KENTSTAYCATION
Du Pree, as well as a private outdoor rainbow courtyard with panoramic views across Margate’ s beach.
The West House Restaurant with Rooms, Biddenden thewesthouserestaurant. co. uk
Set within a 16th-century weaver’ s cottage in the Weald of Kent, The West House is run by drummer-turned-chef Graham Garrett, who’ s devoted to finding the finest seasonal ingredients and most interesting wines to complement them. Menus here aren’ t filled with pretentious descriptions, just fresh produce prepared simply. With immense depth and purity of flavour, standout dishes include their roast Peking duck with pineapple salsa and the miso-glazed hispi cabbage.
ROCKSALT
Rocksalt, Folkestone rocksaltfolkestone. co. uk
Serving seasonal Kentish food at its best, Rocksalt restaurant and wine bar boasts panoramic views over the English Channel. With an ethos built on seasonality, locality and simplicity, Rocksalt is perfect for an evening of elegant dishes by the seaside. Nestled within their à la carte menu, guests will love the butter-poached monkfish, herbglazed pork tenderloin and Maldon oysters with lemon and tabasco. Since no evening away is complete without a boutique bolthole, guests can rest their heads within one of four Rocksalt Rooms dressed with original antique beds. Situated just a short walk from the restaurant, two of these seaside stays have stunning views across the shoreline that are perfect for watching the early morning sunrise.
The Sportsman, Seasalter thesportsmanseasalter. co. uk
A historic Kentish pub and proud holder of a Michelin star since 2008, The Sportsman has stood by the windswept sea wall of Seasalter since 1642. In a town that provides delicious fresh fish and oysters from the Thames Estuary as well as meat, game and vegetables from the nearby woodlands, it’ s no wonder that the menu here combines traditional flavours with complex cooking techniques and the Midweek Menu’ s crown prince pumpkin soup, pork belly crackling and bramley apple souffle comes is not to be missed.
Within The Sportsman’ s garden, guests can also enjoy a peaceful night’ s rest in one of the luxury wooden cabins. Each sleeping two people with a king-size bed, en-suite shower room, sizable lounge and kitchen, an overnight stay also includes provisions for a light continental breakfast.
Buoy and Oyster, Margate buoyandoyster. com
An independent, family-run restaurant that proudly holds two AA Rosettes, Buoy and Oyster showcases top quality seafood and seasonal ingredients in a laid-back spot beside the sea. Their menu changes quarterly, reflecting what nature has to offer, and currently features flavoursome dishes such as fried monkfish katsu and king prawn and chilli pappardelle.
Above the restaurant sit the Margate Suites, a group of four, self-contained and individually designed apartments. Sleeping up to five guests,
The Courtyard Suite has a fun, bright and coastal interior designed by local artists Amy Exton and Jessica
With four themed rooms to suit different tastes, The West house offers one-night stays for two people including dinner and a bespoke breakfast hamper delivered straight to your door. A clear tribute to the owner’ s beginnings, the Rock‘ N’ Roll room features a black fourposter bed, walls filled with original artwork and exclusive access to a cosy garden hot tub.
The Fordwich Arms & Bridge Arms, Canterbury fordwicharms. co. uk / bridgearms. co. uk
With produce-driven menus focused on seasonality and provenance, both The Fordwich Arms and Bridge Arms are lovingly run by husband-and-wife team, Dan and Natasha Smith. At Bridge, the seasonal menu is producedriven, focused on cooking over charcoal in their Josper oven; try the delectable short rib of Hereford beef. Over in the Fordwich’ s oak-panelled dining room, guests can enjoy the very best ingredients sourced directly from local farms and producers- their smoked chalk stream trout is an excellent starter.
Just a couple doors down from the Bridge Arms, Daniel and Natasha have recently renovated a 15th-century cottage for guests to book. With two double bedrooms and one king-size room, The Arms Cottage boasts period features, an open fireplace and bucketloads of charm.
MARGATE SUITES
78 • www. insidekent. co. uk