insideKENT Magazine Issue 123 - July 2022 | Page 46

DAYSOUT
LIFE ’ S A PICNIC CONT .
THE WHITE CLIFFS OF DOVER
After filling your brain with tales of greedy kings , bloody battles and brave knights it will be about time to fill your rumbling stomach , so find a sunny spot in the grounds , take a pew and indulge in a picnic fit for the monarchy . High tea is an English tradition for a reason ; firstly because it ' s delicious , and secondly because it , like Rochester Castle , is steeped in British history . So bask in the incredible setting of your picnic by honouring the custom - scones , tea and finger sandwiches anyone ? Smoked salmon with cream cheese , ham and mustard , egg and cress and coronation chicken finger sandwiches should all be on the menu for your afternoon tea , and of course no tea would be complete without some actual tea . Fill up those flasks , and if you ' re feeling adventurous branch out from traditional English Breakfast and dabble in some exceptional options from Chai Wallah Margate ( www . chaiwallahmargate . co . uk ) who provide bold and delicious tea combinations . Scones from Morleys Bakery ( www . morleysbakery . com ), which is just a 10-minute walk into Rochester town centre , jam made right here in the Garden of England by The Wooden Spoon Preserving Company ( www . thewoodenspoon . co . uk ), and smooth clotted cream will be the pièce de résistance of your picnic . Tickets are £ 7.40 for an adult and £ 3.20 for children but the experience itself will be priceless .
Our last perfect picnic spot may not come as a surprise to anyone as no list of Kentish picnic destinations would be complete without this incredible stop on its list . The White Cliffs of Dover ( www . nationaltrust . org . uk / the-white-cliffs-of-dover ) are nothing short of iconic the world over ; the chalky cliff face , the cerulean sea crashing into the bedrock below , the emerald green pastures that cover the tip of this magnificent natural structure . We could make a good argument for it being one of the most romantic places in Kent , especially with the warm sea breeze that July brings and the magnificent sunsets that paint the sky red , pink and orange . Up there with your loved one , on your very own private picnic , it ' s easy to feel like you are the only people in the world and that this display of natural brilliance was made just for the two of you . To get to the top of Dover ’ s magnificent cliffs you will need to do a fair bit of walking , so we won ’ t be advising you to hunt down any obscure ingredients or to spend hours in the kitchen before your big night . No , instead let the professionals handle this one , and trust your intimate date night to Kent Charcuterie ( kentcharcuterie . co . uk ), a company that specialises in exquisite charcuterie boxes for all tastes . Order a mix of savoury meats and cheeses and sweet fruits and chocolates to enjoy the foods you love on your picnic date . Indulge in your crate of goodies , the ingredients in which are all sourced and made in Kent so you can truly taste the Garden of England while sitting on top of the world .
Now you ’ ve got your guide to unparalleled picnic spots in our wondrous little county , so pack up your picnic and head out into the summer sun this July .
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