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The Nut Plat Retreat

92%
·
· Tonbridge, Kent, England
1 acre hosted by The R.
3 glamping pitches
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Romantic
Recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp is romantic.
Private pitches
96% of recent Hipcampers say pitches are private.
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

Some glamping sites build high-tech treehouses, others pluck for super-shiny Airstream caravans. But visit The Nut Plat Retreat in rural Kent and you'll be in no doubt of how best to go glamping in England. If you could bottle up the history of the British countryside and turn it into a quaint-as-they-come glamping site, The Nut Plat Retreat would be it. The glorious riverside setting – where horses chomp through grass on the opposite bank – combined with authentic, vintage accommodation avoids the 'quaint' becoming 'twee', while a handy location just 45 minutes outside of London make this a glamping site accessible for the quickest of quick breaks. If you want Kent with character, The Nut Plat Retreat is spot on.

On the northwest edge of the Kent Downs, this charming glamping getaway is full of history and intrigue. Glampers arrive to an 18th-century farmhouse, home of owners Duncan and Rachel, and are led along a shady, woodland path to the riverside clearing where the two antique living vans reveal themselves. Towed behind steam rollers during the 1800s, the vans are the real deal, complete with original wrought iron wheels and the old, heavy crank handle for applying the break. Inside, however, while a sense of history remains, interiors have been spruced up to provide a comfortable living space. There's a double bed, fold-out table, oak chairs, a wood burner and beautiful stained-glass windows from Rye Cinque Port in Sussex. Outside, meanwhile, each of the two wagons has it's own private kitchen space, shower room and toilet, along with a firepit and barbecue for late nights around an open fire (marshmallows provided!). Both huts boast their own wood-fired hot tub – not something the 19th-century work force would have enjoyed!

While the living vans are things of beauty in their own right, the hidden setting is all part of the glampsite's appeal. On the edge of a nut orchard, glampers can pluck cobnuts straight from the trees or help out with the harvest, before wandering through the wild gardens of the farm. You needn't wander too far, either. The nearest pub – a proper local bolthole – is just a few hundred metres down the lane, while footpaths from the campsite lead you along cow-parsley-crowded field sides to other fine establishments. There's English Heritage-owned Old Soar Manor – a beautiful stone home built in the 13th century – a 20 minute walk away, or the National Trust's moated manor house, Ightham Mote (40 minutes). Or, of course, you could pick another good pub – The Swan on the Green – which has its own micro-brewery and a sunny beer garden. The choices are endless, the choices are charming and the choices are all excellent. You might just want to stay for longer.

Activities
Hiking
Wildlife watching
Natural features
Lake
River, stream, or creek
Field
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Reviews
92% Recommend52 Ratings · 41 reviews
The campsite offers a rustic and peaceful retreat, perfect for those looking to disconnect and enjoy nature. Most visitors loved the wood-fired hot tub and the serene setting, with plenty of local walks and a nearby pub to explore. While some found the facilities a bit shabby or in need of maintenance, the overall experience is described as charming and cozy. A few guests noted the lack of phone signal and occasional issues with amenities like fridges and lighting.
Summary AI-generated from real reviews
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Ryan J.
2 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· February 2025
With kids ·
Super space Fabulous hot tub Quiet Great pub a stones throw away means you don’t have to cook if you don’t want to All very organised by Duncan, the flexible owner who really let us be
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Fabrice L.
2 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· February 2025
A fantastic cosy, quiet and romantic cabin, perfect for a little weekend getaway. The hosts are super accommodating and responsive but are also very respectful of your privacy. We arrived with both the fireplace inside and the hot tub fire already roaring. A fantastic experience overall would recommend to anyone! And easy enough to access by just public transport if you don't want to drive :))
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Emma H.
3 reviews
Recommends
· January 2025
Little get away from the real world
With pets ·
Came for a short break away from work and degree stress. Planned to go on some nice walks with the dog but the weather was awful. So ended up staying in by the log burner, reading our books and crochet. I did also manage to get the hot tub HOT ♨️ one day, took a few rounds of restocking the fire but once we got there, it then got so hot I had to add some cold! So worth it! There is good WiFi available so manged to watch a few films in the evening. Might be back for one of my reading weeks when I need minimal distractions! 😂
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Sam B.
5 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· December 2024
Group trip ·
Cosy, charming, relaxing spot for a weekend away out of London. We loved the outdoor hot tub!
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Hayley B.
5 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· October 2024
The shepherds hut was just perfect, the hot tub so romantic at night and then sitting by the open fire next to the river under the stars… couldn’t have asked for more - an amazing few nights away.
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Kate W.
2 reviews
Recommends
· September 2024
With kids ·
The cabin was utterly perfect. Lovely peaceful location. With wood fired hot tub. Such a treat, we loved setting the fire and spent so much time in it. There is a little stream for cold plunges too. Inside the cabin is so cosy and beautiful, we felt so at home there and everything is cleverly thought through. Wood burner inside too. Kitchen is really good so you can cook properly. It's small but perfectly formed! Pub up the road which does good food, gorgeous countryside all around. Feels like a break from real life!
Location
Tonbridge, Kent, England, United KingdomTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
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Hosted by The R.

Joined in July 2018
From the host
Come to the Nut Plat Retreat for peace and quiet just 45 minutes from the middle of London. Kick back on the river bank in the Garden of England and watch the natural world go by Breathe The two vintage living vans have been carefully restored to a comfortable standard with out compromising their heritage Each has its own facilities - a well stocked camp kitchen, safari style shower and comfortable compost loo. You can help yourselves to as many logs as you need
Nearby attractions

Locally, the walks and cycle routes are a real draw. Circular walking routes take in some of our quintessential country pubs. The National Trust's Ightham Mote is a 40 minute walk away across the fields – the medieval moated manor house that John Newman described as "the most complete small medieval manor house in the county" – while, closer still, English Heritage look after 13th century Old Soar Manor (0370 333 1181; a 20-minute walk away). 400-year-old Knole House and Park makes for a lovely stroll and, while there, it's worth visiting Sevenoaks too for the good variety of independent shops. Tonbridge (4 miles) has a castle (01732 770929) and more good shopping, while those happy to go for a drive will find the Kent coast or Sussex coast are both an hour or so away – trendy up and coming Margate to the east, bucket and spade Camber Sands to the south and the oysters of Whitstable to the north.

Food and drink
It's an easy 200m stroll to The Kentish Rifleman (01732 810727), a typical English village pub serving good food. The Papermakers Arms (01732 810407) is a mile away, while The Swan on the Green (01622 812271) is particularly nice to walk to – a scenic 45-minute route across the fields, the pub is set on a quintessential village green with great food and its own micro-brewery. For local produce, try Shipbourne Farmers’ Market, held in St Giles Church every Wednesday (9am–11am).

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