Secluded luxury Glamping

It’s difficult to believe, when you step off the train at Marden Station in Kent, that a world of campfires, vineyards and late-night star gazing are a mere 18-minute walk away. Whether you’ve come from London or elsewhere, the flicking of the urban everyday outside your carriage window dissolves into the rural greens of Kent as you make your way towards Gravel Pit Farm. It’s a small, secluded and utterly uncrowded place – there are just two luxury safari tents, fully equipped with kitchens, en suite bathrooms and room for up to six people – and, if you like a little privacy, this one-acre glamping site is just the trick.

On the edge of Marden Village, within walking distance of the pubs, post office and characterful 13th-century church that it affords, Gravel Pit Farm is one of the newest glamping sites in Kent and perfectly positioned for exploring the area. It’s a 20-minute walk to Herbert Hall vineyard – the last of the footpaths taking you right past some of the vines – and the same, by car, to National Trust properties like Sissinghurst Gardens and Scotney Castle. Yet at your tent itself, the space feels wonderfully private. From the front deck, the view is across the open paddock beyond (with plenty of space for ball games and larking around) and over the adjacent field, flowering yellow through May or pale with wheat in summer.

Gravel Pit Farm’s safari tents are built to a 21st century spec. They have good showers, proper flushing loos, a sleek wood-burning stove and a kitchen with a fridge, sink and gas hobs. The master bedroom has a four-poster bed, while children will love the quirky ‘cupboard bed’ that’s hidden in the wall and lets you really cocoon yourself away. There’s WiFi, too, and electricity throughout. If you do come by train, you needn’t pack much.

For all of the glamping site’s mod cons, however, Gravel Pit Farm still hasn’t lost touch with the real appeal of being outdoors. Friendly owner Annabel clearly loves the fresh air. “As our children were growing up we had almost daily campfires during the warmer months,'' she tells us. At the other end of the paddock, a big stone hearth is set up for communal fires and a welcome pack is provided when you arrive that, along with essentials like tea and coffee, includes marshmallows and sticks for toasting. There’s also a huge barbecue outside each safari tent and other touches show Annabel’s attention to detail, such as the Victorian-style bathtub, now planted up with fresh herbs that you can pick and use when cooking. “Absolute bliss!” Annabel declares. It’s hard to disagree.