Being keen camping enthusiasts, we recently managed to take an impromptu weekend trip to somewhere we’ve never seen before; Puddledock Woods in Kent, England. Booking was as easy as a few clicks online and we were lucky to head off on our road trip in glorious sunshine. About 2½ hours of driving and one quick supercharging session later, we found ourselves at the cosy, family-owned and operated campsite nestled in the countryside near the sleepy town of Upstreet.

The owner, Matt, is a very friendly and accommodating host, a keen restorer of classic vehicles whilst also an EV enthusiast, he provided excellent conversation and very good company during our visit. Since you’re not able to drive into the woods and need to park near the entrance, as was advertised, upon arrival our luggage was transported to the pitch allowing us to take a leisurely stroll through the woods and familiarise ourselves with the surroundings, we chose a lovely spot by the river and pitched up. There are no strictly defined plots so you're free to raise your tent wherever takes your fancy and even though it was fully booked, there was ample space between us all to still feel isolated, but with a delightful hint of the camping community spirit.

The price is very reasonable for peak season at just £25 per pitch/night, costing us only £50 for our two night stay. Fire pits are available around the site and logs are provided at £8 a bunch, which gave us more than enough to keep cosy all night long. Especially in the summer months you'll likely hardly need any, although there's something so relaxing and mesmerising about sitting around a campfire that we liked to have it gently lit in the evenings regardless.

Charging was not an issue, with several Tesla superchargers available on the route and a range of options in the local towns, on average around the 7Kw or 22Kw variety. We opted to visit LIDL to pick up some supplies as they have a 50Kw charger in the carpark - in these times there's no easier way to attract extra customers than to install an EV fast charger!

There are plenty of great places to visit nearby and we barely scratched the surface, but can recommend the pier at Herne Bay, marvelling at the coastal view from Broadstairs or enjoying the beautifully peaceful beaches of Minnis Bay. There's more than enough to keep you occupied when visiting the area, although relaxing by your tent in the woods is also a perfectly pleasant activity and I would have been just as happy doing so, reading a good book or simply immersing in nature.

Overall we highly rate the quaint campsite and are certainly considering another trip there in the foreseeable future. For bookings and information visit www.puddledockwoods.com or reserve directly on Pitchup, they offer camping, glamping and unique cabin or lodge rentals in a beautifully charming environment!