Where to Stay, Something Different!

Looking for a Kent getaway with a little more character than a standard hotel room? Around Ashford and Tenterden, you can swap the familiar hotel stay for a shepherd’s hut, safari lodge, treehouse or even an overnight wildlife experience.

Whether you want countryside tranquility, a touch of luxury or something the whole family will remember, here are some of the area’s most unusual places to stay.

Wake up in a shepherd’s hut

For a cosy countryside escape, shepherd’s huts offer one of the simplest ways to experience the Kent landscape without giving up the comforts of a proper holiday.

Oxney Organic Estate offers a peaceful take on this increasingly popular style of accommodation, while the Romney Marsh Shepherds Huts provide another chance to stay in a beautifully designed rural retreat inspired by traditional shepherds’ accommodation.

For a particularly scenic option, the Shepherd’s Hut at Tenterden Trout Waters sits in a sheep field overlooking the fishery, with views across the valley towards Tenterden Church. Guests can also use the nearby Fishery Lodge, making it an appealing choice for a peaceful rural break.

Go wild with a safari-style stay

You don't need to travel to Africa for a safari-inspired overnight adventure.

Bear Lodge at Port Lympne offers a glamping experience within the wildlife reserve, while the wider Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve is famous for its collection of unusual accommodation and immersive wildlife stays.

For something even more memorable, Tiger Lodge places guests close to the reserve's tigers, with large picture windows providing views into the enclosure. It's certainly not your everyday hotel room.

Try luxury glamping

Glamping is a great middle ground between camping and a traditional self-catering holiday — particularly if the thought of putting up a tent fills you with dread.

Wood View Farm Glamping is one local option, while Wheatfields Luxury Glamping offers spacious safari lodges on the edge of Romney Marsh, with features including wood burners, hot showers and comfortable beds.

Nearby Longberry Farm also offers luxury canvas bell tents in Bethersden, which are perfect for group bookings.

Choose a countryside cabin

If a secluded cabin is more your style, there are plenty of options around Ashford and Tenterden. Eversleigh Woodland Lodges offers woodland accommodation in Shadoxhurst, while McCanns Brewery in Tenterden feature four designed cabins set among hop fields and wildflower meadows.

These kinds of stays make a great base for exploring the Weald, vineyards, villages and countryside — or simply staying put and enjoying the peace.

Make your stay part of the adventure

One of the best things about visiting Ashford and Tenterden is that the accommodation can be an experience in its own right. From cosy shepherd’s huts and luxurious glamping tents to treehouses and wildlife lodges, there are plenty of ways to make a short break feel genuinely different.

So, when planning your next Kent escape, don't just ask where should we go? Ask where should we sleep?