Overview:

A family-run campsite providing a natural and sustainable environment for traditional campers. The two small fields have individual pitches offering space for 1-2 tents and allocated campfire spot depending on availability. The Woodland area has camp sites in a more wild camping atmosphere. The woods have a couple of paths to wander and direct access to the local footpath network providing hours of walking on the greensand ridge.

Review:

This is an idyllic small campsite, off the beaten track, and is so beautiful I don’t really want to tell you all about it. Welsummer is located in Harrietsham, a tiny village in the Maidstone District of Kent. The village sits on the slopes of the North Downs which are a ridge of chalk hills in the South East of England. They stretch for 120 miles from Farnham in Surrey to the White Cliffs of Dover in Kent and are an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. There is plenty on offer in Kent for the tourist, and in particular in the surrounding area to this campsite. The beautiful Leeds Castle is only a five minute drive away. There are numerous vineyards, cider farms and other tourist attractions all within easy reach of the site. Welsummer is just off of Lenham Road, and is surrounded by woodland and rolling fields. The road to Welsummer from the A20 is long and winding and it is best to follow the directions given by the owners rather than relying on SAT NAV as these will mislead you. Welsummer is not a well publicised site with signs invading the countryside. There is a little wooden plaque sign on the entrance, hidden in the bushes to the side of a dirt track. If you are arriving late you may not see this.

Welsummer has been open for two years now and is run by Med & Laura, who are happy to see visitors returning time and time again. The campsite has such a personal feel as the characters of Laura & Med come through in all the extra touches that most campsite owners would not think about. There are fresh cut wild flowers placed in random glass jars at the washing up points and throughout the site. Hand painted wooden signs welcome you to the woods, and reminds you of the eco friendliness of the site. Solar power showers hang from trees along with spinning decorations. Rustic wicker chairs and wooden stumps nestle among the meadow grass and at the washing point for those people waiting. On hot summer days a paddling pool is made available for the children to play in. In the case of Welsummer, it’s the finer details that make this campsite so enchanting.

Laura & Med welcome you to the campsite and settle you in showing you to your choice of available pitches. If you want to camp in the woods it is advisable to pre-book as there are limited pitches available. The Woods at Welsummer are so peaceful, full of bluebells in the spring, and you may spot wandering deer or foxes as you sit by your tent. If you are on a romantic weekend break a pitch in the woodland would be ideal, as on busy weekends the main fields tend to cater more for families and groups. Each pitch in the woods has been given its own name, such as the Pink Corner, and each has its own charm. There are footpaths that lead from the woodland to an orchard and a view point. If you are keen to explore the local area there is a map available with footpaths and the local Inn is only a 15-20 minute walk away.

The campsite is run with a sustainable and ecologically friendly ethos. Consideration is given to the local environment and many personal touches give this site a rustic feel. They are trying to preserve the woodland’s natural atmosphere and have strict rules about not collecting wood there. Wood is sold on the site and is either from the coppiced trees or from a local sustainable source. The showers, a new addition this year, are heated by a wood burning stove. So if you want a shower it is advisable to get up early, and don’t use more hot water than is necessary. There is a recycling point on the site so take a few spare bags with you to separate your refuse.

Laura & Med are keen to encourage campers to buy local produce and products from their organic garden are available. Free range chickens provide fresh eggs which you can buy in the camp shop along with other fresh seasonal produce. The camp office doubles up as the shop and offers basics like milk, cheese, homemade bread at weekends, cookies, ice lollies, fresh herbs and other staples. Breakfast is also available from the camp shop. Freshly cooked bacon or egg sandwiches, tea and coffee, or home made pancakes. Seeing children running back to their tents with pancakes covered in maple syrup is a welcome sight.

The facilities at Welsummer are basic but more than adequate; hopefully this will prevent most people from coming as this is not a large campsite. If you are camping in the woods it is a longer walk to the toilets. However there is talk of adding compost loos for the woodland pitches. The main facilities are housed within a wooden building and are as everything else on this site, filled with charm. With chalk boards on the doors marking the ladies and gents written in various foreign languages, more fresh wild flowers, and wooden stalls. There are two toilets, one for men and one for women, and there are two shower cubicles. The washing up point is also at the end of the facilities block and acts as a communal meeting point as campers chat whilst waiting their turn.

I have been well and truly won over by Welsummer and will be returning. I truly hope that this site never drastically changes and I wish Laura & Med every success with this site. I will be watching as they evolve this campsite over the years, and eagerly awaiting the new touches that will certainly add to this small real camper’s campsites charm.