Author
Cian Byrne
Photographer
Courtesy Airbnb, Canopy Stars, etc
In a peaceful corner of the eastern English coast hides the quiet and quirky county of Norfolk. A thousand or so years ago the region was part of East Anglia, and more recently it was home to England’s second most populated city, Norwich, which you'll likely pass through if you visit, even though it no longer holds that title.
Nowadays, Norfolk moves at a slower pace, and to get a proper feel for Norfolk, you need to get outside and into the smaller towns and villages. Find yourself a cozy pub in Wroxham or Great Yarmouth and order plates of fresh seafood and pints of local beer. But make sure you leave enough time for outdoor activities, because the region is full of opportunities.
When it comes to spending time outside, there’s so much to experience in this quaint county—and plenty of incredible glamping spots to call home base for your trip. The Norfolk Coast Path is one of the top attractions here. The 83-mile-long public footpath hugs the coast as it meanders from Hunstanton in West Norfolk to Sea Palling on the Northeast Coast. The whole thing can be walked in seven to ten days, but there are plenty of shorter options on the path too.
Moving inland, but still staying by the water, the Norfolk Broads is another region that catches the eye of people looking to spend time outside. Made up of seven rivers and over 60 bodies of open water, the Broads is a National Park that’s buzzing with wildlife and opportunities for boating and fishing. And after all that relaxing and ambling through the Norfolk countryside, you can get your adrenaline pumping on the mountain bike trails in Thetford Forest, or hiking Peddars Way, an old Roman road that runs through the area.
With such amazing scenery and outdoor activities, people visiting Norfolk find themselves wanting to spend as much time as possible in nature. Glamping, which combines rustic accommodations with modern amenities, has recently become an important part of visiting the county with yurts, safari tents, and geodomes popping up throughout the landscape. Here are the best places to go glamping in Norfolk.
Yurts at Walnut Farm — Waxham, UK
Vibe: Location, Location, Location
Wake up in a yurt to 360-degree views of classic English countryside at Walnut Farm, situated a stone's throw from Horsey Beach. This epic stretch of coastline has one of the largest sand dune networks on England's east coast and is a prime spot for breeding seals with the beach teeming with pups from November to January. The family-friendly, dog-friendly yurts here are a perfect size for a couple of young families looking for a quiet stay and the large picnic area and BBQ is made for long summer evenings when it's bright until almost 10 pm.
Rate: £500/four night stay
Bagthorpe Farm — Bagthorpe, King’s Lynn, UK
Vibe: Eco Farm Retreat
Switch off and reconnect with nature on a stay at Bagthorpe Farm, a sustainable farm producing organic food in the North Norfolk countryside. There are two glamping options to choose from here: the Oyster Catcher, a collection of canvas-lined geodomes, is a great choice for summer evenings spent under the stars, while the Woodcock’s timber frame makes for perfect escapes in the cooler months. Both have king-size beds, camping stoves, BBQs, kitchens, cold running water, and flushing loos. Explore the nearby coastline and spot seals playing in the sea or head to Sandringham Estate and walk the 2 ½ mile loop around this country retreat for the British Royal Family.
Rate: £POA
SETTLE — Shropham, Attleborough, UK
Vibe: Wooden Heaven
Gently placed in tranquil woodland between Thetford Forest and King’s Forest among nature reserves is SETTLE, a dreamy, family-run escape where the focus is on switching off from the outside world. Every aspect of SETTLE has been thoughtfully considered with the choice to stay in a cabin, a restored railway carriage, or canvas safari tent. The carriages, perfect for a more luxury glamping experience, have utterly gorgeous wooden interiors and a treehouse feel that make for incredible places to stay and take photos. Rich wood furnishings, rustic touches, and amenities like a kitchen, comfy bed, private bathroom, log burner and outdoor area make the small spaces cozy enough for an extended staycation. Wander the trails and try to spot the rare golden pheasant in the bushes or migrating Canadian geese on the lakes.
Rate: £430/two night stay
Getaway Hideaway — Elsing, Dereham, UK
Vibe: Off-Grid Conversion
Booking in for a stay in a renovated horse truck from the 1960s is surefire to guarantee a memorable glamping holiday. This incredible conversion was all done by hand and is tucked away in a secluded corner by wide open fields and is completely off-grid. Wildlife lovers won’t have to go very far to be entertained, as the team here prides itself on prioritising local flora and fauna with birds of prey and small critters seen from your doorstep. Take a stroll into the nearby village of Elsing and wander the public footpaths through the countryside. Pick up a map before you leave and plot a route from one quintessential English village pub to the next.
Rate: £180/night
Happy Valley Norfolk — Grimston, King's Lynn, UK
Vibe: Woodland Cabins
Sleep under the stars in this corner of Norfolk that’s well known for its dark skies and peaceful nights. Dotted across the farm here at Happy Valley are bell tents, shepherd huts, and rustic cabins. The tents here are spacious and don’t skimp on luxury with comfortable beds, fire pits, and decks to take the view in from. For a bit more space and creature comforts, book a stay in King Nutkin—a treehouse cabin surrounded by ferns and mature trees with enough space for two adults. Get a feel for the history of the region here with a visit to the 12th-century Castle Rising Castle, True’s Yard Fisherfolk Museum, and Sandringham Estate.
Rate: £POA
The Wren’s Nest at Fire Pit — Wendling, Dereham, UK
Vibe: Glam Glamping
The Wren’s Nest at Fire Pit might just be one of the most stylish glamping experiences in Norfolk. The tent is handmade from hazel branches woven together to create truly unique glamping accommodations. Once inside, you’ll see the intricacies of the construction and an incredible wooden interior complete with a mezzanine sleeping area and room for six with two double beds and a pullout sofa. There's also a mini kitchen with everything you need for morning coffee. Fire Pit fosters a community feel with amenities like a boho room, BBQs, a fire pit, and shower room for group use. You can also book in for a session in the on site Yoga Yurt with their yoga teacher Sarah, visit during the Winter Solstice celebration, or stop by The Warehouse for cocktails and pizza.
Rate: £90+/night
The Woodland Boat — Woodrising, Norwich, UK
Vibe: All Aboard!
Norfolk is known to be a quirky place with quirky people, so there’s no real surprise to see that there are some quirky glamping options here too. The Woodland Boat has found a new home on dry land in a wide open field, surrounded by smatterings of trees and idyllic snapshots of life in the English countryside. As part of a working farm near Thetford Forest, you’ll see horses and workers in the fields as you relax on your deck. The dog-friendly space has room for two with a queen bed and with a kitchen, wood burning stove, and wifi, ship life ain't so bad. At night, slip into your private hot tub and watch as a sky full of stars begin to reveal themselves.
Rate: £400/two night stay
The Brickmaster’s Retreat — Peterstone, Wells-next-the-Sea, UK
Vibe: Safari-upon-Sea
Set up camp in a luxurious safari tent by the sea at the Brickmaster’s Retreat. Set on the North Norfolk Coast near Burnham Market and only a short stroll from the Norfolk Coastal Path that leads you from Holkham Beach, one of England’s most striking, to the Norfolk Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this glamping site is one for the walkers. Once back at your spacious tent complete with a living space and everything for cooking, cozy up by the wood-burning stove or relax in your king-size four-poster bed (there are also two single bunks). Keep your eyes peeled for red and fallow deer running through the long grass and smattering of songbirds in the branches of the holm oak trees above.
Rate: £246/two night stay
4 Ton Tents — West Acre, King's Lynn, UK
Vibe: G.I. Glamping
Want a glamping experience unlike anything else? Book a stay at 4 Ton Tents and get ready for an overnighter in converted army trucks halfway between Thetford Forest and the Norfolk AONB. Leaving their past life behind, these former utility vehicles are now built for luxury with wooden interiors, large beds, and fairy lights. Eat under sturdy army canvas tents and look out over a landscape that’s going through a rewilding process. This is a full base camp experience, and the two converted campers and canvas tents make this spot ideal for larger groups of up to 15 people who are looking to take in a slice of the Norfolk countryside together.
Rate: £2,000/four night stay for 15 people
Published 01-13-2023
