insideKENT Magazine Issue 143 - March 2024 | Page 47

KENTSTAYCATION
Spring Stays and Rainy Days cont ...
THE CLIMBING EXPERIENCE
SEKKOYA
THE KOREAN COWGIRL
more sports-style activities , pay a visit to The Climbing Experience , an 18,000-sq ft indoor bouldering and fun wall climbing centre complete with coffee shop . For those looking for indoor fun that requires some logical problem solving , why not visit escape room experience , Escape Hub ? A thrilling and engaging indoor activity that can be a lot of fun for groups , families and friends of all ages .
Culture vultures need not feel left out in Maidstone , either . As an historic town , Maidstone offers plenty of cultural venues that celebrate the town ’ s arts scene and heritage alike . Check out the Hazlitt Theatre for live performances including theatre productions , comedy shows and concerts . This March , choose from the likes of Oh What A Night ! and The Addams Family . Want to discover more of Maidstone ’ s history ? Visit the Maidstone Museum , which houses a diverse range of exhibits covering art , history and culture . It ’ s a great place to learn about local heritage and enjoy a day of indoor exploration to improve your knowledge .
Maidstone ’ s geographical position also lends itself to being surrounded by swathes of beautiful Kentish countryside . With this countryside comes picturesque villages and therefore some of the county ’ s cosiest country pubs that offer a warm hearth and hearty food ideal for visiting on rainy spring days . One such example is The Red Bull in the village of Eccles . Surrounded by ancient walks and vineyards , the refurbished
Red Bull enjoys a perfect position by the Pilgrims Way . A cosy family and dog friendly 16th-century pub , relax by the open fire as hundreds of travellers have done for centuries , or , on sunnier days , enjoy a refreshing drink and bite to eat on the outdoor terrace or garden . The Red Bull pride themselves on their delicious modern and reinvented pub classics with quality meats , game , vibrant vegan dishes and fresh fish specials , sourcing locally and using their own inhouse smokers and dry-ageing fridges . The delicious dishes promise to be packed with the very best of Kentish springtime produce , one example being The Red Bull ’ s meat farmer , who raises his stock in fields just the other side of the River Medway .
For those wanting to extend their stay in Maidstone , while adding in even more indulgence with a historical edge , then look no further than a stay at Chilston Park . A classic British country house hotel located in beautiful rural surroundings , Chilston Park boasts an abundance of style and charm . Guests can really indulge in a stay here when they opt for a ‘ Feature Bedroom ’ - luxurious suites designed to enthral , these would have been the original rooms for the lord and lady of the house . Huge exposed beams , intricately carved timber bed frames , warm wooden floorboards and other opulent furnishings make the feature bedroom an incredible stay that ’ s sure to be remembered .
Another historic town that comes full of culture through its theatre and museums is Canterbury . With no less than three individual theatres , show lovers of all kinds are certain to get their drama fix when they spend some time in this thriving city . One of insideKENT ’ s favourite theatres to visit is The Malthouse Theatre . This March , get ready for some serious laughter at Comedy Ladder , an hilarious show featuring some of the very best comedians on the circuit . Fancy something more musical ? Then A Country Night in Nashville might suit you . Those looking for a spine-chilling play will love the gripping adaptation of Dickens ’ most haunting work , The Haunting , and for those with little children , There Was An Old Lady That Swallowed A Fly would be the perfect pick .
Canterbury offers plenty of pre- or posttheatre meal offerings with its vibrant foodie scene . The brand new Canterbury Riverside is home to two of the city ’ s trendiest and most aesthetic restaurants : Sekkoya and The Korean Cowgirl . Embark on a culinary journey of Pan-Asian flavours like no other at Sekkoya , where you will find an astounding sharing menu created by celebrity chef Jay Morjaria , which includes delectable dishes prepared on their bespoke Japanese robata grill . The mixologists will awaken your senses with exquisite cocktails and their chic ‘ vibe dining ’ experience will take you late into the night . At Korean Cowgirl , experience reimagined flavours of East meets West , where the best of both sides of the globe delivers a restaurant that brings a unique blend of subtly spiced
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