Staycation spot: Alde Garden Campsite

Tucked behind a Suffolk pub you will discover a calming campsite with a tranquil vibe and quirky accommodation.

Alde Garden Campsite, situated in Sweffling (between Saxmundham and Framlingham), is a small, but perfectly formed, glamping site with two yurts, a bell tent, gypsy caravan, hideout, and space for five tents.

Last month we were kindly invited to stay for two nights in the Barn Owl Yurt, and after a busy summer we couldn’t wait for some relaxation!

We were greeted on arrival by owners Mark and Marie and shown to our gorgeous yurt. With a stunning four-poster bed, log burner and cosy rugs, everything about the yurt encouraged relaxation. Our yurt was surrounded by hedges to create privacy and featured a deck and BBQ area.

The campsite itself is accurately described as a garden. To me it felt like an enchanted wonderland; there was even a little hollow in a hedge with tiny tables and chairs (I think they were for children but I liked to imagine they were for fairy tea parties!).

The site has a communal campfire, a family of friendly ducks and a wood fired pizza oven. The outdoor kitchen offers guests the chance to cook their meals and buy essential supplies. This space was a real hub of the campsite, especially in the morning with campers cooking up breakfast and chatting over mugs of tea and coffee.

The campsite is careful of its environment and only uses solar lights. There is a compost loo (the tree bog), which saves 6 litres of water every time it’s used!

The toilet and shower block are run on solar power or guests can try out the jungle shower. The jungle shower, set amongst the trees, is a basic wooden cubical with a hook to hoist up a shower bag. Leave the bag out to warm in the sun all day and come back to the campsite for a shower with countryside views; we would definitely try this out in the summertime!

We spent our first afternoon exploring the campsite, reading on the decking and chatting to other guests. The site has a really sociable atmosphere with everyone getting to know one another during their stay. I think this is certainly helped by the onsite pub, The Sweffing White Horse, where everyone gathers in the evenings during the weekends.

We visited the pub on both evenings of our trip away and on the second night were treated to some live music by Peter Hepworth. My partner loves his real ales (he used to run a pub) and thoroughly enjoyed the selection; his favourite was Little Sharpie by Humpty Dumpty.

The pub has a traditional taproom rather than a bar and I love how it is lit with candles and low lighting – perfect for autumnal evenings.

The short walk back to our yurt was a real treat after a night in the pub. We stoked up the woodburner and sat around with fairy lights twinkling – magic!

Even though the campsite is only a short drive from where we live, it felt a million miles away from reality. For those who are constantly on the go, without much time to stop and appreciate nature (however much they might want to!) then a stay at Alde Garden Campsite must be at the top of your list.

The campsite is now closed for the winter and will reopen in the spring to welcome those looking for a rejuvenating escape, just like we experienced this autumn. Follow them on Instagram and Facebook to keep up to date with bookings and developments at the site.

A huge thank you to Marie and Mark for having us! <3

Disclaimer: This blog post was not sponsored. Alde Garden Campsite invited me to the review the campsite; all opinions are my honest findings. For my full disclosure and privacy policy please click here.