From the bluebirds over the white cliffs of Dover to the springtime delights of the bluebells at Ashenbank Woods, the Kent Downs AONB is a great destination for motorhome holidaymakers.
Spanning 878 square kilometres and covering close to the Surrey border to the south coast of England there’s a wealth of activities and attractions to suit children of all ages, as well as adults with varying ideas for the ideal holiday agenda. Kent Downs AONB is well known for its gorgeous countryside, as well as its dramatic and iconic coastline which is a joy to explore. But don’t just take our word for it. The Heritage Coast in the Kent Downs AONB won international recognition as the only UK destination to feature in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2022!
Walkers and cyclists can choose from a wide variety of tracks and trails. If two-wheeled travel is your thing, the 50-mile (80km) circular trail from Canterbury to Dover is a great choice. Or you could enjoy a more sedate cycle along the tranquil River Medway towpath (with plenty of great pubs to be found en route). Walkers can set off on a relaxing 3.7-mile walk starting from the village of Elham, considered to be one of the most beautiful in East Kent. Or you can step back in time to a different point in history and tackle some of the 160-mile Saxon Shore Way.
Kent Downs AONB is a biodiversity-rich habitat encompassing chalk grassland, woodlands, traditional orchards, chalk cliffs, wet pasture, ponds and heathland as well as 38 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). Unsurprisingly this mix attracts a wealth of wildlife including a variety of butterflies and birdlife. Kent Downs is also renowned for its local delicacies including some of the UK’s best wines. Travellers who would like to sample the local produce should visit one of the 36 vineyards in the region. Find out more in this guide to the best vineyards in Kent.
Naturally, you will need to find the ideal campsite to make your trip complete so let’s put that glass of red on hold for now and take a look at some great options for motorhome sites in the Kent Downs AONB.
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Knowler Farm
If you are looking for a peaceful location for your Kent Downs camping holiday but don’t want to be too far off the beaten track, Knowler Farm is a great choice. The farm is just 20 minutes drive from Canterbury and 30 minutes from the coast at Folkestone. It’s also close to attractions such as Howletts Wild Animal Park and Leeds Castle. The site itself is designed for travellers who want to get away from the hustle and bustle and be closer to nature. The friendly owners have a no-music policy to ensure things keep tranquil and if that’s not enough to relax your group there are the resident rescue donkeys to get you in that zen-like holiday mood.
Guests can prepare food on-site under one of the wooden gazebos or take a wander to the local village pub that comes highly recommended by your hosts. The site has non-electric pitches available from April to October. Please note that there are no dogs allowed on-site between 1st August and 10th September.
Knowler Farm, Stelling Minnis, Canterbury, CT4 6AD
51.1787988,1.0629337
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The Firs Fishery and Campsite
If casting a line is your idea of camping heaven, why not consider The Firs Fishery and Campsite for your wild camping Kent Downs experience. The Firs is an adults-only site and is well connected to some of this region's most interesting locations including the seaside towns of Dungeness, Rye and Winchelsea. All are reachable in around half an hour by car and offer a number of attractions for holidaymakers. Visit the Grade II-listed Old Lighthouse at Dungeness for expansive views across the Romney Marshes then stop for a bite to eat at one of the town’s excellent fish and chip eateries. Or you could hunt for bargains at one of the antique shops in the pretty village of Rye
Back at the site, guests can enjoy the peaceful surroundings or try their luck hooking their own catch of the day The lake is well stocked with carp, tench, roach, perch and rudd. Day tickets are available to all campers for £12 for one rod and £8 for a second rod, per person. The Firs has a small number of non-electric hardstanding pitches available but please note that there are no on-site shower facilities.
The Firs, Nickleywood Road, Shadoxhurst, Kent
51.092691,0.829809
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Sunnyside Farm Caravan Park
If you’re looking to cycle all or some of the Coast to Cathedral route across the Kent Downs between Canterbury and Dover, Sunnyside Farm Caravan Park is a great option for camping in the Kent Downs. Situated on a delightful farm just off the cycle route, the site is simple, small and tranquil with just the birds and the resident cows and sheep providing background noise. The family are local experts and able to advise on activities or excursions around the region. If cycling isn’t your bag why not try horse riding in the chalk hills, easily organised by the riding school just down the lane in the village.
Canterbury, Howlett's Zoo and Wingham Wildlife Park are all within 15 minutes of the farm and double the time will get you to Dover, Deal and Walmer Castles. Sunnyside has a handful of non-electric pitches and welcomes families (immediate members) and couples though currently not groups.
Sunnyside Farm Caravan Park, Shalmsford Road, Chilham, CT4 8BS
51.253028392429535, 0.9864563748634894
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Painters Farm
The campsite on Painters Farm is on a gorgeous two-acre cherry orchard in the heart of the Kent Downs. The owners have made this lovely motorhome site a pleasure to behold with barns strung with fairy lights and the welcoming shade from cherry trees all around. Both kids and dogs are welcomed here (as well as adults, of course!) and campfires and BBQs are encouraged. To make sure the peace and quiet are maintained, the owners don’t currently allow hen or stag parties.
When the bucolic bliss of the site gets too much you can wander a couple of minutes down the lane for a pint (including Shepherd’s Neame made by the Faversham Brewery, Britain’s oldest brewer) and a bite to eat. Or take a short drive to Faversham itself to stroll the mediaeval streets and invest in some delicious local delicacies. The seaside town of Whitstable is just a 25 minute drive away, where you can brave a dip in the waves, stroll the harbour or simply relax with a pint and some local oysters.
Painters Farm, Bayfield Road, Painters Forstal, Faversham, Kent, ME13 0EG
51.29568799880616, 0.8533582142820224
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New Romney Caravan Park
If you’re heading to go camping in the Kent Downs and want to be near the beach, New Romney Caravan Park is a fabulous choice. This dog-friendly motorhome park is just 300 yards from the two-mile-long beach and sandy dunes of Greatstone beach and only an hour from the hustle and bustle of London.
The site itself offers good facilities and both electric and non-electric hardstanding pitches. This is very much a family-orientated site and the owners don’t allow hen or stag parties or same-sex groups of over four people (apart from couples and immediate family members).
As you can imagine from a seaside town, there are plenty of great options for fish and chips and if the weather doesn't cooperate there’s Hoy Clubhouse nearby with plenty of games for the kids.
New Romney Caravan Park, Clarke Road, Greatstone, New Romney, Kent TN28 8PB
50.977593458241934, 0.9636729142752523
We hope this guide to the best motorhome campsites in the Kent Downs has put you on the right track to finding your ideal accommodation in this lovely part of the world. When visiting an area of outstanding natural beauty (including the aforementioned 38 SSSIs) you’ll want to make sure you keep your impact on the environment to a minimum. Always keep dogs on leads when asked to and be aware that some beaches and parks may ban dogs altogether at certain times of the year, or even all year round. Take heed of local signs and ask a local if you aren’t sure.
Getting to all these wonderful places is far easier when you have your own vehicle. If you would like to travel in your ideal mobile home, take a look at our campervan hire in Kent. Then you can get started planning your perfect holiday to Kent Downs AONB! Consider extending your trip to stay at one of the many great campsites in the nearby High Weald AONB.
