Brick Kiln Farm, Suffolk

Pulling off the main road we missed the small sign and had to do a u-turn. Along the small dirt track, just wide enough for one vehicle, we begun to consider whether we had chosen the right place for our latest getaway.

Before we knew it we had pulled alongside a large field with tents being put up, a pony at the side of the drive way and not much more.

Wondering what I had done in booking this particular site we dawdled up the driveway thinking that we might regret the night here when we saw the large group of youngsters piling out of their cars, balloons and beer in hand ready to party.

How wrong we were!

Why We Loved Brick Kiln Farm Camping

Tina, a great host, greeted us and explained that she wanted to make sure we had enough space to feel like we could relax and therefore would we prefer to camp in her front garden or the orchard? Wanting a camp fire we chose the orchard and could not have been happier. Secluded and further away from the groups we pitched our tent among the fruit trees and settled in for the afternoon.

Opposite us in the orchard was a lovingly restored gypsy caravan, called the Kissy – a brightly coloured art piece that stood out but in the right way. The only other occupants were another small tent like our own, a VW camper van which again was a masterpiece of restoration and a tipi type tent at the furthest end. It was so quiet that we spent the afternoon relaxing, reading and just enjoying the environment around us. We had no desire to move from our own little slice of heaven!!!

For a small site the facilities were unbelievable. When I said earlier a field, I probably gave the impression of port-a-loos and solar showers – this could not be further from reality. I have never before been on a campsite where the shower block resembles someone’s own bathroom. Here if you forgot any of the necessities it didn’t matter – from shower gel, shampoo or suntan lotion this was all available for people to use. There was even cotton wool and spare toothpaste should you need it. The only quirk, and it was openly mentioned, was that the outbuildings occasionally lost water press and you could be caught short in the shower – however, not to panic, attached to the side of their own home was a further shower.

Should you want to venture away from the campsite there are plenty of footpaths surrounding the sites, one leading to the village shop and pub! The nearby village of Wickham Market is a five minute drive away with a larger supermarket and several different takeaways should that take your fancy.

On this occasion though we were just happy to sit by the tent with our BBQ and later our campfire and marshmallows!

I am still to mention the best part of this site…it is all based on honesty – a funny concept today you might say. From paying for your visit, the firewood you use and the extras on sale (including jewellery made by local children) nothing was supervised – you simply put your money in the box! Whilst we were there someone had also baked cakes for all to help themselves, a small donation to a local charity was asked for and, again, all based on trust.

For me this summed up the nature of this site and the campers on it. Is it an all singing, all dancing site…no. But if you want a true reflection of what, as my father would say, ‘proper campers’ are like this is the place to come. Children have the freedom to play and everyone was friendly and respectful of one another.

Earlier I mentioned a group of youngsters; they were there for a birthday party and had about seven or eight tents…we never heard them! How many places can you go and achieve that?

Would I recommend this site? This is difficult…from one perspective I want to tell anyone who will listen about this fantastic site; from another however, I want to keep this place quiet so that it remains unspoilt for us to return to!

If I am brutally honest, and speaking on the behalf of both my husband and myself, this is the best site we have ever been to!

If you get the opportunity you must visit!

Have you visited Brick Kiln Farm?  Perhaps you have spent time at another Honesty Campsite and want to recommend it to others.  If so, mention it in the comments below and we will be sure to check it out.