Glamping is definitely a trend that has grown incredibly in the past few years, so much so that even the rich and famous are heading out of town just to explore the countryside and instead of checking into exclusive hotels, are opting for a ‘five star’ experience in one of the great Glamping sites springing up all over the UK.
There is nothing better and more bonding for a couple or family, than sitting around a camp fire cooking and reminiscing, and in the absence of electricity, it is wonderful to switch off from the World and turn back the clock to those joyful pre internet days when communication was conversation.
One location I have tried and would recommend is Nethergong in Kent, which has been long established as a camping site, and now extremely well equipped with everything you would need for Glamping, if you wanted to stay in one of their Shepherds Huts, Bell Tents or Romany caravans.
Nethergong is a family run business who take care to ensure all of their guests have everything they need for a delightful Glamping experience.
They have a two-acre wood with tall, evenly-spaced poplar trees and grass underfoot. In addition to Glamping there are several grassed camping areas, including the First Field, the Fruit Trees, the Carp Lake and the New Duck Pond. Some areas can be let exclusively to groups of families dependent on availability and numbers. See their Map for more details.
One of our most popular areas is either side of our shallow Frog Pond, populated by many marsh and common frogs, toads, dragon flies and damselflies and the odd grass snake! The frog pond is suitable for pond dipping and paddling and nets can always be found in their shop (our best seller). Their one-acre Carp Lake can be fished by campers and is not open to the public. Every morning at 10am Jed, the owner, can be found with a throng of children feeding the carp which compete with the swans and the ducks for the food.
History of Nethergong
In the early 90’s Jed’s father planted 3000 English broad-leaved trees on our 26 acre piece of beautiful Kent countryside. Jed then dug out two lakes and more recently stocked the carp lake with thousands of carp for our campers enjoyment. Their oak, ash, willow, elm and beech trees are their pride and joy and at 25 years old are now coming to maturity.
Environment
The natural and unspoilt nature of Nethergong enables hundreds of wildlife species to thrive and live harmoniously with their temporary human guests. The wildlife includes:
- Hundreds of frogs. The marsh frogs’ chorus (best heard from April to July) has to be heard to be believed
- A resident swan family who have raised a brood for the past three years
- Rare dragonflies and damselflies
- Coots, moorhens and ducks of all varieties
- Newts, lizards and bats
- Rare visiting Turtle Doves
- Cuckoos in spring
- Nightingales singing at night
- Owls – From the riverbank you can also see the Barn Owl nesting boxes across the far side of the field. They also have Little Owls and Tawny Owls
- Marsh Harriers and Buzzards.
Glamping is ideal if you are travelling with kids and multi generations, some of whom may be in need more of their home comforts. This gives the family the outdoor experience, but will enable them to cook their favourite meals, if the tastes differ within a family. For instance, two members of my ‘tribe’ have special dietary requirements, whilst the others enjoy a good steak or burger. Mission accomplished and everyone catered for and the entire family happy and able to enjoy their holiday to the full.
Check out Nethergong for yourself at http://www.nethergongcamping.co.uk/
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