Enchanting Summer Stays at Elmley

Elmley’s summer-only bell tents offer the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the wild joys of the Reserve from May to September. Our Woodland, Sapling and Meadow Bell Tents (along with adults only Acorn tents) bring all the simple joys of sleeping under canvas, while still enjoying some luxuries including a proper double bed and comfy mattress, soft fresh linen, cosy cushions and blankets made from Romney Marsh wools for chillier nights.

After a cacophony of marsh frogs reaches a crescendo at dusk and quietly fades out, fall asleep under the wide skies and awaken to the sounds of an uninterrupted dawn chorus, with dramatic natural vistas and a day of small adventures stretching out ahead of you. All under the watchful gaze of the Swallows and Martins that fill the sky around the farm.

When you wake, you can just call the kitchen and begin the day with a breakfast hamper delivery straight to your tent - for freshly-baked, local and seasonal treats from bed.

Picnic lunches, snacks, drinks and…whisper it, ice creams are available throughout the day. Come the evening, our bar and pizza kitchen opens exclusively to guests, for woodfired pizzas, simple summer street food classics and chilled drinks. Back at your tent, gather around your own private fire pit for essential marshmallow toasting.

If you’re more into adventurous campfire cooking, your fire pit is complete with a grill for BBQs, and each Bell Tent has its own cool box and ice brick and the close-by camp kitchen has everything else you might need.

In the Summer months the wild areas around the tents are a wonderland of butterflies and dragonflies. Relax in amongst the Butterflies and Dragonflies, give the children the simple joy of some free range fun, from hide and seek in the long grasses to fairytale escapades in our enchanting woodland, with The Woodland Bell Tents even coming with their own private swing in the trees.

Learn more about Elmley’s decades of careful conservation and cherished wildlife by signing up to one of our private or group tours and let the kids get interactive with school holiday time wildlife workshops.

Whether on a tour, or talking a self-guided walk, the summer is a time to experience Elmley’s vast expanses awash with colour and life, from the yellow wagtails dotted throughout the cows and calves, to the salt marsh skirting the Swale in full splendid bloom with Sea Lavender and Sea Purslane.

Keeping a close eye on the tide times can reap immeasurable rewards during July and August, when guests are invited to visit our private beach and swim in the little bay an hour either side of high tide. If you’d like to discover this serene swimming spot, please do speak to the team about whether the moon and tides are in your favour for good swimming times. For dips at any time, there is also the mini swimming pond, with its picture perfect little jetty, perfect for cooling off on hot and sunny days.

It’s not just a change in pace and a realignment with nature that make summer stays at Elmley so special. Our onsite wellness team ensure that while you’re rewilding your children you’re also able to take time to restore and rejuvenate yourself. With treatments including healing massage and reflexology, our wellness sessions allow you the space and time to fully pause, breathe and relax, before an inevitable return to the day-today.

Our Bell Tents are open from mid May until early September, however we welcome guests to our award-winning cabins and the Kingshill Farmhouse all year round. You’ll find all of our accommodation options, or speak to the team if you’d like more guidance on the best Elmley accommodation for your stay. Call the team on 01795 664896 or email us on stay@elmleynaturereserve.co.uk.