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Sunninglye Farm

Tunbridge Wells, East Sussex, England
1 acre hosted by Feather Down Farm ..
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Family-friendly safari tent stays just outside Royal Tunbridge Wells

The fact that there are two pubs a stroll away and four of the loveliest castles in the UK within 20 miles will be of no interest to any kids who visit Sunninglye Farm. Their ears might briefly prick up if you mention bike rides around Bewl Water or high ropes adventure at Bedgebury Forest. But, mostly, all this excitement will pale into insignificance when compared with the on-site fun at this safari tent site in Kent. We’re talking tickling pigs, climbing trees, grooming ponies and building rafts. Who could blame them for wanting to stay put?

Sunninglye is a Feather Down farm; part of a network of farm stays offering off-grid holidays in roomy safari tents (or ‘tented cottages’ as the Feather Down team likes to call them). Lit only by candles and oil lamps, the rustic but homely accommodation provided by Feather Down is invariably lovely, with log burners and cute kids’ cupboard bedrooms as particular highlights. And while the well-set up accommodation is always similar, the on-site experience is as unique as the farms you’ll find it on, with hosting left in the capable hands of the farmer.

At Sunninglye Farm it’s the Miles family who run the place, with Jill and Jo taking care of safari tent guests. They’ll show you around, introduce you to the animals and then let you run wild. The two bedroomed safari tents, each with an en-suite flushing loo, are set up in a copse of trees with views across sheep-studded fields. Rope swings dangle from branches, trails lead off round the farm and there’s a pond, a small woodland and a wildlife hide too. If there’s an animal lover in your tent, sign them up for the optional pony grooming experience and for muddy memories you won’t forget, get the whole family on board for raft-building fun.

If the sociable side of this site is not your style, that’s no bother. There’s so much space, you can do as you please and while the farm location is endless fun for kids, it’s just as good for grown ups. Exploring countryside and castles, heading into genteel Tunbridge Wells and walking to the pub are all great ways to spend days here and, what’s more, it’s just an hour south of London. The best bit though, is something all ages can enjoy, the timeless fun of a campfire at the end of the day no matter how you’ve spent it.

Activities
Biking
Hiking
Natural features
Field
Farm
Not currently accepting bookings on Hipcamp
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Location
Tunbridge Wells, East Sussex, England, United KingdomTraditional, ancestral territory of various First Nations according to To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
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Hosted by Feather Down Farm ..Joined in February 2021
From the host
Sunninglye Farm is nestled on the Kent / Sussex border among the rolling hills of the High Weald, which is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It’s just 27 miles from the M25 and only 40 minutes from the coast. Surrounded by woodland on all but one side, Sunninglye has seven Feather Down tents within a shady hilltop copse. Each tent faces outwards with views across the surrounding fields and woodland, ideal for a family holiday in Kent. Visitors are always pleasantly surprised by the peacefulness of the setting. Younger children are free to climb and swing and play safely among the trees near the tent. The older ones might like to explore the farm while attempting to conquer the Sunninglye Challenge, a farm trail which combines fun with education and will occupy them for a good couple of hours. Sunninglye Farm’s fields are all grass – including a seasonal wildflower meadow – and you are usually free to wander all over the farm. In the fields near your tent you can play rounders, cricket or football.
Nearby attractions

There's plenty of on-site fun, including the bookable extras of an hour's pony grooming, where you learn general maintenance and stable duties, or the exciting raft-building experience. Off site, you could pop into historic Royal Tunbridge Wells (four miles away) to browse the historic Pantiles shopping arcade and peak at the Chalybeate Spring; the source of iron-rich water that has been attracting health-seeking tourists for centuries. Bewl Water, a reservoir, with walking, cycling, fishing, watersports and an aqua park, is eight miles from Sunninglye with Bedgebury Pinetum and Forest nearby too – the latter has plenty of forested trails, as well as a Go Ape treetop adventure course. There are plenty of gardens, stately homes and castles in Kent with Scotney Castle gardens (01892 893820) and Sissinghurst Castle Gardens (01580 710700) the closest to Sunninglye Farm (within 10 miles). Penshurst Place (01892 870307) is 13 miles from site and both Leeds Castle (01622 765400), dubbed the 'loveliest castle in the world' and Hever Castle (01732 865224), childhood home of Anne Boleyn, are 20 miles from the farm. The south coast is also within day-tripping distance, with the closest beach at Hythe, 40 minutes away.

Food and drink

The on-site honesty shop sells basic supplies alongside some local, seasonal goodies and you can order breakfast and barbecue packs of local produce in advance of your stay. The closest pub is the Brecknock Arms (01892 750237), less than two miles away, which stocks a full range of Harveys ales from nearby Lewes and serves home-cooked food. You can also walk to Pembury (about four miles) and The Black Horse pub (01892 822141). A wider selection of culinary options can be found in nearby Royal Tunbridge Wells, where The Black Dog (01892 549543) is recommended for breakfast, coffee and lunch. Cherry Gardens Farm (01892 862307) has a fantastic selection of organic homegrown produce in its farm shop, as well as local honey and home-made jam. They also offer a pick-your-own service during the summer months, where guests can stock up on raspberries, blackcurrants, blackberries and Victoria plums.

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