Thetford Forest Club Campsite
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Just come back from Thetford Forest site celebrating our sons first birthday, this was the first time making it to Thetford this year due to lockdown, and once again wasn’t disappointed. Love the site for the peace and quiet, great walks for the dog and wardens always friendly (both relief and permanent)
Yes we heard the banger from the nearby farm, however being in the country side certain noises are to be expected and certainly didn’t taint our holiday, it is also nice hearing the planes fly over unlike where we live where we have to endure the sound of a plane flying over head for an hour or so at a time when practicing stunts.
We are already booked to go back again later this year, and have bookings for in place for next year as well! We are very fortunate in this site being only about an hour away from home.
Out of all the sites we have been to, Thetford forest still remains our favourite!
Beautiful site spoilt by noisy farmer and aircraft.
This site is in a beautiful location, we visited a few years ago and loved it. This time however was a different experience due to the local farmer starting his Bird-scarer cannon at 6.30am every morning and keeping it going for most of the day. He breeds Geese for the Christmas market so presumably it will be running until then. In addition the training jets from RAF Lakenheath are very active and very noisy, you either love them or hate them so this may not be a problem to some people. Overall I booked the site expecting it to be quiet as it was last time, not unreasonable give it's location in the middle of a forest but was so disappointed that I will not return again.
Peace and tranquillity
Lovely clean, peaceful site.
At times(when the wind eased) all you could hear were the birds singing.
Plenty of trails for walking or cycling, with the added bonus of the desert rats memorial and a bit of history to read about.
We had a couple of issues with the caravan (my fault 😞)
and the wardens couldn’t have been more helpful, they went above and beyond their duties to help me, lovely people.
Will definitely go back again, and I’ll try not to break the caravan next time!
Geocaching Trip
Just back from a trip to this part of East Anglia mainly Geocaching on our bikes. Thetford Forest site made a good base for a few days as many tracks in the forest to walk or ride. Shame no cycle path on the very fast main road with lots of big lorries and fast cars traveling along it. No real shops close so you need to be stocked up with supplies. Very happy to spot deer on at least three different days in different days. Lots of free blackberry's out at this time of year to snack on. Some of the tracks are a bit lumpy so if you are not a confident cyclist take care.
Could Be Better
Arrivals, very smooth, Covid precautions in operation. Later I did note the complete lack of hand sanitiser at all of the Disposal Points (Fresh water/Grey/Chem/Rubbish), these are common areas, where all users visit. It makes sense to supply it. I'm suspecting this is an issue at Club Management level, rather than the wardens. All my recent visits to private sites have that aspect covered.
Overall a lovely site, seriously, if you love woods and forest tracks, you will enjoy. But less than impressed by the male warden, we are club members, it takes just a little bit of effort to be friendly and civil to us, rather than abrupt, officious and rude. I had two interactions with him, very poor. The lady at reception was totally the opposite, and that was appreciated.
The Warden's Dogs! Yep, they are a big issue. Literally every time someone walks past, you are dealt a crescendo of noise, it's not acceptable. In terms of overall noise on the site, the wardens are the biggest offenders. Again, a lack of regard for your paying customers, many have travelled a long distance for the privilege of staying on the site. I travel with a dog, so I do understand what is acceptable, the current situation there is not. There will be easy solutions to this problem, deal with it please.
Location. You are out in the sticks a bit, so if you're in a motor-home, and lack transport, getting extra supplies etc, will be difficult, as walking to Mudeford is problematic due to a really busy A road. Unlike many other CAMHC sites, no on-site shop in operation, (Apparently Card/Cash payment issues!), no take-away vans or similar arranged. I feel so much more could be done to improve the experience. However If you're in a caravan, your experience will be very different, and this will make an ideal base.
Would I stay again, yep probably, once the organisation takes steps to improve the overall offer, especially for the motorhomers and deals with the site-management issues.
Thetford Forest Site
This was our first time to Thetford Forest and venturing out following the easing of restrictions.
We were warmly greeted at the site entrance and very politely made aware of the procedures that the site had in place to make us and everyone else feel safe and secure.
The signage and equipment that was installed and available made us feel very comfortable and safe, and appreciate how difficult this must be. The Team on site were extremely helpful and keep the site well maintained,
We were very fortunate to be given a pitch with our Motorhome that is located in one of the Grass areas and had plenty of room to put up our awning while also maintaining a good and safe distance between others also in the same area.
Thetford Forest is a beautiful place for Walking in and around including the Dessert Rat Trail, which was an added bonus, and the Military must have had an exercise nearby as we could hear some of their training taking place.
We were only at Thetford for two nights, but could have spent more time exploring the area and look forward to returning and enjoying the Forest at a different time and season.
Thoroughly enjoyed our short visit.
WiFi
The club should be ashamed of putting WiFi in the site description as having paid to access this for three years now the WiFi at thetford is abysmal and should not be included on advertising literature without a serious upgrade.
I do realise not every body thinks WiFi should be available whilst on holiday but the fact it is advertised should mean it is accessible and reasonable.
If it’s there I want to be able to access WiFi as I pay the fees for it.
kennyboy1
Reviewed on 03/08/2020 17:12
Great site - Abysmal broadband
We visited this site to be near our grandchildren within the Covid-19 restrictions. The location is good for a lot of Suffolk and Norfolk as well as (of course) the forest itself. We found the site and (relief) wardens helpful, friendly and considerate of all.
However, as we hadn't been away for some time, I persisted in trying to get onto the broadband for CMH Club and pay for 12 months access. It was a complete waste of time and money! Even now, at home, writing this review with fibre broadband, the waiting time for searches is poor. The CMH club is not serving it's members properly and needs to spend money on improving their main server broadband response times AND ensure that sites can manage with the number of users logging on. This is the 21st C; almost everyone on site will be wanting internet access simultaneously.
I will be asking for a refund from the club.
Sadly now spoiled by rude warden and their FOUR barking dogs
Lovely site and perfectly located. Fantastic for dog walking and generally relaxing. The hard standings don't really work with an awning - better to head to the grass pitches. TV reception is poor unless you are lucky (some pitches almost work!) - satellite works OK at pitches near the entrance where you can get an adequate view of the Astra satellite.
This used to be our favourite site across the UK.
BUT the current wardens have spoiled this. They have FOUR yapping dogs that bark and bark and bark EVERY TIME anybody walks past (which you have to) - the wardens make no effort to control this and the chap (Keith) is abusive to those who (politely) complain or even mention it. They try to steer people away from Pitch 1 knowing that their dogs will be an issue.
Additionally the warden has a huge HGV cab which can pull the trailer they live in. He parks this in places that encroaches onto pitches, restricting awning space that should be yours. Despite being 70+ he also likes to play jack the lad and drive the HGV cab around, sounding a very, very loud air horn as he does so - I think he thinks it entertains?
Additionally (and finally, sorry) the warden has allegedly been in trouble/dispute with the Caravan Club regarding his conduct - and loves to bad mouth the Club to any visitor that will listen. He is proud to claim that he won the case and intends to stay on the site for many years to come and will not be removed.
Sadly these wardens have spoiled the site and we shall only be visiting when the site is being managed by the relief wardens, who are lovely. Unfortunately all they get to hear is complaints about the resident warden.
I am not just moaning - we really love this site but are so sore that it has been spoiled.
One of our favourite sites
We have been coming here for several years now love it peace and quiet , one of our first visits after lockdown , Keith and Sarah keep the site immaculate , lovely walks in the forest , plenty of wild life to see . Thetford is not far away there is a tesco , a good chip shop in the town , Swaffham has a good butchers and plenty of places to eat , at Mudford not far from the site there is a cafe which does good food and a pub just around the corner adjacent to a good chip shop .