Sunday, August 15, 2010

Camping by the fields of Norfolk




Last weekend Ed and I decided to go camping again while the weather was half-decent. Ed's dad recommended a campsite not far from the north Norfolk coast which he said was very quiet. Having always pitched in fairly established and relatively popular campsites, we were unsure about what to expect. Clay Pit Farm was pretty much untraceable in the virtual world but our satnav Jane got us there alright.

Driving through a narrow road in Necton village, you finally reach a private road with a large warehouse and farm equipment parked outside. Pretty convinced we were at the wrong place, we decided to drive in to ask for help. Then we saw it. The campsite was at the edge of a barley field. Besides us, there were only a couple of other caravans and the site looked tranquil. The family that own the site are farmers and do this as a small side business. They were very warm and friendly and we even got a dozen freshly laid eggs for breakfast! They have 9000 chickens which apprently is a rather small number for farmers in the area.


There is plenty to do and see in Norfolk. Our itinerary involved visiting a variety of National Trust sites and properties and there are plenty of those in Norfolk. We visited Blicking Hall(picture), Felbrigg Hall, Oxburgh Hall. All stately homes in the same region yet very different from each other. Oxburgh Hall was my favourite and it reminded me of Baddesley Clinton in Warwickshire. Both properties have a Catholic history with secret hiding places for visiting priests.


We also visited the Norfolk coast and did part of the coastal walk from Blakeney Quay to Morston Quay. The views are stunning and as the weather was good, there were many water sports enthusiasts about. Blakeney village which is on a hill has lovely views of the sea and quaint, colourful flint cottages.

We are definitely coming back here again and hopefully camping at Clay Pit Farm. If you want their details, drop me a line or look in the Camping & Carvanning Club Book.