Capel Battery

View prices & book 6.3 36 reviews
View to Dover and the English Channel
View to dover and the english channel
Hardstanding
Grass area
Motorhome parking
Track to the pitches leading past two nissan huts
Non-electric park-up
Parking is past the two nissan huts
Park opposite the gun emplacement
1/32
Hardstanding
Grass area
Motorhome parking

  • Kent motorhome site at a World War II gun battery in Capel-le-Ferne
  • Port of Dover 10 minutes’ drive; Folkestone Eurotunnel 20 minutes
  • Hardstanding pitches with electric hook-ups; pub across the road
And now for something completely different… It’s not every day you get the chance to camp right alongside the unrestored remains of a World War II gun battery. Yes, Capel Battery is opening its doors to motorhomes in a quiet location atop the White Cliffs in Kent – and, in an extra bonus for war history aficionados, the thought-provoking Battle of Britain Memorial is just five minutes’ stroll away. With far-reaching views over Dover to the English Channel and (on a clear day) France, the site sits in the village of Capel-le-Ferne, 10 minutes’ drive from the Port of Dover and 20 minutes from Folkestone's Eurotunnel terminal, making it a handy stop for overnighters starting or rounding off their holidays in Europe. With room for just a handful of pitches – each with an electric hook-up – this back-to-basics site is just a few steps away from a local pub, open for Kentish beers, lunch and dinner daily. If you’re going down the self-catering route, you can source supplies at the supermarkets on the edge of Folkestone (five minutes' drive).

Site type

Motorhome pitches 5
Touring caravan pitches 5
Open all year
Opens
Please note
  • This site has no on-site toilet and shower facilities.
  • 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. Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro).
  • Guests are advised to bring a good quality torch with them as parts of the site are unlit.
  • No gas barbecues allowed.
  • No charcoal barbecues allowed.
  • No electric barbecues allowed.
  • There are no bins onsite: all rubbish will need to be taken home with you.
  • There is no reception on-site: on arrival please contact the number provided on your booking confirmation.

Languages spoken

English

Pitch types & availability

Accommodation

Tent pitchesTouring caravan pitchesMotorhome pitchesLodges, cabins, pods or hutsCaravans for hireRent a tent
Choose your dates
2 adults
0 children

Reviews

6.3

Overall rating from 36 Pitchup.com customers

  • 25%
    10
  • 0%
    9
  • 22%
    8
  • 0%
    7
  • 22%
    6
  • 2%
    5
  • 5%
    4
  • 0%
    3
  • 13%
    2
  • 8%
    1
Location
 8
Value for money
 6
Accommodation
 5
Facilities / Activities
 4
Customer service
 6
Child friendliness
 4
Cleanliness
 6
Wifi
 2
Peaceful

56% would recommend this site to a friend

56% would stay here again

What customers say

This is a basic, unmanned, and unique stopover site with electric hook-up and water, praised for its proximity to the Eurotunnel and Dover ferry. Visitors appreciate the historical significance of the gun battery and the adjacent Battle of Britain Memorial, along with quiet nights and sea views. However, some found the site overpriced for the limited facilities, describing it as a scruffy field or building site rather than a traditional campsite, with access and tidiness noted as potential issues.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews

Reviews page 1 of 4
Arrival date (latest first)

It was close to the port of Dover…

Overall

1 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 1
Accommodation
 1
Facilities / Activities
 1
Customer service
 1
Child friendliness
 1
Cleanliness
 1
Wifi
 1
Anonymous

Fully-serviced grass motorhome pitch

Liked It was close to the port of Dover

Disliked Where to start. This is not a campsite - it is a scruffy field. Campsites have facilities for campers - apart from electricity and water, this site doesn’t. Which, all in all, is okay if I was charged £15 but it cost me £40.

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: The guest contacted me by phone after arriving at the site. I explained that this is a World War II heritage site currently under restoration, and that it is not a traditional campsite but intended specifically for motorhomes only. I offered a full refund, which the guest declined. I reiterated the nature of the site and again offered a refund, which was once more declined. The guest chose to stay.

Lovely, peaceful and restful.

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 6
Accommodation
 6
Facilities / Activities
 5
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 1
Julia B.

Fully-serviced grass motorhome pitch

Liked It was absolutely as describes. Lovely open field. Interesting gun station. Quite with great views. It was safe wild camping surrounded by wildlife.

Disliked A toilet facility would be useful but the site does say no facilities so no complaints

Recommend to friends Visit again

Quiet lovely site really enjoyed our weekend lots to do bus stop great

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 10
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 6
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Tracy W.

Fully-serviced hardstanding motorhome pitch

Liked Site was great lots to do very quiet loved looking around the war memorial. Pub next to site was lovely will definitely book again

Disliked Nothing to dislike

Recommend to friends Visit again

convenient. Lovely view over to France. Clean and tidy

Overall

8 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 6
Facilities / Activities
 2
Customer service
 8
Child friendliness
 9
Cleanliness
 9
Wifi
 1
susan P.

Fully-serviced grass motorhome pitch

Liked Very very convenient for the Le Shuttle
Lovely sea views to France
Great historical site
clean and tidy

Disliked Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

Leider nichts…

Overall

1 out of 10
Location
 No rating
Value for money
 No rating
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 No rating
Customer service
 No rating
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 No rating
Wifi
 No rating
Angelika K.

Fully-serviced grass motorhome pitch

Liked Leider nichts

Disliked Leider haben bei Ankunft niemanden angetroffen und standen mit zwei anderen vor verschlossenen Toren.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Funktioniert super…

Overall

5 out of 10
Location
 4
Value for money
 4
Accommodation
 4
Facilities / Activities
 1
Customer service
 2
Child friendliness
 1
Cleanliness
 3
Wifi
 1
Anonymous

Fully-serviced grass motorhome pitch

Liked Funktioniert super

Recommend to friends Visit again

The solitude & good access to both the garden of the Battle…

Overall

1 out of 10
Location
 9
Value for money
 1
Accommodation
 1
Facilities / Activities
 1
Customer service
 1
Child friendliness
 1
Cleanliness
 No rating
Wifi
 No rating
Anonymous

Fully-serviced grass motorhome pitch

Liked The solitude & good access to both the garden of the Battle of Britain Memorial & the North Down Path.

Disliked Take great care entering or leaving the site with a motorhome or caravan. The gate closes very quickly & its easy to get caught out. The lack of a chemical disposal point, in this day & age, is regrettable. The electric hook up is some distance from several of the grass pitches, We would recommend taking an extra long cable. The site could do with a basic tidy up to make it more presentable.
Vastly over priced, if booked through a third part, suggest booking direct with the site.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Very basic, fresh water tap only, unmanned site but secure. 10 minutes…

Overall

6 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 6
Accommodation
 4
Facilities / Activities
 2
Customer service
 2
Child friendliness
 2
Cleanliness
 6
Wifi
 2
Anonymous

Fully-serviced grass motorhome pitch

Liked Very basic, fresh water tap only, unmanned site but secure. 10 minutes from port of Dover. Ideal for early ferry crossing

Recommend to friends Visit again

Für eine Nacht nach oder zur Fähre ok. Aussicht auf Dover oder…

Overall

6 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 8
Accommodation
 4
Facilities / Activities
 4
Customer service
 4
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 4
Wifi
 No rating
Anonymous

Fully-serviced hardstanding motorhome pitch

Liked Für eine Nacht nach oder zur Fähre ok. Aussicht auf Dover oder Folkstone fenomenal.

Disliked Könnte aufgeräumter sein.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Quirky site for a one night stay!

Overall

6 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 4
Accommodation
 4
Facilities / Activities
 2
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 2
Cleanliness
 2
Wifi
 2
Anonymous

Fully-serviced hardstanding motorhome pitch

Liked Curious place - great for a one night motorhome stay prior to using the ferry / tunnel but wouldn’t want to be there any longer due to lack of facilities - from this perspective it’s way way over priced.
To be fair it was very peaceful so had a good nights sleep.

Disliked The security gate is tricky to navigate with a larger motorhome.
Couldn’t find any chemical loo disposal point and no bins for rubbish (although this was advised).
Imagine it’s pretty ghastly and bleak in bad weather.

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 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

Family friendly Motorcycle friendly Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcome

Rules

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

Themes

Spectacular scenery Walkers' paradise Wildlife haven

Utilities

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

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Dog walk nearby Public transport nearby Shop nearby

Type

Small (11-25 pitches)

Nearby leisure

Restaurant nearby

Location

Capel Battery

New Dover Road

Capel Le-Ferne

Folkestone

Kent

England

CT18 7JJ

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London BST (GMT+01:00)

GPS

51.09722°N
1.20115°E

Nearest transport

Coach
1.6 mi Bus Station
2.8 mi War Memorial
2.8 mi War Memorial
Rail
1.7 mi Folkestone Central Rail Station
2.2 mi Folkestone West Rail Station
4.7 mi Kearsney Rail Station
Ferry
3.6 mi Folkestone Eurotunnel Terminal
5.1 mi Dover Western Docks Ferry Terminal
5.8 mi Dover Eastern Docks Ferry Terminal
Airport
15.3 mi Lydd London Ashford Airport
18.5 mi Kent International 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

With a gun battery on site for you to explore, and the Battle of Britain Memorial five minutes’ walk away, you may have had your fill of war history. But don’t forget that underneath the mighty medieval Dover Castle (10 minutes’ drive), you can wander through a warren of secret wartime tunnels, visit a subterranean hospital and book a Cold War-themed escape room challenge. If you’re hanging around in Kent for a while, there are wild animal encounters to be had at Port Lympne Safari Park (20 minutes), and silverback gorillas to watch out for at Howletts Wild Animal Park (half an hour). If you’d rather have a look around old houses, National Trust-owned Sissinghurst Castle Garden (50 minutes) is open for tours of the tower, library and parkland created by author Vita Sackville-West in the 1930s. Folkestone Old Town (10 minutes) is a pretty place to have a look around, with lots of indie art galleries and shops to browse, while The Stade promenade leads to a wide, sandy beach for a snooze in the sun or a quick dip in the sea. When you’re feeling peckish, head for the Harbour Arm for street-food stalls selling all sorts of yummy mezze and pizzas.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
Folkestone 1.1 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Sandgate 3.9 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Hythe 5.7 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
St Margaret`S Bay 8.8 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Dymchurch 10.2 mi Sea N/AGoodGoodGood

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Roman Painted House 5.2 mi

Dover Castle 5.6 mi

Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway 5.9 mi

White Cliffs of Dover 6.4 mi

South Foreland Lighthouse 8.1 mi

National Trust

The White Cliffs of Dover 6.4 mi

South Foreland Lighthouse 7.9 mi

Smallhythe Place 22.2 mi

Lamb House 22.8 mi

Sissinghurst Castle Garden 27.2 mi

Cycle routes

Find local routes on the National Cycle Network - over 12,000 miles of cycling routes.

Other

Cheriton Hill 2.7 mi

Kearsney Court 4.5 mi

Hythe - Lympne - Royal Military Canal - Hythe 5.8 mi

SANDLING PARK 6.4 mi

Langdon Bay 6.6 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.

Nearest sites

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable sites.

Want to know more about camping in Kent?

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Capel Battery have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Capel Battery dog friendly? No View all features
  • What attractions are near Capel Battery? With a gun battery on site for you to explore, and the Battle of Britain Memorial five minutes’ walk away, you may have had your fill of war history. But don’t forget … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Capel Battery?
    Camping and touring
    Arrive:  Anytime –  Anytime
    Depart by:  Anytime
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Capel Battery? From £22.50 (for 1 night, 4 people) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.