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Date of Visit: May 2022
Unit: Other
Reviewer: Webmaster
Please note this site no longer offers any touring or camping pitches
We stayed here for 2 nights as a weekend getaway that wasn't too far from home. The site is located down some typical Kent countryside lanes with little passing space; having lived in Kent for 23 years I'm used to driving on this kind of road.
The site itself seemed to be well presented with level camping pitches and a tap by each pair of electric hookups. The toilet blocks are nearby the camp site and appear to have been recently renovated; they are checked/cleaned once an hour throughout the day.
While we were staying the main hall and bar area of the site was closed off as it was being renovated too, given some time to complete the work this may well turn out to be quite a nice campsite.
Other than the swimming pool there isn't much here for kids throughout the day, but there are certain clubs and events at the main building such as a Cinema club, kids bingo etc.
Arrived to Sutton Vale up a very long and winding Kent country road, beautiful views over the fields and through little pockets of houses, quite hairy at night though because it was a one track road with passing places.
The campsite is located in the sports field at Sutton Vale Caravan Park, easily found after directions from the helpful receptionist.
We were camping, without electric, and there seemed to be only around 8 or 9 non electric pitches, but plenty of electric pitches.
Unfortunately our pitch was on a slope and so whilst we pitched as flat as possible, we were on a slight incline, which proved a little uncomfortable at night.
We camped on a Bank Holiday weekend, and there were lots of families/large groups of people. We were on our own, but those who were in groups all seemed to have been able to camp together, probably helped by your being able to book specific pitches, which were numbered. The pitches were large enough to pitch our 6 man family tent, we could have easily had a larger tent in the space. There was also plenty of water standpipes at regular intervals around the site providing fresh water.
There were toilets located on the sports field, along with a washing up area. The toilets, whilst kept clean hourly, could have done with a little TLC.
The showers were located a short walk away and, again, kept clean hourly. I liked the showers which were not push button type, they had good water pressure, meaning you were able to get a thorough shower. They never seemed to be busy, and I only ever encountered one other person in the shower per day, despite the campsite being full. In this area there was also a laundry with washing machines and dryers, a sluice room, another washing up area and more toilets.
There was also a swimming pool on site, which, whilst could have done with being a little cleaner, was a welcome addition for my two children, we enjoyed a good hour in there, again, it was not too busy.
There was also a bar which served food and advertised Sunday Lunches, they had entertainment on Friday/Saturday night, but I did not go in myself so cannot comment on this.
The campsite would benefit from a small shop for essentials, since the nearest shop was three miles away, all be it a very large Tesco. Around the area of Tesco, there was also a few other local shops, including a very lovely fish and chip shop.
Be warned, the campsite has a joining fence with a local farmer who, when we were there, was spraying his crops which cause a bit of a pong, but. We were in the country, so what else could you expect!
All in all, despite it being a very busy Bank Holiday Weekend, we had a lovely time. The other campers, whilst making quite a bit of noise within their various groups, all kept to the music/noise curfew meaning our children were able to get a good night sleep every night.
Staff and permanent residents are extremely friendly and welcoming
Bar prices are reasonable and the food prices look good (didn't eat in)
Camping area is just a field but its pretty flat with electric and water on each pitch
Now for the negatives
Pretty much the same as all the other reviews. It's very tired and quite grubby
Swimming pool looked grimy so much so that my sons didn't want to go in
Toilets don't have paper soap etc dryers don't work
Playground non existent
In conclusion
It's a shame because this could be a lovely little site and the people are so friendly unfortunately it looks like the owners have decided to stop investing in even basic maintenance
Set in 500 acres of beautiful, rolling Kent countryside. The Oast village on site is the World's largest Oast house collection and makes for a spectacular backdrop. Grass and hardstanding pitches for caravans, tents and motorhomes with electric option. Modern toilets and showers and multiple washing up facilities.
Small shop onsite and pub/restaurant at the entrance. The River Medway flows through the site, providing idyllic waterside pitches. Make the most of the location and try your hand at canoeing or fishing or simply sit back, unwind and enjoy wildlife spotting. Five minutes' drive from Paddock Wood station and trains to London Find out more here
On arrival we were directed to our 'weed' ridden pitch. The approach to the campsite is down a very narrow lane where we encountered a huge tractor pulling a trailer. This caused total gridlock with me having to ask multiple annoyed drivers to reverse. Then the old lady whose house this was happening outside decided to use this moment to start shouting at me about how she's 'sick of it always happening'. The response from the lady in the campsite reception? Just laughed at me. As the previous review mentioned, the shower block is very tatty and in desperate need of an update. One of the showers didn't work but no sign was up to say this which made it very annoying when I'd stripped off and got myself ready only to find it was a slow drip rather than a shower. The pool is about the only saving grace here. The bar is shabby and there's nothing for the kids. Do not go here, I'm sure there are better places around located for an early morning ferry from Dover.
Don't bother going if you have kids. No playground, except for one hand made swing from a tree, no Kids Club - despite this being advertised on their website! No hardstandings. The campsite looks shabby as you drive in and the toilet block is awful, a portacabin type of building. This could be a lovely site if time and money were put into it. We left after one night and moved to another site. Say no more.
I spent a VERY enjoyable week at the site but this was due to the weather, its location & the attractions around it rather than the facilities on site.
The visitors camping ground is large & fairly flat with electric hook-ups & water on most of the pitches. The pitches are quite generous in size. The site claims quite a few facilities on its page but some are exaggerated & some non-existent. Showers are grubby & rarely work properly being either far too hot-scalding, in fact, or coming out at a cool dribble. Touring toilets are in a Porta-cabin near the field entrance, again VERY grubby & basic with no soap or hand drying available. Units were in place for these things but never filled. The wash-up place is another Porta-cabin next to the toilets & very basic with hot & cold water & 3 sinks. The shower block is about 100mtrs from these. Cleaning is, maybe, once a day. There is a laundry but I never used it. There is NO TV room or even a working TV in the 'clubhouse' (the Sky box had been removed to the local pub). The 'games room' is a pool table (untried) & 4 10p slot machines. Evening entertainment is, maybe, on a Saturday evening late in July & during August. Nothing else! The bar is quite good & can provide bar snacks like burgers & chips & coffee etc. So, I suppose it could be construed as a 'café', of sorts. There is NO restaurant or café (other than the rather limited range from the bar) although if pre-ordered, on a Sunday (only) a lunchtime meal can be sent down from the local pub, the owners of which are the same as that of the camp site (food at the pub is excellent, by the way!). Internet access is available in the clubhouse ONLY even though I was told by phone that it was site wide.
The pool is very good although rather run-down. It has been partly filled in to make it shallower so no life-guard is needed but gives a good swim & does have a reasonable working shower. There is a toddler’s shallow section in the pool & 2 changing cubicles on the surround.
The on-site staff are very friendly & helpful & a pleasure to interact with, as are the permanent residents seen in the clubhouse/bar.
This site needs investment to bring it up to anything like modern standards but if you are self-reliant & don't want all the 'frills' of a busy, fun filled, entertainment packed holiday site then this one is fine & at, what I think, are reasonable rates (book on-line for a generous discount).
There are many places to visit around the whole of the area but be aware of the local roads! They are often single track with passing places & some idiots use them as racetracks! Be Warned!
As I said at the start, I had a very enjoyable weeks stay. It was a beautiful, relaxing & peaceful stay, but don't expect anything glamorous if you visit!
Pros, great site for Dover and surrounding areas. Lovely pitches with EHU and water standpipes. Not cramped with plenty of room.
Cons, toilets and showers very run down. Although its stated they are cleaned hourly they were filthy and had not been deep cleaned for sometime.
If they paid more attention to keeping standards up this site would be A1. As it is its 'could do better'. Great pub just up the road serves good honest pub food called the Plough Inn.
' We did have 2 years ago' was the standing joke on this holiday. On the web site they clam to have a children's play area, there is sign posts directing you to one, but we couldn't find it. So we asked the cleaner who replied ' we haven't had it for about 2 years. ' The next day I need some bread so I tried to find the shop that is advertised on the web site. After looking for a while I asked the receptionist who replied ' We haven't had a shop for about 2 years. '
However this didn't put us off the pitches were lovely and flat with a water tap in between every 2 pitches. Although a lot of campers it wasn't crowed there was a very large area in the centre of the camping field for playing ball games etc.
The toilets by the camping field were basic but were very clean. The shower block is more modern with 3 showers in each man and ladies again clean with plenty of hot water, once I had worked out how to use them.
There was children's entertainment but my daughter felt she was a bit old for it ( she is nearly a teenager) we did go to children's bingo one night which she enjoyed.
The staff were all very pleasant and helpful. The best thing on the site is the heated indoor swimming pool all not that big the kids and adults a like loved it.
Tescos is only a short drive away As is Dover and Deal.
There is a short walk through the corn field which leaders to a friendly country pub.
We went with friends for 4 nights and are all ready planing to go back for a week next year. They did say they are hoping to build a new children play area in the autumn. We had a great holiday at a very responsible price. Book on line to get a discount.
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Common Questions
Is Sutton Vale Country Park child friendly? YES, it accepts children & has a playground View all facilities
Does Sutton Vale Country Park have a swimming pool? YES, there is a pool on site View all facilities
Where is the nearest shop to Sutton Vale Country Park? There is a shop within 5 miles View all facilities
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
All reviews and comments are the personal opinion of the review author only , and as such do not represent the view of the UK Camp Site.co.uk.
The facilities shown on this website are a guide only, and you should check with the campsite direct before making any booking. The UKCampsite.co.uk will not be held responsible for any errors or omissions
No Tents 
No Caravans 
No Motorhomes 
No Campervans 
No Glamping Units 
Holiday Homes for Hire 
Holiday Homes for Sale 
No Seasonal Pitches 
No Electric Hookups 
No Hardstandings 
No Fully Serviced Pitches 
Families Welcome 
Not Members Only 
No Rallies 
Not Naturist Site 
Dogs Welcome 
No Dogs Allowed 
Groups Welcome 
Toilet Facilities 
Hot Showers 
No Washing Up Area 
No Bathroom 
Baby Changing Facilities 
Laundry On Site 
Drinking Water 
Disabled Friendly 
No Chemical Disposal 
No Battery Charging 
Gas Exchange 
Recycling Facilities 
No Kitchen Facilities 
No Freezer / Fridge 
No Motorhome Point 
Wifi Access 
Shop <5 miles 
Bar On Site 
Restaurant or Cafe or Takeaway On Site 
Kids Playground 
TV Room 
Games Room 
Evening Entertainment 
Fishing <5 miles 
Wild Swimming <1 mile 
Indoor Pool On Site 
No Outdoor Pool 
Horse Riding <1 mile 
Cycle Hire <5 miles 
Golf <5 miles 
No Tennis 
Beach <5 miles 
Watersports <5 miles 
Boat Launch / Mooring <5 miles 
No Sea Views 
Not Working Farm 
No Campfires Allowed 
Open All Year 
No Waterside Pitches 
Public Transport On Site
No Dog Walk 
Please note this site no longer offers any touring or camping pitches
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