THE PIG AT BRIDGE PLACE
CABÜ BY THE SEA
ONE FOR … COUNTRYSIDE ESCAPE
The Pig at Bridge Place
A generous slice of stately grandeur amidst the elegant parkland surrounding Canterbury ’ s provincial villages , The Pig at Bridge Place is set in a wing of what was once a historic stately home . Today , The Pig embraces its countryside setting and combines it with timeless elegance - picture heavy oaken beams , intricately carved staircases , huge brick fireplaces and Persian rugs strewn amongst squashy sofas and patterned chairs . Beautiful grounds boast a traditional kitchen garden where you ’ ll find hidden a pizza oven and place to eat , a sunny terrace bedecked with tapestry parasoles perfect for cocktail sipping , and wooden chairs that bask in the glory of the building while looking out to pastures of grazing cattle and rolling green fields .
The restaurant prides itself on its 25-mile menu , which uses the finest local , seasonal ingredients in an array of divine dishes and desserts and embraces a kitchen-garden theme through terracotta plant pots filled with herbs for decoration , a stone tiled floor , and a Victorian-greenhouse glass roof . Expect rooms just as charming and elegant as the rest of The Pig that share the same far-reaching views . There are seven characterful bedrooms in the main house , 12 light and spacious rooms in the Coach House , and two family friendly lodges as well as The Barn , a rustic and romantic two-storey hideaway in the old stables . The textures of each interior is quintessentially English with soft velvet fabrics and rich colours .
Additionally , seven Kentish Hop Pickers ’ Huts on stilts sit alongside the pretty river in the grounds ; each has been made from reclaimed materials and has a double-bedroom , a freestanding bath , a monsoon shower and wood-burning stove . The charming village of Bridge is just a minute stroll away and is also home to Michelin-starred The Bridge Arms ( www . bridgearms . co . uk ) and two more traditional English pubs : The Red Lion ( www . redlionbridge . co . uk ) serving up homely dishes , and The Plough and Harrow , ( www . ploughandharrowbridge . co . uk ) a Shepherd Neame pub perfect for enjoying a traditional Kentish ale .
ONE FOR … OCEAN DREAMERS
Cabü by the Sea
There ’ s no place like the ocean for romance . Whether you ’ re craving sunsets over the sea , stolen kisses among the waves or serene strolls along the seafront , Cabü and its beautiful location are certain to provide . Lying on a natural stretch of privately owned grassland next to the seafront between the wondrous Romney Marsh and the English Channel , this intimate retreat has immediate access to the beach with miles of coastline to explore .
For couples looking for a surreal staycation , select to stay in the Writer ’ s Cabin , which is formed perfectly for two . Designed for all seasons , guests can snuggle up by the log burner in winter or lounge in a deck chair in summer . When braving the sea doesn ’ t take your fancy , relax in the seasonal heated
pool , hot tubs or sauna . The pool area is open from the end of March all through the summer and ideal for lounging and enjoying a cocktail or two together . The Sitooterie is also a great place for entertainment and alfresco dining . Consisting of a superb outdoor kitchen with barbeque and pizza oven alongside griddle tables to keep you and your food warm , expect brilliant balmy summer evenings that turn into long nights under the stars spent here .
Built around a central Cabü House where guests can pick up groceries , organise picnics or enquire with staff about local attractions , there is plenty to do and explore during your stay . Visit nearby creative Folkestone and its Harbour Arm ( www . folkestoneharbourarm . co . uk ) which is awash with brilliant bistros and elegant bars , or venture to the wild seascape of Dungeness where Cabü have their own station at St Marys .
The hamlet of Dungeness with its blend of modern , context-sensitive architecture , cabana-style bathing huts and lush green gardens all serving local workers , visiting artists and weekenders to the area is a harmonious mash up of past , present and future . It provides a unique aesthetic to marvel at , as well as lots of rare species of wildlife and some great places to stop for a snack or some traditional fish and chips .
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