Hawthorne Trench Campsite
Cullens Hill, Canterbury CT4, UK
View on Google MapsA campsite near Elham
About Hawthorne Trench Campsite
When it comes to rural bases in south-east England, Hawthorne Trench Campsite is a prime pick. This 20-acre grass field delivers heaps of space for choosing your own pitch, framed by Kent Downs views and genuine tranquillity – though the facilities stretch only to toilets, showers and washing-up, keeping things refreshingly simple. Half a mile from Elham village, you're within easy reach of three pubs, a café and a village store, plus public footpaths lead straight from the field into local woods and forests for excellent walking.
The intriguing name references a 250-metre World War I trench system on-site, complete with British and German sections separated by no man's land; guests can book tours on arrival to explore this little patch of history. Families and groups are welcome, though dogs aren't allowed because of the resident sheep and horses – you may spot wild bats, badgers and owls instead. Day trips to Leeds Castle, Howletts Wild Animal Park and Canterbury are all within reach.
Photos
Photos via Google
Can I bring...?
Pitch types
- Non-electric grass and earth tent pitch
Pitch details as listed by the booking provider — availability and exact pricing shown at checkout.
Facilities
Takeaway & food delivery
Handy if you fancy a night off cooking — here's what delivers near this site.
Deliveroo — 100 restaurants nearby
McDonald's
Burger King
Pizza Hut Delivery
KFC
Subway
Checked 26 Aug 2026 — always confirm on deliveroo.co.uk before ordering, as coverage can change.
Nearest supermarkets
Handy if you're self-catering or need to stock up on arrival.
- Lidl, Folkestone 3.9 miles
- Tesco 4.5 miles
- Sainsbury's, Folkestone 4.9 miles
- Morrisons 5.4 miles
- Aldi, Hythe 6 miles
- Asda 6.1 miles
- Co-op, Shepherdswell 6.1 miles
Straight-line distances — the drive will be longer. Store data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
What visitors say
Offering a very classic camping experience.... and, a great trench tour experience. Fire pits available 👌 Hot shower 👌 Toilets 👌 Lots of space (lots and lots) 👌 No road noise 👌 Tea and coffee with kettle 👌 Communal Fridge 👌 And more.... Found this beauty by chance and what a find. Stayed for 2 nights and wished it were longer. For sure we will be back. Great sense of community, excellent host. Great for little ones as there is space to run around.
3 years ago · via Google
A wonderful place to relax, especially with children - it's clean, safe, lots of space to run and play. No traffic noise, wonderful silence at night and beautiful sky during the night and the day. The host is a very nice person, provides everything you need and even more: a communal fridge, a kettle with coffee and tea, clean toilets and a shower with hot water, fire pits also available. On the campsite there is a list of nearby hospitals and other relevant useful information. And the most important thing for me is that there are large distances between the tents. If you are looking for peace and contact with nature, this place is for you. I will definitely go back there again with my family.
2 years ago · via Google
This is an amazing campsite, clean, picturesque. Richard who runs the site is outstanding, he is full of useful knowledge about the local area. There are two toilets and a shower. There are washing up facilities. All are kept to a high standard. We had a truly amazing time.
5 years ago · via Google
Lovely site, simple facilities (just toilets, shower, and washing up area, fire pits hire, and logs available to buy), with horses nearby, and sheep grazing around. Was quite pleasant, with Elham (with shop and pubs) just half a mile away, and the owner was very helpful.
5 years ago · via Google
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