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Reviews of The Orchard Camp Site
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The Orchard Camp Site
Spring Lane
Wickham Market
Suffolk (Browse area)
IP13 0SJ
Tel: 07818 034729
Visit their website Check Digital TV coverage See Weather Forecast
This site has an availability calendar. You can check for availability here
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Pitches: 11 acres plus 20 electric pitches
Open: 05/04/2024 to 01/10/2024
11/04/2025 to 01/10/2025
Rating: 
   
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Photos (7)
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 Tent Pitches |
 Caravan Pitches |
 Motorhome Pitches |
 Small Campervans |
 Glamping Units |
 No Statics for Hire |
 No Statics for Sale |
 No Seasonal Pitches |
 Electric Hookups |
 No Hardstandings |
 No Fully Serviced Pitches |
 Show Full Facilities |
| Who's it for |
 Families Welcome |
 Not Members Only |
 Rallies Welcome |
 Not Naturist Site |
 Dogs Welcome |
 No Dogs Allowed |
 Groups Welcome |
 Motorbikers Welcome |
| Facilities |
 Toilet Facilities |
 Hot Showers |
 Washing Up |
 No Bathroom |
 No Baby Changing |
 Laundry On Site |
 Drinking Water |
 Disabled Friendly |
 Chemical Disposal |
 Battery Charging |
 No Gas Exchange |
 No Recycling Facilities |
 Kitchen Facilities |
 Freezer / Fridge |
 No Motorhome Point |
 Wifi Access |
 Shop On Site |
 Bar On Site |
 Restaurant or Cafe or Takeaway On Site |
| Activities |
 Kids Playground |
 No TV Room |
 No Games Room |
 No Evening Ents |
 Fishing On Site |
 No Wild Swimming |
 No Indoor Pool |
 No Outdoor Pool |
 Horse Riding <1 mile |
 Cycle Hire <5 miles |
 Golf <1 mile |
 Tennis <1 mile |
 Beach <10 miles |
 Watersports On Site |
 No Boat Launch |
| Other Features |
 No Sea Views |
 Not Working Farm |
 Campfires Allowed |
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 No Waterside Pitches |
 Public Transport <1 mile |
 No Dog Walk |
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Reviews:
386 in total, now showing 231 to 240
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| Date of Visit: July 2012 |
Unit: Tent |
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| Reviewer: Camp_cachers |
3 reviews from this member |
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 We stayed at the site over a weekend as part of a large group which worked well as the site is informal without masses of rules which meant we could chat late into the evening without being told off. Additionally, groups seemed to be kept away from families, which was well planned.
Arrival caused us no problems but some of the group found it took a while with staff chatting, then the staff overly ‘pushy’ to buy everything on site. However, the on site shop is the best stocked we’ve encountered at small sites and if you needed it to it could keep you going all week!
It was a little unclear where to pull up to park to check in as the signs appeared to be on the actual drive. The drive is on a slope and after the very wet weather was worse for wear and very muddy, this did cause us problems leaving because we were right at the bottom. Some of the group left their cars ‘up top’ because they deemed it too precarious. In fact when we came to leave the site manager Alan had to come and drive some of the loaded cars out with us pushing because the mud was so churned up, people got stuck and were slip sliding about! However we did all make it out.
The actual pitches were relaxed and not formalised which was good for the group. They were clean and free of rubbish. Picnic benches were near to them too which suited us well. There was a clear area to start a fire so we bought wood, which came in a handy wheel barrow.
The toilets were ok, plenty of soap and paper towels but because they are shared the conditions are not always what ladies would usually be used too: loo seats up, drips on seats etc. There was one separate ‘ladies only’ but this was marginally better. There were only 3 showers so throughout the morning although some members of the group went straight in others had to queue. The showers are push button and on slightly too short a time for one push, but the shower head was nice and big and the water a decent temperature, although there were no controls to adjust it. The separate washrooms with basins were good and very clean. The undercover washing up area was also good, although a bin would have been handy and not all sinks had plugs. Again, only 3 sinks led to some queuing. We liked the addition of the microwave and made use of the two fridge freezers.
The site is well located just off the A12 and we visited Orford and Aldeburgh during our stay. We walked to the local village and ate fish and chips, which were very greasy but fresh. The local pub was a little dated but the drinks reasonable and well kept.
All in all it is a good site with lots provided although if the site is busy expect to do some queuing. 
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| Date of Visit: July 2012 |
Unit: Tent |
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| Reviewer: Noimad |
4 reviews from this member |
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We had high hopes for this campsite as their website and many reviews were impressive. However we were very disappointed. We were a group of 8 families and meet every year to camp and chat round a fire somewhere. This site was chaotic and overcrowded with off-hand and/or pushy staff. We camped in the lower wooded area, which was muddy and damp with few level areas. The whole feel of the communal facilities was grotty and overcrowded. It was great to have a campfire but there are plenty of other sites with better facilities and a friendlier atmosphere that allow campfires. We will not return.
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| Date of Visit: July 2012 |
Unit: Tent |
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| Reviewer: Berko |
6 reviews from this member |
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We recently stayed here for several nights with a group of friends. On arrival staf were very friendly and showed us to our designated area which was a good size.
This site has some great ideas and a really lovely relaxed atmosphere. However, it needs some money spending desperately. The children's play area is tiny and in a bad state of repair, the toilets and showers are ok but there just aren't enough of them. 3 showers for a site this size is just crazy. At times both were really dirty - not necessarily the owners fault but they have to take some responsibility. Family bath is a great idea but, during our visit, the drainage was backing up and so the bath was continually filled with really nasty dirty water. 4 washing up sinks was handy but only 2 plugs. Come on guys. How much is a plug for a sink?!
Shop was well stocked but staff were very pushy. Wood was expensive at £15 per barrow (the contents of which varied according to how young and how blonde you were!).
Rope swings around the site which our kids loved but there's also a lot of open water so beware if your children are water 'addicts'.
Overall a good site with huge potential if only they'd re-invest some of their hard earned money back into the tired and sometimes inadequate facilities.
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| Date of Visit: July 2012 |
Unit: Tent |
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| Reviewer: Burmby |
2 reviews from this member |
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Very disappointed when we arrived at this site. The website made it look wonderful but sadly it did not live up to the images on the screen. Our pitch was tiny, barely room to put our tent up (we had chosen a pitch with electric) which we were unable to close properly because of a slope (thank god we had a hot, dry week!
The toilets were dirty, with no toilet roll in the morning and several hot taps not working. With just 5 toilets and 3 showers for a 50 pitch site timing your shower became a sport in its own right, the family bathroom was great but again really dirty.
The playground was very basic and not in good repair, the shop was quite well stocked if you liked drink! Wifi was not free as advertised on the website!
Site was noisy until late at night, website failed to mention that 'music played through loud speakers' was allowed until 12pm and that the busy A12 could be heard from the campsite. A real shame as the glowstick nights for the children and the real campfires (although £20 per load of wood and kindling and a pack of marshmallows) was a bit steep were lovely and if the the toilets, showers etc were cleaner and everything tidied up, the site would be great.
The staff were very friendly and helpful, even if some started drinking at lunchtime! Sadly will not be returning.
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| Date of Visit: July 2012 |
Unit: Tent |
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| Reviewer: TheJenster |
4 reviews from this member |
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We visited this site for a second time in 2012 (first visit in 2011). We managed to talk our friends into also coming.
We both booked electric pitches (ours many months in advance).
On arrival, the owner does everything in his power to not let you have an electric pitch. He was asking me exactly what I had that needed electric and then dismissed the need for power. Eventually, I insisted that I wanted the electric pitch that we had booked many months before.
He did the same with our friends who arrived later and they (never having camped before) did not know quite what to say, ended up on non electric and went home a day early.
The 'use it or lose it' phrase used constantly in the shop is wearing. We spent a considerable amount of money (just shy of £200 in 4 days!) yet were still almost chastised to spend more.
The showers and toilets were worse than the previous year. The cleaner seemed very demoralised and fed up so I am in no way suggesting its down to her to rectify the issues (I would imagine very short staffed may be the problem?). The thick, in ground filth of the floor and surrounding areas in the toilets and showers is very unpleasant.
I took some pictures this time to see if I was being 'fussy'. My friends and family almost gagged when I showed them!
My husband spoke to the owner on one occasion and requested something be done to clean the area-the owner reacted in his almost usual style of interrogation. My husband explained the area really is in need of some thorough scrubbing/cleaning. The reaction from the owner, was 'if you don't like it then pack and leave'.
This site is so close to being great yet so far. The niggles from my previous review have become issues big enough for us to never return (or our friends to ever camp again unfortunately).
The owner needs to spend some of his time, money and focus away from selling in the shop to getting this site to a standard that would warrant a return visit I am very sad to say.
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| Date of Visit: June 2012 |
Unit: Tent |
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| Reviewer: Butcherbaker |
2 reviews from this member |
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My favourite camp site ever! Me and a large group of friends have been camping all over the south east of England in the last few years, and this is by far the best place we have stayed.
First off Camp fires really make a trip. Orchard campsite sell wood on site and let you have your own fire, which so many campsite just don't allow.
The wonderfully friendly owners picked us up from the station and dropped us off again after. They even did a special run to the shop for us to pick up some things we wanted.
The toilets and showers were all very clean, despite the rain and mud and I don't think that anybody had to queue.
For any group of campers who want a laid back few days with songs around the campfire, this is the place to go!
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| Date of Visit: June 2012 |
Unit: Tent |
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| Reviewer: Raula |
2 reviews from this member |
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This is a very laid back and fun place to stay with children. We pitched for 2 nights over a weekend. The site was bustling but not overly busy. The play park, wood and pond were brilliant places for the children to play and explore and as there were loads of other kids there our children quickly made friends. There were great touches to the weekend like free bags of marshmallows with the fire wood, and glow sticks when it got dark.
There was the occasional queue for the toilets and showers but to be expected on a busy weekend. The toilets and showers were for general use and it would have been nice to have at least separate men and women's toilets. However they were pretty clean (considering the mud as it was a wet weekend) and well stocked with paper and soap. The showers were nice and hot.
Washing up facilities were good and there were freezers for ice-blocks. Best of all was the kettle and microwave available by the washing up facilities, which was great for heating baby food and for early morning cups of tea without having to get the camping stove out!
Pitches were well spread out, we had a picnic bench near our pitch which we made full use of, and it was great to have an open fire. Wood was quite expensive though.
We went to Aldebrough for the day - an easy drive from the site and a stunning coastal town. The best fish and chips ever!
Overall we would definitely return here, mainly for the friendly and welcoming atmosphere, the camp fires and the amount of fun our children had.
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| Date of Visit: May 2012 |
Unit: Tent |
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| Reviewer: Musikate |
3 reviews from this member |
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My Husband took our daughter for a weekend away and I felt compelled to write a review as I had recommended the site due to all the good reviews seen on here.
My first thoughts are that the campsite really sells itself on the basis that it allows open fires and is a rarity in the area. However the failings were clear in many areas. Poor cleanliness in the toilets, over pricing of logs and a fishing lake that could hardly be given that name.
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| Date of Visit: September 2011 |
Unit: Tent |
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| Reviewer: MelSi |
1 review from this member |
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Having read all the reviews from this site we decided to book a 2 night stay at Orchard, couldn't believe our luck when we ended up having the hottest weekend for September/October!
When we first arrived we were shown around by Jerry who suggested places to pitch and also ensured a pitch next to us was reserved for friends joining us the next day.
The whole site is lovely, lots of different areas to pitch, we tucked ourselves in a small area by the pond so the dog wasn't too much trouble to other guests.
Other reviews comment on the camp fires ruining the grass, it wasn't an obvious issue as many people seem to set up fires in previous pits.
The facilities were good, no issues with queuing even though the camp site was very busy (due to good weather) and found them to be clean (as much as can be when people are walking in and out with muddy shoes).
The only downside we could see at all, was that although the shop was very well stocked with booze, chilled too and at a very reasonable price, the food choice was quite limited, that said we managed to select enough meat for a bbq!
Loved this site, we will definitely come back, staff can't do enough to help out and specifically Stuart, Jerry & Alan were very nice.
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| Date of Visit: September 2011 |
Unit: Tent |
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| Reviewer: Sonoftherock |
1 review from this member |
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Overall a good campsite- Staff were excellent very friendly and giving local advice/traffic advice etc.
Shop was really well stocked with some nice wines.
Kids loved the fire ( I agree with Rache73, wood was £££, wet and smoked) and glow stick scramble!
Showers were not cleaned out on the Saturday night- I got up early on the Sunday and the mud was dried in.
Park was a bit small and could have done with some more equipment- extra swings etc
Local bakery service was fantastic, croissants were historic
Wickham Market is a pretty town and the chip shop very good.
Nothing you can do about the A12 but agree with other comments was constantly in the background
Will be back
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386 Reviews in total, now showing 231 to 240
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Common Questions
Is The Orchard Camp Site child friendly? YES, it accepts children & has a playground View all facilities
Where is the nearest shop to The Orchard Camp Site? There is a shop on site View all facilities
Is The Orchard Camp Site dog friendly? YES View all facilities
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