Applewood Countryside Park Reviews
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Applewood Countryside Park is a family friendly park, ideally just outside of Banham, a great spot for exploring Norfolk's top attractions. There are a wide range of pitches for touring and camping as well as pods and ensuite cabins for glamping. You'll be next to Banham Zoo and even entitled to discounted entry! There is a play area, a giant chessboard and table tennis to keep you entertained. There is even a dog exercise area for your pooch!
4.73 /5
75 reviews
94%
would recommend
Very good
Recommends site
Rebecca C
0
0
Staff were very good, went out of their way when I had a problem.
Site's response
Many thanks for taking the time to write us a review. As a small business, we really appreciate guest feedback so that we can make sure our guests get the best possible experience whilst staying with us. Glad to hear that our staff were helpful when you had a problem and I will ensure that this is passed onto them. We look forward to seeing you again soon.
Perfect campsite good for families
Recommends site
Rafal S
0
0
Totally recommended! Chestnut corner very convenient, as it has got showers and toilets very close.
Site's response
Many thanks for taking the time to write us a lovely review and we hope to see you again soon.
Fantastic site in a great setting
Recommends site
Alexander L
0
0
Our stay at Applewood Countryside Park was an incredible break. The park is small and easily accessible. The team that runs it is very friendly and communicative. The zoo next door is a great place to take children and easily offers enough for a return visit during your stay. Nearby places like Diss, Thetford and Bury offer wonderful days out. The amenities nearby the campsite are great, especially the pub and butchers. During our stay, the summer food truck festival was onsite. Each day provided a lovely assortment of treats that the kids (and adults) enjoyed come evening time. We were sad when our stay came to an end and are already busy planning the best time to come back for a return visit.
Site's response
Thank you for your valuable feedback. It means a lot to us to hear that our guests enjoyed their stay. I am also pleased to hear that you found our staff friendly and helpful as this is one thing that we pride ourselves on as a Team. Being in the heart of Norfolk, we are very privileged to have such beautiful local towns and cities - most of which are within a hours drive from the Park. Norwich is a stunning historic city with famous Castle and Cathedral that is only 25 miles from here, so well worth a visit upon your return. We look forward to welcoming you again soon.
Enjoyable
Recommends site
Stephen F
0
0
We enjoyed our stay very much. We will be visiting again.
Site's response
So good to hear that you enjoyed your stay and we look forward to welcoming you back again soon.
What a great site
Recommends site
Philip G
0
0
This was our very first caravan site experience. What an experience. From our arrival to departure everything was made so easy. There is ample space between pitches, drinking water points were at an easy walking stance from our pitch (Laurel) and the toilets/showers/chemical waste areas were exceedingly clean and tidy. Nothing was too much effort for the very friendly, polite and knowledgeable staff who went out of their way to help us. We liked this site so much, we have taken advantage of the caravan storage facility which is completely covered and very secure. As I mentioned earlier, this was first time pulling a caravan, but with the 'vans being stored at angles, parking was made that much easier. It was during Storm Antoni when we were putting our van in storage, so poor Marie got drenched, but with great aplomb, she just chuckled and "got on with it". Thanks Marie, you did a great job. If you are finding it difficult to find a peaceful, pleasant and enjoyable location, you won't go far wrong in choosing Applewood Countryside Park. There is a 15 acre field for dog walkers, adjoined by a woods area and the dogs are free to run "off the lead" in both these areas, just be sensible and be aware "others" may be also walking their dog/s. There are dog "waste" areas strategically located around the site with ample general waste areas also dotted around the area. The showers/toilets/chemical waste areas are second to none and extremely clean and very well tended. Okay, it is out of the way, but isn't this what we look for, peace and quiet, pure bliss. For animal lovers, Banham Zoo adjoins Applewood and is extremely accessible. There is a great Fish and Chip (take note though - cash only) shop with a One Stop store almost opposite the site, and is well stocked. You won't be disappointed, if you are then there is something wrong with you. Enjoy it, we did!
Site's response
Thank you for taking the time to write such a glowing 5 star review. It was lovely to meet you, your wife and dog last week. It sounds like you had fun wandering around the campsite and checking out the Fish and Chip shop and Onestop shop opposite in the Appleyard. You didn't mention the pub and butcher, so I hope that you didn't miss these as the butcher does tasty bacon rolls and an array of yummy cakes. We were really pleased that we could help with storing your caravan and promise to look out to it until you return. Look forward to seeing you again soon.
Clean, friendly campsite in a beautiful setting
Recommends site
Marie L
0
0
We had a warm welcome and great explanation of facilities and area. Pitch was very spacious, not too far from the toilets and showers which were very clean. The only little gripe was that we were not pitched next door to our friends (which was requested at the time of booking), only in the same bay. We would love to return though and would highly recommend you.
Site's response
Many thanks for your lovely 5 star review. It was lovely to hear that you enjoyed your stay with us and would like to return. We try our hardest to ensure that we pitch friends next to each, so I can only apologise that we were unable to do this on this occasion due to other bookings. We look forward to welcoming you and our guests back soon..
Satisfactory amenities and quiet
Recommends site
Mark L
0
0
Returned from a good weekend at this site, good facilities and local amenities within walking distance, as well as good size pitches. Only criticism is that emptying grey waste could be better than just removing a cap off the pipe, and if you place a waste tube into the pipe. However, due to the lowness of the motorhome not all grey waste emptied out. Would suggest a grate over the area- would be ideal, so just emptying in a drain. After speaking to the warden, changes are being made in the future.
Site's response
Thank you for taking the time to review our Park. I am glad to hear that you enjoyed your stay and would like to thank you for your feedback on our motorhome, grey water waste disposal system. We appreciate this is not suitable for every motorhome but we do also have a ride over drain that can be used in the adjoining behind the reception carpark. When you are next on site if you let me know, I will happily come and show you where this is. Look forward to seeing you again soon.
Outstanding
Recommends site
Shaun C
1
0
From the warm welcome we received, we were blown away by Applewood, an absolutely lovely caravan and camping site. All the facilities were spotless and open all day. You won't be disappointed by the showers, your own private room with a powerful shower. You have the zoo, shops, butchers and chip shop with a lovely walk to the red lion pub, about 2.6 miles... a little gem of a site, we will be going back as soon as we can.
Site's response
Thank you for taking the time to write a lovely review. I was pleased to hear that you found our facilities spotlessly clean and I will feed this good news back to our Housekeeping staff. Since your stay we now also have the Garden House public house re-opened under new management about a mile down the road, so another little gem for you to discover next time you stay. We look forward to welcoming you again soon.
Pleasant stay
Claire P
0
0
Busy site, especially over the Easter holidays. Facilities were excellent although only one sink for dishwasher. The large pitches with hardstanding and electric hook-up were very good. Although, the back field seemed over crowded. If booking, I would suggest you ask for the main field. Dog walking area should be a fenced area as some people didn't pick up dog mess and as a dog owner, this did make me angry. This field is used also for children to play on. Concerned that there were no security barriers as anyone could access the site and walk onto the site. On the whole, a pleasant stay, but if coming to Norfolk again we would stay somewhere else as this site is miles from anywhere so we ended up doing lots of driving.
Site's response
Many thanks for taking the time to write us a review. Your feedback had been valuable and will certainly taken onboard. We were pleased to hear that you had a pleasant stay and should you wish to come again, please let me know and I will happily arrange for you to stay on the main park. Although we only have one washing up sink in Laurel Meadow, we do have two outside sinks and another indoor sink on the main park (just around the corner) and you are very welcome to use them as well. I was sad to hear that you found dog mess on Grove Meadow, as we have got dog bins installed round the entire park and they are emptied regularly. Majority of our guests who have got dogs are responsible dog owners and pick up after their dogs, but unfortunately you always get the odd one who doesn't so I can only apologise for this. Although we do not have a security barrier upon the entrance we do have CCTV and a Park Warden just inside the entrance. Again this might be something that we can consider for the future. I do hope that you will return and I look forward to meeting you if you do. Once again thank you for your feedback.
Perfect location
Recommends site
Nikki W
0
0
A warm welcome received upon check in by a lovely, friendly member of staff. Facilities were great and the toilets and shower facilities were immaculate. Excellent dog walking area and a wonderful pub, butchers, garden centre and shop a stones throw away. Would highly recommend and definitely consider another stay.
Site's response
Many thanks for taking the time to write a lovely review. We are glad to hear that you enjoyed your stay and found our facilities spotless. It was great that you went over the road and found the shop, take away, butchers, pub and garden centre as they are all very popular with our staff and guests. I love the butchers and would be lost without my bacon, brie and cranberry sauce baps! We look forward to welcoming you back again soon.
Great place
Recommends site
Jackie R
0
0
First time on site, the staff were extremely friendly and helpful. Great place near the zoo, a garden centre, lovely butchers, a pub and a convenience store. Lovely clean site, will definitely visit again.
Site's response
Many thanks for taking the time to write us a lovely 5* review. I was glad to hear that you found our Park clean and the staff friendly and helpful. We are lucky to have the Zoo right next door and lovely local amenities opposite so I was pleased to hear that you found them and enjoyed them. We look forward to welcoming you back again soon.
Perfect location, great facilities and very friendly staff
Recommends site
Jean R
0
1
Lovely short stay with friendly helpful, staff - a really lovely, well thought out site. It has great facilities, even floor heated shower areas! It is in a beautiful, quiet location for a short getaway or an ideal base for staying longer. We will definitely be back!
Site's response
Many thanks for taking the time to write us a lovely 5 star review. As a small family run Park, we pride ourselves in ensuring that we offer our guests good quality, clean facilities along with excellent customer service. I am glad to hear that you enjoyed your stay and will definitely be back. We look forward to seeing you again soon.
Our stay
Recommends site
Paul H
0
0
The only problem was finding our way in! It was very dark when we arrived so would have liked better lighting at the entrance. The site was very tidy and clean. The wardens were helpful and pleasant. Would have liked to stay longer.
Site's response
Thanks for taking the time to write us a review. So glad to hear that you found the Park clean, tidy and the staff helpful. We appreciate your comments on the lighting at the entrance and will look into this further. We look forward to seeing you again soon.
Beautiful
Recommends site
Penny S
0
0
Beautiful park, well maintained and so clean. Grass and hedges lush and green. The Meadow is a wonderful place for dogs to run and play. Was on my own but felt safe as the wardens are close by. Facilities spotless, everything well thought out and close to shops and a pub.
Site's response
Thank you for taking the time to write us such a lovely review. It was lovely to hear that you enjoyed the Park and felt safe wandering round on your own. We look forward to welcoming you back again soon.
Banham
Recommends site
Barbara W
0
0
Only thing I found annoying/frustrating is when the grass is cut around the site, if it was picked up, facilities would stay cleaner and so would my caravan.
Site's response
Thank you for taking the time to write us a comment. I will pass on your message to our Groundsmen to see what we can do about this. We look forward to seeing you again soon.
First stay
Recommends site
Alexandra M
0
0
Our first stay at Applewood. Staff were friendly and helpful. Facilities were good, no concerns. Recommend and would stay again.
Site's response
Thank you for taking the time to write us a lovely 5* review. We are really pleased to hear that you enjoyed your first stay here with us at Applewood Countryside Park and look forward to seeing you again soon.
Couple of nice nights away
Recommends site
Gary B
0
0
First it was strange sleeping next to the zoo, felt like we were sleeping on a safari with the noises where heard. Not a complaint, it was rather amusing. Clean site, well located. Plenty of space. No complaints
Site's response
Many thanks for taking the time to write us a lovely 5* review. I am really pleased to hear that you and your family found our Park clean and tidy and that you enjoyed sleeping next to the animals in the zoo. We look forward to welcoming you back to the Park again soon.
Very organised family campsite nextdoor to the Zoo!
Recommends site
Longwill C
0
0
Applewood was incredibly convenient for a visit to Banham Zoo, as the two are neighbours! The site is very neatly and quite formally laid out, with pitches arranged either side of mature hedgerows that radiate out from the circular access road, with the main facilities located centrally on the site - so you are never going to be far from the loos, showers, washing-up facilities, etc. Pop-up food wagons visited the site every evening, so there was an on-site food option for those wishing to have a break from cooking. This definitely had the feel of a family campsite - there were a lot of young children who were making full use of the open spaces and on-site playpark. So perhaps not suited to older families or adult-only groups who are looking for a quiet getaway. We were disappointed with the way that a previous visitor had left our pitch - it was littered with cigarette butts and small pieces of cigarette packaging, which is particularly unpleasant for non-smokers.
Site's response
Many thanks for taking the time to review our Park. As you have pointed out we are a family friendly Park and during the school holidays we do have mainly families staying on-site, however when the children are back at school we have a lot of older guests and rally groups staying who are able to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the Park. I am really sorry to hear that previous guests left cigarette butts and packaging laying around on your pitch. We do do regular litter picks so can only apologise that we missed them. We look forward to welcoming you again soon.
Short break
Recommends site
Julie M
0
0
Great place with a pub, shop and take away opposite.
Site's response
Thanks for taking the time to write us a lovely review. We are glad to hear that you enjoyed your stay and look forward to welcoming you again soon.
5 star
Recommends site
Louise R
0
0
Very nice and clean campsite
Site's response
Glad to hear that you found our campsite nice and clean and we look forward to seeing you again soon.
Well worth a stay
Recommends site
Tom L
0
0
This is the second time we have been to this site, we love it here. The park wardens were friendly and helpful, the children enjoyed the park and games den and the local facilities have all you need for a perfect countryside break. Listening to the zoo animals at night was a bonus. Highly recommend.
Site's response
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a wonderful review. We are so pleased you have enjoyed your second stay with us and we look forward to welcoming you back again.
Clean and friendly
Recommends site
Karen T
0
0
There are only four main showers in the area I stayed in. As these are family showers, these are not amble enough and often full. There are two separate showers that are gender specific; however there is nowhere to pop your clothes etc within the cubicle. The site, toilets and showers were extremely clean at all times. Staff were friendly and helpful. Great bonus of food vans that visit the site. These vary each week. A display board is required to display the timetable of these visits. I was told to check social media but do not use social media. You do need a car to visit places when staying in this site. If you want to cycle you are doing so on busy country lanes. Having the zoo right next door is great with reduced entry fees. Good addition of an empty Ford for dog walkers and ball games
Site's response
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a lovely review. I am glad to hear that you found our staff friendly and helpful and that our shower and toilet facilities are extremely clean, bearing in mind that we are right in the middle of the summer holidays. I have taken on board that our gender specific showers in Laurel Meadow only have a few hanging hooks outside the cubicles and not in the cubicles so will look into getting more hooks added. Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Regarding the food vans - we do put posters in the clip frames on the backs of the toilet doors and in the laundry rooms so really sorry if you have not seen these. I always have copies in the office for anybody who does not have social media so next time you stay, please feel free to come and ask for one. We look forward to welcoming you back again soon.
Great campsite- good facilities, pleasant staff
Recommends site
Alistair T
0
0
Just a 3 night trip for our family of five with three young children. We stayed on Chestnut Corner, standard camping without electical hook-up. The facilities were good and clean, the playground was great for the kids, and the location right next to Banham Zoo and quite close to Thetford Forest High Lodge and some other family activity sites made it perfect for us. Recommended.
Site's response
We are really pleased to hear that you enjoyed your stay with us. Staying right next door to the Zoo is great fun as you get to listen to the animals through the night, so we hope the children enjoyed it. As you pointed out we are very lucky with local attractions such as Roarr Dinosaur Park, Pleasurewood Hills, Bewilderwood, The English Whisky Distillery and Bressingham Steam Museum (just to name a few) all within less than an hour's drive, so plenty to do when you arrive. We look forward to welcoming you and your family back again soon.
Great touring location
Recommends site
Michelle G
0
0
Lovely caravan and camping park, good spacious pitches and excellent facilities. I don't think there's anything they haven't thought of. Staff very welcoming, friendly and helpful. The zoo is a must see plus you get a good discount if you are staying on the site. Excellent location for exploring the beautiful Norfolk countryside.
Site's response
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a wonderful review. We are so pleased you enjoyed your stay and look forward to welcoming you again in the future.
Wasps everywhere
Ashkem L
0
0
The park itself is pretty, however the whole park had a power cut on our last night. Both nights we were there, we had to change our plug on the electric pitch 3 times as it cut out. No idea why as our caravan is brand new and it was only our second trip out. There are wasps everywhere. It seems others had the same issue as well. The wasps ruined it for us and our friends. Such a shame as the staff were lovely and the park is pretty. Unfortunately we won't be going back, which is a shame as it's local to us.
Site's response
I am really sorry to hear that you had issues regarding the power on the campsite. All of our electric hook up boxes are designed to take a maximum of 10amps and these only usually trip if guests use multiple appliances totalling more than 10amps, or larger appliances above 10amps. As long as guests report that they have tripped their sockets, we can come and reset them which prevents this affecting other campsite users and taking the whole park down. As for the wasps - again is all I can do is apologise. We have got wasp traps around the park and we are trying our best to keep them at bay. We hope that these two issues do not stop your returning and having a relaxing holiday with us in the future.