KENTSTAYCATION
When exploring Hythe , the perfect place to stay is at the Hythe Imperial Hotel and Spa . The Hythe Imperial in all its Victorian grandeur is home to 92 beautifully modern and unique bedrooms , with no two being the same . They range from intimate and cosy to spacious and decadent , sea view or garden view , even cottage-style suites and family rooms with a separate sleeping area for the children . If you ’ re aching after your walk , why not treat yourself to a spa treatment to ease your muscles ? We suggest the full body massage – after a detailed consultation , your therapist will design a massage according to your individual needs using your personally chosen aromatherapy oil and focusing on your particular areas of concern .
NOGGIN
Along the coast near Deal , Betteshanger Country Park is the most important cycling centre in East Kent , with a three-kilometre road cycling track providing safe , traffic-free road cycling facilities . The track is ideal for families with its safe environment for children to ride and also for serious cyclists where training conditions are ideal . There is a further 10 kilometres of mountain bike trails , all of varying difficulty , designed to challenge and excite all levels of cyclist . A range of bicycles and helmets are available for hire too . Although cycling is the park ’ s main focus , this former spoil heap provides many walking options both in the open and through woodland . A popular route takes in the picturesque blue lake , which during winter can ice over and make a stunning , sparkling sight . From the top of the park , you ’ ll get panoramic views towards Sandwich and its world-renowned golf courses , Ramsgate and the Thanet Offshore Windfarm . This is a great spot for dog walkers , with ample parking and disability friendly routes .
After a day full of fun and activities at Betteshanger Country Park , visit The Coach at Hacklinge for a delicious roast dinner or Sunday lunch . Just minutes away from the park itself , The Coach serves locally sourced tasty food and drink that ' s tailored to the seasons . Passionate about celebrating everything our corner of Kent has to offer , The Coach is proud to use local fresh produce from brilliant local suppliers including Jenkins & Son Fishmongers in Deal and Stour Valley Butchers in Canterbury .
For those looking to turn a trip to this area into a longer stay , then choose your very own home-awayfrom-home with local boutique holiday lettings agency , Keepers Cottages . Their portfolio of properties in the Deal and Sandwich area include plenty for both couples and large families and everything in between . One such example is Noggin at the heart of Deal ’ s conservation area . The elegant Georgian three-storey building ’ s interiors have been lovingly designed by the owners with some fabulous finishing touches including extra thought and care to ensure guests have everything they need for the perfect stay . Situated in a quiet side street just off the main promenade and beach , Noggin is also just a few yards from lively Deal High Street with its delis , boutique shops , traditional pubs , cafes and restaurants . The house has a cosy sitting room with wood-burning stove , a lower-ground-floor kitchen and dining room , plus a delightful sunny courtyard . Upstairs boasts three beautifully decorated bedrooms including one with an en-suite shower room .
Another easy access walk that this time incorporates Kent ’ s magnificent coastline is the Minnis Bay to Reculver walk . Suitable for buggies and wheelchairs ,
CHARING EAST LOST LANDSCAPE WALK
use the path along the sea wall to take in wonderful sea views of the Thanet Coast . The entire length of the route is flat , making it a very accessible route for all the family . The highlight of this walk is the imposing towers of Reculver , sometimes referred to as the ‘ Two Sisters ’ or simply ‘ Reculver Towers ’. The towers are the remains of a monastic church and sit within a Roman fort . Most of the fort and church itself have been washed out to sea , however the towers and ruins are a fascinating place to explore . The walk follows the Viking Coastal Trail and mainly uses the concrete surfaced sea wall with lots of opportunity to spot bird life along the walk , so don ’ t forget your binoculars ! If you have time , take a look around and explore the Reculver Visitor Centre and discover the 2,000-year history – including how the Isle of Thanet was cut off from the mainland by the Wantsum Channel .
Some of the most interesting walks in Kent that delve deep into the mysteries and history of our county ’ s past are included as the North Downs Way ’ s Lost Landscape Heritage Trails . These trails include many weird and wonderful legends and facts regarding Kent ' s landscapes and one such walk covers a lost heathland , a woodland that ’ s been moved and a special map belonging to an anonymous contributor . This is the Charing East Lost Landscape Walk , which encompasses two circular walks from the North Downs Way National Trail . This 6.4-mile trail takes you southeast of the village of Charing , past buildings of many ages , then up onto the Downs , culminating with the superb views near Charing Windmill . This walk is particularly beautiful in the winter with frost and snow dusting the rooftops of the town making it feel like a scene from a Christmas card !
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