A small, family-run campsite in Kent is combining traditional camping with glamping and wellness offerings to attract a growing number of visitors seeking nature-focused breaks with added comfort.
Wild Woodland Retreat, located near the village of Elham in the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, provides a mix of accommodation types and activities intended to appeal to both campers and glampers.
Owned by Mark and Hannah Terry, the site offers six camping pitches and two year-round shepherd’s huts equipped with wood-burning stoves, showers, kitchenettes, and sleeping arrangements for up to four people.
The shepherd huts are priced from £150 per night and offer views of either woodland or the 23-acre valley. Standard camping and caravanning pitches are also available, and are both family- and dog-friendly.
Each camping spot includes a private area, with a choice of wooded or open valley settings. Basic facilities include two gas-powered hot showers and toilets, and fire pits are permitted, although subject to restrictions during dry weather.
What differentiates Wild Woodland Retreat is its emphasis on wellness activities, according to a report by News Shopper. Guests can take part in goat yoga sessions or guided goat walks with the site’s resident animals.
“Goat yoga sessions” are held outdoors and involve traditional yoga surrounded by the site’s herd of goats and sheep, including Golden Guernseys, Swiss Saanans, pygmy goats, and Swiss Valais Black Nose sheep.
Those who prefer walking can join guided treks through the countryside alongside the animals.
In addition to on-site offerings, the location provides access to several nearby attractions. The village of Elham is noted for its historical character, with over 40 listed buildings, a 13th-century church, and two traditional pubs.
Campers can also explore the Elham Valley Way, a walking trail running between Canterbury and Hythe. For those interested in local food and drink, the Elham Valley Vineyard, believed to be the oldest in the region, offers guided tastings within a short drive.
For outdoor hospitality operators, Wild Woodland Retreat illustrates how small, independent sites can diversify through experiential offerings that appeal to wellness-focused travelers.
With the rise of experiential travel in the glamping and camping sector, particularly among families and urban dwellers, this type of mixed-use, experience-rich accommodation model may be increasingly relevant for business owners looking to differentiate in a competitive market.
Featured image by Wild Woodland Retreat via wildwoodlandretreat.co.uk