Reasons to visit East Anglia
Camping in East Anglia can be your chance to relax and indulge in some quiet adventure. It’s particularly popular for birdwatching, boating along the fens and relaxing on the wide, sandy beaches of the north Norfolk coast. It’s an ideal area to stay if you’re looking to slow down and take life at a more leisurely pace.
Scenic walks
Stretching throughout Norfolk and Cambridgeshire, the Fens offer walking and cycling tracks that the whole family can enjoy. This flat, low-lying marshland is a major agricultural region, woven with water channels, and home to a variety of birdlife. Wander under the open sky and enjoy sweeping views of the landscape and a deep sense of tranquility in this unforgettable territory. Be prepared to encounter wildlife as you go; the Fens are home to many kinds of bird life, and beavers, otters and voles flourish there.
The Norfolk Coastal Path is a particular favourite among visitors. Roam the Norfolk coastline, encountering salty breezes, rolling dunes and high cliffs, and stop for a snack or a beer in a pub along the way. Interested in natural wonders? You’ll want to go for a stroll along the Great Pingo Trail, which follows a series of natural ponds and craters - or pingos - created by collapsing hills. They’re in rolling grassland filled with wildlife and open air.
Exciting water sports
The region has lots of water-based activity to try too. If you’re adventurous, head to the Wash for adrenaline fuelled sports such as kite surfing and windsurfing. The wide beaches, shallow water and southerly winds at Hunstanton make it ideal for these pursuits, and if you're a beginner you can have a lesson with one of the qualified instructors. Feeling more like a meander? The Broads, a vast low-lying region in Norfolk, is called “the Venice of the East” by locals for its plethora of waterways and lakes, all ripe for exploration — hire a boat and navigate 125 miles of water through picturesque villages and scenery that goes to the horizon.
If your travels are taking you to Cambridgeshire, don’t miss the chance to take a leisurely punt along Cambridge’s River Cam. Take it in turns to use the long pole to propel the boat along, but mind out for low-hanging branches and follow the etiquette of the Cam; keep your limbs inside your punt, and do your best not to ram other people!
Historic cities
The cities of East Anglia are the hubs of its cultural life. Each has its own distinct character – Cambridge is a bustling and historic university city with impressive college buildings and interactive museums; Ely has a sleepier, laid back feel, with its boutiques and tea rooms set in the shadow of the spectacular cathedral. Norwich is a vibrant medieval city with a lively music and arts scene, as well as family-friendly theme parks nearby; Pettitts Adventure Park and treetop park BeWILDERwood are both a short hop away by car.
Kids and adults alike will love the range of adventures and experiences available in every city. Check out Ely’s famous Eel Festival in the first week of May, when the city celebrates eels with a giant parade and, yes, a long puppet eel, or head to Cambridge for sprawling parklands, quiet colleges and an annual literary festival, with talks by famous authors and child-friendly activities. Take a college tour to get a real feel for the life of Cambridge students, or pop into the Fitzwilliam Museum, with its hugely popular exhibitions. There are specially-crafted kids’ trails through the maze of objects and exhibits, and many events based around entertaining curious youngsters.
Why choose Experience Freedom?
Among the best campsites in East Anglia are those offered via our Experience Freedom programme. From your central base, you can discover prime local attractions and beautiful countryside without needing to travel far. Explore the individual counties of Norfolk and Cambridgeshire – and which campsites offer camping and glamping there – by clicking through the links. Alternatively, to see which dates are available for your chosen site, use the search tool above or contact the Caravan and Motorhome Club to speak to a member of the customer services team.