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We stayed at The Dower House at the end of August. A lovely site which I would recommend to anyone. We stayed on the meadow as we weren't using electric hook up and were told to pitch where we liked. It was a bit of a trek to the toilet block with small children but they were always clean and well maintained. Water was always close whereever you pitched.
The play park kept the children entertained and my 11 year old had a great time playing in the surrounding wood.
The outdoor swimming pool was also clean and well maintained, but I suspect it could get very busy in peak season.
The shop had most things you needed, but were running down their stock of ice creams etc as it was near the end of their season.
A chip van comes onto site on a Friday evening, but we didn't use it. Great if you are arriving fairly late or can't be bothered to cook.
A lovely site which didn't feel at all cramped or hemmed in like you do at some places.
Staff were friendly and did intervene when someone was being crowded into a corner with a group wanting to pitch together.
Only tiny criticism was that there were so many freezer blocks in the freezer, that they only just about managed cold rather than frozen in 24 hours. You didn't have to pay for it though which is always good.
We just had a fantastic weekend at Dower House, it having been recommended by another camper.
Although it rained a fair bit and I think other tents may have been flooded, we were on higher ground - together with the moles!
Everything was close by, water taps very close etc. The toilets were always clean, plenty of loo roll and hot water and there was always a cleaner around mopping up muddy/wet footprints (it rained a fair bit!).
The showers were clean also with plenty of hot water and the washing up facilities were excellent - plenty of sinks and again hot water all the time.
The site has a pub which is great for a drink and the whole place is surrounded by forest with lots of interesting and varied walks.
We saw rabbits, squirrels and deer as well as birds, frogs and plenty of insects!
The site was full when we arrived but as the pitches are well spaced out, there was virtually no noise from neighbours.
The site is very safe for children and there is plenty of room for them to play football and other games as well as there being a children's play area and a swimming pool which our son couldn't use as it was too deep and he is not confident at swimming yet - that was about the only downside of the whole place.
The shop was well stocked and all the staff were very friendly and helpful.
We will definitely be visiting again very very soon!
We have just returned from five nights here and had one of the nicest camping trips ever. Admittedly the weather was superb, which always helps, but the friendliness and relaxed and calm atmosphere of the site and its owners and managers make it something special. We were welcomed like old friends even though it was our first visit, taken to our pitch and advised the best place to set up in order to keep the 6 metre fire rule.
The setting is beautiful, a clearing in the middle of a part of Thetford Forest, therefore the whole site is surrounded by tall trees. The pitches are generous sizes and not laid out in too regimented a form. The facilities are excellent - immaculate loos and showers, baby changing room, laundry room with freezer for ice blocks, and the best washing up room i've seem yet. All this was in easy striking distance of our pitch yet we were never disturbed by noise.
There is a small heated pool and a chillier paddling pool all fenced in for safety; ball games areas; wooden climbing frames and masses of space for the children to play. The pub is pleasant and again relaxed and calm with no noisy arcade machines, the only down side is that it no longer does food. The small shop is cleverly stocked with most essentials I could think of (including bbq utensils and airbed plugs!) and is not overpriced.
The village of East Harling has two pubs which do food, a Chinese restaurant/takeaway and a fish and chip shop which also serves burgers and kebabs. There is a grocers, a diy shop, chemist, post office and an excellent butcher.
The relaxed and friendly atmosphere comes from those that own and look after the site. Whilst everything is well organised, clean and tidy and sensible rules are in place (particularly regarding pool use and puiet times) you are not struck by any sense of regimentation. We will definitely be going back and happily recommend the site to those that want a laid back holiday away from it all.
We camped here for three nights with four adults and two small boys in two tents. As we did not want electricity, we were told to pitch where we liked in the meadow, which was ideal - so much space for the children to run around, and not too far from the facilities.
These were very good, and well maintained. Toilets and showers were immaculate. The bar was not open the first two nights, but the shop was thoughtfully stocked with most requirements, even spare airbeds, though we did not discover this till we had made a trip home to fetch ours, which we had managed to miss in the packing!
The road to the site is very rough, but acts as good traffic calming.
We were not hardy enough to use the outdoor pool, but the 'Waterworld' in Thetford was excellent. There were several local attractions - soft play for the children, and Bressingham Steam Museum, and we would like to visit again and discover more.
All in all, we were very pleased that we were not put off by the dreadful weather forecast for the week, which turned out far too pessimistic.
Just had a fab weekend again at the dowerhouse. The site wardens are so friendly and helpful. They take you to your pitch.
Pleased to see that the shower cubicles have been changed from last year!
We love the peace and quiet of the site, great for the kids and the dog. We normally visit 3-4 times a year and plan another visit in june.
Facilities on site are great, big pitches no extra charge for gazebo's which is a bonus. Shame the pool was shut as it was a mega hot weekend when we visited, but the local leisure centre with wave machine was close by.
Just had an enjoyable stay at this lovely site. We were greeted by a very polite and informative receptionist who arranged for us to be shown to our pitch (242). All pitches were clearly marked and were very large. The facilities for the children were a small play area, and two nets hung between two wooden posts we enjoyed a game of volleyball and badminton.
There were two swimming pools but they were being cleaned as they were due to be opened at the end of the month.
There was also a pub on the site with a small beer garden.
The toilets and showers were clean and the water was hot.
We walked through the forest with our children and Labrador and observed a deer and fox on more than one occasion.
My only complaint would be is that you are charged for visitors and having just read the brochure in peak times you are required to book at least a minimum of three nights.
A great site with HUGE pitches, and well maintained grounds. Well organised whilst having a relaxed attitude to pup tents, gazebos etc. Dogs welcome, and each dog owner kept the site spotlessly clean! Very busy (we did go at peak time!) so the 5 ladies/5 gents showers were very busy - often long queues. Showers basic, with saloon doors, push-button. Shower block is separate from the toilet block, with no wash basins or toilets in the shower area, so a trek between each. One unisex disabled shower. Two toilet blocks. Location of shower block is slightly unusual- it is attached to the main house, and you walk through the pub garden to get to it, which can be a bit weird if people are sitting drinking whilst you trot through with your soap on a rope! Excellent play area with lots of play equipment, and 2 volleyball nets. Small shop opening from 8.30am-5.30pm with the basics. One washing machine, token operated at £2.50 a go, and one tumble-drier, tokens 20p for 5 mins. Could do with more - as it's a pretty busy site, with a huge tent area and many caravans.Free freezer facilities for ice blocks. Very little lighting - NEED lots of torches to get around the place at night! Nice HEATED pool 1.4m deep throughout, with a paddling pool beside. Wire fencing means you can sit with your dog whilst watching the kids swim. No under 15's in the pool unaccompanied. Price of pool included in site fee, but means pool is always busy. LONG driveway on an unmade road to reach The Dower House, full of potholes. Location within Thetford Forest is idyllic, but means quite a drive to other attractions. Closest was Banham Zoo (15 mins), Thetford town (15 mins), Norwich approx 45 mins. All in all, a lovely site, with very sizeable pitches, showers need updating, but still worth a visit. Would not recommend it for too long a stay, 2 weeks would be more than enough.
We have just returned from a weeks stay. The site was very nice with plenty of facilities in a very peaceful location. It was busy but not fully booked (maybe 75% full). There is a large on site bar but no on-site restaurant which seemed a bit strange.
Unfortunately, the weather wasn't that good for us and this did limit the local tourist attractions. There is plenty to do in the forest area if it is dry and you like mountain biking, walking etc. However, if it is wet then your choices get a bit limited.
Nearby Thetford is centrally located in East Anglia and is well connected by road. You can drive to most places within an hour or so.
Just had a great week at Dower House - East Harling. Difficult to find as its in the middle of nowhere and not that well signposted. Just a warning first, when you arrive to the entrance of park you have to go down a mile long country track, its very very bumpy.
Great large pitches, taps near every tent (with electric). Pitches are bordered and level. We were shown to our pitch (308 - recommended as you get the sun all day!). Nice little shop with the basics at decent enough prices. Tesco is 10 mins away - back roads though No cash machine in East Harling, so you have to go to tesco. Great cantonese in town, shop(open till 9pm). Little info hut with brochures about surrounding areas.
Pool is open 10-7pm. Pool is great but smallish (10m x 5m) and heated. Baby pool not heated. No lifeguard and no under 14's allowed on their own. Football pitch with goals and nets, volleyball and tennis courts. Table tennis, pool in the bar. The bar itself sells the usual but amazingly do no food! (now there's a market! they could make a fortune - honestly!) There are also loads of different walks around the park, each one takes you into parts of Thetford Forest or across farmland. Great for walking off the beer and bbq. Kids loved cycling around park and forest. Dogs must be on leads at all times. Nice bar area at night with outdoor seating & kids play area. Showers - pretty good, press button for shower (no charge), warm. I just wish some people would clean up after themselves. Toilets - again clean but with so many people using them they can get wet underfoot. And again I wish people would clean up after themselves. On the whole the toilets could probably do with a revamp. 6 showers for men, 6 for women, 2 disabled. We never had to wait. Weather was pretty good, just one eve it rained from 6pm till morning, apart from that we got a tan! The kids made friends. Defo recommend for a quietish hol and will visit soon.
We recently booked in here for 5 nights as a last resort as most other sites in the Norfolk area (with pools) were fully booked. The site is great, we had 3 year old twin boys with us and the outdoor pools (small children's pool which was very cold, and the bigger pool which was warm) were the highlight of the holiday. In fact we enjoyed the site so much we ended up extending our stay for a further 2 nights. There is a cosy little pub on site that opens at lunch time and evenings, good selection of drinks available and a very friendly team working behind the bar. There is also an outside garden area at the pub with ample seating and a climbing frame and slide for the kids. There is also a larger play area for kids of all ages in the campsite grounds and a small shop on site which had basically everything you needed. The site is surrounded by a forest, so great for a long walk or leisurely stroll. The forest was home to a number of wild animals, Squirrels, rabbits and deer to name but a few. Gt Yarmouth was about a 60 minute drive away as was Cromer, Norwich was about 30 minutes away and the Broads about 50 minutes away. East Harling was a great little village too, 2 good pubs, A Chinese restaurant (that did take aways), a fish and chip shop, a butchers, a chemist and several other village stores including a supermarket. we will be back for a long weekend very soon.
Really nice site. Facilities are clean and well maintained. Although the site is big it is divided in such a way you do not feel you are camped with lots of other families! The play area is ok, but could be improved, but the plus side is that there is so much room for the kids to let off steam. Friendly folk in the shop who always made the kids feel welcome. Nice pub and reasonable food. Outdoor pool was VERY cold! Good pubs in the local area, but other than dog walks there is not masses to do in the locality.
We had a lovely Easter weekend at this site, along with 4 other families. Unfortunately camp rules were that only 4 pitches together, so 1 of us had to be pitched further along - we felt this was a bit unfair, as rules were rules ! - we were allowed to all gather together anyway, so couldn't see the advantage gained by this rule, other than to disappoint !
The site itself is fantastic, it has a small shop with friendly staff and is set within the forest so was a good opportunity to walk miles each day with our dogs.
The toilet blocks are lovely and clean.
The showers are a bit dated,with stable doors for privacy! very cold but wet ! If you managed to be first for showers in the morning then, you had a nice hot one, but other than that, no matter what time of day, they were cold - freezing in fact !
Nice site - would recommend, but they need to sort out the cold showers !
Just visited this again for the second time, it was even better than before. It was our first trip this year and couldn't't have chosen a better site. We were sited by the woods which was nice and peaceful, the the people were friendly and helpful. Lots of walking through the woods and seeing deer, rabbits and squirrels. Site was very clean, as were the toilets, because there wasn't too many people on site. We were told on our leaving day not to hurry packing up. Just relax and take your time.
Loved this site, very clean and lots of room. We set up with three other families and were asked to keep noise down after 10pm (fair enough), but camped in the meadow and had to keep 6m from each other so had loads of room for kids to play. They loved the pools and the play area. Would definitely recommend this site, perfect for relaxing!
August 2005 Our first visit to this site. Overall a brilliant site, the kids (12 and 15) had a great time. Mass games of footie, table tennis and pool kept them entertained. The swimming pool is great for the younger kids, but not really big enough for the older ones. We did not eat at the pub, but found the drinks a reasonable price. All the facilities were clean, I was a bit concerned about there only being 5 showers for the whole site, but never had to wait, so obviously not a problem even though the site was very full. The camping pitches are not marked, we were just told to make sure we were at least 6 mtrs away from the next tent, this mean't that we had a lot of room around the tent. They don't charge extra for gazebo's etc which is a bonus. Only downside was a couple of large groups (3 or more tents) that didn't seem to understand what quiet means, this resulted in some very loud singing just before midnight, however a word with one of the staff the following day seemed to do the trick, there was no repetition of the noise. Their booking conditions do state that they allow group bookings but are aware that this is often where noise problems occur. As we encountered problems with two different groups this may happen quite regularly and maybe something they need to reconsider. There is a lack of lighting on the site after dark but this was not a big problem and the kids were still able to walk and cycle about safely with torches. The only other minor problem was that they only have one washing machine and one dryer for the site, but if you are only staying for a shorter period of time then this would not be an issue. We will definitely return here but more than likely for a long weekend as we found 10 days to be a bit too long. Mainly due to the distance to a lot of the main attractions in Norfolk. But if you want a few days away on a site where you know the kids will be safe and happy then this could be it, just hope that there are no big noisy groups there at the time.
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Common Questions
Is Dower House Caravan And Leisure Park child friendly? YES, it accepts children & has a playground View all facilities
Does Dower House Caravan And Leisure Park have a swimming pool? YES, there is a pool on site View all facilities
Where is the nearest shop to Dower House Caravan And Leisure Park? There is a shop on site View all facilities
Is Dower House Caravan And Leisure Park dog friendly? YES 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 
Glamping Units 
No Statics for Hire 
No Statics 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 
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 
Freezer / Fridge 
No Motorhome Point 
Wifi Access 
Shop On Site 
Bar On Site 
Restaurant or Cafe or Takeaway <5 miles 
Kids Playground 
TV Room 
Games Room 
No Evening Ents 
Fishing <5 miles 
No Wild Swimming 
No Indoor Pool 
Outdoor Pool On Site 
Horse Riding <5 miles 
Cycle Hire On Site 
No Golf 
No Tennis 
No Beach 
No Watersports 
No Boat Launch 
No Sea Views 
Not Working Farm 
No Campfires Allowed 
No Waterside Pitches 
Public Transport <5 miles
Offroad Dog Walk On Site or Direct Access 
We stayed at The Dower House at the end of August. A lovely site which I would recommend to anyone. We stayed on the meadow as we weren't using electric hook up and were told to pitch where we liked. It was a bit of a trek to the toilet block with small children but they were always clean and well maintained. Water was always close whereever you pitched.
