The best romantic campsites in Kent Downs AONB

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.

98% (335)

Top-rated campgrounds

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.

98% (335)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. The Nut Plat Retreat

93%

(72)

3 units · Glamping · 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

2. The Barn KT9

97%

(271)

22 units · Tents, Glamping · Greater London, South East England

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

3. Elham Treehouse

100%

(26)

2 units · Glamping · Folkestone, Kent, South East England

Rustic glamping in the Kent countryside between Folkestone and Canterbury

4. Fleets Paddock Glamping & Camping

95%

(104)

41 units · Tents, Glamping · Canterbury, Kent, South East England

Pitches, bell tents and a gypsy caravan on the outskirts of Canterbury

5. Greenhill Glamping

100%

(31)

2 units · Glamping · Folkestone, Kent, South East England

Impeccably restored huts from the late 19th-century, kitted out for couples with king-sized beds, wood-burning stoves and views over the Kent Downs

6. Plum Camping in May Tree Orchard

100%

(20)

8 units · Tents, Glamping · Goudhurst, Kent, South East England

Simple camping and comfortable glamping amongst organic fruit trees, wild flowers and woodland, bordering an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with some of the darkest night skies in Europe. In the beautiful High Weald of Kent, Tash and Nick have been running May Tree Orchard's low-impact, nature-friendly, seasonal campsite, Plum Camping, for the last 5 years. The Soil Association certified organic land is full of wild flowers and surrounded by woodland and other orchards. Electricity and hot water for showers and washing up is solar generated. So you can charge your phone if necessary, but we'd recommend stargazing and enjoying the quiet warmth of friends and family around an evening fire instead. Bring your own tent, stay in the delightful hand-made shepherd’s hut or stylish caravan, or hire the whole May Tree Orchard space. Numbers are kept low here so that there is always plenty of room for everyone, as well as peace and quiet. The campsite is an hour and a half drive from London and a 20 min walk to the sleepy and pretty village of Goudhurst, with pubs selling great food and two local shops for self-catering. There are also two excellent farm shops within walking distance. Close to May Tree Orchard, there are walks via Sissinghurst, Scotney and Bodiam Castle, and water activities on the River Rother and at Bewl Water. Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest is a ten-minute drive from the campsite and the coast around Hastings and Rye is just over 30 minutes. An amazing independent food business, Growing Communities, sells pears, apples and plums grown at the orchard in their box scheme serving North and South London, and you can also buy them from the Pear Necessities stall at Stoke Newington Farmers Market. Delicious apple juice and tasty chutney made from the organic apples grown in the orchard are available to purchase on site, as well as plum preserve and orchard plums.

7. Beau and Bell at South Farm

100%

(23)

10 units · Glamping · Lewes, England

Summer bell tent camping on a South Downs farm in Sussex

Camper favorites in and near Kent Downs AONB

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Fleets Paddock Glamping & Camping

95%

(104)

41 units · Tents, Glamping · Canterbury, Kent, South East England

Pitches, bell tents and a gypsy caravan on the outskirts of Canterbury

Greenhill Glamping

100%

(31)

2 units · Glamping · Folkestone, Kent, South East England

Impeccably restored huts from the late 19th-century, kitted out for couples with king-sized beds, wood-burning stoves and views over the Kent Downs

Plum Camping in May Tree Orchard

100%

(20)

8 units · Tents, Glamping · Goudhurst, Kent, South East England

Simple camping and comfortable glamping amongst organic fruit trees, wild flowers and woodland, bordering an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with some of the darkest night skies in Europe. In the beautiful High Weald of Kent, Tash and Nick have been running May Tree Orchard's low-impact, nature-friendly, seasonal campsite, Plum Camping, for the last 5 years. The Soil Association certified organic land is full of wild flowers and surrounded by woodland and other orchards. Electricity and hot water for showers and washing up is solar generated. So you can charge your phone if necessary, but we'd recommend stargazing and enjoying the quiet warmth of friends and family around an evening fire instead. Bring your own tent, stay in the delightful hand-made shepherd’s hut or stylish caravan, or hire the whole May Tree Orchard space. Numbers are kept low here so that there is always plenty of room for everyone, as well as peace and quiet. The campsite is an hour and a half drive from London and a 20 min walk to the sleepy and pretty village of Goudhurst, with pubs selling great food and two local shops for self-catering. There are also two excellent farm shops within walking distance. Close to May Tree Orchard, there are walks via Sissinghurst, Scotney and Bodiam Castle, and water activities on the River Rother and at Bewl Water. Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest is a ten-minute drive from the campsite and the coast around Hastings and Rye is just over 30 minutes. An amazing independent food business, Growing Communities, sells pears, apples and plums grown at the orchard in their box scheme serving North and South London, and you can also buy them from the Pear Necessities stall at Stoke Newington Farmers Market. Delicious apple juice and tasty chutney made from the organic apples grown in the orchard are available to purchase on site, as well as plum preserve and orchard plums.

Beau and Bell at South Farm

100%

(23)

10 units · Glamping · Lewes, England

Summer bell tent camping on a South Downs farm in Sussex

Stories from the community

e

erin

2 weeks ago

Weekend Trip to The Nut Plat Retreat

Highly recommend, my partner and I had a great time at Finlay’s cabin. It was exactly what we were looking for in terms of: how remote & private it was, outdoor and indoor fire & the hot tub! We also loved the unique structure and authentic feel… however a few things to note, for the cost per night(£180) I would expect: body wash & shampoo / hairdryer, better kitchen essentials, the coffee left was almost empty for example and old stuff was left in the fridge& top shelf was left completely wet.. I know it’s ‘small’ things but for the price you’d expect these things to be attended to.. for us we didn’t mind too much, but would have made the experience a lot nicer to have these things to improve the overall feel and experience. Also I felt that in terms of cleanliness, it could have been cleaner, many cobwebs & spiders, hair and dirt in the bath tub, messy outdoor porch area; we wanted to use the outdoor bbq and had to clean it very well ourselves.. for the price you would expect it to be clean and ready to use with coals etc however we had to make do with the indoor logs with no fire starter as only option was the chemical indoor one which we didn’t want to use to cook food on.. making it difficult. The hotub area is lovely, however we wanted to use it at night which proved difficult as no outdoor lightning, and indoor torch didn’t work.. some lanterns outside would be a great addition. Duncan was a kind host and has a very special plot!

L

Luke

November 2025

2 nights at Elham Treehouse

Mark is a gentleman. His property is lovely. The tree house is very cool. The walk into Elham is only 20 min. My girlfriend and I commuted from London to Marks property without a car. It was more than doable, £25 taxi from Folkestone west train station . Just mentioning this in case other carless people are hesitant. There is an electric cooler, I wish I brought a steak to throw on the fire. Great speaker in the tree house. Even in November with high winds we were warm. Thanks again Mark!

D

David

November 2025

3 nights at The Nut Plat Retreat

Such a beautiful spot, we took Ransoms for 3 nights. Everything we needed was ready for us, nice kitchen and a lovely hot tub. The host is very friendly and helpful. Don’t miss out on The Kentish Rifleman’s Pie and a Pint on Tuesdays and walks through Plaxtol, Igtham moat, and the green fields.

D

DONGHYUN

October 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Fleets Paddock Glamping & Camping

it was great place! great glamping! host is great!

S

Sunghwan

October 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Fleets Paddock Glamping & Camping

My family really enjoyed one night glamping at this lovely site. It is very quiet and cozy place. Best for family fun and rest.

C

Charlie

September 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to The Barn KT9

Excellent site, so relaxing and beautiful: just as described. Cannot recommend highly enough, will definitely return and highly recommend

R

Ryan

September 2025

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to The Barn KT9

It is well organised, easy to access and you really do feel you are in the countryside/out in the wide open spaces. I highly recommend this site and aim to be back very soon!

L

Liam

September 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to The Barn KT9

Had such a great stay at The Barn!! Such a lovely campsite and it has everything you need for a relaxing stay! There are great walks in the local area and the on site cafe had amazing pastries! Would highly recommend to anyone looking for a peaceful break!

J

Jason

September 2025

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Fleets Paddock Glamping & Camping

My experience at fleet paddock was everything I had hoped for and more all the facilities were clean and well kept , I shared the family bell tent with friends and it had everything we needed for a memorable evening, the campsite was pretty busy but still maintained a peaceful family vibe, I would highly recommend this camping site to anyone wanting to escape the chaos of city life and connect with nature. For me the highlight was the clear sky's at night which revealed the most stars I have ever seen it was amazing 👏 🤩

M

Millie

September 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to The Barn KT9

Great campsite, really peaceful, beautiful views and great amenities.

I

Issy

September 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to The Barn KT9

Lovely, small campsite on working farm. Each pitch comes with a fire pit and bbq which is a nice touch. Great cafe on site and food trucks/ street food on certain days. We’ll be back!

C

Craig

September 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to The Barn KT9

Awesome set up, with thoughtful amenities like BBQ, BBQ utensils, camp fire pit, wood, hammocks, seats, etc. After it rained, we were treated to a wonderful rainbow display. The coffee and pastries in the morning were a treat.

Immerse yourself in a world of enchantment and tranquility with our captivating green bow top caravan, offering a unique and picturesque retreat that promises an unforgettable camping experience.

d

dipika

September 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Fleets Paddock Glamping & Camping

Excellent stay. Beautiful hut and surroundings. Place is exceptionally clean site and the Alex is always available and tops up all facilities and the best of host. Will be back. Dip & Dave

C

Christine

September 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to The Barn KT9

My recent glamping trip in a bell tent was absolutely great, perfectly blending tranquil nature with a comfortable double bed; soft blankets and pillows and the spacious and thoughtfully decorated bell tent ready and waiting for us. We were able to immediately relax and enjoy our surroundings. It was the perfect escape for anyone who has had a long week at work and loves camping with a touch of luxury. The sun was shinning and it was wonderful to lie hammock! I'm already looking forward to my next visit!

S

Simon

September 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to The Barn KT9

Lovely site, well spaced out pitches, deckchairs, bbqs and picnic tables provided, facilities clean and functional. There’s also a cafe on site and good walks through the woodland to local pubs. My only issue was the background road noise but that can’t be helped given the location. It isn’t loud at all but hearing it does take away that feeling of being out in the countryside a little.

G

Georgia

September 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to The Barn KT9

Peaceful, lovely field in a great location, good facilities

S

Sophie

September 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to The Barn KT9

Lovely, wild-looking campsite but super close to London. Great walks nearby and recommend the Jolly Coopers pub for lunch

C

Cleo

September 2025

With kids

5 nights at Fleets Paddock Glamping & Camping

We loved your place, it's fantastic. All the little details make it extra special. Clean, great location, swings, a tree house, bats and balls, a kitchen and lounge area, a great view of rabbits in the field from the warm shower. Quite magical. Would definitely come again.

A

Akhil

September 2025

1 night at Fleets Paddock Glamping & Camping

Place is well maintained and beautiful. It has all the essentials needed and exactly as shown in the pictures. Enjoy making some BBQ food with a view to the open farm 😁

N

Nick

August 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Plum Camping in May Tree Orchard

This is a beautiful and quiet place to camp. We had a group of families, had our own space in the orchard that felt very separated from other groups. The location is peaceful with a beautiful view. The toilets were clean and well maintained, and we loved the solar shower looking into the woods. Natasha and Nick were incredibly welcoming and always available for any needs, and their kitten Little Cat was adorable. The site had table tennis, some other games, and lovely walks around it. The local pub did a great dinner. We'll be back!

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The best romantic campsites 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.