Author Topic: North Norfolk tour (Read 3451 times)

Canardly · « **on:** 20 February, 2018, 10:02:25 pm »

Considering a week or so bumbling about in North Norfok in May. Any particular recommendations regarding cyclist camping sites?

Polar Bear · « **Reply #1 on:** 20 February, 2018, 10:21:46 pm »

Not to clash with Long Itch I hope...

bhoot · « **Reply #2 on:** 20 February, 2018, 10:26:44 pm »

Scaldbeck Cottage at Morston - great small tent only site. We haven't been there for a while but when we last stayed the owner would cook you a very decent breakfast in the house by arrangement - so one of the Bs in B&B!
And if you are bumbling along the coast, you might want to go on a seal watching trip, so it's super convenient for that.

Tim Hall · « **Reply #3 on:** 20 February, 2018, 10:39:10 pm »

Umm, hang on. <scrabbles in memory bank> Stiffkey (pronounced Stew key I think). I stayed there a few years ago. They said then they never turn cyclists away.

Wowbagger · « **Reply #4 on:** 20 February, 2018, 11:30:28 pm »

Stiffkey is a big crowded site near a pub called the Lion.

The vicar of Stiffkey was a good chess player who, after being defrocked for some misdemeanour or other (probably sexual) joined a circus and was killed by one such beast.

I'm not sure that North Norfolk is really big enough for a full week's tour. come a bit further south and there's a pub attached to the Woodforde's brewery that does excellent food and even better beer...

Tom B · « **Reply #5 on:** 21 February, 2018, 01:13:02 am »

Last year we were staying in Binham and liked the look of the site at Galley Hill Farm above Blakeney. It’s smallish and has views over the sea. NW Norfolk is delightful - there’s more than enough nice rides to fill a week’s holiday, especially a slow, leisurely one

CAMRAMan · « **Reply #6 on:** 21 February, 2018, 08:45:14 am »

I did a similar tour a few years ago and I'll try to dig out where we camped. Breck Farm in Weybourne was one place. They have a 2-night minimum stay policy, but waived that for us. And here: http://www.digleacaravanpark.com/contact-us.php and here: http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/details.asp?revid=2360

The latter was very basic, IIRC, but that suited us.

There is an old railway path you can pick up to get from near Sheringham into Naaarch. I recommend a stay there if you like your beer.

Soaplady · « **Reply #7 on:** 21 February, 2018, 09:33:17 am »

Blue Skies campsite in Wells is run by a good friend of mine. It's on the coast road (A149) just on the edge of Wells https://www.blueskiescampsite.co.uk/

trekker12 · « **Reply #8 on:** 21 February, 2018, 09:39:55 am »

If heading towards Cromer, we camped at Pond Farm, Sidestrand on a cycle tour a few years ago

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/reviews.asp?revid=3727

Nice campsite and a good pub just up the road

bikepacker · « **Reply #9 on:** 21 February, 2018, 04:02:59 pm »

I like the small campsite about 400 yards from Potter Heigham bridge on the west side. The one at Reedham ferry is also nice.

JenM · « **Reply #10 on:** 21 February, 2018, 04:35:00 pm »

Quote from: bikepacker on 21 February, 2018, 04:02:59 pm

I like the small campsite about 400 yards from Potter Heigham bridge on the west side.

http://www.willowcroft.net/

Campsite is nice, but PH is the pits.

Didn't stay at this one near to Hickling Broad, but had a wander around and looked fine.
http://www.hicklingcampsite.co.uk/

But if you were wanting to extend your tour beyond North Norfolk, would thoroughly recommend this campsite near to Holbeach
https://www.laurelparkcampsite.co.uk/

Jack · « **Reply #11 on:** 21 February, 2018, 05:01:46 pm »

Quote from: CAMRAMan on 21 February, 2018, 08:45:14 am

... Breck Farm in Weybourne ...

One of the reasons Breck Farm is good is that they allow you to have a campfire.

If you do come as far south as Norwich, Whitlingham Broad campsite is surprisingly good, and pleasantly picturesque, considering only 2.5km from the very city centre.

L CC · « **Reply #12 on:** 22 February, 2018, 03:18:02 pm »

Happisburgh.

Pub's lovely

Paul H · « **Reply #13 on:** 22 February, 2018, 03:56:01 pm »

Quote from: Jack on 21 February, 2018, 05:01:46 pm

One of the reasons Breck Farm is good is that they allow you to have a campfire.

That tends to put me off, campfires are great, some of the drunken idiots lighting them less so.

Kim · « **Reply #14 on:** 22 February, 2018, 04:08:40 pm »

Quote from: Paul H on 22 February, 2018, 03:56:01 pm

Quote from: Jack on 21 February, 2018, 05:01:46 pm
One of the reasons Breck Farm is good is that they allow you to have a campfire.
That tends to put me off, campfires are great, some of the drunken idiots lighting them less so.

I've come round to this way of thinking after this incident: https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=91360.msg1918037#msg1918037

I suppose you can fudge it a bit by considering the muggle factor; if a site's in an area frequented by hikers, climbers and other outdoorsy types, then the drunken idiocy factor tends to be a lot lower.

And it must be possible, at least in theory, for a site to be reasonably strict about quiet times while still allowing FIRE.

Canardly · « **Reply #15 on:** 22 February, 2018, 08:41:54 pm »

Quote from: Polar Bear on 20 February, 2018, 10:21:46 pm

Not to clash with Long Itch I hope...

Which is when? Mate of mine works on Gov't service not sure when he can get away.

Canardly · « **Reply #16 on:** 22 February, 2018, 08:43:13 pm »

Lots of suggestions thanks all, will look at in detail. We will prolly go out via train to Kings Lynn and work our way along the coast and slowly back home.

Polar Bear · « **Reply #17 on:** 22 February, 2018, 09:17:39 pm »

Quote from: Canardly on 22 February, 2018, 08:41:54 pm

Quote from: Polar Bear on 20 February, 2018, 10:21:46 pm
Not to clash with Long Itch I hope...

Which is when? Mate of mine works on Gov't service not sure when he can get away.

Pencilled in for the 11th to the 13th of May. You may recall that I floated the idea of a not the royal wedding weekend but it was not widely accepted.

Canardly · « **Reply #18 on:** 22 February, 2018, 09:20:09 pm »

Ok ta.

Speshact · « **Reply #19 on:** 25 February, 2018, 02:02:09 pm »

My few years ago Google map is at https://drive.google.com/open?id=1NytYXP-wrgTDh3ofq4H647V8T78&usp=sharing

Blickling and Fellrigg Halls, north of Norwich, are both worth visiting for the gardens and exterior, en route to Shrublands campsite (basic with a nice pub near by). I enjoyed going on an old boat belonging to the Museum of the Broads - without going on the water it's difficult to get the full broads experience. The southern triangle with the campsites in red was a pleasant pootle a few years ago.

Wowbagger · « **Reply #20 on:** 25 February, 2018, 10:43:38 pm »

I'm interested in this provided it's late May. I will be off to Germany and Belgium between 4/5/18 and 13/5/18.

JonB · « **Reply #21 on:** 26 February, 2018, 10:51:13 am »

Love the Stiffkey site, been there about 4 or 5 times not as a cycle tourist but did take a bike the last time we went and had some lovely rides. The site has a nice balance between good showers, washing up facilities, sale of gas bottles but that's about it which is just right for us plus it's within walking distance of the pub and the small shop. It does get busy on the weekends but as somebody else said I think they'll take walkers and cyclists (I think there is a spot they keep for them near the entrance). It's right on the coastal path and within easy walking distance of Wells, Morston and Blakeney.

I think North Norfolk might be my favourite spot in the UK, massive expanses of beach (great when we had our lovely spring spaniel, Rolo) some great walks along the coastal path backed up by an excellent bus service so you don't have to do an out and back and it drops very close to the campsite at Stiffkey. Blakeney point is a good walk but really lovely.

Hope to get there this year.

Wowbagger · « **Reply #22 on:** 26 February, 2018, 12:18:42 pm »

When Nutkin and I arrived at Stiffkey there was a "Site Full" sign, but because we had small tents and were on a tandem, they welcomed us in.

Wascally Weasel · « **Reply #23 on:** 28 February, 2018, 11:02:16 am »

A friend runs this place at Burnham Deepdale:

https://www.deepdalebackpackers.co.uk/

His father runs the farm - they used to have someone else running the campsite but thought that it was deteriorating so took it back over and have been investing in it. New decent toilet and shower blocks were built recently and the site has been undergoing some landscaping improvements (lots of new hedging plants and trees, some of which I planted!)

Canardly · « **Reply #24 on:** 08 April, 2018, 06:39:01 pm »

Looks like I will have to reschedule this to later in the year due to domestic commitments.