Glamping offers eco-conscious travellers the chance to tread lightly while enjoying the countryside with a touch of luxury – and with its mix of lush landscapes and coastal charm, there are few more enticing places in the UK for such an experience than Kent.
(Photo: Chitty Chitty Glamping)
Whether you’re exploring scenic trails or unwinding in tranquil settings, Kent’s dedication to sustainability make it a top eco-friendly glamping destination. Scattered throughout the county’s rolling countryside, you’ll find a variety of glamping spots where you can sleep beneath the stars while basking in many of the trappings of a luxury hotel – all with minimal environmental impact. Many sites feature sustainable amenities like compostable toilets, solar panels, and heat pumps, while some also offer seasonal produce grown on site. We’ve hand-picked 5 of the best glamping venues in Kent where you can enjoy nature without compromising on comfort – or your values.
Chitty Chitty Glamping
Take a walk or bike ride through the surrounding countryside, make friends with the resident ponies, look out for barn owls, woodpeckers, and hedgehogs, or simply sink into your hot tub and unwind with a glass of bubbly at this gorgeous glamping site, set on a family-run retreat in the village of Chislet near Canterbury. Part of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and reached via a quiet country lane, the site features four luxury bell tents, each with a kitchenette and private patio, and some with a hot tub kept toasty by a wood-burning fire. Sustainability is at the heart of Chitty Chitty Glamping, with an emphasis on minimising environmental impact through the use of recycled materials in its design and low-energy solutions across the site. Inside the tents, which sleep up to 4, you could easily be in a boutique hotel room, with their king-sized beds (two singles can be added), tasteful furnishings, snug rugs, and even those all-important USB charge points. There are also two shared shower and toilet rooms. Nearby, keen anglers can try their luck at two well-stocked lakes and for dining out or a traditional ale there are two country pubs within easy walking distance.
Honnington Farm
(Photo: Honnington Farm / Courtesy Booking.com)
Set amid 500 acres of countryside outside the small town of Southborough, close to Tunbridge Wells, Honnington Farm features four cosy, stylish glamping pods, each with en-suite wet rooms, kitchenettes and outdoor fireplaces. Surrounded by lush greenery and dense woodland, the views simply take the breath away, while communal amenities including a table tennis table, a children’s playground and a picnic area add to the appeal. T|he farm also champions sustainability, incorporating eco-friendly initiatives such as renewable energy, wildlife conservation efforts, and a focus on maintaining the natural beauty of its surroundings. Nearby attractions include Ightham Mote, Hever Castle and the urban grandeur and charm of Royal Tunbridge Wells, all of which are a short drive away.
Woods Meadow
Situated on a family-run farm close to the quaint market town of West Malling, Wood Meadow comprises four high-spec luxury holiday lodges overlooking a grassy meadow and fields and woodland beyond. The site embraces eco-friendly practices, including the use of renewable energy sources and careful land management to encourage local biodiversity. A dedicated children’s woodland exploration area invites kids to explore nature in a fun and safe setting. Each lodge sleeps up to six people and is equipped with a kitchenette, toilet and shower, while outside guests can make use of a fire pit for BBQs and a decking area with outdoor furniture and bucolic views. For maximum loading and unloading convenience, there are also parking spots adjacent to every lodge.
Knight’s Glamping at Leeds Castle
(Photo: Knight’s Glamping at Leeds Castle / Courtesy Booking.com)
There can be few more unique glamping experiences than sleeping in the grounds of a bona fide feudal castle. Situated in north Kent, the Grade II-listed Leeds Castle is most famous for being a one-time residence of Henry VIII, who used it as a dwelling for his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. And what better way of immersing yourself in such rich royal heritage than by spending the night among it? The venue’s spacious Medieval-style tents offer just that opportunity, with all guest stays including complimentary daytime entry to the castle, as well as out-of-hours access to the seasonal gardens, grounds, parkland and children’s play areas. Each tent features chests of drawers, reading lamps and tea/coffee-making equipment, along with free use of cast iron griddles over an open fire pit – perfect for re-enacting how Medieval knights would have eaten before battle. The castle itself also places a keen focus on sustainability, with efforts to preserve the surrounding natural habitats and promote eco-conscious tourism among its large number of visitoes each year.
The Woolpack
If there’s one amenity missing at most glamping sites, it’s a sit-down restaurant. That’s where The Woolpack, located outside bustling Maidstone, comes into its own as it’s set on the same site as a fully-fledged 16th-century country pub. Here glamping guests can tuck into classic British fare and ales from Kent-based Shepheard Neame, the UK’s oldest brewery, all while enjoying sustainable, locally sourced ingredients. As for the glamping facilities, you’re assured the pinnacle of comfort in their sumptuous pods, which have been constructed out of natural pine and are well-insulated for those cold winter nights. Inside, you’ll find beds that accommodate up to 4 guests, an ensuite shower, USB sockets and picture-postcard vistas across the Weald of Kent. For those keen to cook, there are also camping stoves available for hire.