Hillcrest Farm Wild Camping

8.8 17 reviews
Visitor image of the view from yellow pitch
Visitor image of the view from yellow pitch
Visitor image of the view from yellow pitch
By the treeline
Countryside views over kent
Pastoral views
Looking towards the site
Parking next to pitch, weather permitting
Parking next to pitch, weather permitting
1/40

This site does not currently take bookings here on Pitchup.com.

If you are the owner of this site, start taking bookings through Pitchup.com.
It's free, quick and easy!

Add your business details

  • Secluded and peaceful wild camping in the scenic North Downs
  • A 30-minute drive from Canterbury and from beaches in Whitstable
  • Within 10 minutes’ walk of a 16th-century inn serving food daily
Longing for the simple days of yore, when camping wasn’t all about the bells and whistles? Stake your claim on a spot at Hillcrest Farm Wild Camping, a family-friendly wild camping site five minutes’ drive from the village of Charing in Kent. This is wild camping at its most basic, with no running water or toilets on site (bringing both is a necessity, though public loos in Charing can be used in an emergency), so being comfortable without the comforts of home living is a must. If that sounds like your cup of tea, then this site will have everyone sleeping soundly. High on a hilltop in the North Downs, there are stunning views across Kent and south into East Sussex from the pitches, and the fact that it’s a tiny spot (with restricted numbers of guests) means it’s peaceful in the extreme. Days and nights can be spent next to the campfire and food is easily handled with barbecues or with a 10-minute stroll to the nearby 16th-century inn. When a change of scenery is needed, the site’s well placed for wanders through Kent: the long-distance Pilgrims Way walking trail linking Winchester and Canterbury is accessible less than 10 minutes’ easy stroll from the site, as is the North Downs Way, which follows the Pilgrims Way here for a stretch.

Site type

Tent pitches 4
Opens 1 May

Languages spoken

English

Open from Thu, 1 May to

Open from Thu, 22 May to

Open from Wed, 23 Jul to

Nearby sites that are bookable on Pitchup.com

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable sites.

Want to know more about camping in Kent?

Features

No dogs allowed

Campfires 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 Car parking by pitch/unit 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 No dogs allowed

Themes

Peaceful Remote location Wild camping

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

Farm Tiny (1-10 pitches)

Nearby leisure

Horse riding nearby Restaurant nearby

Location

Hillcrest Farm Wild Camping

Sonestile Farm Road

Hart Hill

Charing

Kent

England

TN27 0HW

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London BST (GMT+01:00)

GPS

51.22578°N
0.78009°W

Nearest transport

Coach
6.7 mi Park Street
8.5 mi Tesco Crooksfoot
8.5 mi Tesco Crooksfoot
Rail
1.3 mi Charing (Kent) Rail Station
3.2 mi Lenham Rail Station
4.9 mi Harrietsham Rail Station
Ferry
17.2 mi Folkestone Eurotunnel Terminal
23.4 mi Gravesend Pier
23.7 mi Tilbury Ferry Terminal
Airport
19.9 mi Lydd London Ashford Airport
24 mi London Southend Airport
26.4 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

The absolute first thing guests at Hillcrest must do is make the 15-minute drive to Leeds Castle. The historical pile should keep all ages entertained, with a maze to get lost in, falconry shows, a dog collar museum, punting, Segway tours and, of course, a spectacular 12th-century castle to explore. Once that’s crossed off the list, there’s plenty else hereabouts to warrant visits. On days when a sense of calm is needed, it’s 15 minutes to Doddington Place Gardens and half an hour to Sissinghurst Castle Garden for peaceful and fragrant strolls, 25 minutes to tours and tastings at Biddenden Vineyards, and 45 minutes to shaded walks, family cycling and mountain biking trails at Bedgebury National Pinetum. Beachy days are a cinch too: it’s about half an hour from base to Whitstable, where there are sandy stretches to wander or lay about on, swims to be had, yachting and waterskiing to try hands at, and a castle to gawp at while traipsing through gardens. Cash burning holes in pockets? Travel into Canterbury (30 minutes away) to trip around gardens, explore museums and galleries, experience the famed Canterbury Tales and, of course, shop. If that’s not enough retail therapy, Ashford Designer Outlet is 20 minutes' drive from base.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
West Beach, Whitstable 13.4 mi Sea N/AGoodGoodGood
Leysdown 13.5 mi Sea N/AExcellentGoodExcellent
Minster Leas 14.4 mi Estuary N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Tankerton 15 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Sheerness 15.1 mi Estuary N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Ashford Designer Outlet 6.5 mi

Leeds Castle 6.7 mi

Sissinghurst Castle Garden 11.5 mi

Kent & East Sussex Railway 11.5 mi

West Gate Towers Museum 13.3 mi

National Trust

Stoneacre 9 mi

Sissinghurst Castle Garden 12.1 mi

Smallhythe Place 13.4 mi

Sprivers Garden 16.9 mi

Bodiam Castle 18.6 mi

Cycle routes

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

Other

CHILSTON PARK 2.9 mi

DODDINGTON PLACE 4 mi

BELMONT PARK 4.3 mi

GODINTON PARK 5.3 mi

LEES COURT 5.9 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.

Offers

Conditions apply - see pitch type section for details

Reviews

8.8

Overall rating based on 17 reviews View breakdown

Wild camping

Voted 94% of visitors View breakdown

88%

would recommend this site to a friend

88%

would stay here again

  • 76%
    10
  • 0%
    9
  • 11%
    8
  • 0%
    7
  • 0%
    6
  • 0%
    5
  • 0%
    4
  • 0%
    3
  • 11%
    2
  • 0%
    1

Only showing reviews for the last 30 months.

Site locked and owner didn't answer calls or emails.

Overall 2/10
Location 2
Value for money 2
Accommodation 2
Facilities / Activities 2
Customer service 2
Child friendliness No rating
Cleanliness No rating
Wifi No rating
Anonymous The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Blue non-electric grass touring pitch

Liked: Nothing.

Disliked: I arrived at 9pm and there was a field with a locked gate and no signage. I called the owner and got no response and was forced to spend the night in a layby. I have since written an email to the owner to ask for a refund and have not received a reply.

Recommend to friends Visit again

5* lovely area for camping Dave was very helpful and friendly…

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 10
Charlie D. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Blue non-electric grass touring pitch

Liked: 5* lovely area for camping Dave was very helpful and friendly

Recommend to friends Visit again

Quiet, simple, and secluded, this campsite offers stunning views from the top…

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities No rating
Customer service 10
Child friendliness No rating
Cleanliness 10
Wifi No rating
Newton P. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Blue non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked: Quiet, simple, and secluded, this campsite offers stunning views from the top of the North Downs. On a clear day, you can enjoy breathtaking sunsets and sunrises. Perfect.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Dålig information o kommunikation

Overall 2/10
Location 8
Value for money 2
Accommodation 2
Facilities / Activities 2
Customer service 2
Child friendliness 2
Cleanliness 2
Wifi 2
Anna C. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Blue non-electric grass touring pitch

Liked: Vet ej, då grinden var stängd när jag kom till plasten och ingen svarade i telefonen. Så jag fick resa vidare. Trots att jag redan betalat.

Disliked: Att meddelandet med informationen om kod till hänglåset inte kom i samband med bokningsmeddelandet utan en och en halvtimme senare.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Wild camping at its best

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 10
Sarah B. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Blue non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked: Everything

Disliked: Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

Stunning scenery

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 10
Sarah B. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Blue non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked: Beautiful views. Friendly host. Lovely birdsong. Privacy. Peace.

Disliked: Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great spot, tucked out the way from everything.…

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities No rating
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi No rating
Anonymous The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Blue non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked: Great spot, tucked out the way from everything.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Campsite is great, like wild camping but the grass it cut, chosen…

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 8
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 2
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 2
Matt R. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Green non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked: Campsite is great, like wild camping but the grass it cut, chosen locations for the pitch we stayed on in the field was a beautiful spot. As what others have said we offered fire wood and fire lighters but we didn’t make use of them. Would stay here again definitely.

Disliked: Is it fair to say the cost? £25 for a pitch just feels expensive if you’re just one tent.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Wild camping at its best - quiet, remote and a restful break

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi No rating
Caroline N. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Blue non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked: Beautiful location for an authentic wild camp. Very helpful and friendly host who was able to sell us a wheelbarrow of wood for a campfire. Very much enjoyed our stay, especially the peace and watching birds of prey.

Plan to return soon.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Basic and beautiful

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 8
Accommodation 8
Facilities / Activities 8
Customer service 8
Child friendliness No rating
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 10
Sarah B. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Blue non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked: Lovely views, close to pub, quiet and peaceful. No frills back to nature camping experience. Had a lovely stay thank you. We will be back.

Disliked: Entry gate was a bit heavy to negotiate but we managed.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Hillcrest Farm Wild Camping have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Hillcrest Farm Wild Camping dog friendly? No View all features
  • What attractions are near Hillcrest Farm Wild Camping? The absolute first thing guests at Hillcrest must do is make the 15-minute drive to Leeds Castle. The historical pile should keep all ages entertained, with a maze to get lost in, … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Hillcrest Farm Wild Camping?
    Camping and touring
    Arrive:  2 p.m. –  Anytime
    Depart by:  11:30 a.m.
    Read more