Ignore the three stars for an overall review - you need to take this place in context. If you want…read moresomewhere to go to have a very peaceful break in the countryside, this is for you. It's like a static caravan park but with log cabins instead of plastic caravans. They're actually really nice, and we stayed in the bog standard one which was lovely despite the grade. It was warm, dry and with an absolutely magnificent view of the valley just outside of Battle where Crowhurst Park nestles. One nice touch was the small pack of sponge and J-Cloth in the kitchen, one of those silly little things on a self-catering holiday that make it fun in a nerdy way! It's REALLY quiet, possibly favouring the older generations, although there is a health centre with a swimming pool and an adventure playground for the kids. There is a restaurant, bar, small café and a shop. There's also a small games room with a couple of arcade games and a pool table. The café serves a nice cooked breakfast but we didn't eat in the main restaurant or drink in the bar. Nearby Battle and Hastings have plenty for the fellow history buffs out there yet Battle still maintains an element of life in the form of pubs and restaurants in the evenings. The views really are something special, and with a lot of land to wander around it is the perfect getaway. It's relatively expensive for what it is, and it's not a destination for a young family, and that's why it gets three stars, but a fabulous place to stay for the right reasons.

We had 2 cabins in the summer, shame about the weather, but thank goodness for the heated indoor…read moreswimming pool. We used it at least once a day and were impressed with the lifeguards and the cleanliness. The cabins were comfortable and roomy. they had lots of storage and a good level of equipment. All the staff were friendly. Its a shame that the main tarmac road through the park was a bit of a race track at times mainly from people going to the gym and not residents. let the safe feel down. I think that a few speed bumps or a couple of timely placed bollards would helpor a fence would help. The location of various supermarkets is great..thanks satnav. The traffic in the summer though is awful It took us hours to wind our way down from the m25. I loved Battle what a pretty village. Great Place to stay with young kids.

A nice, cheap afternoon out at this traditional little farm. Enough of the big animals (cows, sheep…read moreetc) for the kids but not so many it gets dull, and a lovely pets corner where the kids can handle rabbits, guinea pigs etc. There are some pets for sale at times of the year and you can order a free range turkey for Christmas, though you have to be quick - we went at the end of the summer holidays and they were all taken! Little farm shop selling their own produce which is all gorgeous, and the cafe sells lots of their own homemade food too. Just the right size for a morning out with a delicious lunch and a nice happy car ride home with the tired little cherubs!

This is a one of our favourite certified locations with the camping & caravan club site. The…read morepitches are the largest i've ever seen and the site is extremely well kept. Our children love this location for its space and the animals on the site (horses, pigs, lambs). When the sun is shining the location of this site means its extremely peaceful and relaxing. The facilities include running water and a CDP but thats about it, but thats pretty much all you need at this site. In the surrounding areas there are some lovely walks, rides and pubs with plenty of stores a short drive away. Its proximity to Canterbury, Ashford and more means you've got plenty to visit as well. Highly recommended. Please note that the URL on this page is incorrect. Its missing the .org

I went along to Port Lympne to stay at the Livingstone Lodge as staying in a African type situation…read morehas always been a dream of mine. Firstly you start of your adventure by meeting your other fellow campers in the lounge area and enjoying a glass of champagne. You are then led onto a safari truck to start your safari. Before this safari I had already done one around the park and the safari was not really that much different apart from the photo stops along with a talk from the ranger about the animals in a more full in depth way and the safari that you get with your stay does not include a Meercat stop. After the safari we went to Livingstone Lodge where the tents are at. I must admit I was impressed by the tent (Rhino) on my first impression. When I pulled back the entrance and saw my bed I was really impressive. The bed had a set of towels nicely folded with some toiletries on them. The four poster bed was very comfy with its foam mattress however my four poster bed did not have a top to it which was very odd. In the tent you even get an electric heater to keep you warm at night which was very useful. The housecoats was also very comfy and snugly that are provided. Would be good to have some throwaway slippers though. The view from the tent was quite good as well as we were set central to the watering hole however there was a annoying central bush behind the watering hole that did obscure quite a bit of our view and the animals tended to be set right back and behind the bush not that that's Port Lympne thought as they are animals after all. Also the animals never came to the watering hole when we stayed there which was huge disappointment not even in the early hours of the morning as I kept on getting up to check. Me and my husband was also woken up quite a lot by the seagulls and ducks that kept landing on the watering hole and quacking. Also when the keeper in the morning came along in a truck with feed for the animals she fed them quite a long way off from the tents (one feeding far right away from the restaurant and other feed set right back behind watering hole behind the centre bush so if staying in Rhino tent which we was we could not see the animals feeding). Here is a list of all the different tents that you can choose to stay in: Lowest priced tents are the Eland and Zebra (set back from watering hole and behind front tents and next to communal shower/toilet block) and the Elephant tent (sixth tent in front and right of watering hole) which have two single beds (with sprung mattress) (WARNING person that stayed in elephant tent said her bed was so uncomfortable and she could feel all the springs in her mattress). The ensuite tents are the African Wild Dog (first tent in front of safari field from path and in front of big bush that divides from the communal shower/toilet block), Buffalo (second tent at front), Gorilla (seventh tent in front), Monkey (eight tent in front and near to restaurant) and they have single beds but these single can attach together The tents that have a double or four poster in is the Cheetah (third tent at front just left of watering hole), Rhino (fourth in front center of watering hole), Lion (firth in front just right from watering hole) (with foam mattress) but NO ensuite however communal shower/toilet was only down path. If I was going to choose any of these if I went again i would properly choose the Lion tent as was right in front and right to the wartering hole so view looked like it might of been better and their balcony was more forward than other tents but if you want a tent with a ensuite then maybe the Gorilla tent. The restaurant is lovely how it is laid out but I feel that there should be just one long table to sit everyone not two tables. Main table on front of window sat 14 people then there was a corner table that sat 6. I felt that the 6 people on the corner table was left out from the main party/campers. Also they did not have a direct outlook of window. The meal you get is really good. Firstly you have starters of a sausage and some salad then followed by spicy chicken and some fillet steak which is cooked on a open inside barbecue the steak was delicious and melted in my mouth. However I was disappointed by the garlic prawns I was expecting to see big prawns with shell on still but instead of that it was peeled prawns in a luke warm mild garlic sauce in a silver tray. The rice was also just luke warm and there was some salad options to choose as well. Also you only get quarter of a mushroom served with two little cubes of goats cheese why cant they serve a whole miushroom to each I don't know. Also the plates was cold. There was also some fruit on side but not a good amount in fact only 4 strawberries cut into quarters and there was 19 of us staying on site so I felt like I could only take one quarter of the strawberry. The desserts were ok hot pineapple or chocolate cake. After the meal you can all sit do

What can I say about this experience. Just incredible! The…read moreday started at 4pm with a glass of bubbly, bags were whisked away to our tent and we began our safari with our ranger, David. David was incredibly knowledgeable and clearly has a real passion for conservation and for all the animals at the park. We absolutely loved the safari, especially the giraffes who came right up to the jeep to say hello. We then arrived at our tent which was beautiful, big comfy bed, fluffy robes and lovely en suite* facilities. We had a couple of hours before dinner so we sat on the veranda with a bottle of wine** to watch the animals - rhino, ostrich, lechwe, zebra and giraffe to name but a few! We chose an en-suite tent (Monkey) which was nearest to the restaurant and also on the front row with a fab view of the watering hole and all the animals. Evening meal was served in the Lappa restaurant where we enjoyed the company of other guests, food was great too and included in the safari price. The next morning we returned to the restaurant for a terrific breakfast, then onto the jeep for another safari and then back to base camp where our luggage had been delivered and then the rest of the day was ours. We absolutely loved this trip, it was worth every penny and I would highly recommend to everyone! * Pay the extra and book an en-suite!!! ** Alcohol is available at the restaurant but feel free to bring your own to enjoy at the tent :)

The oldest preserved main-line steam railway in the UK is still one of the best…read more The main base is at Sheffield Park station, near the National Trust gardens of the same name. The main locomotive sheds are here, with lots of steam engines to look at, plus a large shop selling railway items, a cafe and restuarant and a small museum display. Of course, a ride behind a steam engine is a must. Frequency depends on the season, but a round trip takes about an hour and a half. There are special evening restaurant trains with fine dining aboard a Pullman car (advance booking required) and 'Thomas the Tank Engine' days for the kids. You can easily spend a whole day here. Winter-time trains are especially evocative as the stations are still lit by gas lamps. The website also lists information for wheel-chair users (a special carriage is available). Once part of the East Grinstead - Lewes line, they are currently rebuilding the link into East Grinstead. If you come by car, go to Sheffield Park station. If not, there is a bus link from the National Rail station at East Grinstead to Kingscote, the current terminus, in summer, which connects with the trains.

What can be said about an evening on the Golden Arrow. I remember, as a child, having a meal on a…read moretrain in the early 50's. Something, I thought, that couldn't be brought back. How wrong I was. I booked a double table for my partners birthday present. Immediately, on arrival, we were guided to the Bessemer Arms by the Station Master. Nice to have a few drinks before boarding the train. Plenty of seating, inside and out, in this renovated station. All details were explained as we sat and drank. The train arrived and we were then able to board. Yes, it took us back decades. The table was beautifully laid out with the bottle of wine I had ordered. Comfy, very comfy, seating. Pre-dinner drinks were ordered from the very well stocked bar. These arrived very promptly. Food service throughout the journey was typically based in the era, full Silver Service. Not many can do this these days but those guys and girls were perfect in their smart uniforms. The food was extremely tasty but, as oldies, in vast quantities so it may have seemed that we didn't like it. Totally untrue, the food was delicious but too much for us. As I said, service was second to none. Very professional but, so friendly too. We loved the whole evening. Unfortunately in Ashdown, a Pullman going back to the 50's, they hadn't quite finished the refurbishment as the table lights did not work but, I am sure, this is an ongoing, and costly, plan for the future. It did not detract from a wonderful evening for which we thank all the volunteers (that mustn't be forgotten) for their work in making it so.

As far as I can tell this store stocks just about everything the outdoor enthusiast (or novice in…read moremy case) may need. The staff are really approachable and helpful. There is very often a sale on here so really handy for those on a tighter budget will be doing much of my festival shopping here this year.

The Ashdown Forest Visitor Centre is located just outside Wych Cross. It has a small museum about…read morethe Forest and also an area for temporary displays. When I visited there was a display of the Forest at war from the Bronze Age up to the First World War. There is a small shop selling books and small gifts, and a large collection of leaflets and maps. Several of these give details of walks around the area. There is also an Education area, which is presumably for groups of school children and the like. There are also boards detail what the Rangers are currently doing, where the sheep are grazing and what birds can be seen. Also, and most important, there are clean tiolets! As there are no other public ones in the Forest, I suggest you make a note of their location! There are several car parks within a ten minute drive from here where you can explore the Forest at will, but I would suggest coming here first. And watch out for the deer - on the ten minute drive from here to Hartfield I must have seen a dozen cross the road in front of me. Only problem was the camera was in the boot of the car - so keep yours handy if you want to get some pictures.

There are 2 parts to Knole, the House and the Park. The Park…read moreis huge and free to visit as long as you don't use the Car Park, otherwise there is a charge. In the Park there are plenty of nice walks, the deer strolling around and beautiful scenery. As a bonus then there is a coffee shop at the House that you can use when the House is open. The House is an interesting visit most renowned for the connection to Henry VIII. The story is well told and it is the antique chair collection, including a rather threadbare orginal 'Knole' sofa, that makes it noteworthy.

A wonderful place for history buffs... Belonged to a bishop, went to the Crown, given to a…read morefavourite, inhabited until recently. Brideshead stuff. The house / manor is set in a park where deers roam free, it's quite unusual and a nice side memory. The rest can only be told in pictures, so do visit the National Tust website (I've attached a link).