Norfolk

Wild Duck Holiday Park
Howard's Common
Belton
Great Yarmouth
Norfolk
NR31 9NE

This used to be one of our favourite sites when we lived in Norfolk so we were interested to see what it was like after the passing of a few years, and probably more significantly becoming part of the Haven group, who have also bought the neighbouring Sunfield site and combined the two.

The site has a high number of statics, but the are well separated from the camping section in the Wild Duck half of the site; on the Sunfield half they are a dominant part of the view. Despite the site being full the toilet and shower facilities did not seem too stretched, though those on the Sunfield part seemed to stay much cleaner as the mud did not trample in quite so much.

Many of the pitches are unmarked and reception does not allocate pitches, so there is plenty of flexibility to choose a spot that suits you or pitch in a group with friends. Of course it was so busy at Easter that anyone arriving later than mid morning on Friday had very little choice. Many of the Sunfield pitches, especially non-electic are slightly sloping - the Wild Duck part was full but there were always non-electric pitches available on the other part.

Entertainment and activities were comprehensive with 3 bars, childrens and adult entertainment, indoor and outdoor (closed) swimming pools, two play areas and arcades. Haven have a web site at www.havenholidays.co.uk which lists all their sites and facilities.

Although the camping areas were full there was generally a good ambience for such a large commercial site. There were a number of caravans towed by vans, which might not have been allowed at many other sites, but had perfectly nice families in them. However on the day we left two huge caravans towed by large white vans and containing large families and very fierce looking dogs arrived (pit bulls I think - these were muzzled, as they would have to be if not indoors, but they would have to take them off to feed and I would be worried about myself, never mind children). These people did not seem to be there for holiday purposes and I found that rather disturbing on a family and children orientated site.

Great Yarmouth was busy, as expected. One bonus for us was that we had previously obtained lots of tokens for the Pleasure Beach cheaply with newspaper vouchers at a time when they were selling at 4 to £1. They have since been revalued to sell at 2 to £1 and the number of tokens per ride has been reduced accordingly. We thus found ourselves in the possession of £32 worth of tokens - and we still have some left for if we go again.

Weather was OK as predicted by the weatherman, plenty of sun, some cloud and mist with rain showers overnight. We had a good time and would recomend it as long as the big dogs have gone.

Sent in by Jim Cheney

Willowcroft Camp
SiteStaithe Road,
Repps-With-Bastwick,
Great Yarmouth,
Norfolk NR29 5JU.
Tel or Fax 01692 670380
Mobile 0589 182483

Map

Web page

We have been going to this site for about 15 years now and still find it ideal for our needs. It is near the end of a road (Staithe Road) which leads to a small staithe on the River Ant. Along the road are a few farms, a small holiday Chalet Park and a few houses so there is little passing traffic.

The site has hardly changed over the years. It's still a clean, pleasant, quiet and well-kept place. New owners arrived about 5/6 years ago and in 1997 opened a new toilet and shower block. This is a great improvement because before this, if you needed a shower, they were in the back garden of the house. (A charge of 30p to be put in an "honesty box" by the showers).

The site is within walking distance of the river (2-3 min.) and the village of Potter Heigham is a pleasant 20-25 min. walk along the riverbank. From here you can hire boats either by the hour or by the day. There is also Latham's discount store which caters for all tastes. They have nearly everything a shopper could ask for - clothes, pottery and many other items. A coffee shop has been incorporated in the store in recent years so the husbands can sit in comfort. If there is a fisherman in the family they are catered for with all the latest in fishing equipment. If you want fish and chips, restaurant or pubs, you'll find them here too.

Norwich and Great Yarmouth are about 15 miles away (in opposite directions) and there is a good selection of beaches about 5-7 miles away.

The site offers toilets, showers, and electric hook-ups. Dogs are welcome too (as long as you clean up after them and exercise them off site. The site is ideal for bird watchers, fishermen,, cyclists and walkers. There is a small shop, open only in peak season, selling essentials like bread, milk and tinned foods etc. The nearest public telephone is 1/2 mile away. Calor and Camping Gaz is stocked and Ice blocks can be frozen for a small fee.

Site fees (per night)

Pitch Fee: Inc. car and 2 people £7.50
Awning: £1.00
Electric Hook-up: 10 amps supply £1.00
Extra Persons: Over the age of 5 years £0.75
Extra Car: £1.50
Boat: Free launching at Staithe £1.50

Sent in by Kath

Kelling Heath Holiday Park,
Weybourne,
Holt,
Norfolk,
NR25 7HW.

Map

Kelling Heath was the first site I visited with my own caravan, but my guest for that trip has been forgotten in time. Since those early days, the site has been modernised but retains the same number of pitches.

The site has a wide range of facilities, the best of which depends upon your taste. Is the shop the best, the launderette or the large bar ? Or is it the on-site nature trail, the mountain bike trail or the Orienteering route ? David Bellamy thinks it's the conservation efforts taking place (like
breeding Red Squirrels).

My main reason for liking this site is the Steam railway that has a request stop alongside the site! Imagine .... You drive down to the camp site, set up your unit, then for a whole week (or whatever) there is no need to drive ... you go by train to the seaside (at Sheringham) or to the quaint country town of HOLT.

More details on the site can be found at : http://www.kellingheath.co.uk/

Sent in By Rudi

Sundowner
Newport Road,
Hemsby,
Nr Great Yarmouth,
Norfolk
NR29 4NW
Tel 01493 730159

Nice site full of chalets with a field at the top end for caravans etc. The pitches were quite bumpy although you could position your van to accommodate this. There is a lovely walk along the seafront with the cliff edges to the left of you. Swimming pool, bars, entertainment and food shops all on site. A short walk into Hemsby finds you in a typical seaside resort. I felt that in winter Hemsby would be a ghost town as there were no houses just chalets. Walk down to the seafront to buy Cromer Crabs or play bingo or the amusements.

We had a drive into Great Yarmouth for the day. We also hired a boat and had a day on the Broads which personally I found very boring! Scenery all the same - river and trees!

I can recommend the Lion Pub in West Somerton for its Ploughmans Lunches - delicious!

I didn't really enjoy my holiday in Norfolk as I felt it was perhaps for older people than us who just wanted to relax. Well worth a visit is the nearby Redwings Horse Sanctuary.

Sent in By Julie Bingham