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Chafford Park Camping

94%

· Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England

9 acres hosted by Chafford P.

7 tent pitches

Private sites

100% of recent Hipcampers say the sites felt private.

Family-run camping and glamping in the grounds of an 18th century Sussex farmhouse.

With a shimmering lake, green lawns and the lazy River Medway wandering through its grounds, the 18th century farmhouse at Chafford Park lays claim to a quintessentially English setting. But between the golden fields and hedge-lined meadows, there's plenty of space for more than just the local farmer. Over nine acres of picturesque Kent countryside have been set aside for tent-pitchers and peg-pushers so that us travelling campers can still enjoy a generous slice of the scenery.

Chafford Park is a family-run farm that’s been under the helm of the Thompson’s for over a century. And while 300 acres of arable fields are still blessed with the rumble of tractors every year, there is more to be found than just bushels of wheat and the sweet smell of hay bales. The house and grounds are a popular venue for both indoor and outdoor weddings, while clay pigeon shooting and fishing are organised throughout the year. But it's the campsite, occupying a large apron of grass near the house, that merits the attention of us cool campers – a worthy place to spend an evening beneath the starry skies.

With up to 50 tents but no designated pitches, Chafford Park offers camping of the wilder sort, without electric hook-ups, cumbersome caravans or plastic playgrounds. There are still good sanitary facilities onsite; with toilets, showers and a washing-up area, but without the commercial campsite feel. Fridges allow guests to stash away a bottle of milk or a hunk of meat (from the local farm shop) for the BBQ, something that's well worth doing.

Despite such quiet seclusion in the countryside, Chafford Park offers surprisingly easy access to the surrounding area. A short drive into Royal Tunbridge Wells rewards you with an elegant spa town with a colonnaded parade of shops, while exploring the rural areas will take you to Hever Castle, Penshurst Place and Ashdown Forest – the home of Winnie-the-Pooh. Whether you cruise between castles, throw yourself into local watersports, or arrange some onsite clay shooting, you’ll always be entertained and can finish off the day back in the arms of this rural hideaway. Return to the quiet of your tent, grab that cold beer you remembered to put in the fridge, and enjoy this blissful place to kick back and relax in the south of England.

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Fishing

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94%

40 Ratings · 68 reviews

Stuart D.recommends

July 11, 2022

Grass Pitch

Great campsite.

Great campsite. Lovely field and surrounding countryside. Showers and toilets were nice (not quite finished ) by the looks of them. Great location, there were other campers but plenty of space for all!

Noele E.recommends

June 14, 2022

Grass Pitch

Very laid back site. Toilets still being finished off, but will be lovely once complete. Beautiful beautiful wildflower surroundings, and the addition of fire pits very helpful.

Kota K.recommends

June 7, 2022

Grass Pitch

Great campsite. - Loved the flower field - Clean toilets and shower - Beautiful surrounding woodlands - Fridge - General lovely atmosphere

Graham W.recommends

June 7, 2022

Grass Pitch

Lovely meadow location.

Beautiful meadow location. Close to the Medway (we brought kayaks). Facilities were basic but adequate, although still under construction. Nice atmosphere on the site, mostly friendly posh families with younger children and dogs.

Alice F.

February 8, 2022

My family and I have been staying at Chafford Park for the last three summers. It is the perfect campsite for people looking for a more boutique camping experience. It is very well situated with lovely walks to local pubs and the campsite itself is surrounded by fields and woodland, offering a secluded feeling even if you are just 10 minutes to Tunbridge Wells! There is a wildflower meadow in the middle of the field and pitches are marked around the edge, which brings in so many stunning butterflies and provides a sense of privacy as you don't look out onto other pitches. Their no car policy is fantastic as it means the children can run and play without us worrying. The showers and loos have plenty of hot water, large cubicles for changing and the washing up area is very good too, with two sinks, mirrors, tea and coffee area and hairdryers. We really could not recommend this campsite more, they even deliver logs to your pitch each evening and the firepits that you can hire from them have grills on for bbq's. The family who runs the site are so friendly and we can't wait to return this summer!

Timjjones ?.

August 16, 2021

Grass Pitch

Beautiful setting against the backdrop of the stunnning house and barn. No roads to be seen or heard. The tent pitches are pretty close together, and no real space around them for the kids to play. Most of the area is taken up by long grass, which provides some entertainment for the kids, but limitiing for playing. The facilities were pretty poor. The shower block has been finished to a very basic standard and at least 2 of the 4 showers had broken shower head holders, making a proper shower difficult. We were there for 5 days in a large group, and while I think the toilets had a cursory clean, the showers were certainly not cleaned for the whole time, the drains blocked with grass by the end of the trip, meaning the showers flooded after every use. We were advertised an onsite shop and food providers when we booked, however before our stay, were notified these were not availbale for the time we were staying, which was a bit disappointing. While we had a great stay at Chafford Estate, I think given the price of the pitches (and wood!!) I would expect a bit more space, better facilities and some on-site food and shops.

Location

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

Hosted by Chafford P.

Joined in August 2015

From the host

The campsite is situated within a 300-acre estate, near Royal Tunbridge Wells. The campsite is a large 9-acre meadow field surrounded by rolling fields and woodland. The site is open to campers and glampers - we have 10 bell tents available to hire during the summer, the bell tents are situated in the middle of the meadow field, slightly away from the camping pitches. The campsite is ideal for those looking for a unique country escape. With lots of beautiful walks nearby and footpaths leading off the camping area. As well as onsite activities, such as archery, fishing, yoga workshops and bike rental (please speak to a member of our team to book). Firepits are available for hire on a first come first served basis and we sell logs delivered to your tent.

Nearby attractions

Hop in the car for a drive north to Chartwell (01732 868381) – the former home of Winston Churchill – stopping on the way at Hever Castle (01732 865224), an exquisite beamed and moated Tudor manor house. Those taken in by the country pile should also consider Penshurst Place and Gardens (01892 870307) – similar splendour and family activities await. East of the campsite, Royal Tunbridge Wells precedes the tiny village of Tudeley, home to an unassuming church that boasts famous stained-glass windows by the Russian artist Marc Chagall. Meanwhile, more active campers can go canoeing (01342 810493) on the River Medway or climbing Harrison’s Rocks (01892 860670), an isolated sandstone outcrop surrounded by woodland. Ashdown Forest (01342 823583) is also a fantastic place to walk with kids. It was here that A. A. Milne wrote the classic Winnie-the-Pooh.

Food and drink

Hampers are available from the farm shop while nearby pubs and restaurants serve excellent local fare. The Bottle House (01892 870306) the local, where you can order take away food during summer 2020 and The Spotted Dog (01892 870253), The Leicester Arms Hotel (01892 871617) are all in nearby Penshurst, while The George and Dragon (01892 863125) in Speldurst is a traditional 13th century inn with roaring log fires and dramatic oak beams – an excellent pick. The Chafford Arms (01892 740267) in Fordcombe is also a good family friendly pub in a quiet village.

Video

https://www.youtube.com/embed/58kT-CdInxw

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