IN ASSOCIATION WITH
48 Hours in SEVENOAKS
BY OLIVIA RICCINI
KENTSTAYCATION
SURROUNDED BY ROLLING ENGLISH COUNTRYSIDE , SEVENOAKS IS THE ENCHANTING HOME TO A PLETHORA OF HISTORIC HOUSES AND GARDENS . WITH LIVELY SHOPPING STREETS AND APPEALING PLACES TO EAT AND DRINK , VISITORS CAN ENJOY A SLICE OF TRADITIONAL KENTISH LIFE WHILST BEING SURROUNDED BY CULTURE AND A VIBRANT ATMOSPHERE . ONLY A 35 MINUTE TRAIN JOURNEY FROM CENTRAL LONDON , SEVENOAKS IS A TRANQUIL SURPRISE FOR THOSE LOOKING TO ESCAPE THE CITY AND REVEL IN THIS TOWN THAT SITS ENCIRCLED BY THE KENT DOWNS AREA OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY .
© Visit Kent
CHARTWELL BRISKET AND BARREL
Day 1
BREAKFAST Sourcing high quality ingredients from local farmers and merchants , Twig and Spoon ( www . twigandspoon . co . uk ) in Ash , Sevenoaks , has an excellent breakfast / brunch menu made up of delicious homemade dishes . We feel that freshly ground coffee is a must in the morning and with a supply from local Kent-based coffee grinders , a hot cappuccino or latte from Twig and Spoon won ’ t disappoint . Guests can sip this and enjoy a hearty breakfast in the sunny courtyard , elegantly planted with shrubs and trees to give the impression of a Mediterranean garden . A heavenly way to start the day ! Located within Woodlands Garden Centre , visitors can also purchase homemade cakes , preserves and chutneys before they see what plants might take their fancy .
MORNING Hever Castle ( www . hevercastle . co . uk ) sits at the top of our list of historic places to visit in Kent . The childhood home of Anne Boleyn , this traditional moat castle is steeped in an enthralling history and surrounded by majestic gardens complete with topiary and lakes . Garden lovers and history buffs will appreciate this award-winning day out , as will families with children who are invited to challenge themselves in the famous Yew Maze . There is also a golf course open to all , as well as 5 star accommodation on the grounds for those wanting a longer stay at this 13th century romantic castle .
The portcullis , drawbridge and towers appear as though straight from the pages of a storybook , promising to throw adults and children alike into an exciting time of knights and kings , making your day all the more magical and providing the perfect backdrop to a photo which captures a day to remember .
LUNCH Brisket and Barrel ( brisketandbarrel . co . uk ) is a French BBQ smokehouse and deli in the heart of Sevenoaks town . Boasting a high quality selection of Kentish and French products , Brisket and Barrel claim that ‘ taste is guaranteed ’ thanks to all dishes being created with local products that ‘ make their reputation ’. Visitors can tell simply by looking at the menu that food will be crammed with flavour ; they are likely to walk away from the deli purchasing one of the chutneys or jams that compliment their famous smoked brisket . Enjoy a can of unique craft beer or a carefully selected bottle of wine on the sunny terrace whilst you look forward to the rest of your history-filled afternoon .
AFTERNOON Sevenoaks is also the location of a family home of another famous figure in British history , Sir Winston Churchill . Purchased by the National Trust 18 years before his death , Chartwell ( www . nationaltrust . org . uk / chartwell ) is now a carefully arranged museum which showcases the politician ’ s life . Displayed as it was in the 1930 ’ s when the young Churchill family were in residence , visitors will get a real glimpse into their family life through pictures , books and mementoes . They will also find exhibitions of certain items from the Churchill Collection and visit the studio in which he used to paint . With the paintings on display for guests to enjoy , they are a colourful insight into Churchill ’ s love of nature and landscape which is also reflected in the glorious gardens outside . From the terrace lawns , guests can enjoy glorious views over the Weald of Kent , take a walk through the woodland area or around the lakes that Churchill created himself .
Designed under the watchful eyes of Lady Churchill and her daughter , the house remains much as it was first set up in 1966 ; an opening that saw queues so long they were documented in national newspapers the next day . As Winston Churchill himself exclaimed , “ A day away from Chartwell is a day wasted ” and what more encouragement could we possibly need to take a visit !
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