British summer can feel magical. Often, the sun shines, the grass looks lush, and the towing mirrors go on. Our long weekend in early July 2025 was one of those rare trips where everything clicked. The company was great. Meanwhile, the weather behaved. The location looked promising. If you’re looking for an honest Sandwich Lakes Campsite Review, keep reading. So, we headed to Sandwich Lakes Campsite in Kent. It promised peace, but it did not deliver.
We packed up our caravan and checked our Milenco Grand Aero Platinum mirrors. Then we headed for the coast. A big group of family and friends joined us. As a result, the trip became a full summer celebration.
Sandwich Lakes Campsite Review: First Impressions of the Site
Arriving at Sandwich Lakes feels memorable at first. The site sits in 55 acres of Kent countryside. Straight away, water grabs your attention. Fishermen will likely love that. After all, the site has seven coarse fishing lakes, so angling is the main draw here.
The campsite is very basic. Pitches offer little more than electric hookups. We had enough room for our small awning. However, beyond fishing, the site offered very little. Our caravan handled the warm July weather well. The ventilation and layout worked well for a busy family weekend.
The site also has a waterside café. We ate there once. Unfortunately, the food was poor, so we did not return.
If you want ideas for your next trip, check out our campsites review section. We break down some of the best spots across the UK.
Sandwich Lakes Caravan Site Weekend Highlight: The Family BBQ
The centerpiece of our weekend was the Saturday evening BBQ. When we say “large family BBQ,” we mean it. We held it at a relative’s home, not at the campsite. Nearly twenty people came along that evening. Thankfully, the weather stayed kind. The whole thing felt relaxed and easy.
The food was excellent. We had marinated meats, fresh salads, and local Kentish produce from a nearby farm shop. As usual, outdoor food always tastes better. That feels even more true with a great group around you. We sat outside for hours. Meanwhile, conversation flowed as easily as the cold drinks.
Sandwich Lakes Campsite Review: Exploring the Medieval Charm of Sandwich
It would have been easy to stay at the campsite all weekend. Still, the town of Sandwich is too beautiful to ignore. People know it as one of England’s best-preserved medieval towns. It is only a five-minute drive away. Alternatively, you could also cycle there.
Walking through Sandwich feels like stepping back in time. Narrow streets twist between timber-framed houses. They look as if they came straight from a history book. We spent a few hours exploring the Sandwich Guildhall. It dates back to 1579. We also wandered along the River Stour. In particular, the Quay area feels especially lovely. Boats bob in the water, and benches give you plenty of spots to pause.
If you enjoy local history, Sandwich has plenty to offer. The town was once one of the original Cinque Ports. Today, it feels vibrant and proud of its heritage. You will find independent shops and cozy pubs. We also recorded part of our walk for our latest vlogs. As expected, the architecture and river views looked great on camera.
Sandwich Lakes Caravan Site Evening Highlight: Marrakesh Express
The highlight of our Saturday evening was Marrakesh Express. If you do not know them, they are a tribute band for Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. They played inside an old church in Sandwich. Consequently, the atmosphere felt electric.
Hearing classics like “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” and “Teach Your Children” live brought real joy. The band sounded tight. The vocals were spot-on. In addition, the crowd stayed in high spirits. That church setting made the night even better. It was the perfect way to end our long weekend.
The night was not just about the music. We shared the whole experience as a group. We stood together and sang along. Those songs have soundtracked so many lives. Because of that, the trip gained another memorable layer. If you get the chance to see Marrakesh Express in Sandwich, we highly recommend it.
Sandwich Lakes Campsite Review: Final Thoughts on Our Weekend
We hitched up on Sunday afternoon and headed home. Everyone felt content. Sandwich Lakes Campsite gave us a base near one of England’s most charming towns. Still, we would not recommend it unless fishing is your main reason for booking.
The weekend reminded us why we do this. It was not just about pitch reviews or caravan setup. Instead, it was about laughter at the BBQ. It was about quiet moments together. It was also about the music that brought everyone together on Saturday night.
If you are a keen fisherman, Sandwich Lakes will make more sense. Certainly, it is easy to see why the site has loyal fans. For us, the basic setup and poor café were hard to overlook. So, we would not rush back, even though the wider weekend gave us some great memories.
Suggest a Campsite for Review
Have you stayed at a campsite that deserves more attention?
We’re always looking for new campsites to feature on Caravan Adventuring. Whether it’s a hidden gem, a family favourite, or a site with outstanding facilities, we’d love to hear about it.
