Campsite - it is a word which for many will dredge up memories, whether fond or loathed, of family breaks and school trips, battles to put up a tent in the rain, beans over the fire and almost-clean shower blocks.

Eastern Daily Press: Old Brick Kilns campsite and caravan park in Barney, near Fakenham. PIcture: Old Brick Kilns.Old Brick Kilns campsite and caravan park in Barney, near Fakenham. PIcture: Old Brick Kilns. (Image: Archant)

But continued investment has transformed today's campsites and caravan parks into something entirely more luxurious - with many boasting on-site eateries, state-of-the-art bathrooms and dozens of activities to add to the traditional game of cards.

And a 13-acre park just miles from the north Norfolk coast has now been crowned one of the best in the country - triumphing in the AA Caravan and Camping Awards 2017.

The Old Brick Kilns in Barney, near Fakenham, won the campsite of the year in Heart of England category, having been selected from more than 860 entries across the national competition.

Secluded and tree-lined, the park, which is owned by Kate Dyas and David Moore, is set on three levels and has 60 all-weather hard-standing pitches.

Mr Moore described the AA win as a 'great honour', and said since taking over the pair had invested in modernising the site's facilities, including its on-site shop and restaurant Barney's, to cater for its increasingly discerning customers.

'The site was very well run before, there's no doubt about it, but we have made changes to areas like the restaurant to make it more modern,' he said. 'We have upgraded the toilet blocks because modern facilities are what people expect now. Visitors want luxury when they go away so we are always trying to develop what we have.'

In recent months, he said more people from Norfolk were visiting the park, whether to stay or eat at Barney's, which he said was a point of pride.

'People often call this a home from home,' he said, 'and feel like part of the family here.'

And the site's ideal location has certainly bolstered trade - Barney sits just miles from major attractions including the coast, Sandringham and Thursford.

The award winners will now appear in the AA Caravan and Camping Guide 2017.

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