KENTSTAYCATION
Kent ’ s Historic Towns and Cities CONT .
Acquiring its Royal prefix from Queen Victoria ’ s adoration and frequent visits , the spa town of ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS remains fit for royalty and tourists alike , continuing to welcome intrigued visitors for over 400 years . Bask in the elegant Georgian luxury of the colonnaded Pantiles as you explore independent shops , bars and restaurants after fuelling yourself for the day with breakfast at Juliet ’ s Café ( www . julietsandmore . com ). Highlights from the Sunday brunch include the ‘ Super Smashed Avo ’ with feta , homemade beetroot hummus and purple amaranth sprouts on toasted sourdough . After the morning shopping visit Macknade ( www . macknade . com ) for lunch in Hoopers Department Store , Kent ’ s favourite traditional farm shop and deli . Macknade meticulously source the very best seasonal Kentish produce , including meat from award-winning butchers and fresh fruit and vegetables , as well as other high-quality deli items which make up their delicious menu . Try one of their platters to get a real taste of the goodness on offer and finish off with a slice of freshly baked cake .
Just 15 miles from Tunbridge Wells lies CRANBROOK . Sometimes referred to as the capital of the beautiful Kentish Weald , this town looks and feels much as it has done for centuries : a peaceful small place full of weatherboarded houses and surrounded by acres of orchards and farmland . For gastronomical delight , visit The Cloudberry ( www . thecloudberryrestaurant . com ) for dinner . The Cloudberry showcases a short , polished , focused menu that changes seasonally and includes delights such as rump of lamb with roast red onion , Jerusalem artichoke and pomme puree , as well as wild mushroom risotto , tarragon veloute and walnut pesto . Neighbouring GOUDHURST was once a centre for growing hops and for weaving , today Goudhurst is still just as delightful , with its village high street tumbling down the steep hill from the church to the village pond and green . For a rural stay , choose The Goudhurst Inn ( www . thegoudhurstinn . com ) which boasts of boutique , luxury rooms complete with crisp cotton linen , sumptuous down feather bedding and superior Gilchrest & Soames toiletries .
The ‘ Jewel of The Weald ’, TENTERDEN also sits close by to Cranbrook and Tunbridge Wells . First rising to affluence as a centre for wool trade in the Thirteenth Century , Tenterden has a wealth of history and fascinating architecture , not to mention great shopping and dining . Immerse yourself in the town ’ s history at Tenterden Museum ( www . tenterdenmuseum . co . uk ) before going for dinner at Montalbano Restaurant
( www . montalbanorestaurant . co . uk ) which serves up a mix of regional Italian dishes combined with divine Sicilian touches . Menu favourites include slowcooked pulled lamb steak with mashed potatoes , braised red cabbage , carrots and a red wine jus , as well as the famously good panettone bread and butter pudding with Amaretto crème anglaise .
Sixteen miles north-east of Tenterden , you will find WYE , a name which in Old English means ‘ shrine ’. It is thought that Wye was once used for worship by the pre-Christian Angles but is now a large and thriving village full of interesting history and buildings . Wye is also home to some award-winning pubs and restaurants including The Wife of Bath ( www . thewifeofbath . com ) which has long been regarded as one of the finest food destinations in Kent . Serving local produce in the forms of dishes such as the cured beef with salsa verde , pickled shallots , onion puree and capers , guests at The Wife of Bath can be assured they will be fed well before retiring to one of the opulent bedrooms . The Kings Head ( kingsheadwye . uk ) is another famous Wye pub standing in the heart of the main street and yards from the banks of the River Stour , renowned for serving classic British dishes and ‘ olde world ’ charm at their very best it also offers cosy , dog-friendly rooms and delightful takeaway pizzas .
THE WIFE OF BATH
THE CLOUDBERRY
GOUDHURST
For more inspiration for planning your ultimate Kent Staycation , visit www . kentstaycation . co . uk kentstaycation .
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