Cottington Lakes
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/1.3737425914064083,51.2280415372803,12,0,0/376x277@2x)
- Lakeside camping 10 minutes’ drive from Deal in Kent countryside
- Sandwich Bay 15 minutes’ drive; Howletts Wild Animal Park 25 minutes
- A couple minutes' walk away from fishing lakes and a waterside café
Site type
25
20
20
Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.- The site does not accept breeds/crossbreeds listed in the Dangerous Dogs Act (i.e. XL Bully, Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro).
- Facilities/activities including fishing are subject to extra charges payable on arrival.
- The restaurant is open between 02/01 and 30/12.
- Reception is unmanned after 5 p.m.. Please inform the site while on your way there should you expect to arrive after this time, so that the team can provide information about your unit/pitch.
- Swimming in the lake is not allowed.
- The café is subject to seasonal opening hours as follows: 1 October – 31 March: open Friday/Saturday/Sunday 8am-4pm (closed Monday to Thursday). 1 April – 30 September: open daily 8am-4pm.
Languages spoken
English
Pitch types & availability
5 
North field electric hardstanding and grass pitch
6 people maximum 
8.3/10
86 reviews Ground type: Hardstanding and grass
Pitch size: Min 5m width × 5m depth (25m²)
Arrival daysFrom £25
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- 2
North field non-electric grass pitch
6 people maximum 9/10
29 reviews Ground type: Grass
Pitch size: Min 5m width × 5m depth (25m²)
Arrival daysFrom £25
View prices & book - 3
South field non-electric grass pitch
6 people maximum 9/10
7 reviews Ground type: Grass
Pitch size: Min 6m width × 8m depth (48m²)
Arrival daysFrom £25
View prices & book - 2
South field electric grass pitch
6 people maximum 9/10
16 reviews Ground type: Grass
Pitch size: Min 6m width × 8m depth (48m²)
Arrival daysFrom £30
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Reviews
88% would recommend this site to a friend
86% would stay here again
What customers say
This is a peaceful, clean, and well-located campsite, particularly praised for its friendly and helpful staff. Visitors enjoyed the scenic surroundings, especially the fishing lakes, and found the facilities, including toilets and showers, to be well-maintained. The on-site cafe received positive mentions for its good food and value. While the site is a convenient base for exploring Deal and is close to Dover ferry, some guests noted that hardstanding pitches could be muddy and that facilities, particularly the limited number of showers and toilets, might be stretched during busy periods.
Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews
Very quite and peaceful (north field) Very…
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South field electric grass pitch
Liked Very quite and peaceful (north field)
Very secure site.
Disliked Excessive signage.
Unable to walk around the lakes.
Toilet and shower facilities were very limited.
Could benefit with a small children’s play area
Recommend to friends Visit again
Although basic the facilities are clean and friendly
South field electric grass pitch
Liked Great pitch and lots of space
Disliked Nothing
Recommend to friends Visit again
Peaceful site, level pitches, clean shower, toilets. friendly staff
South field electric grass pitch
Liked Felt very safe and secure with coded security gate entrance, with extra security gate at night.
Very large field plenty of space and flat.
Clean toilets and hot shower.
I was only there for weekend so all my basic needs met.
Staff were very helpful
I would stay there again, and for longer as it was so peaceful
Disliked There wasn't anything i disliked.
But things to be aware of....
No camp shop for basics like bread milk.
Its primarily a fishing site, shop well supplied for fishing.
Field i pitched on had only 1 electric station with 8 EHU points. so make sure you have LONG and extention leads if you in south field with EHU.
1 washing up area, covered
1 disabled toilet
1 shower 2 sinks 2 toilets for ladies so may be a long wait
You will need a torch if you need loo at night
Recommend to friends Visit again
Good, quiet and convenient site for visiting historical sites.
North field electric hardstanding and grass pitch
Liked Shown to pitch with guidance for pitching direction to shelter the awning from the wind which was useful. We're not anglers so used the site as a base for visiting the nearby castles and coast which are not far away. Site was quiet and had different areas which meant not everyone was crammed in to a single area.
Disliked Nothing.
Recommend to friends Visit again
EXCELLENT 💯 WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND
North field electric hardstanding and grass pitch
Liked I had previously booked to stay here back in October 2025 but due to my Great Dane having to have surgery on her leg we had to cancel when I called and explained this to a lovely gentleman I asked if there was any chance we could just postpone until she was better. He was so accommodating and happily rearranged my booking. Upon arrival we were greeted by the said gentleman who made us feel welcome. He showed us where facilities were and was really friendly. The pitches are nicely laid out. And I understand that the fishing here is really good. Maybe next time I’ll bring my rod. Dog walks are fabulous. No rubbish or littering was seen.
I’d HIGHLY RECOMMEND this site and Oh my days you’ve got to have a breakfast from the on site cafeteria ITS AMAZING certainly sets you up for the day!
It’s peaceful and set in stunning surroundings all areas immaculate and well tended. We will certainly be revisiting. 💯
Disliked Only the 1 shower. Whilst I had no issue with availability I wouldn’t like to think it’d be the same in the summer months. Wifi was dreadful even upgrading my sim wouldn’t allow me to connect and when I could it buffered constantly.
Also The sign AT THE ENTRANCE could do with resetting where it can be easily visible upon your 1st approach to the site.
Recommend to friends Visit again
All…
North field electric hardstanding and grass pitch
Liked All
Disliked Dynamic pricing to carry on our stay was £5/10 more i have been going to cottington for years and the improvements are great
I just think the prices need to be stabilised
Recommend to friends Visit again
Nice clean site close to Deal
North field electric hardstanding and grass pitch
Liked We (couple) stayed here in March and it was very quiet.
This site is both a large fishing club and a camp site. It has fairly limited facilities: one shower per gender, and one toilet for males and two for females but has large fields for camping and campervans, therefore unless you have your own I assume there will be queues to use them in high season. The toilets and showers were immaculately clean.
The grass was well kept and the site caretaker was both informative and friendly.
There is a cafe on site but it was closed whilst we were there so can't comment on its menu. There is a large fishing tackle shop, therefore if fishing is your thing then you're golden.
The large solid sliding automatic gate closes at 5 and you'll then need a code to get in. This does help make you feel quite secure at night.
We had hoped to walk around the fishing lakes but this is out of bounds to campers. This is quite sensible really as otherwise the site would have to have all sorts of measures and insurance in place to protect non-fishers from the dangers of what are private lakes. But bear this in mind when booking. You can however walk around the outside of the lake area which is a pleasant walk.
Deal is a great place to visit with an excellent pier and a lovely cafe/kitchen at the end. The town does not seem to suffer from that run-down feeling many seaside places on the Kent coast suffer from and is well maintained. Deal castle is a place to visit and is well worth the walk from the site. There is a bridlepath and footpath from near the entrance to the site down and across some pleasant farmland into Deal although you do walk through a bit of an industrial estate to get to the urban area of Deal.
Sainsburies and Aldi are within easy reach from the site - 25 min walk or 5 min drive.
Recommend to friends Visit again
Lovely site , very quiet, great fishing lakes, if you want to fish.
North field electric hardstanding and grass pitch
Liked Site was peaceful and well kept. The toilet/shower block was very clean . Maybe a few more sockets and mirrors would be useful as in the busy period one mirror and socket wouldn’t be adequate.
Disliked No Wifi
Recommend to friends Visit again
Excellent site, clean facilities, friendly staff and beautiful views.
North field electric hardstanding and grass pitch
Liked Beautiful lakes. Well maintained grounds. Staff very friendly and helpful. Will definitely return. Very peaceful setting.
Disliked The only reason its one star short of a full 10 is that there is only one shower. Could really do with another shower or two.
Recommend to friends Visit again
Small site but really peaceful.
North field electric hardstanding and grass pitch
Liked Small but really peaceful. Showers and toilets are adequate for a small site. Staff were very friendly and helpful.
Disliked Nothing.
Recommend to friends Visit again
Features
Dogs allowed
Leisure on site
Bar or club house Cycle hire Evening entertainment Fishing Fitness centre Games room Indoor swimming pool Kids' club On-site restaurant/cafe Outdoor swimming pool Play area TV room Take away Tennis WatersportsAmenities on site
Bath available Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Food shop Free wifi Ice pack freezing Internet access Launderette Parent & baby washroom Pick-up from public transport Portable toilet Pub toilets Public telephone Shower available Toilet block Washing-up area WifiGroups welcome
D. of E. welcome Family friendly Motorcycle friendly Rallies welcome Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcomeRules
Barbecue provided Barbecues allowed Campfires allowed Commercial vehicles allowed Dogs allowed Dogs allowed all yearCamping 2.0
Jumbo tent pitchesThemes
Forest Lake and/or mountain Peaceful Remote location Spectacular scenery Walkers' paradiseUtilities
Charging facilities Chemical disposal Electric car charging point(s) Gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energyNearby amenities
Bar nearby Dog walk nearby Nearby farmers' market Public transport nearby Shop nearbyType
Small (11-25 pitches)Accessibility
Accessible parking at pitch Bathrooms: Step-free access Bathrooms: Wheelchair accessible toilet Pitch close to accessible bathroomsNearby leisure
Cycle hire nearby Cycling nearby Fishing nearby Golf nearby Horse riding nearby Leisure/theme park nearby Mountain biking nearby Restaurant nearbyLocation
Cottington Lakes
Sandwich Road
Sholden
Deal
Kent
England
CT14 0AR
Directions Timezone
Europe/London BST (GMT+01:00)
GPS
51.22804°N
1.37374°E
Nearest transport
Coach
Rail
Ferry
AirportPlease note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.
Local attractions
Water quality at nearby bathing waters
| Name | Distance | Type | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deal Castle | 1.4 mi | Sea | N/A | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Sandwich Bay | 3.8 mi | Sea | N/A | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| St Margaret`S Bay | 5.4 mi | Sea | N/A | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Ramsgate Western Undercliffe | 7 mi | Sea | Excellent | Good | Excellent | Excellent |
| Ramsgate Sands | 7.5 mi | Sea | N/A | Good | Good | Good |
Data source: European Environment Agency
Must see
Deal Castle 1.3 mi
Walmer Castle and Gardens 2.2 mi
South Foreland Lighthouse 6.1 mi
White Cliffs of Dover 6.8 mi
Dover Castle 7.3 mi
National Trust
South Foreland Lighthouse 6.1 mi
The White Cliffs of Dover 6.9 mi
Cycle routes
Find local routes on the National Cycle Network - over 12,000 miles of cycling routes.
Other
NORTHBOURNE COURT 1.2 mi
WALMER CASTLE 2.3 mi
Sandwich - White Cliff Country Trail - Sandwich 3.2 mi
THE SALUTATION 3.4 mi
WALDERSHARE PARK 5.3 mi
Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.
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- The Ultimate South East England Camping Guide
- Pitchup camping guide
- Essential camping checklist
Frequently asked questions
- Does Cottington Lakes have a swimming pool? No View all features
- Is Cottington Lakes dog friendly? Yes View all features
- What attractions are near Cottington Lakes? For a day at the seaside, head to Deal (10 minutes’ drive), but be aware that there will be no castle building here, since the beach is a seemingly infinite expanse of … Read more
- When can I check in and check out of Cottington Lakes?
Read moreCamping and touring Arrive: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. Depart by: 11:30 a.m. - How much does it cost to stay at Cottington Lakes? From £25 (for 1 night, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.