Glamping @ Rankins Farm - Hipcamp in Kent, England

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Glamping @ Rankins Farm

100%

29 reviews

· Linton, England

4 acres

6 units

6 Glamping

Family-friendly pod glamping beside a 30-year-old plum orchard, with far-reaching views across the Kent countryside

It’s only natural, when your farm has been around for almost 400 years, that it sees its fair share of change. Over the centuries Rankins Farm in Kent has gone from the hunting grounds of a local Earl, to a series of sheep farmers, to today’s owners, the Sunnucks family, who have been custodians of the place since 1963. Apple, pear and plum orchards, were the Rankins staples when Tony and Sarah took over, but it wasn’t until they converted an old barn in 2006 that they began to realise the next generation of opportunities for the place. A few years later ‘Glamping at Rankins Farm’ was born. A wise choice if you ask us. Set in the heart of Kent, with the High Weald to the west and the Kent Downs five miles east, Rankins Farm is a family-friendly pod glamping site with far-reaching, southwesterly views across the Beult Valley. But this is no valley in the steep, dramatic sense. The land around the farm is imperceptibly sloping; a gloriously flat, sweeping space, with a huge paddock set aside for ball games and a playground for children to clamber on. The pods themselves – six in total – are lined out in a neat, picnic-bench-fronted row with gravel pathways leading up to them, while, behind, a 30-year-old plum orchard extends in a bushy L-shape around the field. Built in 2018, the pods feature all mod cons. There’s under-floor heating, plush en-suite facilities and a compact kitchen area with a fridge, sink, hobs and a microwave oven. If the weather turns sour, close the floor-to-ceiling glass doors and enjoy the views above instead, where a Veltech television has been mounted on the wall. Not that Rankins Farm is about squirrelling yourself away. Outside, every pod has a cast iron campfire pit (with a swivelling grill pan for cooking) and games like giant jenga and badminton are available to borrow. Tony and Sarah can even help arrange bike hire, if you want, helping you get out and explore the local area. In terms of where to start, there are plenty of options. History lovers will undoubtedly want to visit the famous fortifications of Leeds Castle, which is only 20 minutes away. Built on a lake island formed by the River Len, there’s been a castle here since as early as 1086, with today’s structure, sticking out into the water, as magnificent as any château in the Loire Valley. Sissinghurst Castle is also 20 minutes away, Bodiam Castle is half an hour and Hever Castle 45 minutes, while the nearby town of Maidstone (a five-minute drive) is home to a couple of good museums. For many, though, a walk in the surroundings is all that’s needed. A ramble in the Kent Downs, a stroll in Maidstone’s Mote Park or a picnic at Bedgebury Pinetum, home to one of the world’s largest conifer collections. You might even be allowed to take some Rankins Farm plums for dessert.

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Location

Linton, England, United KingdomTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking

Hosted by Rankins F.Joined in October 2018

100%

32 Ratings · 29 reviews

Charlotte S.recommends

July 20, 2022

VICTORIA

Beautiful, we’ll kept farm

George R.recommends

October 21, 2021

VICTORIA

We had a wonderful time at Rankins Farm its just a shame it had to come to a end. The pods were very comfortable and had everything in there that we needed. The firepit was a great touch for the evening. we will definitely be booking again soon and will be telling all friends about this place. Thanks for having us Sarah + Tony See you again soon

Lyric W.recommends

October 9, 2021

DAMSON

A great place to stay and what a joy it was. The pods look exactly how they look online and are super clean. The massive open space was perfect and sitting by the BBQ fire we set ourselves was lovely. I would 100% recommend and would go again soon!

Susan W.recommends

September 4, 2021

JUBILEUM

I went with my Daughter and 2 grandchildren, we arrived to find an absolutely beautiful and pristine glamping pod, we had a lovley surprise of a welcome pack for breakfast, including milk, water and 2 small bottles of fruit juice, also tea coffee and sugar supplied, everything we needed was there and more, the play area was perfect for the children and adults alike, we could not fault it, we are going to go back every year with other family and friends, we felt very safe and secure, including the children able to play within a safe distance of us, it was perfect, Sarah and Tony were very very nice and welcoming, 1st class in every way.

Sarah E.recommends

August 2, 2021

JUBILEUM

We had a fabulous two night stay at Rankins farm. We were warmly welcomed by the owners to when we arrived. My 6 yr old loved being able to play on the swing and run around safely in the expanse of space around the pods. We stayed in the Jubileum pod, which was very clean, cosy and had everything you’d need. The thoughtful touches of a welcome basket with cereals, pain au chocolate and marshmallows were lovely. We found the information booklet really helpful, with tips on local restaurants and how best to start the fire pit. We didn’t use the huge pizza oven on this visit but may be braver next time!

Kerry ?.recommends

July 29, 2021

VICTORIA

Lovely place to stay very clean. Quite spacious inside with fully equipped kitchen, shower. We were made very welcome by the owners . All the extra little touches like welcome baskets with cereal, pan o chocolate and even marshmallows for cooking on the fire. There is plenty of space for kids to run around with play area and large jenga and other games provided in box. Also in each pod was a box with cards and boules in. Spent evenings around the fire, kindling and logs provided. It is situated quite central to a lot if places to visit whilst we were there we went yo Leeds castle and chatham dockyards. There also a supermarket about 7 mins drive away if like me you forgot something. Would really recommend a visit.

From the host

Rankins Farm, a peaceful holiday destination in the heart of the Kent countryside. Owned by the Sunnucks family since 1963, the estate was a working farm until 2017, and now provides first class accommodation for visitors to this beautiful county, with a small amount of top fruit farming still going on. Whether you are planning a weekend getaway or a fortnight’s holiday with the family, you’ll find a wonderful experience waiting for you at Rankins Farm. If you are wanting to book more than one pod then the order of the pods is Jubileum, Damson, Marjorie, Oullins, Opal and Victoria.

Nearby attractions

As the landing point for European invaders, Kent is home to heaps of castles, a handful of which are within easy reach of Rankins Farm. One of the best kept is Leeds Castle , a mere 7 miles away. Dating back almost 900 years, the castle has undergone a series of makeovers, from a Norman stronghold to a Tudor palace, to a privately owned home during the Jacobean era. It also served as a place of detention for Dutch prisoners of war in the 17th century and a hospital in World War II. Today, the 500-acre estate greets over 200,000 visitors a year, with activities during school holidays. Moated Bodiam Castle, built during the hundred years’ war, is a half-hour drive and still retains such features as wooden portcullis and a look-out tower that you can climb, with guided walks available. Hever Castle , childhood residence of Anne Boleyn, is also 45 minutes away, while the 460-acre Sissinghurst Estate (18 minutes drive) is more renowned for its gardens than the building itself. For further culture, it's a 15-minute drive from Rankins Farm to Maidstone, home of the Maidstone Museum , where highlights include a Solomon Island canoe and an excellently preserved Egyptian mummy, and the Tyrwhitt-Drake Museum of Carriages from horse-drawn sleighs to the original ice cream cart. Maidstone's town park, Mote Park, is also great for families, with two children’s play areas, a free BMX track and a host of walking and cycling trails. For a real breath of fresh air, though, drive the 25 minutes to Bedgebury Pinetum, home to one of the world’s largest conifer collections and a fantastic place for family picnics or to Bewl Water, an 800-acre site that's a boon for wildlife lovers (be sure to bring your binoculars). The Kent Downs AONB is also on the doorstep, with the Pilgrim’s Way the best known of the local walking routes through the area.

Food and drink

Supermarket deliveries to the glampsite are welcome if you want to use the pods kitchen facilities. Located a mile up the road on Linton Hill, The Bull (01622 743612) shares the same spectacular views as the farm, and is the ideal place to enjoy a drink in summer. The bar serves cask and keg ales from Shepherd Neame, and there’s a cosy restaurant too (traditional carvery on Sundays). If you like your booze straight from the source, though, The Musket Brewery (01622 749931) in Linton (1.2 miles) started production in October 2013 producing fantastic Real Ales using the finest malts and Kentish hops. They have now opened The Armoury which is open on a Friday (16:00–20:00ish!) and Saturday open 11.00am - 20:00ish! For wine, try the Hush Heath Winery (01622 832794), the only English vineyard dedicated to the production of rosé sparkling wine. A range of tours and tastings are offered to visitors all year round, with guests invited to try the wines and ciders, and dine at the estate’s pub, The Goudhurst Inn (01580 211451).

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