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A NEW nature retreat holiday park has got the go-ahead near the seaside town of Deal and could open as soon as 2027.

New Park will have 96 cabins tucked away within a historic park and garden.

Dover District Council has given the green light to having 96 cabins built on a park in Betteshanger, around 15-minutes from Kent’s coastline.

Illustrations of New Park reveal plans to build small wooden and glass-panelled cabins with outdoor seating areas.

Inside are double beds, a small sofa and dining area made from natural materials.

Alongside the lodges, the grounds’ woodland will be extended.

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There will also be two new wildlife ponds built and dark skies compliant lighting so it won’t be too bright.

In its planning report submitted in 2025, it detailed that a “group space building would include indoor and outdoor space for event activities”.

Also planned were spots for picnic tables, log benches and a fire pit area.

The holiday park will form part of the Northbourne Estate which is a historic park and garden dating back to the Jacobean era.

There are even plans for a shuttle service connecting the site to a nearby railway station.

On its website, it states that work is planned to start in summer 2026, with the holiday park hoped to be completed in 2027.

The site sits around a 12-minute drive from Deal’s seafront.

Check out another beautiful seaside spot in Kent…

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Margate House, Kent

This stylish boutique hotel is in a seaside townhouse, a short walk from Margate’s coolest bars and restaurants. Decked out with plush velvet sofas, candles flickering and striking independent art, inside feels like a warm welcome home. Rooms are stunning, especially the ones that give you a glimpse of the sea.

BOOK HERE

The seaside town between Ramsgate and Dover is known for its long pebble beach and its brutalist pier.

Here, you can pop into Deal Pier Kitchen, which has incredible sea views.

The town also has Deal Castle and Walmer Castle, which are great to explore with families.

In 2022, The Times named it as one of the best places to live in the UK.

For more on Deal, see what one writer got up to on a trip to the seaside from her favourite cafes to spotting fisherman’s cottages.

And here are our favourite seaside towns that are less than 90 minutes from London with Banksy art and award-winning beaches.

Located an hour from London, this National Trust village features half-timbered Tudor buildings and a grand castle with world treasures

Venture just an hour from London to discover this fairytale village, transporting you backwards through time as its period buildings recreate a world from centuries past that has largely vanished today.

Chiddingstone stands as one of Britain’s finest preserved Tudor villages, making it an exceptional discovery for heritage enthusiasts and anyone seeking respite from life’s relentless pace.

The settlement is largely owned and maintained by the National Trust, helping safeguard its centuries-old structures and character which consistently attract inquisitive travellers.

This Kent village is cherished for its unmistakably English charm and period architecture, featuring half-timbered properties with stone-hung gables and red-tiled roofs. What’s more, it boasts an impressive castle and a bustling high street, perfect for leisurely wandering.

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The castle

Whilst the castle’s exterior presents stunning architecture, typical of what you’d anticipate seeing across England, its interior offers quite the juxtaposition.

What renders the structure so distinctive is its museum, which houses collections from across the globe spanning different eras and civilisations – Japanese, Egyptian, Stuart and Jacobite and Buddhist. Everything is accessible to visitors between March and October, allowing them to experience an entire world under one roof.

Beyond its impressive collections, the venue itself is steeped in history and magnificence, as guests explore the corridors of a 16th-century residence. Within, they can admire the Great Hall, discover a Victorian kitchen, library, and servant’s hall, and delve into its fascinating past in the Streatfeild room.

Henry Streatfeild was the figure who dramatically transformed the property during the 1800s, moving away from its Tudor design to mirror that of a mediaeval fortress.

Though, it was collector Denys Eyre Bower whose stewardship of the castle witnessed it evolve into a cultural landmark, sharing his passion with visitors worldwide.

One guest commented on TripAdvisor: “What a lovely property, from the massive holdings on display throughout the home to the acres of relaxing grounds. The reception gal was quite informative upon our arrival as to the layout for our self-guided tour as well as answering our questions post-tour. Don’t miss this gem.”

This year, guests can purchase a day ticket and enjoy complimentary returns for an entire year. Current door prices are £15.25 for an adult and £10.50 for a child, with reduced rates available for those who book online beforehand.

High street and village

With its genuine half-timber Tudor structures and cobbled walkways, wandering along the high street of Chiddingstone Road feels like stepping back through the centuries. Notable highlights include a café, shop and the 15th-century pub.

The historic Chiddingstone Stores and post office, which dates back to 1453, is situated within a traditional Tudor building and continues to function as such today.

Similarly unchanged is the village pub, known as the Castle Inn, boasting a welcoming atmosphere and superb beer garden.

It retains its Grade II*-listed status with numerous original features intact, including delightful fireplaces, tiled floors, oak panelling and bars. One visitor described their experience at the Castle Inn as ‘atmospheric’.

They commented: “If you’re looking for a traditional, friendly, country pub, this is it. Clean and friendly, with everything you need on your doorstep that goes with a village pub. Highly recommend.”

The village name, Chiddingstone, is believed to originate from the enormous sandstone located outside the settlement. Whilst unconfirmed, the ‘Chidding Stone’ is thought to mark where it all started, with several folklore tales surrounding its origins.