Useful Information

We have put a list together here to help you make the most out of your stay at Sumners Ponds.

Please note that we are now a cashless business and all payments must be made by card. 

On arrival: 

Whether you have been here before, are part of a group where friends have already arrived or are a family going for a weekend away, please stop and check-in at the reception building located at the site entrance. We can then give you a warm welcome and direct you to your camping pitch. Here you will receive up to date important information about the site. We are also available for any enquiries throughout your stay. If you arrive late and reception is closed, The Cafe by the Lake or the on duty wardens will have a late arrival list and will be expecting you. Please report here  or use the “Ring Doorbell  at reception” so we know that you have arrived. We ask that all arrivals are here before 8pm at the latest. If you think you are going to be later than 8pm please call us on 01403 732539 during office hours to make arrangements.

Camping and Caravanning:

If you booked a pitch in Bluebell Park, Ribbon Park or Sumners Park you will have already been allocated a pitch number. The pitch number will be specified on your booking confirmation although this is not a guarantee of that specific pitch. If you have booked on to the Rally Field (non-electric tent camping) you will be allocated a pitch on your arrival. You can have a say on where you camp in this field based on the amount of space left when you arrive.

If you are staying on a pitch where there is an electric hook-up (Bluebell Park, Ribbon Park or Sumners Park) you are welcome to use the electricity, it is included in the price you have paid. To access this facility you will need a standard camping 16 amp socket, this is not that same as a standard household 13 amp socket. These leads can be purchased from most camping shops. There is no electric hook-up available if you are camping in Rally Field.

TV cables can be rented from us though we do encourage visitors to bring their own as we only have a limited amount.  Our cables are charged at £3.00 a night and a deposit of £10 is held until return. The hire of TV cables is only available to those camping on Bluebell Park and Ribbon Park as only those bollards have a TV connection. The Sumners Park site power bollards only have electric hook-ups and no other facility. It is advisable if you have your own satellite that you use that instead of relying on terrestrial signal as it is quite poor in the area.

Please note that we do not allow campfires. This is a condition of our licence and insurance. You are welcome to have BBQs but only with charcoal or gas. The burning of any other material is strictly prohibited.  

Glamping:

If you have booked to stay in a Camping Pod, Shepherd’s Hut, Safari Tent or Log Cabin you will be asked for your security deposit on arrival. The amounts due for each accommodation type varies as follows: Camping Pods – £30.00 / Shepherd’s Huts – £100.00 / Safari Tent – £200.00 / Log Cabins – £200.00. This is only payable by CARD and will be returned to you on your departure unless there is a reason not to.

Camping Pods: You need to bring all your own camping equipment with you as nothing is provided. The pods are essentially like a wooden tent with a carpeted floor, heater and lamp. Most guests tend to bring blow up mattresses or camping beds plus bedding. There are two standard household 13 amp sockets inside the pods.

Shepherd’s Huts: All bedding is provided for you and the bed is made up for your arrival. There is a kettle and a small fridge for essentials such as milk. You also have a log burner for your use during chilly evenings, we will supply you with some fire wood free of charge and additional wood can be ordered in winter from reception. There are no toilets or showers at the Shepherd’s Huts but these facilities are just a short walk away. Towels are not provided.

Safari Tents: All bedding is provided for you and all the beds are made up for your arrival. Also in the living area is a well equipped kitchen complete with, an oven, hob, fridge, sink, microwave and plenty of storage space. Cooking equipment, glassware, crockery and cutlery are all provided. There are plenty of standard household 13 amp sockets available for use throughout the tent. There is also a large log burner for your use for those chilly evenings, we will supply you with some fire wood free of charge and additional wood can be purchased from reception. In the surprisingly spacious bathroom you will find a shower, flushing toilet, towel rail, sink and light-up mirror. Outside you will find a large BBQ, picnic bench, bait and tackle storage shed complete with its own bait fridge and two lounge chairs perfect for enjoying the view.

Fishing:

Fishing is not generally included in the cost of your stay. Sumners Ponds is a day ticket fishery which means when you want to fish you will need to purchase a tickets for that day. This can be done on a day by day basis. Tickets can be purchased from the reception or from the fishing bailiff who will make a regular visits to the lakes each day. Payment is by card only. Every effort should be made to purchase a ticket as those avoiding paying could risk being banned.

We have a bait and tackle shop on site at the reception building. Fishing tackle as well as live bait can be purchased here. We stock popular brands such as Drennan, Gardner, Middy, Dinsmore, Copdock Mill, CC Moore and Mainline. If you have any questions with regards to the fishery you can contact the bailiffs on fishing@sumnersponds.co.uk. 

Other Info:

We do not stock fresh produce as the village shop is only a few hundred yards down the road and will have everything you need including milk, newspapers and bread. You can also find various information leaflets for local attractions, walking and cycling routes along with plenty of information on camping, fishing and our tariffs.

There are two high quality toilet and shower blocks with a washing-up and laundry area located at both. Both blocks are disabled accessible and have suitable facilities. These blocks are open all the time to campers.

We also stock various sizes of Calor Gas and Camping Gaz.  Bottles can be purchased by a like for like swap only from reception. We also stock gas bottles suitable for small camping stoves that can also be purchased from reception.

Complimentary WiFi is available at The Cafe by the Lake and at the outside seating area to all our customers.