Gulliver The Quirky Camper Van: Glamping in Kent
Why Gulliver?
If you’re a regular reader of A Brummie Home and Abroad then you’ll know I’m a fan of a quirky accommodation choice. A shepherd’s hut in Northumberland. A railway carriage in Norfolk. A safari lodge in Somerset. So a converted static camper van in Kent ticked all of the boxes. And Gulliver the Quirky Camper Van is just one of five beautifully eccentric accommodation options on the site run by Kent Cottage Holidays.
The Setting
The properties all gather around a shared car park, and each accommodation has its own dedicated parking space. The entrance isn’t the easiest to spot from the main road – look out for the yellow Kent Cottage Holidays signpost, or you may end up missing the turning. We did. Twice.
Despite being in close proximity to other properties we didn’t see another soul. The only clue that other guests were there was smoke lazily spiralling up from various wood-burning hot tubs and stoves.
And if you want to leave the car behind its an easy bus ride to Canterbury, Whitstable and Herne Bay on the Triangle Bus Route; you’ll find the bus stop just outside the Royal Oak pub a couple of minute’s stroll away.
Let’s Go Inside!
The small kitchenette is equipped with all manner of handy little gadgets – including full cocktail-making equipment if you’re that way inclined. There’s a small wood-burning stove, a mini electric oven and also a 2 ring gas hob – convenient for that early morning cuppa. Michelle had left a welcome hamper with lots of local goodies, including teabags, coffee, granola, cookies and chocolates. It was also a wonderful surprise to find a bottle of Prosecco chilling in the fridge.
There’s no lumpy air bed or tissue thin sleeping bag in this camper van. The double bed is super comfy, as long as you don’t mind having to clamber over your partner to get in and out! There’s not a lot of storage space so pack wisely – we left most of our clothes in the car. And be careful if you have the firepit lit, you might find the interior gets a little smoky. Or maybe that’s just my firepit management skills. Or lack thereof.
Gulliver has a large rooftop porthole window where you can gaze at the stars. Which of course also mean that the sunlight floods in very early in the morning this time of year. Michelle thoughtfully provides eye masks – I’d definitely recommend using them. Other than the dawn chorus there wasn’t much in the way of noise at night, pleasantly surprising as the site is located close to a main road.
The Great Outdoors
Throw open the sliding door and you’re in your own little garden of Eden. Decorative dragonflies and butterflies adorn the walls and there are fairy lights strewn over the courtyard, making a twilight dip in the wood-fired hot tub a dreamy pleasure. It takes about two hours to fill and get up to temperature so plan your evening accordingly. (A little tip: make sure the plug is in properly, otherwise it’ll take much longer. I only decided to check 10 minutes AFTER I started filling with water.) It also stayed hot for a surprisingly long time – we followed the safety advice and got out before we boiled like lobsters…
An outside loo and shower isn’t as much of an inconvenience as it may seem, and dressing gowns/flip-flops are provided for a touch of comfort (although I’d like to see less disposable plastic – I’d have happily brought my own flip-flops). You’re only a handful of steps from Gulliver for that middle-of-the-night pee, and the lush artificial grass means no nasty surprises underfoot. Unless you knock your shin on the camper-van shaped firepit.
Another tip about that loo? It’s the best place to get a 4G signal in Gulliver. But of course, you’re coming to digitally detox so sharing the hundreds of photos you’re bound to take can definitely wait until to get home.
Out and About
You absolutely have to visit Whitstable if you’re in the area. It’s a busy fishing port, and the oysters are an iconic delicacy. Stroll along the seafront and you can take your pick of tiny vendors selling seafood and fish freshly caught that morning. Local artists and makers display their wares in the converted fisherman’s huts that make up Harbour Market, and there’s plenty more shopping to be done in the pastel-fronted shops of Harbour Street.
If you’re squeamish about seafood, or offended by oysters, I can highly recommend Harbour Street Tapas for a little taste of the Mediterranean on the Kent coast (booking recommended). And for craft beer and gin (“these are a few of my favourite things”) The Twelve Taps is a great little bar.
Twenty minutes in the other direction from Gulliver is the ancient city of Canterbury. It’s easy to see why this is one of the most popular cities to visit in the South East of England. Beautifully preserved half-timbered buildings, historic pubs, independent shopping, bookstores and picturesque cobbled streets abound in this city in the heart of Kent.
Gulliver The Quirky Camper – All The Details
As a fan of quirky and unusual accommodation, Gulliver ticked all the boxes. This converted static camper van is the perfect place for a couples retreat and the opportunity to switch off from digital life. Situated in its own secluded courtyard, your quirky camper van awaits.
I’ve already had family and friends asking me to share the details, which I’ve gladly done, and hopefully we’ll come and stay again at one of the other properties on site very soon!
It looks really quirky! We enjoyed visiting Whitstable a couple of years ago for a family wedding.