There is something special about the early May bank holiday. It feels like the true starting gun for the caravanning season. The days are finally stretching out, the bluebells are appearing in the woods, and the promise of a long weekend away is enough to make any office-bound soul start checking their tyre pressures on a Monday morning. For our May 2025 getaway, we decided to point our Bailey caravan towards the Suffolk coast for a few days of relaxation at Heathside Holidays.
Suffolk has always been one of our favourite corners of the UK. It has a slower pace of life, massive skies, and a coastline that feels wild and untamed compared to some of the more manicured seaside resorts elsewhere. However, as any regular tourer knows, the choice of campsite can make or break the bank holiday vibe. This trip was a bit of a mixed bag, leading to one of the biggest gear decisions we’ve made for our travels so far.
Arriving at Heathside Holidays
Located in Wenhaston, near Halesworth, Heathside Holidays is perfectly positioned for exploring the gems of the Suffolk coast.
We arrived on Friday afternoon, navigating the narrow country lanes with the Land Rover Discovery and the Bailey in tow. The site is easy enough to find and the welcome was warm and friendly, which is always a great start.
We got set up on our pitch, and as usual, the Bailey didn't disappoint. Having an awning up gave us that extra bit of "indoors-outdoors" space that is essential for a bank holiday weekend where you just know a heavy shower is lurking around the corner. Once the legs were down and the kettle was on, we took a wander around to check out our home for the next three nights.
The Verdict on the Site: Average but Honest
If I had to sum up Heathside Holidays in one word, it would be "average."
Now, I don't mean that in a negative way: sometimes average is exactly what you need. It was peaceful, well-located, and the atmosphere among the other caravanners and motorhome owners was lovely.
However, the facilities are where the "average" tag really sticks. Everything was clean: we never walked into the shower block and felt like it hadn't been looked after: but the whole block is definitely crying out for a bit of a spruce up. The tiles and fixtures felt like a bit of a blast from the past. It’s the kind of site that does the basics well, but you won't find the high-end, spa-like facility blocks that some of the premium sites now offer.
For a bank holiday weekend, it served its purpose. We weren't there to spend all day in the shower block; we were there to explore Suffolk. If you’re looking for a quiet base and aren’t too fussy about having the latest modern amenities, it’s a solid choice. Just don't go expecting five-star luxury!
The Digital Blackout and the Starlink Epiphany
Now, we need to talk about the "Digital Dark Age." As someone who creates content and likes to keep up with the world while we’re on the road, internet connectivity is usually pretty high on my priority list. We knew Suffolk could be patchy, but Heathside Holidays took it to another level. We had zero internet. No 4G, no 5G, and the site Wi-Fi was effectively non-existent at our pitch.
Normally, we’d just shrug it off and read a book, but when you’re trying to check weather reports, look up walking routes, or (let’s be honest) post a few photos of the caravan setup, having no signal at all is incredibly frustrating.
It was during a particularly long evening of staring at a "No Service" icon that we had our "internet epiphany." We’ve been looking at the Starlink Mini for a while, and this trip was the final push we needed. The Starlink Mini is specifically designed for people like us: caravanners and motorhome owners who want high-speed internet literally anywhere.
For around £189.00 for the hardware and a monthly roam plan, we could have had 200Mbps speeds right there in the middle of the Suffolk countryside. No more hunting for a signal or standing by the site office hoping for a bar of Wi-Fi. If you’re a fellow tourer who works from the road or just enjoys their Netflix in the evening, it’s definitely something to look into.
Exploring Dunwich Heath and Beach
Despite the lack of internet, the weather held out beautifully for our main excursion: Dunwich Heath and Beach. This is a National Trust site, and it is truly stunning in the spring.
The heath is famous for its heather, which wasn't in full purple bloom yet (that’s usually late summer), but the landscape is still spectacular.
We took a long, leisurely stroll along the shingle beach. There’s something incredibly atmospheric about Dunwich. It’s often called "The Lost City" because most of the medieval town has been lost to coastal erosion over the centuries. Standing on the beach, looking out over the North Sea, you realize that an entire city is technically under the waves right in front of you.
For those with four-legged friends, Dunwich is a paradise. There are dedicated "Woof Walks" that are perfect for letting the dogs burn off some energy. We ended our walk with a visit to the Coastguard Cottages café for a well-earned tea and cake. If you’re in the area, this is a must-visit spot. The views are cracking, and it feels like a proper escape from the modern world (which, given our lack of phone signal, it literally was!).
Final Thoughts on the Suffolk Escape
Our early May bank holiday at Heathside Holidays was a great reminder of why we love this hobby. It wasn't perfect: the site was a bit basic and the lack of internet was a challenge: but it forced us to disconnect (literally) and enjoy the natural beauty of Suffolk.
The trip also served a purpose in helping us refine our setup. Sometimes you don't know what you need until you're sat in a field without it, and our decision to upgrade to the Starlink Mini means our next adventure will be a lot more "connected." Suffolk remains one of our top recommendations for any UK caravanner; just make sure you’ve got your walking boots ready for Dunwich Heath and maybe a good book if you’re staying at a site with a digital blackout!
