This little gem of a campsite has been on our radar for a long time. We’ve only just got round to visiting and it was certainly worth the wait. High Sands Creek is set on a farm and has been open since the 1970’s. Previously the site was a WW2, Anti-aircraft training camp. Thankfully in 1994 they replaced the original army wash block with the current great facilities. It’s is ALL about the location, there is so much to do in the surrounding areas. Footsteps away from the campsite you have the open expanse of Stiffkey Saltmarshes. Muddy creeks, migrating birds, a sandy beach, coast paths, there’s so much exploring to be done. It’s incredibly peaceful and the sunsets are unreal.
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- LOCATION! On the marshes, close to some incredible beaches and pretty Norfolk villages
- Pub in walking distance across fields
- Great sunsets
- Coast path runs in front of site
- Woodland walk running along edge of site and beyond
- Sandy beach
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- Marked pitches, in rows all the way across the field. Although we are normally not fans of marked pitches, they are sooo huge its really not much of a negative.
- The campsite is edged by farm buildings on one side and a field of static caravans on another, with the wash block in the middle of the field. It does interrupt the otherwise spectacular views of the surrounding area.
SURROUNDINGS
- The site overlooks Stiffkey Saltmarshes, a haven for wildlife. Great for birdwatching if that’s your thing.
- Beyond the Saltmarshes is a sandy beach, the walk from the campsite was very slippy and muddy. Check at reception about tide times, you need to time this well.
- On the walk to the local pub you pass a really good kids playground and playing field.
- Wells -next -the -Sea, 1.5 hour walk along coast path or short drive to this harbor town, with an arcade, fish and chips, seafood stalls, delis, pubs, bakery, coffee shops, chandlery, you can get everything you need here.
- Sandy Holkham beach, is the stuff of dreams, with pastel colour beachhuts and sand dunes, we even saw seals there. Look out for signs, dogs are allowed on most the beach. If you are walking its 15 minutes from Wells, if driving there’s a car park. Or….
- You can take Wells harbour railway, a mini train to Holkham beach from Wells harbor.
- The pretty coastal village of Blakeney is a 10 minute drive, or 2.5 hour walk from the campsite. The epically beautiful Blakeney point, is a breeding spot for grey seals. When we were there you couldn’t walk dogs onto the sand spit. But from Morston, you can go on a dog friendly boat trip to see the seals and birds.
- Cley Next the Sea is a further 5 minute drive from Blakeney. It’s home to a windmill, delicious smokehouse and village store that has absolutely everything you could ever wish for, including lots of locally grown and crafted goods. Dog friendly Cley beach is a big, shingly expanse of heaven!
- The coasthopper bus passes at the top of the lane to the campsite and goes to all the above mentioned places and beyond. Useful if you only have the energy to walk one way!
- We didn’t have time to explore everywhere on this trip, but we hear Holt, Burnham market and Holkham hall are also worth checking out.
FIRES
- No fires. BBQ’s – yes but raised off the ground, they provide recycled shopping baskets for this.
FOOD & DRINK
- A 15/20 min walk either through the campsite then a foot path through fields or through the woods or coast path and join the same footpath takes you to the Stiffkey Red Lion, lovely cosy pub with a beer garden at the back. Has baby changing. https://stiffkey.com
- In nearby Morston is the Anchor inn, which is a 1.5 hour walk along the coast path, or a very short drive from the campsite. You can also start a seal tour from here. http://www.morstonanchor.co.uk
- There are many pubs in Wells to choose from, we got a very warm welcome at the Golden Fleece, very dog & kid friendly pub on the harbour. Has baby changing. http://goldenfleecewells.co.uk
- Stiffkey Stores in the local village has groceries, coffees and gift items.
FACILITIES
- Hot push button showers
- Outdoor showers (for washing off all that mud!)
- Hot water washing up sinks
- Laundry facilities
- Dog water bowls and hooks to tie up outside wash block
- Reception, has a book exchange, fresh cakes, crab buckets to borrow, games, lots of information(including tide times) friendly advice, gas refills, bbq’s and lighters.
- Frozen Ice block rental
- They’ll charge you phones, ipads, battery packs etc for a small fee
- Marked pitches are huge- biggest pitches we’ve ever seen by far.
- Electric hook up
- Chemical disposal
- Recycling
- We had 4G and phone reception all round the site
OUR TOP TIPS
- We got to choose our pitch as it was very quiet, not sure if this is always the case. We chose to camp by the woods and loved the relative privacy and easy access to woods and Saltmarshes through the gate.
- However if it’s dramatic sunsets views you after, you’re better off going as high as possible. The electric hook up spots run along the farm buildings and seem to have good sunset views as do the middle of the field next to and in-front of the toilets.
vinstavan: camping with a VW T25, dog & kids 