Hawthorn Farm
Martin Mill
Dover
Kent
CT15 5LA
Tel: (01304) 852658
Pitches : tents, touring caravans and motor homes.
Facilities :shop, café, shower and toilet block, laundry
Open : March 1st to October 31st or to end of November by arrangement
We took the camper to this site for 2 nights in early April.
Hawthorn Farm is situated midway between Dover and Deal and only a couple of miles from St Margaret’s Bay. It’s the closest campsite to the port of Dover (4 miles) and there are plenty of places to visit nearby.
The site is set in 28 acres of landscaped gardens in the tiny village of Martin Mill, which amazingly, has a railway station with regular trains to London! There site is surrounded by fields and is very quiet, even though the railway line is close by, the trains are few and far between and not at all noisy. We never seemed to hear any at night at all.
There are grass and hard standing, flat pitches with electrical hook-up. They are not obviously numbered (but are on the site map in the office) so, although we were allocated a particular site, when we cam back on the first night from a trip out, another camper was parked in our space. This was not a problem as there was another space right next to it – but it could be, if you returned after a day out, when the office was shut and then you had nowhere to park!
Facilities include a wonderful modern shower, washing up and laundry block which is centrally heated and kept beautifully clean. There is a shop and a small café - we didn’t try it, but it looked very nice and the postman seemed to eat there both days we were staying, so that may be a recommendation! The site is quiet, well planted with hedges and trees and there are plentiful water points (all lit at night). There are a number of static caravans on site, but they are privately owned and not for hire.
The member of staff in reception was friendly and welcoming when we arrived (we did pre-book by ‘phone), but it’s worth noting that the reception appeared to keep office hours – not the best arrangement if you have a problem after closing! Entry to the park is by a swipe card (£10 deposit required).
We found that you did need to drive to go anywhere. There is a pub serving food, within a few minutes walk, but the lane is steeply banked in parts with no footpath – not very safe, particularly after dark and if you have small children and buggies with you. We drove to Deal where we ate a huge meal of tasty fish and chips sitting in the camper on the seafront. It did say “no motor caravans”, but hey! Who cares about that?
Camping fees:
In high season a pitch for a motor home, 2 people and electrical hook-up is £18 per night. Be warned if your camper is over 7m, this goes up to a whacking £25 per night! Not a problem for us T25 owners!
In low season this becomes £14.75 and 320 respectively.
Discount of 10% for 4 nights pre-booked and paid for on arrival.
One dog allowed at £1.50 per night.
Extra adults are £3 -£3.50 per night and children (5-16) £1.75 - £2.00 per night.
Things to see and do:
Walmer Castle (the residence of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports)
South Foreland Lighthouse (a Victorian lighthouse now non-commissioned and owned by the National trust*– get a fascinating tour and insight into the life and work of an old lighthouse).
Dover Castle
The White Cliffs of Dover (National Trust* car park where you can watch the port activities and the ferries). It has a visitor centre with refreshments.
Dover Museum
Deal Castle
St Margaret’s Bay and St Margaret-at-Cliffe
*Get National Trust membership for £34.50 (usually £46). Click here to register and get your membership
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