Clippesby Blog

Camping season is now in full swing here at Clippesby Hall with lots of families making the most of the sunshine and fresh air and enjoying getting out and about on the Norfolk Broads.

We had this quirky trailer tent arrive a couple of weeks ago from Holland – we can’t make up minds if it looks more like the Sydney Opera House or the exhibition centre in Glasgow known locally there as the ‘Armadillo’.

Quirky trailer tent from Holland

It looked really comfy inside, two large single beds and a tiny kitchen, then a small veranda with a cover to protect you from the elements on the front.

How cute is this?

The VW Campers have been out and about in force this year, this little blue one liked us so much it came back for the 2nd time in as many weeks.  If you fancy camping ‘Retro’ style, but don’t want the expense of buying your own V-Dub,  Retro Campers Norfolk & Snail Trail both offer a hire service and our pitches in the Rabbits Grove are absolutely perfect for them.

V-Dub on hire from Retro Campers Norfolk

V-Dub on the Meadow at Clippesby Hall

Another unusual camping style is the ‘Teardrop Trailer’ available to hire from Clever Camper.  We have mentioned these before in our blogs – a tiny trailer with everything you need for a camping trip – including a comfy bed, delivered to your pitch by the owner ready for you to move into and start enjoying your holiday!

Clever Camping

Compact & bijou

If you have a wacky tent or unusual camping method, post your pictures on our Facebook page, we’d love to see them!

Wednesday 11th July

Take a trip on the Wherry Albion from How Hill to Wroxham.  Learn about the history of the Wherries and their importance to the Broads, enjoy a relaxing trip in the care of experienced crew.  Depart 10am, arrive 5pm – £35 refreshments served.   See website for more details

Thursday 12th July

Guided sunset canoe trail, with the help of your canoe guide you can silently explore South Walsham inner and outer broad and undisturbed tributaries, with the opportunity to see some of the Broads’ best kept secrets – kingfishers, bitterns and maybe the elusive otter.  For departure times and to book see website.

Friday 13th

One Hand Clapping, playing  at the Lion Inn P.H, Thurne.  Local band playing a mix of classic and modern rock, folk, rhythm and blues, roots and Americana.

Saturday 14th July

Horning Village Fete, held on the banks of the River Bure at Horning Staithe.  From 10am traditional offerings of home baked cakes, bric-a-brac, dog show, games, and grand draw, there will be a number of surprise new attractions for both adults and children to enjoy.  The day will end with a barbeque on the Village Green from 6 to 9.30pm, open to all with a pay as you eat menu.

Monday 16th July

‘Fiddlesticks Northwest Clogg Dancers & Musicians’  at The Malsters P.H in Ranworth from 8pm

Tuesday 17th July

Ladies Day at at Great Yarmouth Racecourse.  Dress to impress at this year’s Ladies Night and MusicLive Racenight. Our most glamorous night of the year, enjoy PIMM’S on the lawn or treat yourself to premier hospitality or your own private box! With fantastic prizes for best dressed, this is a fabulous occasion for the ladies! Enjoy the racing followed by live music on the lawns. Book your tickets early as this is a very popular event and the premier enclosure and the restaurant has sold out for the last 7 years!  First race 5.50pm

Saturday 21st

Strawberries & Steam at Bure Valley Railway.  Enjoy a nine mile nostalgic journey by steam through Norfolk countryside from either Aylsham or Wroxham. FREE local strawberries and cream for every fare-paying passenger.   See website for more details

One Hand Clapping, playing  at The Malsters P.H, Ranworth.

Sunday 22nd

Swallows & Amazons – paddle to TheCanoeMan Woodland Activity Centre where you will be taught the mysterical art of bushcraft, learning to light fires and build shelters. During the lunch break you will have the opportunity to explore the wood, followed in the afternoon by a woodland archery session to discover who amongst your friends is the next Robin Hood.  Sessions start 11am – 3pm  or 3pm – 5pm.

Thurne Windpump Open Day – Thurne Windpump is open to visitors and wind permitting the sails will be turning.  A unique opportunity to experience first hand the workings of the mill.  From 2pm – 4pm, see website for details

Open Gardens – A chance to explore the beautiful ‘Bishops Garden’ in Norwich from 1pm – 5pm.  Entry £3.  See website for more details

Saturday 28th

Strawberries & Steam at Bure Valley Railway.  Enjoy a nine mile nostalgic journey by steam through Norfolk countryside from either Aylsham or Wroxham. FREE local strawberries and cream for every fare-paying passenger.   See website for more details

One Hand Clapping, playing  at The Windmill P.H, Norwich

Sunday 29th

Mildred’s Musical Puppet Parade – Last chance to see the the Puppet Pantomime at BeWILDerwood.  Interactive story telling, a puppet parade and lots of fun.  See website for full details.

The Castaways at Fairhaven Water Gardens . A varied musical mix of sea shanties, folk, Irish, Country and Western and old time singalongs. Free with garden entry. £5.50 adult; £5 conc.; £3 child; under 5s free; dogs 25p. Free to members.

Tuesday 31st

One Hand Clapping, playing  at The Reedcutter P.H, Cantley

All information given is to the best of our knowledge but cannot be guaranteed.

David Yates from David Bellamy with Jean & Chris

Last week David Yates from the David Bellamy award scheme came to inspect the campsite for our annual assessment.  Fingers crossed we will retain our Gold Award which we have now had for over 10 years.

David Bellamy Conservation Awards are made each year to parks which can demonstrate policies showing active concern for the environment. Assisted by local nature groups and holidaymakers themselves, David Bellamy looks at virtually every aspect of park management – from the protection of plant and animal habitats to the efficient use of energy and recycling. Helping visitors to understand conservation is also considered an important qualifying feature. Three levels of excellence can be achieved : Gold, Silver and Bronze.

http://www.ukparks.com/bellamy.asp

Playing Boules on the Cedar Lawn

Weatherwise, Norfolk was been one of the best parts of the country to be in last week – wall to wall sunshine and temperatures in the low 20′s for most of the week and into the weekend too.  The campsite has been busy with people enjoying the fresh air and making the most of summer which has been late to arrive.

Careful measuring taking place

It was lovely to see  familes on the Cedar Lawn playing Boules and little ones in the sandpit and the play area enjoying the sunshine.  

Next best thing to being on the beach

The forecast for next weekend is looking really good too – long may it continue we say!

Swinging in the sunshine

Saturday June 16th

Farmers Market at Fairhaven Gardens  10.00am – 2.00pm – Free entry and free parking, lots of lovely fresh local produce.

Sunday June 17th

Open Farm at the Grange in Rollesby, 2.30pm – Free entry and free parking – telephone 01493 740236.  Meet in farmyard at The Grange (Fleggburgh Road, Rollesby NR29 5AJ)  for a guided walk around our arable farm. We specialise in asparagus, strawberries, raspberries, potatoes and seasonal veg. See the machinery, grading lines and pack house.

Open Farm at Chapmans Farm in Martham, 1.00pm - Free entry and free parking – telephone 01493 748990.  Meet at Clarkes Farm (Clarkes Farm, Staithe Road, Martham, NR29 4PT) for a guided tour of livery yards, farm enterprises, diversification, finishing with a tractor ride or walk through Rollesby Woods and to finish the day tea and cakes will be on offer to raise money for a local charity in the gardens of Clarkes Farm.

Saturday 23rd June

Craft, Gift and Book Fayre, 9.30am – 3.00pm – The Book Stall will have a selection of children’s books priced at just £1 and £2, with well known authors such as Roald Dahl and Enid Blyton, and plublishers such as Usbourne, Ladybird and Puffin.

Sunday June 24th

Green Festival at Fairhaven Gardens  10.00am – 5.00 pm – Fun environmental activities for all the family. Rural crafts, conservation charities, children’s activities, children’s entertainers, boat trips and much much more.  Free with garden entry  £5 adults, £3 children, free parking.

Friday June 29th   

Hard Rain playing at the Lion Inn, Thurne  8.30pm – From Bob Dylan to Johnny Cash, from Amy Winehouse to Sade, and from the Beatles to Frank Sinatra – even some Blue Grass and Country, local band.

After a grey start in morning the sun came out and it turned into a lovely sunny afternoon albeit a little chilly at times.  Kolin Durier kicked off the days line up with a lively acoustic set.

As more of our campers ventured out of their tents and across to the walled garden the lovely atmosphere that Clippesby is renowned for started to build.  By lunchtime the tables and chairs around the marquee were full of people enjoying the music and some great food provided by the Muskett Arms & Coffee Shop.

Festival guests enjoying the lunchtime sunshine

Around tea-time Hard Rain who are regulars to Clippesby and a very popular local band really got things going with lots of people on their feet dancing which was great as it was really starting to get chilly.  A ‘nip’ in the air didn’t put people off though, they just brought their rugs with them and kept warm with hot drinks provided by the bar.

Hard Rain

Although the Festival was a first for Clippesby, we have had some great feedback with people looking to book for next year already, and although nothing is set in stone just yet, it is looking extremely likely that this could become an annual event.

We would like to thank everyone who worked so hard over the weekend, Lee and his staff in the bar, Diane and the girls who kept the facilities lovely and clean, Mandy and the coffee shop staff, Ben & Malc who as always were kept busy keeping everything running smoothly, Neil who was on the gate, the Reception staff and Brandon who did a sterling job on Bike Hire.  But most off Chris, who put his heart and soul into this and pulled the whole event together!  All in all a great team effort.

Chris keeping an eye on the staff

A great crowd at the Music Festival

Our Saturday music line up:  11.00am – Kolin Durier, 12.00 - Dougier Archer, 1.00pm - Young Blood, 2.00pm – Marina Florance, 3.00pm – Mojo Preachers, 4.15pm – The Actor & The Peach, 5.30pm – Hard Rain, 7.15pm – Pepper & Shepherd, 8.30pm – The Proposition.

All of the artists who played at the Festival are local to the area.

This weekend sees the first Music Festival held at Clippesby, organised by Chris we hope it will be the first of many.  The campsite is almost full and the weather stayed dry for everyone to set up.

Friday was a hive of activity setting up, Ben and Malc working very hard getting the marquee area ready for the the bands to set up.  They are particularly proud of their ‘carpeted’ stage area and curtain – well done lads!

One Hand Clapping - setting up

The festival itself was kicked off by acoustic artist Kolin Durier and then later in the evening local band ‘One Hand Clapping’ played to an enthusiastic crowd.

One Hand Clapping

More to come from Saturdays performers …