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Ham Hideaway

100%
·
· Sandwich, Kent, England
1 acre hosted by Richard M.
5 glamping pitches
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Glamping in the Kent countryside, close to the coast – with an optional butler catering service

All the joy of the outdoors with none of the hassle of camping. Most of the glamping sites we come across are striving to provide that – but none of them have gone quite so far as to provide a butler service. Until now, that is. If you love the idea of camping but hate the idea of having to cook, clean and wash up while on holiday, Ham Hideaway might just be the place for you. This cluster of top notch shepherds huts and safari tents close to the Kent coast is cared for butler-style, by a capable Jeeves-type who’ll serve you breakfast, lunch and dinner – if you want him to, or will melt noiselessly away if you don’t.

The excellent service that comes with a stay at Ham Hideaway starts as soon as you’ve made your booking. You get a phone call enquiring whether you’d like afternoon tea on arrival day (with or without prosecco) and, perhaps, breakfast delivered to your shepherd’s hut during your stay. Don’t mind if I do, thanks. There’s an extra charge for all this, of course, but it’s not unreasonable and if you’ve got kids under five their breakfast comes free. And anyway, you’re on holiday. You’ll realise that as soon as you arrive.

Chances are that Chris, your butler, will be waiting for you as you pull up in the car park. He’ll lead you through an arched gateway in the hedgerow to the little hideaway beyond. Two safari tents and two shepherd’s huts share the space, all looking out across Kentish cornfields towards the sea. The huts are romantic boltholes and completely self contained. One, Corncockle, has an en-suite walk-in shower and the other, Sweet Briar, has a scene-stealing, polished copper free-standing bath. The two-bedroomed safari tents are better for families and have separate but individual bathrooms nearby. Every detail is tasteful but unfussy, from white Egyptian cotton sheets to vintage light switches you’ll wish you had at home. Your meals can be served to the raised deck of your shepherd’s hut or tent or taken just over the way in the shared dining barn, Wind Hover, named for the nearby nesting kestrels.

There’s little reason to cater for yourself but simple facilities are there if you want them. Ultimately, though, this is a place for people who don’t mind paying a little more for the pleasure of great hospitality. And with the washing up taken care of, you’ll have more time to enjoy a location that’s ringed by the best of Kent. There are fields and farms all the way to the coast, quirky Deal and historic Dover to the south, Broadstairs, Ramsgate and Margate to the north and world-famous Canterbury a short drive inland. Exploring all this can be exhausting. Lucky, then, that you have a little hideaway where you can put your feet up and watch the shadows grow on the cornfields while someone else prepares your three-course dinner.

Activities
Biking
Hiking
Wildlife watching
Natural features
Beach
Field
100%
2 Ratings · 2 reviews
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Rich R.recommends
September 2, 2024
Robin's Roost Safari Tent
Sadly, not a positive review from our stay. The management team do not appear to take ownership for short comings and are indeed accusational when issues are raised. In our experience, it was completely over-priced at £250 per night and moreover, it is next to an active wedding venue, that plays amplified music until 11:30pm. This might work for wedding guests, but hardly the ideal, luxury, rural & family friendly retreat and location that the website claims to be and that the business charges for. While the management team pointed me to the small print of their website, which does state that the campsite is near a busy hotel, it didn't feel like the website's other claims of being in a 'rural and off-grid setting'. Sadly, I cannot upload a video of the experience to this review, but it was loud, even in high-winds. As a positive, the tent itself is attractive. However on our trip, blocked showers, a blocked toilet on arrival (fixed but with rude workmen), delays checking-in and a non-existent complaints handling procedure post trip, have resulted in us disputing the payment with our card provider, as we thought the service was so poor and that the website mis-sells the standard of service on offer. Nothing about this venue is luxury.
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Julie G.recommends
May 3, 2021
Corncockle Shepard's Hut
Had an amazing experience here at the Ham hideaway in Sandwich, Very warm welcome on arrival and well looked after by Chris and his team, the shepherds hut was immaculate inside and out, the breakfasts are 5 star and served butler style on the veranda, we all absolutely loved it, including Betty boo our little Jackapoo, highly recommend you try this place m, we will definitely be booking again in the near future, thank you for such a lovely experience,
Location
Sandwich, Kent, England, United KingdomTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
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Hosted by Richard M.

Joined in January 2021
From the host
Our name gives it away! Hidden away in the Kent countryside yet only a few miles from Sandwich Bay is our delightful little retreat. Set in a private paddock overlooked by ancient trees and overlooking the surrounding farmland is Ham Hideaway. We are only an hour from London with Dover and its cross channel ferries within a short drive. Private off road parking is provided to hideaway guests and once parked guests have a short walk through the famous hideaway arched gate to the site. A network of short pathways lead to four separate dwellings in the hideaway; two large safari tents and two beautiful shepherds huts. Each of our safari tents can accommodate up to 6 adults and each boast 2 bedrooms, a lounge diner and raised decked terrace. The tents are thermostatically heated and have power points. A short walk behind the avenue of ancient beech trees leads to a weatherboarded outbuilding in which is situated a luxury walk-in shower, toilet and vanity room for each tent. Combining very modern looking on-site en-suite facilities in such a rural off-grid setting makes the hideaway a firm favourite to many (with high speed Broadband too). Our two shepherds huts have been crafted traditionally and are perched atop a solid oak-framed and iron chassis. Each overlooks the sea in the distance with surrounding countryside at the fore. Both huts have a superb raised terrace where glampers can dine alfresco while enjoying the views. Nesting Kestrels in the nearby tree-line are a common and very popular site from the huts. Indulge in real luxury while staying in one of our beautiful huts, which have double beds, with a copper and nickel double ended luxury bath for two on offer in one of the huts, and a walk-in power shower for 2 in the other. The huts designs are inspired by their 18th Century heritage, and each have solid oak flooring, panelled walls and reclaimed architectural features, giving a true sense of authenticity. Power points for tea / coffee making and stove heating, available in both huts, make for a totally comfortable and convenient experience.
Nearby attractions

The ancient medieval town of Sandwich is about four miles down the road with historic Deal, six miles in the other direction. Both are worth a look for their independent shops, eateries, timbered buildings and small museums. Sandwich sits on the River Stour and there are boat trips available with the Sandwich River Bus (07958 376183) either out into the estuary where there’s a good chance of spotting seals or inland to Richborough Roman Fort (01304 612013). At Deal, you can visit Deal Castle (01304 372762), go crabbing off the pier and enjoy the long shingle beach. Further along the coast there are two more castles Walmer (01304 364288) and the mighty Dover Castle (0370 3331181) atop the famous white cliffs. Closer to site, you can walk to the beach at Sandwich Bay in about 40 minutes or head in up the coast for beaches and seaside fun at Ramsgate, Broadstairs and Margate. For something more active, head to one of the area’s many well-known golf courses or for the bike trails at Betteshanger Park (01304 619227), three miles from site. Howletts and Wingham Wildlife Parks are both about ten miles from site and Canterbury is only 15 miles away.

Food and drink

With a private chef and butler service, there’s really no need to leave the site – unless you want to. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon tea are all available served in the shared dining barn or to you at your tent or shepherd’s hut. If you want a change of scenery, it’s just a short walk, across the field, to The Blazing Donkey, a small country house hotel with a bar, restaurant, open fires, a garden and a welcoming atmosphere.

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