Author
Cian Byrne
Photo by Joseph Vary via Unsplash
Welcome to The Garden of England: The county of Kent, in the southeast of the country, is famous for its beautiful parks, incredible cliffs, and brilliant outdoors, making it the ideal destination for a glamping holiday. The White Cliffs of Dover dominate the coastline to the south with walking trails linking towns and villages along the way, and if you prefer your adventures on two wheels, the North Downs Way has become an incredibly popular bikepacking route.
Set in south east England not far from London, Kent has been a favorite escape for the city's creatives for years, with the beachfront town of Margate, and more recently Ramsgate, being the holiday spots of choice for musicians, actors, and artists. There are other coastal destinations worth a visit, like the medieval Dover Castle or Whitstable for the summer Oyster Festival, and inland, the Middle Ages town of Canterbury draws people in with its UNESCO-protected cathedral and medieval architecture.
But it's when you step away from the crowds and make your way down quiet laneways that you begin to discover another side of Kent. Glamping in this part of the world sees you immersed in the serene countryside from the comfort of well-appointed bell tents, safari tents, shepherd's huts, glamping pods, and more.
The 10 Best Places to Go Glamping in Kent
Luna Domes – Chiddingstone Hoath, Kent
Vibe: Glamp Like Aristocrats
The large windows and curved design of these geodome glamping sites draw nature into each living space, creating a 24/7 connection with the outdoors (and the outside world, thanks to on-site wi-fi). It doesn't get much better than doing it on the grounds of an idyllic manor house set in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, too. Here, you can explore Hoath House's meticulously manicured estate gardens that are filled with over 500 types of plants for picture-perfect views throughout the year. Choose from one of four domes dotted across the property, each with its own reason for an extended luxury glamping stay. Kick back in your private hot tub, or venture off to one of the many nearby castles and catch one of the famous jazz nights in nearby Tunbridge Wells.
Rate: £225/two nights
Elham Treehouse – Elham, Kent
Vibe: Treetop Getaway
Set on 170 acres and completely surrounded by the incredible Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Elham Treehouse is the place to go to reconnect with nature. There’s no escaping the natural world here; the treehouse is built around three oak trees with the boughs spanning through the living spaces. Team this up with blooming cherry blossom trees outside and you may even consider putting down roots here too. The sylvan style is echoed by the inviting, wooded interiors and rustic furniture, but make no mistake this is a luxury glamping stay. There's a BBQ area outside, and Elham, a traditional village packed with pubs, is only a short walk away while the port town of Folkestone is a short drive.
Rate: £145/night
Finlay’s Cabin at The Nut Plat Retreat – Tonbridge, Kent
Vibe: Secluded & Slowing Down
The Nut Plat Retreat may only be a 40-minute train ride from London’s Tower Bridge, but you’ll feel a world away from the hectic city pace at this dreamy glamping site by the River Bourne. Finlay’s Cabin, a wooden A-frame structure, is all about getting back to simpler times (there is electricity, but there is no wi-fi). Help yourself to the hazelnuts in the orchard nearby, or even give the farmers a hand with the harvest. Once you’ve had your fill of nuts, fill the rest of your days with ambles through the Kent countryside past herds of cows and flowering fields to the nearest pub for a pint and chat with the regulars and return in time for a campfire or a dip in the wood-fired hot tub. If the A-frame is booked, the property also has a caravan glampsite.
Rate: £180/night
Wheatfields – Appledore, Kent
Vibe: Farm To Tent Glamping
Make memories of a lifetime with a family glamping stay in the heart of the Kent countryside at Wheatfields. The spacious safari tents sleep up to eight people and are perched on the edge of a tranquil pond with Romney Marsh and a working 500-acre family-run farm on site too. Choose from Sandpiper, which has a luxury bell tent for more room, or Skylark, which has more outdoor space. Or, if you have the extended family in tow, book both for a proper private farm glamping getaway (four-legged family members are invited too). Both tents are off-grid, but there are en-suite bathrooms with showers, Wheatfields is a dog-friendly venue with Camber Sands, a three-mile-long beach, a short walk away where your dog can run off the leash during winter. There’s even a choice of dog-friendly pubs nearby for a drink and bowl of water afterwards.
Rate: from £216/night
The Damson at Elmley Nature Reserve – Isle of Sheppey, Kent
Vibe: On Island Time
Cross the Kingsferry Bridge to the Isle of Sheppey and transport yourself to the shimmering marshlands by the Swale, a tidal channel separating it from the mainland. Elmley Nature Reserve covers a vast swathe of the Isle of Sheppey, and while it's home to more animals than humans, there are still some top-notch glamping spots here. Choose from bell tents in the meadow, fully furnished cottages, self-contained shepherd's huts, or cabins in the wilderness, but the standout pick is the Damson, a glamping pod that strikes the perfect balance between glamping adventure and flawless design. Make sure you book a dusk tour of the marshlands when its resident birds are at their most active.
Rate: from £245/night
Giraffe Lodge – Port Lympne, Kent
Vibe: Kent Gone Wild
One of the most unique glamping options in Kent (and perhaps in the UK) is Giraffe Lodge at Port Lympne, less than 10 minutes from the coast and under two hours from London. The property has luxury safari tents for sleeping and actual safaris to go with them; here, you’ll watch zebras, wildebeest, and giraffes drink from the watering hole in front of your accommodation–don’t worry about getting the perfect shot either, there’s an on-site photography class to help with that. After a day of exploring the African-esque plains of Kent, you’ll fall asleep listening to the animals outside from your lavish king-size bed.
Rate: £525/night full board
Sunninglye Farm – Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Vibe: Wholesome Family Memories
Combine a rural holiday with education at Sunninglye Farm, where you can stay and meet the farmers who have been working this land for generations. Their stories highlight how important farming in the region is and will provide a deeper understanding of the land around you. Glamping here is best suited for families with young kids who can explore the farm and meet the sheep, goats, and chickens that help keep the farm ticking over. You’ll stay in a large three-bedroom canvas tent that can sleep up to five adults and one child and is fully decked out with all the creature comforts to make this one of the most comfortable glamping stays in Kent.
Rate: from £450/night
The Pump House at Icknor Wild Retreat – Sittingbourne, Kent
Vibe: Woodland Meadow Strolls
Slow down with a relaxing stay in an ancient woodland at Icknor Wild Retreat. There’s a choice of bell tent and shepherd huts here, but the star of the show is the Pump House. This irresistible wood-clad structure is the essence of cozy with its mezzanine bedroom, porthole windows, and outdoor hot tub. This spot is a dream for walkers with over 700 acres of nature nearby at Hucking Estate, where you can walk for days on end. If you need a change from the quiet life, there’s a local pub nearby that’s the perfect tonic.
Rate: from £175/night
Cozy Woodland Lodge – Maidstone, Kent
Vibe: Vintage Glamping
Even when glamping, sometimes the interiors can rival what lies outside, and this might just be the case with Cozy Woodland Lodge. Inside, the space feels almost like stepping into the '70s with the large pendant lamps, a split-level layout, and colorful art on the walls. If you do venture out, take a short walk into the village of Bearsted, a place that people have been calling home for almost 2,000 years, and pick up some supplies at the bakery, deli, and café for an unforgettable picnic back at the lodge. Don’t forget about the hot tub outside or the stargazing window in the bedroom.
Rate: from £500/three nights
The Hobitty Treehouse – Blean, Kent
Vibe: Woodland Fairytale
The photos of this glamping escape aren't great, but the Hobbity Treehouse is a luxury woodland getaway masquerading as a hideaway from Tolkien’s imagination. Instead of the threat of Mordor at your doorstep, you’ll have two floors packed with luxurious comforts like a hot tub, log burner and king-sized bed. If you manage to peel yourself away from cozying up by the fire pit, Blean Woods Nature Reserve is just a few steps away where you can trod some of the 25-mile-long Big Blean Walk.
Rate: £375/night
Published 07-13-2023
