Riverside camping in Kent

England’s southeastern corner is a playground of rolling hills, flower gardens, and seacliff walks.

95% (236 reviews)
95% (236 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Kent

5 top river, stream, or creek campsites in Kent

83%
(15)

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.
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from 
£27
 / night
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
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from 
£88
 / night
85%
(17)

Woolton Farm

24 units · Glamping, Tents600 acres · Canterbury, Kent, South East England
Camping pitches and bell tents on an apple farm in Kent
Pets
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from 
£33.75
 / night
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
Pets
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from 
£35
 / night
100%
(7)

Stone Pit Meadows

5 units · Glamping12 acres · Sandhurst, England
Bell tent and shepherd's hut glamping in a wild and luscious space, 5 minutes from Bodiam Castle.
Pets
Potable water
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from 
£112.50
 / night

Under £50

Dog-friendly getaways

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Riverside camping in Kent guide

Overview

With miles of lush countryside right on London’s doorstep, Kent has long been nicknamed the ‘Garden of England.’ Escape the capital for leisurely walks and bike rides in nature reserves and country parks, picnics in historic castle gardens, and coastal strolls on sandy beaches to see the famous White Cliffs of Dover. More than a third of Kent’s landscapes are Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), affording ample terrain for outdoor adventures, and camping is a year-round affair. Pitch your tent by the beach on 350 miles of coastline in summer, then cosy up in a pod for a winter glamping retreat. Easily reached from London, Kent is as good for a weekend escape from the city as it is for a week of summer holiday fun.

Where to go

North Kent

The tree-lined gardens and parks of Seven Oaks are magnificent in spring and autumn, but the highlights of north Kent lie along the water. Set sail along the River Thames from Gravesend, follow in the footsteps of Charles Dickens in Rochester and Chatham, then hop over to the Isle of Sheppey to explore the marshlands and camp along Blue Flag beaches.

West Kent

Patchwork farmlands, lively market towns, and stately homes dot the heartlands of central Kent. Enjoy woodland walks and farmland camping in the High Weald AONB, take a ride through Royal Tunbridge Wells on the Spa Valley Railway, or sample British wines at a local vineyard in Maidstone or Ashford. This is the spot for tranquil country camping or glamping, surrounded by nature and perhaps the Kent Downs, a chalk ridge protected as the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Camping in or near the Kent Downs means great views from higher ground and good walking in the countryside, especially if you are near the well-marked North Downs Way trail. Kent also lays claim to part of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which it shares with neighbouring Sussex.

North Sea Coast

Kent’s northern shores harbour several Blue Flag beaches, which fill up with campers and caravanners as soon as the sun starts shining. Hit the beach at Ramsgate, Broadstairs, and Joss Bay near Margate for the best surf, then duck inland to admire the UNESCO-listed Canterbury Cathedral. Just to the north, Herne Bay and Whitstable are Kent’s quintessential seaside resorts with their pebble beaches and lively seafront promenades—visit the latter in July for the renowned Oyster Festival.

South Coast

The postcard star of Kent’s southern shore are the White Cliffs of Dover, and a walk along the mighty cliffs affords impressive views across the English Channel. Seafront walks, rocky coves, and cliff-top golf courses pepper the coast north of Dover, where the Tudor fortifications at Deal and Walmer also beckon. To the south, Folkestone has seaside camping and sandy beaches, while ramblers and wildlife lovers can explore the Romney Marshes and Dungeness, a huge shingle spit that’s technically the UK’s only desert and an internationally important habitat for birds, insects, and plants.

Family camping in Kent

Kids just seem to love the adventure of camping. All the routines of home are broken so you spend all day in the great outdoors before a barbecue dinner or perhaps a trip to the local pub, followed by a spot of stargazing and marshmallow toasting. And before you’ve even pitched your tent, your kids are likely to have met the neighbours and sussed out who’s going to be their new best friend. But why not bring friends with you in the first place? Camping is a great way to holiday in a group with other families. Just ask for neighbouring pitches and the kids can amuse each other until bedtime when the adults can stay up around the campfire.

There are plenty of family-friendly campsites in Kent, some welcoming campers of all ages with special activities and facilities. Campsites may have a few simple touches designed to keep youngsters amused: a tree swing, a storytelling session around a communal campfire, pond-dipping or a forest-school lesson, perhaps. There’s family fun at Chatham Dockyard and the Rare Breeds Centre too, home to rare farm animals with activities from cuddling rabbits to racing pigs! In fact, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to animal parks in Kent. You can see exotic animals at the Aspinall Foundation’s conservation parks, Port Lympne and Howletts; head to Wingham Wildlife Park to see exotic birds; or choose Wildwood, where all the animals are native to British shores.

Kent also has lots of other kid-friendly attractions including its beaches, castles, and even a pint-sized heritage railway that’s just right for kids, so you’ll never run out of things to do while camping in Kent.

Indoor attractions near Kent

  • Leeds Castle has a moat and a maze near Maidstone; Hever Castle has a fascinating history associated with Anne Boleyn and beautiful year-round gardens; and Dover Castle is hard to beat in terms of location with a varied history of defence told through interactive displays.
  • The stunning UNESCO-protected Canterbury Cathedral, where Thomas Becket met his grisly end, is a must-see if you head to Canterbury. Guided punting trips on the river are a good way to learn more about the history of this pretty, medieval city.
  • You can learn about Kent’s rural history at Kent Life museum, though adults may prefer to hear about one of its biggest industries with a visit to Britain’s oldest brewer, Shepherd Neame, in the historic market town of Faversham.
  • The Romney, Hythe, and Dymchurch Railway makes for a great family day out, as do the Kent and East Sussex Railways.

Top counties near Kent

Top towns in and near Kent

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