Camping in Headcorn

Camping around Headcorn means pitching up in classic Kent Weald countryside — rolling orchard and hop-garden landscapes rather than dramatic coastline, with the added novelty of parachutists occasionally drifting overhead from the nearby aerodrome. As with the rest of England, wild camping is not legal here without the landowner's explicit permission, so stick to licensed campsites, certified sites and farm pitches in and around the village, several of which make the most of the gently rolling terrain with views across fields and orchards. The Weald's clay-and-greensand soil can turn heavy after wet weather, so those in tents are best planning trips for late spring through early autumn, when the ground is firmer and the days are long enough to make the most of walks along the Greensand Way or cycles through the lanes.

Late spring brings blossom in the orchards that ring the village, while summer is peak season for both camping and the aerodrome's flying and skydiving activity, so it's worth booking ahead for July and August weekends. Early autumn has its own appeal, with the hop and apple harvest under way and cooler, quieter evenings around the campfire, though pitches thin out and some smaller sites close for the season by October. For those who'd rather skip the tent pegs altogether, glamping options in the area — shepherd's huts, safari tents and converted oast-style pods — offer a comfortable way to enjoy the same orchard and farmland views, usually with proper beds and their own cooking facilities, and tend to stay open for a longer season than traditional camping.

Whichever way you camp, Headcorn's position roughly midway between Maidstone and Ashford, and a short drive from both Sissinghurst Castle Garden and Leeds Castle, makes it a well-placed base for exploring the Weald without moving your pitch each night. Good rail links from Headcorn station also mean campers without a car can still reach the village easily from London, then explore on foot, by bike or by local bus.