Camping in Kent Downs AONB

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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.  

97% (1.9K)

Top-rated campgrounds near Kent Downs AONB

3. Far and Away Camping

100%
(18)
40 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · England
Nestled within the heart of the Kent countryside, Far and Away allows you to escape into a rural, peaceful and wild campsite. The skies are full of song birds and birds of prey, hot air balloons dominate the still summer evenings and there is always a spitfire or biplane circling from the local aerodrome. With close to zero light pollution, the night skies are a stunning way to end the day not to mention Far and Away sunrise and sunsets are also worth staying up for! Immerse yourself in the heart of the beautiful Kent countryside and take advantage of the many public footpaths around the campsite. Far and Away is 1.2 miles away from Headcorn village where you can find a host of local amenities, shops, pubs and restaurants. There is also a host of National Trust sites within a short drive including Sissinghurst Castle and many wonderful villages to visit including medieval Biddenden and the magical market town of Tenterden. Next to junction 8 of the M20 there is also Leeds Castle, only a 20 minute drive from Far and Away and the Big Cat Sanctuary is only a few fields away. At night you can hear the roar of the wild cats really making it feel like you are Far and Away!
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£18
 / night

4. Furnace Brook Cabins & Camping

16 units · Tents, Glamping · England
Welcome to Furnace Brook, a tranquil 60-acre Ecosystem Restoration Community tucked away in the rolling countryside of East Sussex. Here, peace, wildlife, and connection to nature come first. Whether you’re waking up in a handcrafted lakeside cabin or camping beneath the stars, this is a place to slow down, breathe deeply, and rediscover calm. At the heart of the land lies our beautiful lake, surrounded by native trees and wildflowers. Herons, dragonflies, and kingfishers visit often, and misty mornings give way to glowing sunsets reflected on the water. Our cabins blend simple comfort with rustic charm — natural materials and wide windows that open to birdsong. For campers, we have rural private pitches or spacious and communal spaces. It’s quiet here — no loud music, no generators, just the crackle of a fire and the sounds of nature at night. Furnace Brook is part of a working Ecosystem Restoration Community. Every stay supports rewilding and soil regeneration, helping wildlife and woodland return to the landscape. Guests are welcome to wander our trails, learn about the restoration work, or simply enjoy being surrounded by thriving nature. We also brew our own small-batch Furnace Brook Beer, made with local ingredients — the perfect companion for a lakeside sunset or a cosy evening by the fire. If you’re looking for stillness, beauty, and a genuine connection to the natural world, Furnace Brook offers it in abundance. Come to rest, reflect, and experience life at nature’s pace.
Campfires
Showers
Potable water
from 
£25
 / night

7. The Meadow @ Waples Mill

95%
(40)
12 units · Tents · 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 (please note only one tent per pitch is allowed), 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.
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£24
 / night

14. Sunnyside Pop Up Camping

94%
(8)
2 units · Tents, Motorhomes · England
We are a pop-up campsite, which means we are open most weekends during the summer with some longer stints at the beginning and at the end of our season. We offer different activities each weekend, varying from damper bread making to wild food walks and bush craft skills. We also celebrate Midsummer (Juhannus) in Finnish style! 22nd May - 31st May - Opening: Sauna hot all Week 😃🙌🏻 19th - 21st June Summer Solstice/Juhannus ☀️☀️☀️ 26th - 28th June - Fairy Garden Making 🧚🏻🧚🏻‍♀️🧚🏻‍♂️ 3rd -5th July - Damper Bread 🥨 10th-12th July - DJ BBQ 🎶🍗 17th -19th July -Whittling 🥄🔪 24th - 26th July - Wellness weekend 🧘🧘‍♂️🧘‍♀️ 31st July - 3rd August - Wand Making and 🪄🧚‍♂️ 7th - 9th August - Communal Curry Night 🥘 14th - 16th August - Fire Making for Kids 🔥 20th - 23rd August - Wild Food Walk 🍄‍🟫🫐 27th - 31st August - Closing Week ☀️🔥🥂🍾 FINNISH SAUNA We light our authentic Finnish sauna on Saturday evenings for all to use. Otherwise you can book the Sauna area for private use on Friday nights and Saturday day. Do give us more than an hours notice, it is wood heated and it takes a while to get hot! CAMPFIRES We love campfires and see them as an integral part of the camping experience. Campfires bring people together at the end of the day, to cook, socialise and relax. The smell of the wood smoke at twilight and the excitement on the kids faces when the marshmallows come out are bound to set you up for a perfect night away from the city lights! We sell crates of firewood, and hire fire pits for you to use during your stay. MUSIC The Lower Fields are for quiet camping. We would like it to be the perfect place for children to sleep and adults to chitchat around the campfires. On the Upper Field and near the Centre Camp we do allow you to listen and enjoy any music. But please respect your fellow campers! We want everybody to be able to enjoy their weekend without being disturbed. We ask for quiet across the whole site from 11.30pm. Overall we are quite a sociable site, with things happening at center camp every weekend. and a public campfire to sit around for a few mins after your sauna. We have a great area for large family groups. We pride ourselves on helping new campers get the most out of the experience come and hay hello at center camp.
Pets
Showers
Potable water
from 
£14
 / night

15. Hastingford Fishery Glamping

100%
(8)
4 units · Glamping · Uckfield, England
Searching for a peaceful holiday/short break without kids underfoot? Ramble along to Hastingford Fishery, an adults-only shepherd's hut and fishing site set in a scenic lakeside setting less than five minutes’ drive from the East Sussex village of Hadlow Down and 20 minutes from Royal Tunbridge Wells. This site should suit couples or singles wanting to 'get away from it all' and also fishing fans down to the ground. It’s got several fishing lakes to choose from with lots of different species, so settle down on the banks with rod in hand and while away a few hours (or days) in quiet contemplation, waiting for something to bite. But please note, the site is not for 'competition anglers' although there are plenty of good sized carp around. and asks anyone fishing to only use barbless hooks, and for fish to be returned to the lake quickly after being caught.Not the fishing type? Chill out in and around your secluded hut, or there’s plenty to entertain in a leisurely fashion: paths wind around the lakes and through copses/shaws (as this is the High Weald) plus through the local countryside. There are spectacular views towards the South Downs National Park from the top lakes. A spring-fed lake is also on site to cool off in with some wild swimming. Lots of bird life around, with feeders outside each hut and waterfowl visitors to the lakes.When it comes to eats, pick up or have supplies delivered from supermarkets or takeaways in Uckfield, Heathfield or Crowborough or take a drive to Buxted Park for some posh food or pubs in Blackboys, Crowborough, Ringles Cross, 5 Ash Down, Rotherfield, or Buxted (it'll take about 10 minutes to drive to any of these). Lots of sample menus in huts.
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£99
 / night

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.  

97% (1.9K)

Top-rated campgrounds near Kent Downs AONB

3. Far and Away Camping

100%
(18)
40 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · England
Nestled within the heart of the Kent countryside, Far and Away allows you to escape into a rural, peaceful and wild campsite. The skies are full of song birds and birds of prey, hot air balloons dominate the still summer evenings and there is always a spitfire or biplane circling from the local aerodrome. With close to zero light pollution, the night skies are a stunning way to end the day not to mention Far and Away sunrise and sunsets are also worth staying up for! Immerse yourself in the heart of the beautiful Kent countryside and take advantage of the many public footpaths around the campsite. Far and Away is 1.2 miles away from Headcorn village where you can find a host of local amenities, shops, pubs and restaurants. There is also a host of National Trust sites within a short drive including Sissinghurst Castle and many wonderful villages to visit including medieval Biddenden and the magical market town of Tenterden. Next to junction 8 of the M20 there is also Leeds Castle, only a 20 minute drive from Far and Away and the Big Cat Sanctuary is only a few fields away. At night you can hear the roar of the wild cats really making it feel like you are Far and Away!
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£18
 / night

4. Furnace Brook Cabins & Camping

16 units · Tents, Glamping · England
Welcome to Furnace Brook, a tranquil 60-acre Ecosystem Restoration Community tucked away in the rolling countryside of East Sussex. Here, peace, wildlife, and connection to nature come first. Whether you’re waking up in a handcrafted lakeside cabin or camping beneath the stars, this is a place to slow down, breathe deeply, and rediscover calm. At the heart of the land lies our beautiful lake, surrounded by native trees and wildflowers. Herons, dragonflies, and kingfishers visit often, and misty mornings give way to glowing sunsets reflected on the water. Our cabins blend simple comfort with rustic charm — natural materials and wide windows that open to birdsong. For campers, we have rural private pitches or spacious and communal spaces. It’s quiet here — no loud music, no generators, just the crackle of a fire and the sounds of nature at night. Furnace Brook is part of a working Ecosystem Restoration Community. Every stay supports rewilding and soil regeneration, helping wildlife and woodland return to the landscape. Guests are welcome to wander our trails, learn about the restoration work, or simply enjoy being surrounded by thriving nature. We also brew our own small-batch Furnace Brook Beer, made with local ingredients — the perfect companion for a lakeside sunset or a cosy evening by the fire. If you’re looking for stillness, beauty, and a genuine connection to the natural world, Furnace Brook offers it in abundance. Come to rest, reflect, and experience life at nature’s pace.
Campfires
Showers
Potable water
from 
£25
 / night

7. The Meadow @ Waples Mill

95%
(40)
12 units · Tents · 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 (please note only one tent per pitch is allowed), 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.
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£24
 / night

14. Sunnyside Pop Up Camping

94%
(8)
2 units · Tents, Motorhomes · England
We are a pop-up campsite, which means we are open most weekends during the summer with some longer stints at the beginning and at the end of our season. We offer different activities each weekend, varying from damper bread making to wild food walks and bush craft skills. We also celebrate Midsummer (Juhannus) in Finnish style! 22nd May - 31st May - Opening: Sauna hot all Week 😃🙌🏻 19th - 21st June Summer Solstice/Juhannus ☀️☀️☀️ 26th - 28th June - Fairy Garden Making 🧚🏻🧚🏻‍♀️🧚🏻‍♂️ 3rd -5th July - Damper Bread 🥨 10th-12th July - DJ BBQ 🎶🍗 17th -19th July -Whittling 🥄🔪 24th - 26th July - Wellness weekend 🧘🧘‍♂️🧘‍♀️ 31st July - 3rd August - Wand Making and 🪄🧚‍♂️ 7th - 9th August - Communal Curry Night 🥘 14th - 16th August - Fire Making for Kids 🔥 20th - 23rd August - Wild Food Walk 🍄‍🟫🫐 27th - 31st August - Closing Week ☀️🔥🥂🍾 FINNISH SAUNA We light our authentic Finnish sauna on Saturday evenings for all to use. Otherwise you can book the Sauna area for private use on Friday nights and Saturday day. Do give us more than an hours notice, it is wood heated and it takes a while to get hot! CAMPFIRES We love campfires and see them as an integral part of the camping experience. Campfires bring people together at the end of the day, to cook, socialise and relax. The smell of the wood smoke at twilight and the excitement on the kids faces when the marshmallows come out are bound to set you up for a perfect night away from the city lights! We sell crates of firewood, and hire fire pits for you to use during your stay. MUSIC The Lower Fields are for quiet camping. We would like it to be the perfect place for children to sleep and adults to chitchat around the campfires. On the Upper Field and near the Centre Camp we do allow you to listen and enjoy any music. But please respect your fellow campers! We want everybody to be able to enjoy their weekend without being disturbed. We ask for quiet across the whole site from 11.30pm. Overall we are quite a sociable site, with things happening at center camp every weekend. and a public campfire to sit around for a few mins after your sauna. We have a great area for large family groups. We pride ourselves on helping new campers get the most out of the experience come and hay hello at center camp.
Pets
Showers
Potable water
from 
£14
 / night

15. Hastingford Fishery Glamping

100%
(8)
4 units · Glamping · Uckfield, England
Searching for a peaceful holiday/short break without kids underfoot? Ramble along to Hastingford Fishery, an adults-only shepherd's hut and fishing site set in a scenic lakeside setting less than five minutes’ drive from the East Sussex village of Hadlow Down and 20 minutes from Royal Tunbridge Wells. This site should suit couples or singles wanting to 'get away from it all' and also fishing fans down to the ground. It’s got several fishing lakes to choose from with lots of different species, so settle down on the banks with rod in hand and while away a few hours (or days) in quiet contemplation, waiting for something to bite. But please note, the site is not for 'competition anglers' although there are plenty of good sized carp around. and asks anyone fishing to only use barbless hooks, and for fish to be returned to the lake quickly after being caught.Not the fishing type? Chill out in and around your secluded hut, or there’s plenty to entertain in a leisurely fashion: paths wind around the lakes and through copses/shaws (as this is the High Weald) plus through the local countryside. There are spectacular views towards the South Downs National Park from the top lakes. A spring-fed lake is also on site to cool off in with some wild swimming. Lots of bird life around, with feeders outside each hut and waterfowl visitors to the lakes.When it comes to eats, pick up or have supplies delivered from supermarkets or takeaways in Uckfield, Heathfield or Crowborough or take a drive to Buxted Park for some posh food or pubs in Blackboys, Crowborough, Ringles Cross, 5 Ash Down, Rotherfield, or Buxted (it'll take about 10 minutes to drive to any of these). Lots of sample menus in huts.
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£99
 / night

Camper favorites in and near Kent Downs AONB

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Camping in Kent Downs AONB guide

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.  

Top counties in and near Kent Downs AONB

Top towns in and near Kent Downs AONB