DAYSOUT
For big groups looking to explore this area and have more of a home-awayfrom-home as a base , look no further than boutique holiday lettings agency , Bloom Stays . An ideal holiday home on their portfolio , sleeping up to 17 guests and four of their four-legged friends , is The Homestead in Waltham . A large modern house , it provides wonderful views of the surrounding paddocks and countryside complete with roaming horses and wildlife . Flexible accommodation is available across two floors with a combination of twins and doubles plus a large family dormitory style room at the very top . The owners welcome you to meet their friendly horses and enjoy the stable yard community , which makes this unique country getaway so very different from the working stable yard across from the property within the estate .
The ideal place for hillside chalk figures , the Kent Downs is home to no less than four individual murals . As well as the Wye Crown , there is also Shoreham Memorial Cross , a Christian cross landmark sited to the west of Shoreham Village . The project to carve the cross was championed by a local man named Samuel Cheeseman after both of his sons were killed on active duty in World War I . He was determined to commemorate his sons and the other 48 men from Shoreham who were lost in the war . The site was donated by local landowner and war veteran , Francis Mildmay , and the cross was completed in September 1921 after 16 months of work . As part of the annual remembrance , Samuel Cheeseman would pull a small cannon up the hill to the cross . Shoreham Memorial Cross can be viewed from the village and a public footpath leads from the village up the hill to the cross making a poignant walk for owners and their dogs .
In Shoreham , find one of Kent ’ s bestloved pubs , The Samuel Palmer . A charming 15th-century pub hidden away in picturesque surroundings yet minutes from the thriving town of Sevenoaks , diners and their dogs can delight in a taste of The Garden of England through a beautiful seasonal menu . Freshly prepared on the premises with produce from local suppliers , dishes are certain to be mouthwatering and leave diners feeling contentedly full - especially after
a long walk ! When it comes to drinks , many of the ales are locally brewed and the wines are individually chosen to complement each dish , including those from The Mount Vineyard , the pub ’ s own vineyard .
As well as the Shoreham Memorial Cross and The Samuel Palmer , Shoreham is home to the The Samuel Palmer Trail : a circular walk around the village and its surrounding landscape in the heart of the delightful Darent Valley . The perfect way to enjoy the outdoors , appreciate the landscape and learn about some of the rich cultural and artistic heritage of the Darent Valley is to download the Darent Valley Trail App and set off on this self-guided walk . Wonder at chalk slopes with woodland tops , ancient trees towering over Lullingstone Park and awe-inspiring views across Shoreham Village . Walk in the footsteps of British artist Samuel Palmer in the company of the artist himself ! He will accompany you on your walk via the audio guide , telling you all about his time in Shoreham and the paintings he made here inspired by the beautiful Darent Valley .
HOMESTEAD
THE SAMUEL PALMER www . insidekent . co . uk • 45