The finalists have been announced for the Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year award, sponsored by Next Phase Leisure and Sunseeker Holiday Homes, at the East of England Tourism Awards 2022-2023.

This award recognises local camping, glamping, holiday parks, sites and villages providing memorable experiences for guests and demonstrating excellence in all areas.

Here are this year's finalists.

The Comet: Albion Nights is an off-grid retreat in Bungay on the Norfolk/Suffolk borderAlbion Nights is an off-grid retreat in Bungay on the Norfolk/Suffolk border (Image: Nat Aubry)

Albion Nights

Albion Nights is a luxury, off-grid cabin set in a wildflower meadow in Bungay, on the border between Norfolk and Suffolk. The cabin has been hand-crafted using reclaimed, recycled and reused materials and aims to provide glamping at its best.

The brainchild of owner Helen McGrath-Doherty, Albion Nights offers the opportunity to indulge in a relaxing, child-free, digital detox, where guests can immerse themselves in nature.

The cabin was set to begin trading in April 2020, but delays caused by the pandemic meant it wasn’t able to open its doors until August of that year, providing visitors and locals with the opportunity to indulge in some luxury downtime all year round.

As people in the UK could only holiday in the UK at the time of opening, staycations became incredibly popular, helping to propel Albion Nights into the limelight. Bookings have been running at just short of 100% occupancy ever since and the business has been featured on television, as well as in publications including Elle, Grazia, The Guardian and The Times.

The judges were impressed with the offering provided by Albion Nights and praised both “the beauty of off-grid living” and the “natural surroundings and wildlife” experienced at the cabin.

 

The Comet: Clippesby Hall Holiday Park is set in 34 acres of countryside in Great Yarmouth Clippesby Hall Holiday Park is set in 34 acres of countryside in Great Yarmouth (Image: Clippesby Hall)

Clippesby Hall Holiday Park

Clippesby Hall Holiday Park is a family-owned camping and touring site set in 34 acres of woodland near Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.

The business was originally established in the 1960s and has remained under the ownership of the Lindsay family since then. It has served multiple generations of camping families and the opening of its BASECAMP area in 2019 means that Clippesby Hall can now welcome offsite visitors to its bar, restaurant, shop and recreation area.

The site contains eight distinctive areas, ranging from tucked away spaces to large open-perimeter pitches and even cosy shepherd huts, with both power-free and fully-serviced pitches available.

Alongside the BASECAMP area, onsite facilities also include a launderette, information reception, cycle hire and four shower blocks.

As well as exploring nearby beaches, trails and the beautiful Norfolk Broads, guests at Clippesby Hall can also enjoy the onsite play parks, tennis courts, mini golf and table tennis.

The judges were impressed with the “high level of customer service” provided at Clippesby Hall, as well as the experience offered at the BASECAMP area and the activities including mini golf, adventure playgrounds and bicycle hire.

They added that the accommodation available at the site was “very impressive”.

 

Deepdale Camping

Deepdale Camping & Rooms is an eco-friendly campsite situated on the organic Deepdale Farm near King’s Lynn, Norfolk, which also offers private rooms with the option of shared facilities or en suites.

The business has been in existence for more than 20 years and under its current ownership since 2016. It consists of 85 permanent pitches suitable for tents, campervans, motorhomes and trailer tents, and up to 60 overflow high-season pitches, as well as 12 en-suite rooms and four shared-facility rooms housed in the farm’s converted stables and granary buildings.

Deepdale prides itself on its passionate staff, with around 14 full-time and part-time workers, and the whole team works to help each visitor have a happy camping experience – as evidenced by its positive reviews across Facebook, TripAdvisor and Google.

Alongside the camping and rooms, the business also offers a full visitor information centre, bike hire, live music and the annual Deepdale Festival.

The judges commented on the “cleanliness” of the site and added that they “loved the charm of the 17th century converted building”. They also praised the convenience of having the local shops and facilities within walking distance, but still contained in a countryside setting.

The winners of the East of England Tourism Awards 2022-2023 will be announced at a black-tie event held at Milsoms Kesgrave Hall, Ipswich, Suffolk on Thursday, March 16.

To view the full East of England Tourism Awards 2022-2023 finalists supplement, please click here.