Holidays in the UK aren’t cheap. A couple of nights away can quickly add up to the same as a budget flight and hotel abroad, which often makes a staycation feel like bad value.
But with the last of the summer sun slipping away, I wanted a quick break that didn’t leave me checking my bank balance in regret. That’s how I stumbled across Hopgarden Glamping in Kent, a site that promised a mix of comfort and countryside without the hefty price tag.
Just an hour’s drive from London, Hopgarden sits on five acres of green Kent countryside. It’s a family-run site that keeps things simple but welcoming, with wide open fields, quiet corners and a laid-back atmosphere.
Guests can choose between luxury shepherd’s huts with cosy interiors, roomy bell tents that sleep up to six, or traditional camping pitches if you’d rather bring your own gear. Each option has access to hot showers, a shared kitchen space, fire pits, and plenty of room to unwind under the stars.
We stayed in one of their bell tents, and I was surprised at how big it was inside. It has one double bed and four singles, each one kitted out with duvets and hot water bottles so you’re fine even if the evenings get chilly. Plus, the decoration was stunning!
Outside, the set-up was simple but thoughtful. There’s a small kitchen you share with just one other tent, and during our stay it was empty, so we had it to ourselves – plus a spotless portable loo and a shower hut.
The fire pit quickly became our favourite spot. We spent evenings toasting marshmallows and staring up at the sky, which reminded me just how rarely you actually see stars in London.
There’s a wide green patch in front of the tents, and because it wasn’t crowded, we had loads of space to spread out. We played games in the grass, I unrolled a mat for some morning yoga, and it felt like a slice of peace you’d never expect to find so close to London.
For Saturday lunch, we drove a few minutes into Royal Tunbridge Wells. It’s a historic spa town, full of Georgian buildings and cobbled streets.
Wandering through The Pantiles with its little cafés, market stalls and shops felt like stepping into a postcard. It’s the kind of place where you can spend an afternoon without rushing, just soaking it all in.
The next day, we explored Bewl Water, which is only a ten-minute drive from the campsite. It’s the largest stretch of open water in the South East, with over 800 acres of space to walk, cycle or paddleboard.
Families were out picnicking, kids were running down to the water’s edge, and the aqua park floating in the lake looked like a playground for grown-ups too.
After a relaxing walk along the shore, we visited the on-site Waterfront Café, which has a big terrace overlooking the reservoir. They serve everything from hearty burgers and loaded nachos to lighter bites like soup and jacket potatoes – and the best part is that dogs are welcome too!
Back at Hopgarden, the pace slowed again. With so much grass and quiet around us, we spent the nights chatting by the fire and the mornings with coffee outside our tent. It had all the magic of camping but with the extra touches that keep you comfortable.
At £220 a night for the bell tent, it works out at about £36 each if you’re six people sharing, which is less than a round of cocktails in London. If you book for two nights between Sunday and Thursday, they even knock off another 10 per cent.
Our host was so warm and welcoming that after our stay she sent us a discount code to come back – though honestly, we won’t need much convincing.
The huts are a bit pricier, at £60 per person, since they’re designed for only two people. Traditional camping pitches are the most affordable, starting at just £17.50 per person per night, with kids under two staying free and dogs welcome for £5 a night.
For me, it was the kind of weekend that showed how refreshing a UK holiday can be when you find the right place. You get the escape, the nature, the little adventures – all without the eye-watering costs we’ve come to expect.
You can find Hopgarden Glamping at Wadhurst, TN5 6QX. You can book it directly through their website or Booking.com. Prices start at £17.50 per person, per night.
