Best campsites for the Kent Downs AONB
Here is our pick of the Alan Rogers Assessors, expert-recommended campsites for the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is a landscape running from the coast and the white cliffs of Dover up to Surrey and the edge of London. This is a stunning region, from the chalky cliffs, chalk grasslands of international importance, and traditional ragstone villages to ancient broadleaf woodlands carpeted with bluebells.
Much of the distinctive habitats and their wildlife is shaped by the chalky ground – the chalky grassland allows orchids, in particular, to thrive. Other terrain includes traditional orchards, marshy pastures, ponds and open heathland, each attractive to different forms of flora and fauna. Some of this is under threat: around 75% of ponds have been lost in the last century due to land intensification.
The River Darent is a chalk stream flowing from Westerham whose benefits were recognised by the Romans. Over 20% of the AONB is wooded, and coppicing of sweet chestnut is still practised for agricultural fencing use. There are 38 Sites of Special Scientific Interest in this AONB.
Top Kent Downs AONB Camping Options
Elegantly sloping towards open farmland, Bearsted Caravan and Motorhome Club site offers the tranquillity of these open fields, one of which is a horse paddock where equine enthusiasts can enjoy the proximity of these beautiful creatures. Bearsted site is conveniently located to explore the beautiful countryside of Kent, often termed The Garden of England for its lovely appeal. The site has 66 hardstanding and grass pitches all with electricity 16amp.
Round Oak Farm is a smaller, CL-style campsite on a working farm that focuses mainly on rare breed sheep and cows. Located in the heart of the Kentish countryside, south of the county town of Maidstone. The grassland farm consists of 180 acres, including 5 acres of a natural oak woodland walk and 9 acres of walking routes open to guests. Dogs are allowed on site but must be kept on a lead at all times.
Whether you are coming, going or staying, you should try this neat, tidy and attractive six-acre park, owned by The Caravan and Motorhome Club. It is situated amidst farming country in the village of Densole on the Downs, just four miles north of Folkestone, eight west of Dover and eleven south of Canterbury. Accessed directly from the A260, the tarmac entrance road leads past reception towards the top field which has gravel hardstanding pitches with a grass area for awnings (there is some road noise from the A260), past hedging to the smaller middle area, then to the large bottom field which has been redeveloped to give some larger pitches (including 15 for tents) and some to accommodate larger motorhomes. There are 119 pitches in total, 95 with hardstanding, all with 16 amp electricity and 10 fully serviced.
Capel-le-Ferne is a relatively little known seaside town midway between Dover and Folkestone. Little Satmar is a quiet site a short walk from the delightful cliff top paths which run between these towns and which offer fine views across the English Channel. The site is a member of the Keat Farm group and is located about a mile from the village. There are 61 touring pitches, 51 of which have 10A electricity. The pitches generally have a sunny, open setting, a few with rather more shade. Privately owned mobile homes occupy 78 pitches between the entrance to the site and reception, but these are quite separate from the touring field.
Thriftwood Holiday Park is a well located base for exploring Kent and has good access to a major motorway network. London can be reached in around 50 minutes from Borough Green station (two miles). There is an attractive touring area here with a good number of hardstandings available and grassy tent pitches around the edge. Some pitches may require the use of levelling blocks. Around 150 pitches have electrical connections. The toilet block has recently been refurbished to a very high standard. Amenities include a swimming pool and a convivial bar/club house where meals may be ordered. There is some entertainment, mainly in high season.
This sheltered park has been created in a former quarry where all the pitches are on well drained grass. A spacious paved entrance with an attractive reception building and well stocked shop leads on to the park itself. The 54 pitches are level and open with a few small trees, two brick built barbecue units and 36 electricity hook-ups (10A). A playground has swings, a seesaw and a slide, all set on a safety base, and the entire site is enclosed by grassy banks on three sides with a wild flower walk around the top.
Folkestone Camping & Caravanning Club site is ideally located whether you are holidaying in Kent or taking a day trip to France by Channel Tunnel. The site enjoys a dramatic cliff-top position with views of the sea and the Dover-Folkestone coast's chalky cliffs. Walkers and dog owners will enjoy the walks from the site along the cliffs and beach. You can also walk into Folkestone and Dover using the footpath from the site. Due to the sites location the site does not accept touring caravans. The site is unsuitable if you need to leave for an early ferry, as the site gate does not open until 7 a.m., and there is no overnight parking. The site has 60 grass or hardstanding pitches, most with an electric hook-up point.
Oldbury Hill Camping & Caravanning Club Site is in an idyllic spot within Styants Wood, opposite the Iron Age fort of the same name in a Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The area is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The area is ideal for walkers. Two way-marked circular walks pass over Oldbury Camp, the large Iron Age hill fort. The hill is now covered with woodland managed by the National Trust. You can also walk from the site to Ightham Mote, a medieval moated manor house with a 14-acre garden and restaurant. It is a short car journey to Knole, a National Trust run English country house set in a deer park; Penshurst Palace and Gardens; the National Trust run Chartwell, the family home of Winston Churchill; the beautiful Emmetts Garden and Hever Castle and Gardens. You can also visit London by train from Borough Green and Sevenoaks stations. The site has 65 grass pitches, some with electric hook-up.
Walton on Thames Camping & Caravanning Club site is within the M25 motorway and is ideal for those wishing to experience the hustle and bustle of the capital but camp in the more relaxed setting of the countryside. This site is outside of the Congestion Charge and Low Emission Zone. It is well laid out and surprisingly tranquil and spacious. There is an excellent dog walk on-site and numerous opportunities for dogs and walkers to stretch their legs off-site, including a pleasant riverside walk into Hersham. Look out for the site’s resident parakeets. Horse riding, golf, Nordic walking and llama trekking are all activities that can be enjoyed within the site's vicinity. The site has 120 grass & hardstanding pitches, most with an electric hook-up point. Please note that this site has no toilet or showers; you will need suitable facilities in your unit.