25-minute drive from Norwich and half an hour from The Broads, the wild field is a splendid spot to switch off (your mind and technology), relax and connect with nature. The 10-acre open spaces are a rather nice spot to practise your wildlife photography, for the kids to play around or to just admire the Norfolk skies – which, by the way, often show off with spectacular sunrises, sunsets and starry nights. The site is also close to Lotus cars and test track, who have been making their luxurious cars in Hethel since 1948. During the day, you may even be lucky enough to see or hear the drivers testing out their latest model. As this site is off-grid and leave no trace (take your rubbish home), there are basic facilities including clean composting toilets and running drinking water. There’s an on-site museum commemorating the US Air Force's 389th Bomb Group who once lived here (check it’s open during your stay) and a small car park on the edge of the site to leave your car (cars are not allowed on the field). Firepits are first come first served- wood is £6 cash. Off ground barbecues are permitted. Pitches are not allocated. * PLEASE NOTE* On occasion you may hear the Lotus Cars test track in the distance. This is sporadic, they do they use the track everyday. They do host the occasional track event. We have no control over this nor responsible.

Nearby attractions

Family yoga sessions take place on Wednesday mornings and family fitness on a Friday (both available to book for an extra charge). There's a small museum on site commemorating the US Air Force's 389th Bomb Group who flew from here during the Second World War. It's open only once a month so do have a look round if it's opening coincides with your stay. Land from the old air base now makes a test track for Lotus cars, with the occasional opportunity to spot them racing and testing the very latest cars. There's a footpath that crosses the farm if you fancy a local walk. A half-hour wander (for little wellies) takes you through the woods to the play park at Bracon Ash. Ladybelt Country Park is another local delight, a five-minute drive (two miles) from site. The charming and historic city of Norwich is nine miles from site with its cathedral, castle and the Tudor buildings of Elm Hill. The coast is about 30 miles from site. You can reach bustling Great Yarmouth with a drive through The Broads National Park or head north to the more charming Mundesley or Cromer beaches.

Food and drink

It's a ten-minute drive (just under four miles) to the nearest pub, The Bird in Hand (01508 489438) and there are plenty more to choose from in Wymondham (five miles away), though your hosts recommend The Green Dragon (01953 607907), said to be one of England's oldest pubs. There are also shops and supermarkets in Wymondham for campsite supplies.

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