Good sites guide to Suffolk

Why not visit suffolk’s beautiful sandy beaches, where you can enjoy ball games and free-as-a-bird dog walking in the wildness of Kessingland and Sizewell beaches.

If you’re after a Victorian-style seaside holiday with proper fish and chips, ice cream and shortbread, we’d suggest Southwold, with its much-photographed rows of colourful beach huts, pier and boating lake a few miles south of the town.

With historic pubs offering good food in generous helpings, 
and Saxon towns and churches to see, 2013 could be your 
chance to seize the moment to see Suffolk at its finest.

1. Best for Historical Interest

Cakes and Ale Caravan Park

As you sweep in through the entrance of this five-acre former airbase, you’ll see a model fighter plane and one of an airman with a cup of tea in his hand outside reception. There are a few basic foodstuffs for sale here and the Yoxford Boys’ Bar faces the play area and pitches at the back.

 It’s a beautifully landscaped site; a semicircle behind reception is arranged with small clusters of spacious hardstanding pitches backed by hedges. One area is set aside for adults only.

This flat site was a World War II fighter base for the US Army Air Corps. We borrowed a key from reception and walked further down the lane to the little museum hut full of memorabilia and maps of the area, with photos of some of the most famous and dashing airmen who came to Britain’s aid. 

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Address Abbey Lane, Theberton, Leiston IP16 4TE

Tel 01728 831 655

Web www.cakesandale.net

Open 1 April-31 October

Charges Pitch+2+hook-up £24-£30

Pitches 50, all hardstanding

2. Best for Families

Heathland Beach Holiday Park

If you’re after a full-facility site on the Suffolk coast, Heathland Beach is a good choice. There are three beautiful heated outdoor swimming pools, one with a flume, and it’s just a short walk from the sandy paradise of Kessingland beach, where there’s plenty of room for beach ball games. The children will have a whale of a time on the play area, too. It’s a five-
star site and has won a David Bellamy Gold Award. 
There’s a private fishing lake and an all-weather tennis court. The 63 touring pitches are spacious, all with 230V and water hook-ups. From here you can visit Africa Alive zoo park (next to a club campsite), and explore the tourist attractions of both Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth.

3. Best for relaxing by the river Deban

Moon and Sixpence

This AA five-pennant, family-friendly touring site is set in a sheltered valley beside the river east of Woodbridge and Ipswich. 

It is a beautiful campsite, with tennis courts, golf practice course, mini-golf and sports fields behind luxury lodges on the far side of the lake, among the mature trees. 

It feels like a close community, where you’re welcome as long as you maintain the peace and quiet from 9pm-8am. The pitches are set on a well-drained terrace overlooking the lake. The facilities are fabulous, with individual shower cubicles in a Norwegian-style grass-topped log cabin that houses all the washing facilities. There’s a mini-supermarket and a bar on site, ideally situated so parents can relax while supervising their children in the play area. 

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Address Newbourne Road, Waldringfield, Woodbridge IP12 4PP 

Tel 01473 736 650

Web www.moonandsixpence.eu

Open 1 April-31 October

Charges Pitch+2+hook-up £21-£33

Pitches 50, all on grass

4. Best for forest activities

Tangham Campsite

Rendlesham Forest’s main claim to fame was a series of UFO sightings over three nights in December 1980. There are signs to the spot where the craft are supposed to have landed, but you may scour the sky for ET in vain. Rendlesham Forest Centre nearby is where families can have a fun time riding bikes, playing games, walking and running.

 Tangham Campsite, which is next to Rendlesham, has pitches round its perimeter at the edge of the forest. There are also spacious pitches in the middle of the field and there’s no separation between tents, caravans and motorhomes.

Showers cost 50p and there is a lovely new washroom and laundry room. As in any forest, there’s a fire risk, so barbecues are allowed but disposable ones must be put on bricks and be out by 10pm.

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Address Rendlesham Forest, Butley, Woodbridge IP12 3NF

Tel 01394 450 707

Web www.forestcamping.co.uk

Open 1 April-31 October

Charges Pitch+2+hook-up £16-£18

Pitches 90, all on grass

5. Best for Sporting Families

Carlton Park Caravan and Camping Site

Carlton Park is near Lowestoft and within reach of Norwich, but best of all it’s a short drive to beautiful Kessingland beach, which is ideal for walkers, dogs and children who like to run. There is even an adventure playground.

This relaxing campsite is set in three well-drained fields next to a sports centre with football and cricket grounds, a bowling green and tennis courts. The grass throughout is well kept and lush.

One of the fields tends to be for tents, and the far field is the favourite for most people, because it feels more exclusive. We liked the friendly atmosphere at Carlton Park, which was like the best of the good old days of camping, with neighbours chatting happily, and the facilities are clean.

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Address North Entrance, Saxmundham IP17 1AT

Tel 07796 618 324

Web www.carltonpark.info

Open 1 April-31 October

Charges Pitch+2+hook-up £18-£22

Pitches 75, all on grass