KENTSTAYCATION
CHIPSTEAD SAILING CLUB , LONGFORD LAKE
The town ' s top dining spots don ’ t stop there either . Read our full review of Branded Steaks on pages 109-110 and take a visit to sample supreme cuts alongside delectable cocktails and more from the brasserie-style menu . During the day , Sevenoaks has plenty of cute cafés and coffee shops to stop by at too including Malabar Coffee , a delightful independent establishment heralded for their quality roasts and fresh pastries and cakes . Malabar Coffee can also be found at Sevenoaks ’ Riverhill Himalayan Gardens . Renowned for its beautiful and historic landscape , flowers and other plants , Riverhill also has expansive views across the Weald of Kent and is a paradisiacal place to spend the day . Home to the Rogers family since 1840 , these family-run gardens offer visitors space to explore , awe-inspiring gardens to admire and wonderful restoration stories to be enthralled by . Riverhill also runs unusually creative events for all generations , which this month include craft events such as a hand-tied flower bouquet workshop and a willow weaving basketry workshop . This summer also welcomes outdoor yoga to Riverhill , run by Danielle from The Journey Yoga Studio .
For those looking to take part in a little more outdoor action , Sevenoaks is home to many golf courses with beautiful surroundings and scenery , these sweeping landscapes and extensive views providing the perfect context for golf heaven . While a lot of the clubs are private , there are quite a few which offer pay and play options , or visitor days each week . Pay and play golfing experiences include Lullingstone Park Golf Course and The Darenth , which are both situated in the stunning landscape of the Darent Valley , with the clear chalk stream Darent River running nearby and the North Downs rising in the distance . Pedham Place Golf Course is also a pay and play only a short taxi ride from Swanley station .
For those looking for activities on the water instead , for a land-bound area of Kent , Sevenoaks has quite a few options for water sports . Longford Lake in Chipstead offers open water swimming and standup paddleboarding in a truly picturesque setting , with plenty of coaching available . There is a great sailing club at Longford Lake too , Chipstead Sailing Club , which offers dinghy classes , RYA
Training Courses ( sailing and powerboats ), junior and youth training and racing , radio sailing and plenty of social events . Bough Beech Sailing Club also offers club sailing , regattas , radio sailing , windsurfing , paddleboarding and plenty of courses in all of this at one of the largest and most beautiful inland sailing waters in the South East . There is a sheltered boat park with easy access to the water and a clubhouse with hot meals , drinks and snacks at the weekend .
For those who fancy a more leisurely river trip up the Medway into the Eden Valley , check Tonbridge River Trips who offer electric power launches as well as row boats , not to mention special wildlife trips , picnics , guided tours and more .
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