Pitchup's Unusual Places To Stay In Kent
Pitch up at one of these unusual places to stay in Kent for your next getaway in the Garden of England. From clifftop campsites overlooking the Thames Estuary to farm parks with reconstructed World War I trenches, the options on this list are destinations in their own right. Plus, the county is chock-full of wildlife-rich nature reserves and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty – so it’s a spectacular choice for a camping break in South East England.
Whether you want to tour Royal Tunbridge Wells’ Georgian and Victorian architecture or spend your time ambling through lush woodlands, a stint at one of Pitchup’s most unusual places to stay in Kent will be a key contributor to a memorable camping holiday.
Sandwich Lakes
Fishing fan? Wangle an angling break at Sandwich Lakes. This quiet campsite in Kent is on the grounds of a coarse fishery with six well-stocked bodies of water full of perch, tench, bream, roach and rudd. Reeling in common and mirror carp could also be on the cards – visitors have hooked supersize specimens weighing up to 35lbs here in the past. A tackle and bait shop with rod hire is also on base for guests who haven’t invested in their own equipment.
Not into fishing? This site’s a mile from Sandwich, so it’s well located for jaunts to the Georgian manor at Secret Gardens. Tuck into a cream tea after a wander through the gorgeous grounds at this stately house or head back to the park for a meal in the on-site café. You could also stroll around the coastal Sandwich and Pegwell Bay National Nature Reserve (10 minutes’ drive) or set off on a seal-spotting boat tour from Ramsgate (15 minutes).
Go camping in Kent at Sandwich Lakes
Oak View Caravan Park
Right in the thick of woodlands for walkies and with a dedicated pet shower, this campsite always gets the approval of canine companions. And you’ll of course want to discover the best dog walks in Kent while staying here.
Oak View Caravan Park is fantastic for families, too – right next door to the Kent County Showground, it’s in a prime position for attending events ranging from sausage and cider festivals to nighttime neon fun runs.
Leeds Castle, set in 500 acres of parkland and formal gardens, is a 10-minute drive away for (even more) stretching of the legs.
Book your break at this dog-friendly campsite in Kent
Hawthorne Trench Campsite
This farm campsite in Kent is a hotspot for history enthusiasts: head here for tours of the recreated World War I trench system. Book a tour on arrival – after picking out a pitch in the 20-acre grass meadow – then turn your attention to the other attractions near this chilled-out spot half a mile from Elham. Canterbury, Hythe beach and a couple of animal parks are within 30 minutes’ drive, while public footpaths lead from the site to thick woodlands.
All that walking is thirsty work, so stroll to one of Elham’s three pubs for a drink or two. You can eat in the village or retreat back to the campsite and light up the barbecue to cook while keeping your eyes peeled for local wildlife like bats, badgers and owls.
Buses for attractions like Leeds Castle, Howletts Wild Animal Park and Canterbury stop at the local village, so Hawthorne Trench is also a top choice for an eco-friendly break.
Check out this Kent campsite for your next trip
Woodland Farm Glamping
More of a glamper than a camper? Bed down in bell tents set across 50 fabulous acres of Kent countryside at this snazzy site. An easily accessible park, it’s a luxurious haven in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty yet just a 15-minute drive from Royal Tunbridge Wells. Settle down in a double bed – with linens included – after stargazing next to your personal firepit. You’ll wake up to the sound of birdsong before cooking up breakfast in the campers’ kitchen.
During the daytime, there’s loads to do within 40 minutes’ drive of Woodland Farm Glamping – from ambles through Ashdown Forest to splashing about at Bewl Water’s aquapark. You could also rock climb in Groombridge, canoe in Yalding or quad bike in West Malling (all under half an hour by car).
For more unusual places to stay sans a tent, whether a shepherd’s hut, treehouse hideaway, log cabin or accommodation with a hot tub, browse our glamping sites in Kent.
Clifftop Camping
For spectacular seaside scenery just an hour away from London, swap a stay at a Kent beach house for a camping trip on the Isle of Sheppey. This farm site sits on a cliff overlooking the Thames Estuary and also has pitches in pretty meadows, woodlands and pond areas.
As it’s a back-to-basics kind of spot, a stay here is an excellent excuse to ditch the devices and spend time meeting and greeting the site’s sheep, goats and rheas or setting off on seaside strolls.
To stock up on bacon and bread to go with eggs laid by the farm’s chickens, ease your way over to Eastchurch, a mile away, or hit the supermarkets in Sheerness (10 minutes’ drive). And while you’re on a coastal break in the county, make sure to check out the seven best beaches in Kent too.
Puddledock Woods Camping
Fancy wild camping in a Kent woodland? There’s two acres’ worth of trees to string your hammock between at this dog-friendly site a 20-minute drive from Canterbury and 25 minutes from Margate.
Take a jaunt to a Georgian inn in a stunning setting on the River Stour from the park or roam among the reed beds, fens and wet grassland at Stodmarsh National Nature Reserve (both 20 minutes on foot). On your return, stoke up the barbecue or campfire – both are permitted at this campsite – to eat under the stars. There’s no night-time lighting, so chances are you’ll see a stunning celestial display overhead.
Peace and quiet are also on the agenda as cars are parked slightly away from the camping area to promote a calm atmosphere.
Book this woodland camping site in Kent
The Hop Farm
Seeking lots of space on your holiday in Kent? Head to Hop Farm. This camping and touring park is spread across 500 acres of woodland and open fields. But what really sets it apart are the oast houses – it’s home to the world’s most sizable collection of Victorian-era hop kilning dwellings. Have a nose at the original features of these odd-looking dwellings before kayaking or fishing on the park’s section of the River Medway.
If you’ve got kids in tow, you’ll also want to mosey next door to the Hop Farm Family Park & Animal Farm for the indoor soft play centre, outdoor adventure play park and miniature golf. Guests of the site get a discount on entry, so it’s an easy-on-the-wallet way to keep younger campers entertained.
This park is also well located for camping breaks on public transport as it’s five minutes’ drive from Paddock Wood station and trains to London.
Have a holiday at The Hop Farm
If none of these unusual places to stay seem quite right for you, check out all our campsites in Kent. Then, if you’re planning a family holiday, follow up by finding 16 things to do in Kent with kids.