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Woolton Farm

82%
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· Canterbury, England
600 acres hosted by Sam M.
8 lodging sites · 15 tent sites
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Camping pitches and bell tents on an apple farm in Kent

Weekend camping and glamping in the Garden of England is on offer at Woolton Farm. It’s an old-fashioned kinda offering with tents pitched in a meadow and cider served in a barn. The family behind this fruit farm have been here for 100 years and, although the holidays here have a timeless appeal, in actual fact, the camping is a modern idea. And it’s a good one. This farm is just five miles outside the lovely, historic city of Canterbury and not far from the seaside at Whitstable. It’s an hour and a half by train or car from central London; ideal for a weekend escape.

There are 15 pitches for people with their own tents and eight bell tents for people without. The pitch-your-own plots are free-form in Ellen’s Meadow; a simple paddock with a Portaloo that’s kept car free so kids can lark about. The camping here is dog friendly too. Meanwhile, about 150 metres' walk away, eight bell tents, each with a made-up double bed, share a dog-free garden setting with a pair of flushing loos and hot-water showers. Campfires are allowed in off-ground fire pits which you can hire on site when you check in at The Barn.

It’s The Barn that forms the centrepiece and the point of difference at this campsite in the Kent countryside. It’s a beautiful, 14th-century farm building that now houses reception, bottleshop and bar. You can pop in for breakfast undercover if it rains and head back for a freshly-made pizza at lunch or dinner with a glass of Wootton Farm cider or wine to wash it down. It makes what is otherwise a back-to-basics camping experience rather easy.

Finding things to do beyond the farm is easy too. There’s a well-known wild animal park next door; one of dozens of family-friendly attractions nearby. But there are grown-up pleasures too. There are walks on nature reserves, canoeing on the river (that one’s for all ages), the historic city of Canterbury and some fantastic places to eat out with menus designed to make the most of seasonal Kentish produce. That’s what this place really showcases; that this home county in the far south east still deserves its reputation as the Garden of England. When you’re camping here on the apple farm, you won’t find yourself doubting that.

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82%
11 ratings · 3 reviews
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Marta C.
June 18, 2023
Fruit Garden Bell Tents
Overall good
We had a good time overall. Facilities were clean, nicely kept garden. However, if u 2 + u need to ask for extra metress as the tents are clearly for two. We had no problem with it, happy we could share one:) Also, I suppose as it wasn't fully booked the place wasn't fully prepared- no cooked veggie breakfast. Staff was nice tho. Nice, local ciders served at the beautiful barn.
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Harvey B.recommends
July 14, 2022
Ellen's Meadow
Camping in the countryside
I loved the scenery and the bar
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Rory B.
June 23, 2022
Ellen's Meadow
Nice area, not the best experience
Overall it was a good stay in a lovely area, though some things could be improved. In the listing there was free firewood, however this wasn’t available on our first night. On the second night we had to wait until about 20:00 for wood, which was just a bag if kindling. There was only one lavatory for everyone. The barn was nice but wine flights weren’t being served despite being advertised, and breakfast was overpriced for what was provided. The staff could be a bit friendlier, one of them told us not to bother with the wine tasting as it wasn’t worth our money! It was also strange and awkward that there were private events but the bar was still open for us.
Location
Canterbury, England, United KingdomTraditional, ancestral territory of various First Nations according to To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
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Hosted by Sam M.Joined in May 2022
From the host
It all starts with apples. Kentish Pip is based at Woolton Farm near Canterbury, where the Mount Family has been growing apples for four generations. Our products are a window into the lifestyle and ethos of our family business: working with nature and never satisfied to settle for second best. Founded by Herbert Mount over 100 years ago growing fruit and vegetables. Now diversified into a thriving mixed crop farm, business hub and drinks business. We produce Kentish Pip cider and our own Woolton wines from our small vineyard. The business has now diversified over the last couple of years and the Mount family invite you to enjoy the spectacular grounds of the farm where you can walk freely around the orchards and enjoy some amazing country views,
Nearby attractions

Woolton Farm neighbours Howletts Wildlife Park where you can see gorillas, the largest herd of African elephants in the UK and Kent’s only giant anteaters among other exotic animals. There are lovely walks around the farm and in the surrounding countryside. The campsite is also only five miles from the charming city of Canterbury with its UNESCO World Heritage-listed cathedral, museums, shops, eateries and historic river tours. You can also get on the river at Fordwich, even closer by, and power yourself on a paddleboard, canoe or kayak from hire company Canoe Wild in a more rural setting. It’s close to Stodmarsh National Nature Reserve where there are good walks and birdwatching too. There are more exotic animals and a dino park at Wingham Wildlife Park, five miles from site, and there’s British wildlife at conservation charity Wildwood just over six miles away. For a day at the beach, head for the charming seaside town of Whitstable, 11 miles away.

When to go

The focus at Woolton Meadow is The Barn: a restaurant, bar, tasting room and shop for Kentish produce including, of course, the farm’s own ciders and wines. It’s open for light breakfasts in the mornings on camping weekends and for lunch and dinner too; with pizza available. There are some great, well-reviewed places to eat out in the near area too. Head three miles in one direction to the village of Bridge for The Bridge Arms or to The Pig at Bridge Place. Three miles in the opposite direction takes you to The Duke William at Ickham. Bridge has a few small shops too and a couple of other pubs. There are plenty of farm shops in the near area and Canterbury, five miles, away has every conceivable shop and eatery. Don't forget, Whitstable is well known for its oysters.

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