If you are looking for a real Darling Buds of May experience Manor Court Farm provides all that you need for a camping trip in the Garden of England.

Manor Court Farm welcomes campers and caravan users to stay and enjoy the farm atmosphere, the local countryside and wildlife, and be within easy reach of many different local attractions and activities in the ‘Garden of England'.

The campsite stretches through the old farm garden and tennis court area, round the brick and tiled Kentish farm buildings, and into a field with lovely views across to Ashdown Forest and the Medway valley. There are no marked sites.

Review

Manor Court Farm is a perfect informal campsite hidden away behind Tunbridge Wells in the surrounding Kentish countryside. We booked Manor Court Farm for an end of season camping trip with a group of friends and their child and were pleasantly surprised by the facilities and the atmosphere at this campsite. Manor Court Farm at first glance has the appearance of a basic campsite but on further glances has all that you would need for a short break in the beautiful Garden of England.

The campsite is set in the grounds of Manor Court Farm House. As you arrive you are directed to the farm house where you register and order any campfire wood that you need. The camping pitches are scattered around the farm house in the grounds surrounding old brick and tiled farm buildings and barns, and also within a main camping field. There are no clearly defined pitches just spaces surrounding fire pits. All of the pitches have designated fire pits and space for a few tents. On some pitches there are picnic tables and garden furniture otherwise there are tree stumps to use as tables and seats, this gives a more natural feel to the pitches.

We pitched in the main camping field as the other more secluded pitches were closer to the road. The space was between the pitches in the main field was more than adequate however if we were there on a busy bank holiday weekend I could imagine the pitching space may feel a little claustrophobic. Cars could be left in the main parking area if you needed more space but as we were only there for one night this meant that unloading was quicker with the car next to our pitch. One group of campers had turned up with their VW campervan and were pitched with another tent round the campfire. Amplified music is not allowed on the campsite but this group appeared to be a family of Ukulele players and kept the campers entertained with their musings. Another group visiting the campsite was a group of around 15 men who took full advantage of the football goal in the early evening. As the weather was so bitterly cold it was harder to sleep that night and the noise from the other campers in such close proximity did make it hard for a decent nights sleep especially for the younger of our group. But waking in the early hours to a frost decorated field was a spectacular sight to see, frost glinting off of the canvas tent in the early morning sun.

There are a few pitches with EHU if you so desire and there are spaces for caravans and campervans. This is the only real negative about this campsite. As we were out of season a majority of the sites regular visitors with their caravans had left them in storage in an old barn to the left of the main camping field. Not the perfect view you long for when looking for a camping retreat. However the other elements of this campsite more than made up for it.

There is a recently renovated cow barn that now houses the main camping facilities. The toilet and shower facilities are of a very high standard and are always thoroughly cleaned. This makes this campsite perfect for a longer stay. Also in the Cowshed is a microwave, washing machines and tumble driers, and a washing up point. So no matter what the weather you will have an opportunity to wash muddy clothes and warm them up before bed time in the tumble drier.

The Farm itself is located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, The High Weald, and provides a wealth of walks, wildlife spotting, and other outdoor activities. Kent itself is full of historic houses, Oast Houses and Hop Gardens, Farm Shops and farmer markets. The Spa Town of Tunbridge Wells is only a 10 minute drive away and offers hours of shopping for those glamping extras, and Canterbury is only half hour drive away. Hever Castle, the home of Anne Boelyn is a wonderful place to spend the day and in better weather makes the perfect spot for a picnic. The Enchanted Gardens are only a mile away and Pooh Corner and the Hundred Acre Wood are only 5 miles away. This is a great little campsite for the family and children will love the chickens roaming the fields and the rabbits in the pens at the front of farm.


Recommended For: Families looking for a simple campsite with good clean facilities in a central location.