Dog-friendly shepherd's huts in Wye National Nature Reserve
Magnificent views await at the Devil’s Kneading Trough—a star attraction of the Kent Downs AONB.
98% (78 reviews)
- Wye National Nature Reserve
98% (78 reviews)
Popular camping styles for Wye National Nature Reserve
12 top dog-friendly shepherd's huts sites in Wye National Nature Reserve
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(45)
Fleets Paddock Glamping & Camping
22 units · Glamping, Tents5 acres · Canterbury, Kent, South East England
Pitches, bell tents and a gypsy caravan on the outskirts of Canterbury
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£12
/ night
95%
(43)
Dernwood Farm Wild Camping
17 units · Glamping, Tents70 acres · East Sussex, South East England
Camping and glamping in Sussex meadows and woodlands
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£16
/ night
Booked 5 times
Plum Camping in May Tree Orchard
17 units · Glamping, Tents5 acres · 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 4 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 about a ten-minute drive from the campsite and the coast around Hastings and Rye is just over 30 minutes.
Two amazing independent food businesses sell pears, apples and plums grown at the orchard – Local Greens (South London) and Growing Communities (North London). Delicious apple juice and tasty chutney made from the organic apples grown in the orchard are available to purchase on site, and sometimes there are home-grown veg and herbs for sale.
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£12
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(4)
Barn Owl Camping
10 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents5 acres · Suffolk, England
Dog-friendly camping and shepherd’s huts in rural Suffolk
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£20
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(7)
Sindles Farm Glamping and Camping
9 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents2 acres · Emsworth, West Sussex
We are a small, friendly site on a working farm in the beautiful South Downs National Park. We have shepherds huts, bell tents and a land pod in an old sheep paddock, all with private fire pits. We’re surrounded by footpaths and bridleways that can be explored all day, and 10 minutes drive from the sea. We also have a small grass-pitch campsite that opens in the summer for tents and camper vans.
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£40
/ night
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(18)
Beautiful hideaway, panoramic views
1 unit · Glamping5 acres · Rake, England
The Shepherd's Hut at Coombe Farm Glamping is only an hour or so from London and within easy reach of Goodwood, Cowdray and the south coast; yet once you're here, you'll feel as if you've stepped through the back of the wardrobe. With it's unimpeded views over the South Downs and barely another soul around. It is the only hut in the field, so you can enjoy the peace and space to yourself.
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£120
/ night
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(26)
Greenhill Glamping
2 units · Glamping1 acre · 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
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£160
/ night
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(3)
Hastingford Fishery Glamping
4 units · Glamping32 acres · 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.
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£110
/ night
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(22)
Waydown Shepherds Huts
2 units · Glamping2 acres · West Sussex, South East England
Modern shepherd's huts beside the South Downs Way
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£100
/ night
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(1)
Blue Sky Huts
2 units · Glamping2 acres · Beccles, Suffolk, East Anglia
Our beautiful shepherd huts lie in a private two acre nature reserve in the heart of the Suffolk countryside. Sympathetically managed the meadow evolves throughout the year and offers the perfect spot to switch off from everyday life.
You can be as active or chilled as you like!
Simply relaxing on site enjoying the peace and tranquillity and seeing what wildlife comes to visit is a perfect way to spend a day.
Alternatively there are endless possibilities for things to do. Some options include, hiring one of our onsite bikes and heading to the next door village for a vineyard tour, or a little further afield you can visit a brewery and sample their ales.
Or why not pop to the coast for a day at the beach - Southwold, Walberswick, Aldeburgh and Covehithe are all within a short drive and offer completely different experiences.
Do you love the arts? If so in our local town we have The Cut arts centre who regularly hold an ecclectic mix of live performances and exhibitions. The world famous Snape Maltings is just down the road with internationally renowned artists performing. In addition we are a great spot from which to enjoy Latitude festival!
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£110
/ night
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(1)
Ham Hideaway
5 units · Glamping1 acre · Kent, South East England
Glamping in the Kent countryside, close to the coast – with an optional butler catering service
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£235
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(5)
Oaksbrook Retreat
2 units · Glamping1 acre · Messing, England
Adults-only glamping on an equine smallholding in Essex.
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£100
/ night
Star Hosts in Wye National Nature Reserve
Dog-friendly getaways
Dog-friendly shepherd's huts in Wye National Nature Reserve guide
Overview
At the heart of the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this small nature reserve encompasses one of the area’s most visited viewpoints. Make a beeline for the Devil’s Kneading Trough, where the steep coombes afford views across the Romney Marshes and along the Channel coast. Once you’ve admired the views, stop for a picnic on the hillside or follow the hour-long Wye NNR nature trail to spot rare orchids, butterflies, and wildflowers. Hikers can also set out along the long-distance North Downs Way, which passes through the reserve.
Notable campgrounds
- Best for country views: The Sunny Field has off-grid tent pitches, campervan sites, and glamping in bell tents, amid miles of open countryside. It’s a 10-minute drive from the reserve.
- Best for budget campers: Flying Horse Inn is a country pub just west of the reserve and offers free overnight campervan parking for evening diners.
- Best for escaping the crowds: Sunnyside Farm has plenty of grass and hardstanding pitches, optional electric hook-ups, and tranquil surroundings. It’s a 20-min drive away.
Tips for snagging a campsite
- Kent Downs campsites and caravan sites can book up quickly, especially in July and August, and during school holidays. Plan up to six months in advance for popular sites or those with limited pitching.
- You will need to pay a deposit to secure your campsite reservation; some sites ask for the full payment in advance.
- Be sure to check seasonal opening and closing dates. Many campsites open from March through October, while others stay open year-round.
When to go
The most pleasant weather for camping is from April through September, and this is the main hiking season in the Kent Downs. Wildflowers bloom throughout this period, but come in late spring to admire them at their most colourful. Sites like the Devil’s Kneading Trough fill up with day-trippers throughout July and August, so make an early start to get a jump on the crowds or opt for a weekday visit in the off-season to enjoy the view to yourself.
Know before you go
- Wye National Nature Reserve is located in the Kent Downs AONB, about a 20-minute drive from Ashford. Trains from London take about an hour to reach Wye train station, just 2 miles from the reserve.
- Free parking is available at the Wye Nature Reserve car park along Coldharbour Lane.
- Camping is not possible in the reserve itself, and wild camping is not permitted throughout the Kent Downs AONB.
- The reserve has a restaurant, but for public restrooms or to purchase picnic supplies, head to Wye village.
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