DAYSOUT
Tractor Trails cont...
Annie also offers meet and greets from £ 8.50, which include hand-feeding and photo opportunities for younger visitors or those unable to walk long distances. With both experiences available to book in advance from Thursday to Saturday, a visit to Haguelands Farm this July will certainly be like none other in Kent.
Bore Place, Edenbridge boreplace. org
A 500-acre historic estate and active farm situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Bore Place offers everything from organic farm-grown produce and explorable marked trails across the land to programmes for school children and group retreat accommodation. Situated within the gorgeous Wealden countryside, Bore Place is open all year round with free parking available and dogs welcome on leads. In the summertime, those wanting a treat are in luck as organic ice creams are available from their Farm Gate alongside a selection of Blackwoods’ award-winning cheeses, kefir, yoghurt and honey. At the Milking Parlour, guests can even see the cows being milked and learn all about Bore Place’ s regenerative farming practices.
Since no outdoor adventure is complete without a walk through the fields and woodlands, visitors can explore any of Bore Place’ s gentle trails and circular routes to reveal the secrets of the landscape that has been worked and farmed for over 1,000 years. Offering panoramic views and plenty of opportunities to see the surrounding wildlife, the circular walk from Bore Place to Bough Beech Reservoir is one of the best this side of Kent.
Walking Routes & Farm Trail, Solley’ s Ice Cream Parlour, Deal solleys. co. uk
Family-run for four generations, Solley’ s farm has been making ice cream for over 30 years, sourcing 85 % of their base ingredients from the local area. Producing over 15 flavours including Kentish honey and honeycomb, crystallised ginger and traditional vanilla, Solley’ s produces up to 4,500 litres of the refreshing treat daily. Now the South East’ s largest independent producer of real dairy ice cream, Solley’ s deliver daily to stockists across the South East, offer home delivery throughout Kent and also sell directly from the farm gate in the summer months.
Solley’ s Ice Cream Parlour is open from March to December, with visitors welcome to join them for breakfast, light lunch, cakes, hot and cold drinks and, of course, ice cream. Open in line with these times is their marked farm trail which takes adventure-seekers on a journey around the arable farmland, starting from the Ice Cream Parlour and venturing past the pond, out across the fields. Signage provides more information about the area and the circular route to Sutton is a six-mile picturesque journey that’ s perfect for seasoned walkers wanting to spend an afternoon exploring the local countryside.
Biddenden Tractorfest, Biddenden 16- 17 August; tractorfest. co. uk
An annual event now entering its 11th year, Biddenden Tractorfest is run entirely by volunteers with the Kent County Agricultural Society’ s support to raise funds for local agricultural charities, groups and organisations. With over 300 tractors expected to exhibit over the weekend, Biddenden Tractorfest will also include plenty of children’ s entertainment, delicious food and drink, and live music for a varied and full day of fun. While tractors remain central to attracting visitors here, the event aims to provide a summer day out in a nostalgic countryside fair setting that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
Across the two-day event, a range of arena demonstrations will include vehicle displays, falconry, craft exhibits such as wood turning, spinning and chainsaw carving, as well as an exciting dog show and sheep show. There will also be the chance to meet and buy directly from a curated selection of local businesses, producers, organisations and crafters for those wanting something to commemorate the day. Of course, Biddenden Tractorfest will boast a vast display of vintage tractors, steam engines, horticultural machinery and classic cars for those most interested in what gives the event its iconic name.
Brogdale Collections, Faversham brogdalecollections. org
Set within the 150-acre Brogdale Farm, the Brogdale Collections is home to the world’ s largest fruit collection, with nearly 3,500 varieties of fruit trees from apples and pears to plums and cherries. A living history of the heritage of fruit, the Brogdale Collections can be explored via orchard walks and daily tours, with an Orchard Pass purchasable for those wanting to enjoy unlimited visits this season. Available to book via their website, the Brogdale Collections have a diverse range of exciting upcoming events such as bee safaris, Wild Classroom outdoor cooking and apple juicing workshops.
With free parking, accessible toilets and an on-site cafe, why not make a visit to one of their pick-your-own weekends this summer? Where fruit is charged by the punnet, visitors will be able to harvest their own fruit to take home- and best of all, under 16s go free. On 19 and 20 July, their iconic Cherry Fair will take place from 10am- 4pm, featuring cherry displays, expert talks, fruit tastings and free kids’ orchard crafts and tractor trailer rides. With over 400 cherry varieties in the National Fruit Collection, Brogdale Farm’ s Cherry Fair is an excellent chance to buy some of the freshest fruit you’ ll have ever tasted!
BROGDALE COLLECTIONS
BIDDENDEN TRACTORFEST
52 • www. insidekent. co. uk