Riverside Camping in Kent Downs AONB

United Kingdom
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England
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Kent Downs AONB

93% (372 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Kent Downs AONB

Under £50

Star Hosts in Kent Downs AONB

98%

(28)

The Meadow @ Waples Mill

12 units · Tents8 acres · Dunmow, England

Spacious grass pitches in the green Essex countryside A 15-minute drive to Chelmsford; 40 minutes to Audley End Tractor rides on site; firepits provided for campfires. Rural walks, How about proper farm activities like tractor rides (ask site staff for details)? The place to find all this is The Meadow at Waples Mill, an Essex farm site between Chelmsford and Dunmow (and about 15 minutes’ drive from both). This family-friendly site is handy for walks on the Essex Way and other local footpaths, and tractor and trailer rides around the farm are organised on alternate days to give guests a glimpse into agricultural life. Activities complete for the day, it's time to chill out, and that should be easy here – all pitches have access to toilets and hot showers in a trailer close by, and firepits are provided so you can have a safe campfire (with wood available to buy on site and a great farm shop 10 minutes’ drive away for fireside snacks). Pitches themselves are large, well kept and well spaced within a meadow that backs onto the River Roding. Dogs are welcome, and there are plenty of places to take them for a walk nearby. London folk looking for a quick escape to the countryside, this is a place to bear in mind – it’s only about an hour and quarter by road from the city.

95%

(31)

The Sunset Tree

30 units · Glamping, Tents3 acres · West Sussex, South East England

A sociable, tents-only, pop-up campsite, with a good village pub and playground on the doorstep

Hale Farm

38 units · Glamping, Tents56 acres · East Sussex, South East England

A family-run, working farm in East Sussex offering spacious, traditional camping with no set pitches

The Barn KT9

21 units · Glamping, Tents3 acres · Greater London, South East England

A unique rural campsite in Surrey, a stone's throw from London's Zone 6

100%

(12)

Brightwell Country Park

1 unit · Glamping58 acres · Woodbridge, Suffolk, East Anglia

Bell tents and an accessible cabin, with activities right from your door

12 top river, stream, or creek campsites in Kent Downs AONB

87%

(145)

Daisy May’s Farm

10 units · Motorhomes, Tents20 acres · Bishop's Stortford, England

Our pop up campsite is set in 20 acres on a not for profit community farm. Come and join us in the great outdoors! Help collect the eggs, feed the chickens and milk the goat! There is always lots going on at Daisy May’s Farm! Children’s play areas, paddle stream, woodland walks and lots more! PITCH FEE INCLUDES ENTRY TO THE FARM & ALL ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS! Open 7 days a week. Coffee Cabin and Ollie’s Food Hut also serving hot food (Weekends & school holiday 10-3pm) Local pub - 5 mins walk Golf Course (crazy golf, top golf, 9 hole course, bar and food) - 5 mins walk Shop/post office/chip shop - 10 mins walk Toilets & shower ; hot gas shower available but we are a basic wild, mostly off grid site. No concrete heated toilet blocks I’m afraid! (Showers unavailable in Winter months) There will be mud. Bring your wellies! Drinking water and bins available. Bring a torch for walking around the site at night. The site is off grid and the toilet lights are solar operated! CARAVANS - ONLY BOOKABLE MAY - SEPTEMBERTENTS - CAMPER VANS - MOTORHOMES WELCOME ALL YEAR (all pitches are the same. No need to specify which type of unit you are booking) We look forwards to welcoming you soon!

The Barn KT9

21 units · Glamping, Tents3 acres · Greater London, South East England

A unique rural campsite in Surrey, a stone's throw from London's Zone 6

The Hop Farm

50 units · Motorhomes, Tents500 acres · Brenchley, England

The Hop Farm is set in 500 acres of unspoilt Kent countryside, known as the Garden of England. Flat grass fields and surrounded by private woodland and also fields abut the River Medway, ideal for paddleboarding and kayaking. Campers have access to newly refurbished facilities, state of the art showers, toilets and washing facilities. Raised BBQ's and raised firepits are permitted. It's the ideal location for a peaceful escape with endless skies providing memorable sunsets and stars unhindered by artificial light.

91%

(45)

The Nut Plat Retreat

3 units · Glamping1 acre · Kent, South East England

Antique living wagons on the banks of the River Bourne, with a charming orchard setting, a pub down the lane and a history unlike anywhere else

Hale Farm

38 units · Glamping, Tents56 acres · East Sussex, South East England

A family-run, working farm in East Sussex offering spacious, traditional camping with no set pitches

The Sunset Tree

30 units · Glamping, Tents3 acres · West Sussex, South East England

A sociable, tents-only, pop-up campsite, with a good village pub and playground on the doorstep

The Meadow @ Waples Mill

12 units · Tents8 acres · Dunmow, England

Spacious grass pitches in the green Essex countryside A 15-minute drive to Chelmsford; 40 minutes to Audley End Tractor rides on site; firepits provided for campfires. Rural walks, How about proper farm activities like tractor rides (ask site staff for details)? The place to find all this is The Meadow at Waples Mill, an Essex farm site between Chelmsford and Dunmow (and about 15 minutes’ drive from both). This family-friendly site is handy for walks on the Essex Way and other local footpaths, and tractor and trailer rides around the farm are organised on alternate days to give guests a glimpse into agricultural life. Activities complete for the day, it's time to chill out, and that should be easy here – all pitches have access to toilets and hot showers in a trailer close by, and firepits are provided so you can have a safe campfire (with wood available to buy on site and a great farm shop 10 minutes’ drive away for fireside snacks). Pitches themselves are large, well kept and well spaced within a meadow that backs onto the River Roding. Dogs are welcome, and there are plenty of places to take them for a walk nearby. London folk looking for a quick escape to the countryside, this is a place to bear in mind – it’s only about an hour and quarter by road from the city.

89%

(71)

The Slips

39 units · Motorhomes, Tents4 acres · Henfield, England

A relaxed, back-to-basics campsite in the West Sussex countryside

Brightwell Country Park

1 unit · Glamping58 acres · Woodbridge, Suffolk, East Anglia

Bell tents and an accessible cabin, with activities right from your door

100%

(2)

Wonderland Festival Retreat

2 units · Glamping10 acres · Henfield, England

Glamping by the lake with an optional sauna and hot tub

100%

(18)

Constable Park

17 units · Glamping, Tents4 acres · Suffolk, East Anglia

A holiday and leisure park ideal for kayaking and paddleboarding, with premium glamping options

95%

(133)

Otter Channel Campsite

18 units · Tents3 acres · East Sussex, South East England

Spacious, nature-friendly camping with campfires on the banks of the River Rother

Riverside camping in Kent Downs AONB guide

Overview

Sloping farmlands, ancient woodlands, and lush wetlands make up the vast landscapes of the Kent Downs. Kent isn’t called the ‘Garden of England’ for nothing—visit the downs in spring to stroll through bluebell woods and daffodil meadows, in summer when wildflowers blanket the hilltops, or in autumn to admire the changing foliage. Miles of hiking, cycling, and horseback riding trails await outdoor adventurers, and campers have options year-round. Camp out in a tipi or pitch your tent by the beachside in summer, then cozy up in a heated glamping hut when the weather turns.

Where to go

North-West Downs and the Surrey Hills

The northern borders of the Kent Downs lie right on the outskirts of London, making it a popular choice for day-trippers. Enjoy rambling country walks around Sevenoaks, visit the Knole deer park, and stroll through the orchards of Plaxtol. For long-distance hikers, the North Downs Way national trail runs west into the Surrey Hills AONB.

Medway

North of Maidstone, the River Medway winds its way north to the coast, and the downs give way to lush marshlands. Set sail on a river cruise, discover the hometowns of Charles Dickens in Rochester and Chatham, or go bird-watching along the Thames Estuary at Northward Hill. To the east, seafront campsites and blue-flag beaches dot the shores of the Isle of Shetty.

Central Downs and the North Coast

The Kent Downs AONB has hikes to suit all levels. Explore ancient woodlands and Iron Age ruins in the White Horse Country Park, walk the valleys of the Devil's Kneading Trough, or stroll among the wildflowers in Perry Wood. Camp out in the hills and enjoy day trips to Kent attractions such as Canterbury Cathedral and Leeds Castle.

Kent’s South Coast

Few natural landmarks are as iconic as the White Cliffs of Dover, and a walk along the famous sea cliffs is a must if you’re visiting the south coast. Afterward, cycle along the Royal Military Canal, stroll along the beach at Folkestone, and choose a campsite with a sea view. Further south, it’s an easy detour to explore the Romney Marshes, a favorite among bird-watchers.