Sunninglye Featherdown

Sunninglye Farm

Nestled in the rolling hills on the Kent and Sussex border, Sunninglye Farm is a small family farm within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Our farm is approximately seventeen miles from the M25 and just under an hour from the South East Coast. Sunninglye is also only a few miles from attractive villages such as Frant and Matfield, as well as within easy access of many National Trust properties. The Spa town of Tunbridge Wells, home to The Pantiles, is only three miles from our farm. Sunninglye Farm is the perfect place to enjoy a peaceful yet adventurous week or weekend within the landscape of the beautiful Wealden area.

The Miles Family 

The Miles family have farmed at Sunninglye for over 50 years, first as tenants of the Bayham Estate. In 1964 they brought the farm and converted first the redundant oast house, then the barn and reluctantly sold the original farm house. The barn is now the Miles family home, with the two other properties being privately owned. Jo is the current owner and has lived here since 1964. Gill, her daughter does the majority of the farm work and in the running of the Featherdown Glamping site. Gill's siblings, Susannah, Donnie and Robert are all also involved in various areas of running the farm, whilst the grandchildren make up a significant part of the various duties essential to the success of your stay. Jo and Gill will be the members of the family that you will have the most contact with during your stay, but you may also come across other members of the family too. 

The Featherdown Campsite

Our Featherdown accommodation consists of five Canvas Lodges, two of which are Canvas Frills Lodges. They are situated within a shady hillside copse. Each lodge faces outwards with views across surrounding fields and woodland. In this peaceful setting, younger children are free to climb and swing and play safely among the trees near their tent. Whilst others might like to explore Rushett Wood and our fields, particularly those beside the river Teise. We also have an onsite Honesty Shop, shower block and bread oven, all of which are to be used and enjoyed by our guests during their stay. 

Our Animals 

Our peaceful farm is also home to a variety of farm animals and pets including sheep, pigs, goats, chickens, cats and dogs. Norman the donkey and Nutmeg the gypsy cob. Our ewes give birth to lambs in the Spring, and our sow gives birth to piglets once a year too. The chicken coop is open in order for our guests to collect fresh eggs to enjoy, and the chickens are free range, so expect to see them close to your tent! We welcomed the arrival of four nanny goats in late 2020, which are settling in nicely to our farm. 

Our History

Until comparatively recently, most of the farms in the area were part of the Bayham Estate, owned by the Camden family. The ruins of Bayham Abbey are a few miles away and many of the Bayham Estate farms would once have been Abbey land. The whole of the estate is now sold and many of the smaller farms have be absorbed into larger neighboring farms with the houses sold and the buildings converted. 

Directions 

From the M25 West: At junction 5 keep in the left hand lanes for M26 and take the first exit after 400 yards, signposted A21 Sevenoaks and Hastings. You will now join the A21.

From M25 East: Following the A21 dual carriageway for approximately 14 miles. The road bypasses Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Pembury. It becomes a single lane at Kipping's Cross roundabout. Take the third exit signposted to Frant Station. Follow Dundale Road for 2.5 miles, a long winding hill which passes a curling rink, over a small bridge where you start to go up hill. Go past the small lodge on your left which marks the boundary of Sunninglye Farm. The entrance to the farm is approximately 0.5 miles on your left hand side. Sunninglye Farm is the second property down the farm track bearing left just past the oast house. Follow the signs for Featherdown to our carpark.