Why visit Kent?
Warmer weather
Camping in Kent doesn’t always guarantee sunshine, but this south-eastern area does typically see milder temperatures than most English counties. If the rays are out then jet off to Joss Bay for surfing lessons, see stunning sunrises at St Margaret's Bay, or swim next to a Tudor artillery fortress at Deal Castle Beach. You can also head off on a coastal walk as well, whether it’s the 80-minute roam from Reculver to Herne Bay or a seafront stroll via Sandgate (where stopping for fish ‘n’ chips is a must).
Superb seaside towns
There are loads of beachside bases to choose from when camping in Kent. Pick Ramsgate for the sleek Royal Harbour and regular market or order the famous oysters in Whitstable. Broadstairs on the Isle of Thanet is much-loved by locals for its seven – yes, seven – sandy beaches. When admiring the huts at Viking Bay and the chalk stacks of Botany Bay, it’ll be obvious why Charles Dickens was such an avid fan.
Awe-inspiring architecture
From St Augustine's Abbey – part of the Canterbury Cathedral UNESCO World Heritage Site – to Leeds Castle, you’ll take in some truly impressive buildings when camping in Kent. Shore up on your shipbuilding knowledge at the 18th-century Historic Dockyards Chatham museum. The nearby Elizabethan Upnor Castle was built to protect the Royal Navy warships here and has an easy-on-the-eye riverside setting.
The White Cliffs of Dover
You can’t go camping in Kent without checking out the chalk-coloured coastline. Amble among the Exmoor ponies on top of the White Cliffs of Dover, then wander through the WWII tunnels. You can join a tour at the Fan Bay Deep Shelter to see where almost 200 soldiers controlled the gun batteries while protecting Britain from the Nazis.
The best things to do in Kent
* Dawdle around desolate Dungeness, the only desert in Britain
* Admire Port Lympne’s 700 animals, from black rhinos to leopards and lions
* Soak up kitsch seaside scenes at Dreamland, Margate’s 1950s amusement park
* Check out Chartwell, Winston Churchill’s former home
* Linger in Lullingstone Castle & The World Garden to see the exotic plants
Unexplored Kent
Vineyard voyages
Much of the soil in Kent matches that of France’s Champagne region and the English wine scene is burgeoning here. Take tours with tastings at estates like Gusbourne and Chartham – the sort of adventure that’s perfect while glamping in Kent. It’s worth buying a few bottles from the vineyards as souvenirs (or simply to drink on warm summer evenings outside your camping pod).
Kent for kids
What about the adventure parks and the spending all of your money, we hear the children cry? When on holiday at campsites in kent, whisk small travellers off to the beach at Folkestone for days out with a bucket and sand or to the birthplace of the explosives industry (they’ll like that) in Faversham.
Quirky Kent
The Shell Grotto in Margate is a mystery: it’s not known who invented it or why. Theories include that it was a temple, the headquarters of a cult or just a personal project by someone who was really, really into mosaics. Either way, it’s well worth a visit: set aside a few hours to walk through the underground tunnels studded with millions of shells.
Here’s how
Whether you’re after family-friendly camping or places with fires allowed, browse sites and caravan parks in Kent by availability, user reviews, price, amenities or type of accommodation. You can find touring caravan or tent pitches, as well as almost-wild camping in Kent at low-key spots in wildlife havens or on farms.
None of these options tickling your fancy? These are some of our most popular filters:
* Campsites in kent with electric hook-up
* Dog-friendly campsites in Kent
* Camping in Kent with fully serviced pitches
Swing over to East Sussex after your stay at a campsite in Kent or try another coastal county in the UK. Perhaps Cornwall or Devon in south-western England?
But prep for your holiday first with our camping guide. Get advice on booking a glamping trip, learn how to put up a tent, or organise a fuss-free family holiday.
