Cottington Lakes

View prices & book 8.6 143 reviews
View over the main site pitches
Lakes
Aerial view over the caravan pitches
Hardstanding and grass pitches with electric hook-ups

  • 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
Set in the Kent countryside, Cottington Lakes offers a peaceful lakeside camping experience, just the job for anglers, nature lovers, families and dog owners – and pretty much everyone really. Whether you’re here for early-morning fishing, lazy afternoons in nature or quiet evenings under the stars, this is a great spot to unwind and fall in love with being outdoors. Spacious grass pitches are set around eight fishing lakes, and campers have access to on-site toilet and shower facilities for added comfort. When you’re ready for a bite to eat or a hot drink, Cottington Lakes Café is just a couple of minutes’ walk away, serving tasty meals, light snacks and refreshments alongside views over the water. There’s a small shop covering all the basics, and the site is also close to historic Deal and the medieval Cinque Port of Sandwich (both 10 minutes’ drive) if you need bigger shops or fancy meals out in pubs and restaurants.

Site type

Touring caravan pitches 25
Motorhome pitches 20
Tent pitches 20
Open all year
Opens
Please note
  • 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

No availability here for your search criteria

Pitch types & availability

Reviews

  • 46%
    10
  • 18%
    9
  • 16%
    8
  • 4%
    7
  • 4%
    6
  • 3%
    5
  • 2%
    4
  • 1%
    3
  • 1%
    2
  • 0%
    1
Location
9
Value for money
9
Accommodation
9
Facilities / Activities
8
Customer service
9
Child friendliness
8
Cleanliness
9
Wifi
6

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

Reviews page 1 of 15
Arrival date (latest first)

Great…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Facilities / Activities
No rating
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
4
zoe j.

North field electric hardstanding and grass pitch

Liked Great

Recommend to friends Visit again

nice friendly staff. great place close…

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
9
Value for money
8
Facilities / Activities
7
Customer service
9
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
9
Wifi
No rating
Anonymous

North field electric hardstanding and grass pitch

Liked nice friendly staff. great place close to deal and sandwich.

Disliked not really a dislike but the toilets and shower was clean but would help if there was bigger ( more )

Recommend to friends Visit again

Plenty of space and freedom to…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
10
Sabrina S.

South field non-electric grass pitch

Liked Plenty of space and freedom to pitch the way you like it(it was a regular weekend not bank holiday). Shower and toilets always cleaned and the cafe makes wonderful food.
Not far from the place there is a nice farm shop to buy local produce and the quality is spot on.

Recommend to friends Visit again

I was welcomed very friendly; had…

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Facilities / Activities
9
Customer service
9
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
8
Andy S.

South field electric grass pitch

Liked I was welcomed very friendly; had a nice spot along the trees , and had a very lovely time staying there, the birds, nature...... everything was right here
Recommend it very much must see kinda place

Recommend to friends Visit again

Very peaceful, easy check in. Choice…

Overall

8 out of 10
Location
9
Value for money
9
Facilities / Activities
5
Customer service
No rating
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
7
Wifi
No rating
robert f.

South field electric grass pitch

Liked Very peaceful, easy check in. Choice of pitch good. Beautiful lakes.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Very quite and peaceful (north field) Very…

Overall

7 out of 10
Location
8
Value for money
7
Facilities / Activities
5
Customer service
5
Child friendliness
1
Cleanliness
7
Wifi
1
Stephen L.

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

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Facilities / Activities
No rating
Customer service
9
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
5
Lucy O.

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

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
8
Facilities / Activities
8
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
No rating
Anonymous

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.

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
9
Value for money
8
Facilities / Activities
8
Customer service
9
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
9
Wifi
No rating
Graeme L.

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

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Facilities / Activities
8
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
4
Susan W.

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


Features

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 Watersports

Amenities 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 Wifi

Groups welcome

D. of E. welcome Family friendly Motorcycle friendly Rallies welcome Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcome

Rules

Barbecue provided Barbecues allowed Campfires allowed Commercial vehicles allowed Dogs allowed Dogs allowed all year

Camping 2.0

Jumbo tent pitches

Themes

Forest Lake and/or mountain Peaceful Remote location Spectacular scenery Walkers' paradise

Utilities

Charging facilities Chemical disposal Electric car charging point(s) Gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Dog walk nearby Nearby farmers' market Public transport nearby Shop nearby

Type

Small (11-25 pitches)

Accessibility

Accessible parking at pitch Bathrooms: Step-free access Bathrooms: Wheelchair accessible toilet Pitch close to accessible bathrooms

Nearby leisure

Cycle hire nearby Cycling nearby Fishing nearby Golf nearby Horse riding nearby Leisure/theme park nearby Mountain biking nearby Restaurant nearby

Location

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
1.4 mi South Street
2 mi Thompsons Bell
2 mi Thompsons Bell
Rail
1.1 mi Deal Rail Station
1.8 mi Walmer Rail Station
3.2 mi Sandwich Rail Station
Ferry
7.1 mi Ramsgate Ferry Terminal
7.3 mi Dover Eastern Docks Ferry Terminal
8.1 mi Dover Western Docks Ferry Terminal
Airport
8.2 mi Kent International Airport
26.9 mi Lydd London Ashford Airport

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.

Local attractions

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 pebbles. As the clock strikes the hour, turn your gaze to the Timeball Tower to see the ball drop, as it used to do back in the 19th century. Get lost among the medieval streets and alleyways of Sandwich (10 minutes), then head to the River Stour, the banks of which are often the site of lively festivals and re-enactments. From there, you can walk to the sandy beach at Sandwich Bay, via trails and dunes where you might spot stoats, partridges and warblers. Wingham Wildlife Park (15 minutes) has big cats (lions and tigers) as well as smaller animals like meerkats and penguins, plus a Dinosaur Zoo with replicas of prehistoric beasts. Howletts Wild Animal Park (25 minutes) also has an Animals of the Ice Age section, and it runs special encounters with lemurs, anteaters and baboons.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
Deal Castle 1.4 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Sandwich Bay 3.8 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
St Margaret`S Bay 5.4 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Ramsgate Western Undercliffe 7 mi Sea ExcellentGoodExcellentExcellent
Ramsgate Sands 7.5 mi Sea N/AGoodGoodGood

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.

Want to know more about camping in Kent?

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?
    Camping and touring
    Arrive:  12 p.m. –  5 p.m.
    Depart by:  11:30 a.m.
    Read more
  • 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.