DISCOVERKENT
THE WEALD CONT .
HOLE PARK THE SMALL HOLDING FARM AND KITCHEN
More diverse landscapes of The Weald come in the form of a myriad of castles , rambling estates and historic houses with glorious gardens . One of these is Hole Park ( www . holepark . com ) a delightful country house garden and a worthy winner of Visit Kent ’ s Garden of the Year Award in 2016 . Four generations of the Barham family have created a wonderful 16- acre garden in a magical parkland setting that is a dream for anyone , not just garden enthusiasts and lovers of the outdoors . Hole Park Gardens and Tearoom open on Wednesdays and Thursdays throughout the summer and additional Sundays in October . Hole Park is also one of the special attractions which make up the Seven Wonders of the Weald . At this time of year , visitors can enjoy the last of the spring flowers and bluebells and prepare to welcome in the summer , which brings long borders filled with colourful herbaceous and exotic plants . Owned by the Barham family for the past four generations and set in over 200 acres of superb classic parkland , Hole Park ’ s colourful gardens enjoy far-reaching views over the hills , woods and fields of The Weald . They are a skilful mix of formal design and more naturalised planting , giving colour throughout the seasons .
Another unique , rustic and utterly delicious way to taste the divine local produce of The Weald is at The Small Holding Farm and Kitchen ( www . thesmallholding . restaurant ); with a focus on selfsufficiency , the menus are defined by the seasons - the kitchen working only with ingredients directly sourced from their own farm or other growers in the local region . Two brothers run this farmhousestyle restaurant and carefully craft the menu that changes daily , which is served as a multi-course dining experience for both lunch and dinner . The Small Holding ’ s full menu can be around 10 courses while their lunch menu is around seven and has been described by the Michelin Guide as ‘ rustic British meets Nordic cooking ’. The menu is always a reflection of the food available locally to the restaurant , as well as from their farm and despite the inventive dishes changing regularly , there is always a mixture of fish , meat and vegetables . The food is certain to have bold , well-balanced flavours and lots of personality due to the use of completely fresh ingredients and the expert craftsmanship of the chefs at this acclaimed foodie gem .
Slotting in perfectly to a charming time in The Weald of Kent is a stay at The Bell in Ticehurst ( www . thebellinticehurst . com ). Complete with seven curious and eccentric rooms , The Bell is sure to make your stay in this part of Kent that little bit more memorable and magical . The rooms sit cosily over the ancient pub , each with plush furnishings and exposed beams . Some have deep copper baths and all have incredibly comfortable king-size or super-king-size beds just waiting for you to hunker down a drift into a deep and dreamy sleep in . If you are craving even more privacy , spoil yourself with one of The Bell ’ s fantastic garden lodges set around a fabulous fire pit , each complete with their own private outdoor space . Every room has handmade Somnus mattresses , The Bell ’ s very own ‘ Love & More ’ range of toiletries and , of course , delicious complimentary cookies .
A Sneaky Staycation Extra
A visit to the Kentish Weald would not be complete without a trip to the gorgeous Georgian spa town of Royal Tunbridge Wells . This town still boasts a grand and prosperous personality , which it has managed to retain with charm since first being built around the springs when Queen Henrietta Maria , the wife of Charles I , visited in 1630 to recuperate after giving birth to the future Charles II . Royalty was a constant factor in the following years , most famously when Edward VII granted its ‘ Royal ’ prefix in 1907 , due to it being a favourite destination of his mother , Queen Victoria . The elegance of this town is best represented by the lively Pantiles , a lovely shaded walk lined with bespoke shops and trendy bistros . Enjoy a glass of crisp Kentish cider from nearby Biddenden Vineyard ( www . biddendenvineyards . com ) at The Pantiles Tap ( www . thepantiles . com ), a 16-tap real ale and craft beer paradise . End a day in Tunbridge Wells with a meal at the highly acclaimed Vittle and Swig ( www . vittleandswig . co . uk ), which serves mouthwatering contemporary British cuisine in a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere right in the heart of this eclectic and vibrant little town . Want to extend your stay and spend the night ? Reserve a room at Hotel Du Vin ( www . hotelduvin . com ); a boutique , luxury hotel which exudes charm and elegance at every turn and perfectly reflects the grandiose beguile of Tunbridge Wells itself .
For more inspiration for planning your ultimate Kent Staycation , visit www . kentstaycation . co . uk kentstaycation .
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