Welcome to Hillside Farm, offering a small camping meadow located on the Norfolk/Suffolk border in the heart of East Anglia. Rustic toilet and shower facilities are provided, as is an electric car charging port. Well-behaved dogs (and owners!) are welcome, off-ground fires permitted, and you'll find communal space in an old cart shed. There's also a small WWII museum which commemorates the American men who flew B-17's from Knettishall airfield.

Why choose Hillside Farm Camping

Located in the heart of East Anglia, perfect for exploring all the region has to offer

Local walks on the doorstep with stunning views across the fields and outstanding sunsets

Small and quirky with a communal old cart shed and facilities in a converted horsebox

About the site

A small, friendly site on a farm in East Anglia, delighted to offer camping and glamping on a small slice of rural land to those wanting to escape the madding crowds. It's an easy reach to Norfolk's historic market towns, broads and countryside and just a 15-minute drive from Banham Zoo and Bressingham Steam and Gardens. Guests are also welcome to visit the on-site museum dedicated to the American men who flew B-17s from Knettishall airfield. Located in a meadow adjacent to the farmyard, choose from non-electric spacious grass pitches (10m x 5m), suitable for tents only. It's the perfect place to experience fresh air and enjoy the wide-open spaces and stunning sunsets. You also have the option to stay in a furnished bell tent. This includes a double bed, a fire pit, lanterns, fairy lights and WiFi. Guests will need to bring additional beds and bedding for a child or infant. There is patio furniture for two outside. Toilets and showers are provided in a quirky converted horse box, which has proved very popular with guests, with complimentary eco-friendly toiletries. Free use of the firepits is offered (currently three available). You're able to buy a bundle of firewood. Up to two dogs are welcome to join you on your stay but they must be kept on a lead and supervised at all times.

This site is open for weekends between 12th June and 19th July and then from 22nd July to 1st September

"Very welcoming and exceeded our expectations!"

Mariah K

"The lady who runs the site is so friendly and helpful"

Daniella Q

"Wild camping feel but with good facilities"

Glyn B

"It's a perfect stop gap when exploring Suffolk"

Sircuria M

What facilities are at Hillside Farm Camping?

Accessible facilities

Allow commercial vans

Allow pets on site

Café / restaurant / takeaway

Drinking water

Family friendly

Shop

Showers

Toilets

W.C. disposal

WiFi

Fires allowed

Glamping

Onsite facilities include a converted horsebox toilet and hot shower, a washing up point and a wartime museum. There is also a communal space in an old cart shed where guests are welcome. Fire pits are available and firewood on sale.

Just a ten minute walk away in Hopton is The Vine Inn, great for traditional pub food. For supplies, there are also a couple of shops in Hopton.

There are 12 accommodation options on-site

Bookable pitches and accommodation options

2 x Bell Tent

Max 4 people

Unfurnished bell tent with WiFi and the option to add a double bed and bedding if needed. Please bring beds and bedding for children. Outside, you'll find patio furniture for two, a fire pit, and shared facilities nearby. Dogs welcome.

Hillside Farm Camping reviews

4.58 /5

10 reviews

90%

would recommend

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Showing the most recent reviews from guests

Camping

Sholto M

Medium Tent - Non Electric Grass Tent PitchesAug 2025

Camp next to a road. Quite noisy. Struggled to sleep. Didn’t stay the three nights due to the noise.

Great place to visit

Recommends site

Tracey T

Bell Tent - Bell TentAug 2025

This was our first time camping so we opted for the kitted out bell tent. It was great! Comfy bed, towels, blankets, everything you need really except a washing up bowl. The tent easily fitted another double and single blow up bed in for our boys. The only thing that we didn't like were the toilets, I think they are compost toilets so smell of manure, but at least it wasn't human! They provide shower gel, toilet roll, soap, washing up liquid and shampoo/conditioner as they need to be eco friendly ones. The kids loved the fire pit and the overall experience, Deborah is lovely and very helpful.

Super stay!

Recommends site

Danielle M

Bell Tent - Bell TentAug 2025

Lovely camping experience after 4 years of not going. Beautiful bell tents set-up before we arrived. Great communication with our host. Very attentive and helpful. Thank you for a pleasant stay. Would definitely recommend.

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Need to know

Frequently asked questions about Hillside Farm Camping

Quick filters

Site rules

What time is check-in and check out at Hillside Farm Camping?

Check-in is available from 2pm until 8pm. Please let the site know if you are delayed. If the site has not heard from you within 24 hours of expected arrival, they reserve the right to re-let your pitch. Departure is due before 11 am on your last day.

Is Hillside Farm Camping dog-friendly?

Yes! Up to two dogs are welcome but must be kept on leads and supervised at all times.

Does Hillside Farm Camping allow BBQs and campfires?

Yes, BBQs and campsites are allowed but they must be raised off the ground. There are fire pits to borrow on-site (three available) and firewood is available to buy at the site. For those staying in a bell tent, there is a fire pit included.

Pitches

Can I park near my pitch at Hillside Farm Camping?

Yes, you can park one car by the pitch and all extra vehicles are to be parked in the designated area.

Does Hillside Farm Camping allow awnings, gazebos or pup tents?

Gazebos can be brought with you, free of charge. Pup tents are welcome for a small fee. Awnings are not permitted on site.

A note from the site themselves...

Hello, we are James and Deborah, a mother and son who are delighted to share this space with those who love camping, the outdoors, and/or to get out into the countryside.

James inherited the farm from his dad who passed away last year and since then he and I have been working towards making it viable, sustainable and eco-friendly - an undertaking which will continue for several years to come. As the sixth generation in the village, James is very mindful of generations to come and ensuring the legacy continues.

As we grow, more facilities and camping options will be made available and we look forward to welcoming guests for many years to come. Our theme is 'quirky' and we strive to provide that wherever we can!

Hillside Farm Camping is ideal for...

Duke of Edinburgh Award

Large same-sex groups

Older children (13+)

Young children

Things to do on site and in the Diss area

On-site, there's a small museum dedicated to the memory of the American men of the 388th Bomb Group who flew B-17's out of the local airbase at Knettishall from 1943 - 1945. Guests are welcome to view the Museum by arrangement and in exchange for a donation to help with running costs, maintenance and future development plans for the collection.

Local walks either from the farm to Market Weston or Hopton Fens or other local walking routes. Further afield there's Knettishall Heath (5 minutes by car, 15 minutes by cycle) which is host to Angles Way and Peddars Way, Redgrave and Lopham Fen (15 minutes by car) and Thornham Walks (21 minutes).

Thetford Forest is a popular destination for walking, cycling and enjoying the outdoors and is home to Go Ape and also offers segway, archery and golf with a cafe and picnic areas - great for all the family (30 minutes).

Located close to the junction of Sustrans national cycling routes 13 and 30 for the more serious cyclist but also offers plenty of small quiet country roads for more relaxed cycling adventures.

For a family day out, Banham Zoo is just a 15 minute drive away and will provide plenty of fun for the little ones. Also just 15 minutes away is Bressingham Steam Museum and Gardens, an interesting steam museum with picturesque gardens, perfect for strolling through.

The quaint market town of Diss is a 15 minute drive away and has an historical centre, mere (small lake) and park. If you're arriving early enough, there's a great market and auction on a Friday.

Other nearby activities:

Bury St Edmunds Abbey Gardens (25 minutes). If you're staying over the weekend, pop along to the fantastic Saturday market in the town centre.
The Broads for boating and water sports (60 minutes)
Norwich city centre (50 minutes)
Framlingham Castle (55 minutes)
Southwold coastal town (62 minutes)
Sandringham House (63 minutes)
Woodbridge and Sutton Hoo (65 minutes)
Aldeburgh coastal town (73 minutes)
Cromer coastal town (83 minutes)

There's also a wide range of country houses and gardens along with other historical sites on offer in the region.