Welsummer

Chalk House, Lenham Road, Kent ME17 1NQ

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We say

Teaser text:

Can't decide whether you prefer wood camping or field? Then make your mind up at this site which offers you both.

This is based on reviews from:

Cool Camping England find out more

and Tiny Campsites find out more

Cool Camping campsite review:

If you're one of those people who lie awake at night fretting over whether you prefer camping in a field or in a wood – there's no shame in it, there are millions of us out there – you'll be relieved to learn that there is a select posse of sites that offers both, one of which is Welsummer. On arrival, the site appears quite conventional: a short track off a minor road leads up to two small, flat camping fields. However, go through an unobtrusive gate underneath a beech tree and you enter a dense dark wood harbouring half-a-dozen pitches, which can only be described as naturalistic – the owners, Laura and Med, may have to point them out to you before you realise where they are. This is quite deliberate as Laura used to camp in these woods as a child and her aim is to offer others a taste of the joys she experienced back then. Situated on a smallholding with chickens roaming around a copse, bees zipping in and out of hives, and a miniature orchard containing native English apples, Welsummer is a laidback campsite that wears its quirky touches lightly (rainbow-coloured windsock, anyone?). Prepare to make friends here, too. This is the sort of place where meals are shared with strangers, especially with those who make the schoolboy error of not lighting their fire early enough in the evening to cook their jacket potatoes by a reasonable hour, so end up stuffing themselves with that haut cuisine of al fresco cooking: the halfincinerated marshmallow.

The basics:

Size: ³⁄₅ acre & 6 tiny pitches in wood. Pitches: 20 (0 hard standing). Terrain: Flat. Shelter: Trees on 2 sides. View: No. Waterside: No. Electric hook-ups: No. Noise/Light/Olfactory pollution: Distant rumble of M20 traffic.

The facilities:

Loos: 2 Unisex. Showers: 2 Unisex (free). NEW for 2011 a family bathroom perfect for campers with small children. Includes babybath, potty, rocking chair, low shower and sink. Other facilities: Shop selling basic foodstuffs, camping supplies, the smallholding’s own free-range eggs & organically grown veg; hot drinks & hot snacks served all day. Stuff for children: Trees to climb, ‘places to hide’. Recycling: Everything.

The rules:

Dogs: Max. 3 on site at any one time. Fires: Most pitches have a fire pit (firewood £3). Other: Acoustic instruments and fireside singing positively encouraged, but radios and other electronica frowned upon; no looting the woods for firewood.

Shop:

Lenham Village Store (2¼ miles) – small grocer’s and off licence; 01622 858255. Lenham is an attractive little market town whose shops include a deli and a chemist.

Nearest decent pub:

The Pepperbox Inn (Shepherd Neame), Windmill Hill, nr Ulcombe (¾ mile) – food comes highly recommended (no U14s allowed inside, but there is a beer garden); 01622 842558.

Out and about:

Leeds Castle (3¾ miles) – sheer stone-fortress perfection; 01622 765400. Biddenden Vineyards (11 miles) – wine tasting and 22 acres of vines to admire.

The damage:

Backpacker: Up to £15, Couple: Up to £18, Family: £20 plus

Open:

Apr–Oct.

You say

Reviews:

Welsummer

bethand

- Visited on: 10/11

5

Deciding to have a late-in-the-season last camping trip, I searched for the perfect campsite for us and Welsummer ticked every single box! As we arrived, the site was peaceful and after a warm welcome and organising the finances we were shown to our site in the woodland area. Far too few sites have anything other than a non-descript field but Welsummer's woodland camping is beautiful!

The pitch had its own fire pit so bought a bag of firewood (including kindling) and pitched our tents under the chestnut trees. Although the site was very quiet this late in the season, there were another group in the woods but we hardly heard a sound other than the wind in the trees and our fire crackling.

Welsummer, as has been mentioned in other reviews, is an absolute gem of a campsite. Although having camped in some beautiful locations, I can't remember a site than has more to offer if you're looking for a natural, peaceful and 'real' camping experience. The facilities are very pleasant with two showers and two loos and outdoor sinks for washing up and water containers.

Only just over an hour travel from the craziness of central London and a short taxi ride (best to book in advance, we found) we were all relaxed and enjoying the wonderful surroundings. Absolutely recommended and we'll be back as soon as possible!

Stayed in: tent pitch

Review submitted on: 12/10/11
Welsummer

rky

- Visited on: 08/11

5

We camped in the woods of this lovely site. Pitches are allocated to a point but you do have some choice of where to pitch. We arrived on a Friday evening, but although it was busy there was still plenty of space. There are fire pits by each pitch and campfire fun is encouraged. Our shady spot in the woods was peaceful and quiet. The site itself is beautiful, surrounded by heaving apple trees and a cherry orchard. The whole place is tidy and well kept.

There are only two showers (the site holds around 20 tents) but this was not a problem when we were there. The toilets are clean and flushing, no long drops here!

There is a small shop which sells local meat and eggs from Nugget and Spice (the resident chickens of the site) as well as wood, firelighters and marshmallows amongst other delights.

Stayed in: tent pitch

Review submitted on: 21/08/11
Welsummer

andynorris2

- Visited on: 08/11

4

Family of 4+ small dog - one night stay in our own tent. The minute you pull off the M20 and down into the heart of mid kent you feel relaxed - narrow lanes, orchards, and farm buildings. As you pull into the gate of this campsite you can sense it is special. After all this was why we selected it!

We had a great pitch catching the evening sun and plenty of grass - next to a meadow play field the size of Wembly. We had a lovely walk through the sites woods and through nearby orchards, picking endless wild blackberries from the hedgerows. Mid kent has some hills making wonderful views.

For food we stocked up in Lenham - 100% picture postcard with bakery (soso), village shop (bril), grocer (bril) and teashop (home baked).

Dinner in the campsite eating the owners oven warm bread (to order) and bacon.

All facilities feel eco (which we can live with), simple, clean with small touches that go the extra mile. Owners are a delight and happy to natter if you want, but never imposing the campers.

Would we come again - most certainly! And luxury tents look most tempting!

Stayed in: tent pitch

Review submitted on: 09/08/11
Welsummer

funky_delicious

- Visited on: 07/11

5

Awesome campsite in a beautiful location! My husband and I had a really chilled out 2 weeks in the gorgeous Kentish countryside and would definitely stay again!

Good bits - loads of space, campfires, friendly owners, local produce, lovely surroundings, close to lots of activities (walking, pub, Canterbury, coastal areas, castles etc.), environmentally friendly

On the flip side - you can hear the M20 at night but it is really not that bad, the toilets are communal (men and women) but its not the end of the world as the facilities are really clean and we never had to queue for the showers.

We took our own tent but the pre-erected tents looked amazing! If you are only staying for a couple of nights then it is definitely the way forward.

Overall, we wouldn't hesitate to stay again and are telling all of our friends and family about this gem of a campsite!

Stayed in: tent pitch

Review submitted on: 06/08/11
Welsummer

brommie

- Visited on: 07/11

5

Having had yet another great weekend camping at Welsummer I felt I had to write a review about this marvellous place. It has everything you need for a great time. I went with husband, kids (9 and 4), dog and another family who also had kids and a thoroughly good time was had by all.

Firstly, the pitches. They are a really good size and each has its own firepit. They are nicely spaced out so you don't feel squashed in. The facilities are decent, the new family bathroom is very useful especially if you have younger children - I wish it had been there when we first started going 3 years ago! The water is heated by log-burners, this is in keeping with Laura and Med's eco-friendly policy and practically anything can be recycled.

The kids have an absolute ball, be it playing in the field, exploring the woodland or simply chilling out around the campsite. Last weekend I barely saw my eldest. It is rare these days to find somewhere that children can have so much freedom. They also tend to meet new friends which is lovely for them all and really good for their social skills and confidence.

Welsummer is set in a lovely area and there is plenty to do (or nothing if that's what you've come for!). Leeds Castle is close by, as is the little village of Lenham or Headcorn (slightly larger).

I have recommended Welsummer to all my friends and they all agree what a truly special place it is.

Stayed in: tent pitch

Review submitted on: 26/07/11

They say

We have been running welsummer for 5 years now and hope we have helped make for a good few enjoyable camping adventures! Many families, young couples, and older ones too! have enjoyed peaceful afternoons under the beech tree accompanied by the songthrush and the perfume of the bluebells, the rustle of a pheasant through the undergrowth, a shady hideaway, reading a short story in the woods or the long grass, clubs and dens behind the fallen tree, inpromptu kite festivals and fire dancing, drums in the big field! A long and leisurely wander through the old apple orchards...and many more pleasant days. We don't have structured play areas or anything much structured at all actually, because we believe that the natural environment can provide hours of amusement and comfort in its own ways...that's why we encourage our campers to try and understand and respect the coutryside as it is and help us to sustain its equilibrium without wearing it out. If you come to camp here, we hope you will go home feeling relaxed, revitalised and grateful to mother nature for providing us with such delights. We now have 2 equipped bell tents and a ridge tent which is perfect for a quick getaway from the city. No need to stress about getting set up - the tents have everything you need for proper camping and campfire cooking.This year we have a new bathroom addition! for all those that found getting their little ones prepared for sleeptime, we have a family bathroom where you can all lock yourselves in together. Includes: baby bath, potty, rocking chair, low shower and sink. We hope you like it!

Availability:

We are open april to october. We close for winter because we need to get the grounds back into good condition, give things a chance to grow, renew, rujuvenate before next year. Book ahead! Weekends get mostly full and especially bank holidays so best not take a chance on turning up at the gate. Our pitches are allocated so full is complet!
We should be open by mid / end of April - before that if spring is early and the grass is good and green!