With a shimmering lake, green lawns and the lazy River Medway wandering through its grounds, the 18th century farmhouse at Chafford Park lays claim to a quintessentially English setting. But between the golden fields and hedge-lined meadows, there's plenty of space for more than just the local farmer. Over nine acres of picturesque Kent countryside have been set aside for tent-pitchers and peg-pushers so that us travelling campers can still enjoy a generous slice of the scenery.
Chafford Park is a family-run farm that’s been under the helm of the Thompson’s for over a century. And while 300 acres of arable fields are still blessed with the rumble of tractors every year, there is more to be found than just bushels of wheat and the sweet smell of hay bales. The house and grounds are a popular venue for both indoor and outdoor weddings, while clay pigeon shooting and fishing are organised throughout the year. But it's the campsite, occupying a large apron of grass near the house, that merits the attention of us cool campers – a worthy place to spend an evening beneath the starry skies.
With up to 50 tents but no designated pitches, Chafford Park offers camping of the wilder sort, without electric hook-ups, cumbersome caravans or plastic playgrounds. There are still good sanitary facilities onsite; with toilets, showers and a washing-up area, but without the commercial campsite feel. Fridges allow guests to stash away a bottle of milk or a hunk of meat (from the local farm shop) for the BBQ, something that's well worth doing.
Despite such quiet seclusion in the countryside, Chafford Park offers surprisingly easy access to the surrounding area. A short drive into Royal Tunbridge Wells rewards you with an elegant spa town with a colonnaded parade of shops, while exploring the rural areas will take you to Hever Castle, Penshurst Place and Ashdown Forest – the home of Winnie-the-Pooh. Whether you cruise between castles, throw yourself into local watersports, or arrange some onsite clay shooting, you’ll always be entertained and can finish off the day back in the arms of this rural hideaway. Return to the quiet of your tent, grab that cold beer you remembered to put in the fridge, and enjoy this blissful place to kick back and relax in the south of England.
Hop in the car for a drive north to Chartwell (01732 868381) – the former home of Winston Churchill – stopping on the way at Hever Castle (01732 865224), an exquisite beamed and moated Tudor manor house. Those taken in by the country pile should also consider Penshurst Place and Gardens (01892 870307) – similar splendour and family activities await. East of the campsite, Royal Tunbridge Wells precedes the tiny village of Tudeley, home to an unassuming church that boasts famous stained-glass windows by the Russian artist Marc Chagall. Meanwhile, more active campers can go canoeing (01342 810493) on the River Medway or climbing Harrison’s Rocks (01892 860670), an isolated sandstone outcrop surrounded by woodland. Ashdown Forest (01342 823583) is also a fantastic place to walk with kids. It was here that A. A. Milne wrote the classic Winnie-the-Pooh.
Hampers are available from the farm shop while nearby pubs and restaurants serve excellent local fare. The Bottle House (01892 870306) the local, where you can order take away food during summer 2020 and The Spotted Dog (01892 870253), The Leicester Arms Hotel (01892 871617) are all in nearby Penshurst, while The George and Dragon (01892 863125) in Speldurst is a traditional 13th century inn with roaring log fires and dramatic oak beams – an excellent pick. The Chafford Arms (01892 740267) in Fordcombe is also a good family friendly pub in a quiet village.