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We had quite specific criteria for our first camp of the season and Cliff House delivered on all them. We wanted somewhere with a bar and games room for warm entertainment for the long winter evenings, a site that wouldn't turn into a mudbath at the first sign of rain, decent facilities, in a beautiful part of the country and of course good value for money.
The 12 Lost Churches became our regular hideout. The bar staff were really friendly, the 'giant' games kept us entertained and the free wifi provided a great way to unwind at the end of the day and research the next day's adventure.
We pitched in the 'sunken garden', which despite being more mud / bark than grass, wasn't actually muddy. I guess the trees did their job but without blocking all the sun. Even in Feb we had 3 glorious mornings of sunshine, accompanied by a glistening sea view.
The wash block was good with hot powerful showers and a separate room for washing up. My only gripe here was that we wereted half an hour one morning trying to find somewhere to brush our teeth as the sign said the block was closed for cleaning at 10:30 and to use the north block. We finally found it but it was closed and resorted to using the bar which I think had just opened at 11am. The facilities weren't well used enough to get dirty as everyone mopped after themselves anyway!
No doubt about it there is some beautiful scenery here. Dunwich Heath NT is just down the road and we also ventured into Dunwich village, Walberswick and Southwold. If you love walking and nature this is a great location however we felt we had exhausted all cheap day out options within a 10 mile radius for the winter season. The museum was closed, Orford Ness NT was closed etc. In summer this would be a different story, however in summer, for us, there are other places we would rather go. A lovely place to visit for a quiet break, if you're undeterred by the feel that each road you drive down becomes a dead end because the village fell into the sea. It makes a very interesting history for Dunwich, but driving everywhere feels very laborious.
All in all, great value for money, a fantastic campsite with great facilities. Would we come back?. Maybe when we're middle-aged; I feel we've experienced all this area has to offer for now.
We stayed here for five nights after making a booking by phone during our holiday. There were only two pitches available but we were given good advice about which one was the most suitable (that is, quiet and away from the playground!). We were in a small area near the entrance and, yes, it was quiet. The new toilet and shower block was warm and clean although one shower in the ladies' was blocked and even though I reported it, it remained blocked for the time we were there. Dish washing facilities were good with plenty of hot water. The shop had enough of the sort of things you run out of - milk, bread bacon eggs etc. The bar was noisy but the free wifi was welcome. We didn't try the restaurant so can't comment there. Nice to stroll around the site in the evening and it was brilliant to be able to access the beach albeit via a very long and steep stairway. The location is fabulous. Dunwich Heath was awash with heather and Minsmere reserve is fantastic. We will certainly return.
We had pitch with hook-up on the West Field (under trees).
The site has good facilities - we used the shower/toilet block attached to the main bar/restaurant/reception building. No issues - only gripe would be showers had short time on the push-button, so just have to keep pressing it! To be fair they were warm and clean. Washing up facilities also OK, with plenty of hot water.
Site has kids playground next to the bar/entertainment building and quick access to beach means space there for kids to play too.
Can see that if you are close to playground/bar then could be some noise later on (depending on fellow campers) - there was a karaoke evening when we were there, but fortunately no spill out from the bar, so just muffled singing(?)/music from the building.
Site is in a great location, we enjoyed visiting Dunwich (good little museum and Flora's Tea Rooms by the beach) and Southwold, a little further away. Kids enjoyed splashing about in the sea and plenty of space on the beach.
We used to spend a week here every June, and many times we would return again in September. Three or four years ago we became very disappointed with the site as it was clear that it was becoming very upmarket, more and more log cabins were being constructed, and the staff seemed to be less accommodating to campers. We found another site which we enjoy greatly, however we thought we would give it another try in September and arrived as we were passing through. We hadn't pre-booked as we were touring and taking each day at a time. There was availability but the staff were so rude to us that we chose not to stay. The only plus point for us with this site is location. Being close to the sea and adjacent to the heathland is great, but being made to feel small by the very rude staff doesn't make up for the location.
We picked this site because the website made this site look like a woodland paradise, so excitedly we booked expecting a fun, relaxing week.
On arrival we were told we were on pitch 154, which is right next to the whole 'entertainment block'. There was a lot of noise on arrival, but I had read reviews on here about the noise curfews, so felt it would be ok. It was not! Here is a brief summary of the experience we had;
- loud entertainment going on until at least 12, but at this point the large groups of teenage kids (boys mostly) started 'playing' screaming and shouting until the wee hours, disturbing our young kiddies every night.
- we bought ourselves drinks in the bar, my husbands pint was half beer half watery clear grey liquid, my coffee was made with gone off milk which had been heated to the point where it had curdled and gone grainy, needless to say we didn't want to eat here, esp also because:-
- the whole area outside was filthy, rubbish laying about all the time, the inside wasn't much better, table tops sticky, dirty toilets, generally unpleasant.
- the worst thing was the showers. They were disgusting! It didn't matter what time we went, myself and three daughters were always faced with the same thing, shower floors covered in mud, half the beach brought in ( mostly stones and shingle) all over the showers, blocked toilets and teenage girls screaming and shouting at each other whilst taking up all the facilities for a long time! I decided to take matters into my own hands and clean the shower floors and all that was available was a mop that looked 20 yrs old and a bucket filled with cold filthy water. No wonder the premises was so dirty!
Myself and my family have been camping for a long time now but this is the firs time I have felt compelled to review. I'm sure the site when quieter could be lovely, but we just didn't see it, it felt cramped, loud, dirty, and on approaching staff to discuss it no one was interested and actually appeared rude. Suffice to say we will not return.
We read the reviews for this camp site and decided to take our grandchildren away for 4 nights, along with our 2 dogs, awning the cost was £153. 00 expensive but if its as good as the reviews then that was okay. How wrong could we be!
The pitch we were allocated, 143 'west field' was at the side of the bike hire shop, looking at the calor gas rack and a large gas cylinder, the area should have been used as another car park or play area for the children. I complained but was told by the staff that no other pitch was available.
The toilets and showers in the 'old' block were disgusting, never cleaned properly, waste bin full up, dirty water in the bucket to wash the floor with, on one occasion no toilet paper in any of the cubicles, in the shower grating was a large roll of matted hair, awful. In the newer shower block in the 'North field' the water was so hot we couldn't shower the children under it.
In the bar area the bar top and tables were all sticky, and on two different nights the same round of drinks were £2 dearer on the second night. Children were allowed to stay in the play area gone midnight screaming and shouting. The whole place was uncared for and neglected, how this site has a 'Rose' award is a mystery, and we will be looking into the criteria for that.
We came home 2 days early because we couldn't stand it any longer.
We cannot emphasize enough the issues raised in other reviews here. We phoned up to book a week and were advised that pitch 152 would be great for our little kids as it is next to the play park. Great we thought and looking on the map it seemed fine.
Beware and be warned of staying in pitched 152-154 and 177-180, they are close to the park for the kids BUT what is not clear on the map is that the bar opens up onto a patio in the play park. This causes problems because there are glasses in the play area and we saw two smashed by footballs and late at night (up to 12pm) there is a lot of noise from within the bar as the doors were often left open.
On arrival we aired our concerns with the reception staff and warden and were assured that noise levels would be non-intrusive and the warden did a park round at around 10pm. This was not the case and noise from kids in the park went on until 11pm on some nights and from the bar until 11. 30pm/12pm on most nights. We saw very little of the warden unless doing the daily toilet clean. We could not move pitch as they were fully booked.
The other important issue is the insufficient shower/toilet facilities - 3 showers, 3 toilets (men and women each) for the whole campsite. There are extra toilets in the bar area. At peak times this meant the inevitable queues, especially so over the bank holiday. For the price of pitch and size of site this is very poor. I often went into the toilets on a morning to find at least one blocked and in a disgusting state.
This important issue is a real shame for the site as it is in a great location with access to the shore and great walks into Dunwich and along towards Sizewell. Lots to visit within a short drive.
The food in the 12 lost churches is very good and so is the food in the pub in Dunwich (we think it is the Anchor/ship or something like that. ).
On balance we were very disappointed by our stay and the false assurances and the poor facilities but we love the area and the position of the site. If we were to return we would be very careful upon the pitch (far from the play park). We would advise all other visitors to boycott the above mentioned pitches.
We have just returned from a lovely weekend at the Cliff House Holiday Park. This a lovely site with great amenities. The toilet block we used was brand new and immaculately kept clean. The site itself is right beside the sea which really made it a lovely place to stay. There is a bar and restaurant on site which are very modern and well kept, we didn't eat there but had a drink and sat out in the upstairs balcony. All in all this is a great place to stay.
My wife and I have just returned from three nights at this fantastic site. Very quiet due to being 'off peak', and the only tent on their 'new tent' electric hook up area. The facilities were adequate and very clean and I only saw one other person in the facility block! My only criticism here was that the automatic light switch facility plunged my shower into darkness as I was dressing! No doubt due to lack of people entering the block! Staff were efficient and friendly. An evening walk around the site enlightened us to the other pitches, most of which were well under trees, and it was very dark and damp. When we booked, we asked for a pitch without tree cover - the 'new tent area' is not tree free, but most pitches are not directly under them. I recommend this site and we will certainly return (off peak!).
One of our favourite sites. Everything you could want, including a nice bar and good play equipment for the kids. Gents' loos have a tendency to block and fall out of use, but are usually sorted eventually. The area is nice, but you do have to travel to find even a small supermarket. We have been a couple of time and some pitches are brilliant, but some are a bit small and feel like they are just by the roadway, tucked under large trees. As long as you can get a pick of the good pitches this is a great site.
Never fails. Love this site don't want to review in case it gets too popular. Location excellent. Service excellent. Standard excellent facilities excellent. 12 lost churches excellent Just spoils you going to other sites which aren't as good. We've been four times never disappointed never been bad weather either it must be magic. Love the row boat ferry from wabberswick to southwold.
Happy to agree with previous reviews published since I was last here May 2012. So in order to avoid repetition, I’ll just mention the following;
Main facilities block has received a major interior refurbishment. However, push button type shower taps with irritatingly short time settings retained.
Second brand new facilities block constructed which seems to serve area reserved for seasonal pitches.
Most pitches are under trees which makes for nice bird song, but you will find yourself covered in bird droppings. Also, in stormy conditions you might find debris from trees falling on you.
Site now open all year.
A personal recommendation: Nature activities for children on Dunwich Heath organised from Ranger Hut adjacent to National Trust Coastguard Cottages and Cafe.
To sum up: A first class site, but you might want to ask for a pitch which is not under trees.
We have stayed here twice in the self-catering cottages (in spring/autumn) and we love this site. We plan to come back next summer with our tent, so I can't comment on the camping facilities but purely on location, this site is a winner.
It's very quiet and beautiful, with direct access to the beach. You can walk along the beach to Dunwich village (nice pub and very interesting museum) or the other way to the (National Trust) Dunwich Heath.
One advantage is that you can hire bikes on site. To be honest, the bikes could do with a little more maintenance, but we usually manage to find ones that are serviceable and the rates are reasonable. You can then cycle up to Dunwich Forest or to the RSPB reserve at Minsmere.
The shop is basic (nearest supermarkets Saxmundham or Kelsale) and we have only tried the restaurant when it had a 'all you can eat buffet' night which we didn't really like but the bar is very nice.
If you choose to stay in the self catering cottages, they are very well equipped and also a reasonable price. Looking forward to going back and trying out the camping.
Just back from a 6 night stay at Cliff House. We arrived Sunday evening, and left Saturday morning. Campsite was very quiet until the Friday night, when the weekenders arrived and it got a lot busier.
Washing/Showering/washup facilities were good, clean and functional, but I am not sure they are plentiful enough for a full site - The site was virtually empty when we were there, so it was fine, but as it got busier on the friday night / saturday, my wife had to regularly wait to use a sink or toilet.
We were in pitch 214, which was bark based, and under the trees, but was sheltered and flat and a decent size, and only seconds from the beach. We liked the fact that the trees sheltered the site from the winds, but with the obvious drawback of bird droppings and sap/twigs on the tent come take down time.
The on site shop was functional, but we had some fantastic produce from Emmerdales farm shop in Yoxford, down the road. The Ship Inn in Dunwich does lovely beer. We had a few drinks also in the on site bar, but didn;t sample the food. We hired bikes from on site, but I was disappointed with the quality of these, will take my own next time.
Overall, we loved the site, and would definitely return, but will avoid weekends and high season, as I think the site would feel very different when full.
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Common Questions
Is Cliff House Holiday Park child friendly? YES, it accepts children & has a playground View all facilities
Where is the nearest shop to Cliff House Holiday Park? There is a shop on site View all facilities
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
All reviews and comments are the personal opinion of the review author only , and as such do not represent the view of the UK Camp Site.co.uk.
The facilities shown on this website are a guide only, and you should check with the campsite direct before making any booking. The UKCampsite.co.uk will not be held responsible for any errors or omissions
Tent Pitches 
Caravan Pitches 
Motorhome Pitches 
Small Campervans 
No Glamping Units 
Holiday Homes for Hire 
Holiday Homes for Sale 
Seasonal Pitches 
Electric Hookups 
No Hardstandings 
No Fully Serviced Pitches 
Families Welcome 
Not Members Only 
No Rallies 
Not Naturist Site 
Dogs Welcome 
No Dogs Allowed 
Groups Welcome 
Motorbikers Welcome 
Toilet Facilities 
Hot Showers 
Washing Up 
No Bathroom 
Baby Changing Facilities 
Laundry On Site 
Drinking Water 
Disabled Friendly 
Chemical Disposal 
No Battery Charging 
Gas Exchange 
Recycling Facilities 
No Kitchen Facilities 
No Freezer / Fridge 
No Motorhome Point 
Wifi Access 
Shop On Site 
Bar On Site 
Restaurant or Cafe or Takeaway On Site 
Kids Playground 
No TV Room 
No Games Room 
Evening Entertainment 
Fishing <10 miles 
No Wild Swimming 
No Indoor Pool 
No Outdoor Pool 
Horse Riding <5 miles 
No Cycle Hire 
Golf <5 miles 
No Tennis 
Beach On Site 
No Watersports 
No Boat Launch 
Sea Views 
Not Working Farm 
Campfires Allowed 
Open All Year 
Coastside Pitches 
Public Transport <5 miles
Offroad Dog Walk On Site or Direct Access 
We had quite specific criteria for our first camp of the season and Cliff House delivered on all them. We wanted somewhere with a bar and games room for warm entertainment for the long winter evenings, a site that wouldn't turn into a mudbath at the first sign of rain, decent facilities, in a beautiful part of the country and of course good value for money. 
