Quirky Stays in Kent
Looking for quirky things to do and places to stay in Kent? Look no further! Our fantastic round-up of animal-themed overnight stays in Kent features tigers, lions, penguins, miniature farmyard friends, and many more. Enjoy sleeping next to lions, tigers, wolves, alpacas and farmyard friends for a night and more with these great animal adventures.
Holiday In Style
Enjoy a spa break and falconry, family stays, romantic getaways, and volunteering visits. See animal rescues and sanctuary animals up close, learn how to work a farm, and learn about conservation. Relax in luxury, dine in style, BBQ under the stars and enjoy being close to nature.
Make A Difference
Find the top places for animal interactions in the Garden of England with our great round-up of unique stays. While you are holidaying, your stay supports all the good work of the farms, sanctuaries and reserves. Sleep well, knowing you are making a difference in the conservation and protection of wildlife.
By Julia Roy
Wonderful Mini-Break at Huckleberry Woods in Faversham
Family Fun Stay with Farmyard Friends
Get up close and personal with pigs, miniature donkeys, pygmy goats, teddy bear sheep, and alpacas during this three-night stay for up to four people at Huckleberry Woods in Faversham. It’s a hands-on mini-break perfect for a fun family getaway!
Animal Encounters
During your stay, you can look after a variety of the cutest micro pigs, miniature donkeys, teddy bear sheep, alpacas, pygmy goats, mini chickens, ducks, and turkeys.
Holiday with a Difference
Nestled in the beautiful Kent countryside, Huckleberry Woods offers a peaceful and calm environment for you to reconnect with nature and the friendliest of animals. During your stay, you’ll have the opportunity to feed and groom the animals, learn about their care, and discover their unique personalities.
Immerse Yourself in the Experience
From the moment you arrive in your animal-themed cottage, you’ll be immersed in this relaxing experience. Daily activities include feeding the animals, grooming the donkeys, enjoying cuddles, and much more fun!
Enjoy a visit down at the farm for a truly unique and relaxing holiday in the heart of the Garden of England. This experience is suitable for animal lovers aged nine years and over, £650 for up to 4 people for 3 nights.
Contact: Huckleberry Woods click here or call 07929871465.
Have unforgettable animal stays at Port Lympne Reserve in Hythe
Luxury Views
Port Lympne Reserve, home to over 900 rare animals, offers a range of unique short break stays to suit your taste and budgets. Choose from a luxurious 4* boutique hotel experience, a romantic night under the stars in a panoramic bubble pod with 180-degree views, or wake up with the thrill of seeing tigers, lions, and leopards right outside your window in their Tiger and Lion Lodges or Leopard Creek accommodation.
Adventure Awaits
This adventurous getaway lets you get up close to endangered species, and relax, surrounded by the sounds of nature. You can explore the reserve at your own pace in a golf buggy, and even join one of the exciting safaris.
Spoilt For Choice
Whatever your budget, Port Lympne Reserve has something for you. Choose from glamping pods, treehouse suites, luxury hotel rooms, forest hideaways, stargazing bubbles, and
lots more. Plus you can choose from a range of culinary options.
Conservation Help
By choosing Port Lympne Reserve for your top unique animal-themed stay in Kent, you’re directly contributing to wildlife protection. Profits from the park and short breaks support their vital animal conservation charity work worldwide.
Price: £159 a night at standard Pinewood Pods based on midweek stays in November/December 2024 to £1,450, based on midweek December stay dates – price increase during peak periods.
Contact: Port Lmpyne Reserve – click here.
Up close experience at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Ashford
An Unforgettable Overnight Stay
Top Unique Animal-themed Stays in Kent include The Big Cat Sanctuary which offers a unique opportunity to visit, learn about, and even feed their magnificent big cats during a luxurious overnight stay.
Your Big Cat Adventure
Your adventure begins in style with a special afternoon tea with bubbly, overlooking the majestic Asiatic lion enclosure. Following this treat, you’ll embark on a guided tour to meet the resident big cats and learn their stories. As evening descends, relax and enjoy a delicious supper on the veranda of your private lodge.
Feeding Time
After breakfast, you’ll set off on your second tour of the sanctuary, this time with an unforgettable highlight: the chance to hand-feed a big cat! This incredible experience allows you to contribute directly to The Big Cat Sanctuary’s vital conservation mission.
Purrfect Place
Choose from eight luxurious lodges, accommodating groups of 4 to 8 people. Unwind on your private veranda and listen to the captivating roars of the lions lull you to sleep. Overnight stays are currently limited to one night for guests aged 13 and over. However, you can contact The Big Cat Sanctuary about longer stays. Prices range from £840 to £1,575.
Contact: The Big Cat Sanctuary – click here or call 01233 439150.
A Unique Stay with a Rescue Mission at The Retreat Animal Rescue in Ashford
Animal Refuge
The Retreat Animal Rescue in Ashford provides a loving sanctuary for over 1,000 animals at any given time. They offer a second chance to ex-racehorses and riding school ponies, injured live export sheep, and even ex-petting farm goats. Their compassionate care extends to injured birds, ferrets, Christmas turkeys, worn-out battery hens, disabled non-releasable wildlife, fish, small domestics, old or feral and FIV cats, and even dogs who haven’t found forever homes in traditional rescue centers.
Double Options
The Retreat offers two self-catering lodges for a unique overnight stay. The Donkey Lodge sleeps up to 4 people and welcomes up to 2 well-behaved dogs. If you’re travelling without canine companions, the Turkey Lodge comfortably accommodates 4 adults or 2 adults and 4 children. Please note that the Turkey Lodge is a dog-free zone.
Lend A Hand
During your stay, you have the optional opportunity to volunteer and lend a helping hand at the rescue. Tasks might involve caring for the friendly animals, a truly rewarding experience for animal lovers.
Prices for a stay at The Retreat Animal Rescue range from £150 to £770 for your unique stay in Kent.
Contact: The Retreat Animal Rescue – click here or call 0 7369 289470.
Unwind with adorable animals at Capstone Farm Alpacas in Gillingham
Close & Personal
Capstone Farm Alpacas in Gillingham offers a delightful opportunity to see these charming creatures up close with their meet-and-greet experiences. You can even feed the alpacas, creating a memorable encounter for animal lovers.
Rich History
Capstone Farm’s story begins as a bustling 300-acre farm brimming with life. Pigs, cattle, sheep, horses, orchards, and arable land flourished under the care of Bob Wills until the mid-80s. When the council reclaimed most of the land for Capstone Farm Country Park, Bob’s granddaughter, Sharyn, took over the remaining portion. Sharyn’s vision led to the addition of the adorable alpacas, transforming the farm into a haven for these gentle creatures.
Unique Glamping Experience
Enjoy a glamping getaway at Capstone Farm. Relax in a comfortable bell tent, enjoying the tranquillity of the farm and the stunning views across Capstone Valley. Wake up to the sight of the alpacas grazing nearby and the buzzards soaring overhead. Cook up delicious meals on the firepit and create lasting memories during your unique animal stay in Kent.
Contact: Capstone Farm Alpacas – click here or call 07935 706660.
Falconry fun at The Hawking Centre based at Eastwell Manor in Ashford
Beauty & The Birds
Eastwell Manor is a Champneys Spa Hotel which offers a wide range of health and beauty treatments, indoor and outdoor 20-metre heated swimming pools, jacuzzi, steam room, sauna, and relaxation beds. There’s also an all-weather tennis court, petanque court, croquet lawn, a nine-hole golf course, and gym facilities.
Glove In Hand
In the beautiful gardens, woodland and parkland of Eastwell Manor, enjoy a falconry experience with a range of birds such as eagles, vultures, hawks, and owls on this private estate, where you can also mix it with some archery shooting. Experience owls, hawks, vultures, eagles and falcons all flying to your gloved hand. Experiences include Half Day, Full Day, Fly the Big Four and more. From 1 hour to a full day experience, or mix your bird visit with an overnight stay at the hotel.
Contact: The Hawking Centre – click here, call 07544696199
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Picture Credit: © Main Picture of a leopard sleeping by Maurits Barnhart at unsplash.com
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