‘Nethergong’ is a great name; memorable, expressive and with a playful undertone. It sounds like a fictional place in a child’s story book. The Chronicles of Nethergong, perhaps. So it’s a great relief to find that Nethergong Camping is not only real (based in the Kent countryside, just 90 minutes from London) but lives up to expectations. It’s the perfect kids’ playground – full of secret paths that promise adventure, nooks and crannies in which to hide, lakes to fish, and ponds in which to dip.
It should come as no surprise, then, that some families have been coming back every year since this campsite near Canterbury was set up back in 2008. Like the wildlife that is very much encouraged here, many of those returning campers have found their natural place among the varied habitats on site. There are sunny, sociable spots near the site’s famous frog pond, pitches in woodland and room between the fruit trees which offer dappled shade and the chance to PYO. There are also more secluded spots and a few glamping options dotted around too. But, the owners are keen to point out, this is not a glamping site but very much a campsite – with glamping.
Off-grid and without running water, the six bell tents, four shepherds’ huts and the lone but lovely Romany wagon all share facilities with the rest of the site. They are, more often than not, used by friends of campers or campers who’ve decided to leave the tent at home. But that doesn’t mean they’re without comfort; each is kitted out, all have made-up beds and the shepherds’ huts even have memory foam in their mattresses.
Christine and husband Jed have handed the site over to the next generation of their family, who now look after the day-to-day running of the site they grew up with. It might be Hannah welcoming you to site from the cafe-shop, Lewis cooking your dinner at the pizza oven on Friday night or Dan leading bushcraft lessons for the kids on weekend mornings.
While what’s on offer for campers has gradually increased over time, the site’s ethos remains the same and nature has continued to flourish. Trees, planted by Jed’s father 50 years ago, are now well established, a wildlife pond beyond the carp lake has been introduced and the site is part of an RSPB project to help support turtle doves. Look out for them while you’re on site and keep your eyes peeled for barn owls, heron, egrets, Marsh frogs and more. This may not quite be the magical kingdom of Narnia, but it’s not far off.
Hosted by Nethergong C.
Joined in September 2011Animal magic abounds on and off site. On site, kids can help feed the fish in the carp lake every morning at 10am and go pond dipping in the frog pond. There are also bushcraft lessons for kids at the weekend. Off-site, it’s five minutes’ walk to The Stodmarsh Nature Reserve where you can step aboard an electric boat for a Grove Ferry River Trip (07985 273070) or hire kayaks and canoes from Canoe Wild (07947 835688). For more exotic animals, there’s Howletts Wild Animal Park (01227 721286) which boasts big animals including tigers, gorillas, elephants and Wingham Wildlife Park (01227 720836), where you can hang out with penguins, meerkats and realistic dinosaur models, both a 10-minute drive from the site. This area also has an abundance of Blue Flag beaches – Whitstable, Ramsgate, Margate and Broadstairs are all within 20 minutes’ drive – as is historic Canterbury.
There’s an on-site cafe-shop which serves pizzas on Friday nights (which must be ordered in advance). There are locally baked pastries available on Saturdays and bacon rolls on Sunday mornings. Local veg and campsite basics are sold in the shop. For eating out, you can pick up printed directions to two decent pubs within walking distance, including the riverside Grove Ferry Inn, about 10 minutes away (01227 860302), and The Gate Inn (01227 860498), about 40 minutes’ away. For something a bit special, how about lunch or dinner at a Michelin-starred pub? There are two nearby: The Fordwich Arms (01227 710444) and The Sportsman (01227 273370) - book well in advance. Another option for a special meal out is JoJos in Tankerton, Whitstable (01227 274591) for fine meze and sea views in a relaxed, kid-tolerant environment. Whitstable is also the place to try fresh seafood including the town’s famous oysters while Canterbury is full of places to eat, drink and pick up supplies - with a mix of independents and all the usual suspects. The Goods Shed (01227 459153) on the outskirts combines an artisan food market and bistro.
