KENTSTAYCATION
Rural Retreats cont...
visitors can enjoy local ales, wines, pizzas and seasonal menus on their charming terrace.
The Grape Escape, Biddenden biddendenvineyards. com
Situated in the heart of Biddenden’ s idyllic countryside, The Grape Escape is a romantic couple’ s getaway overlooking the vines. Fit with a wood-fired hot tub, this charming cottage has everything guests might need for a cosy overnight stay from a Smart TV and sofa to an electric oven and coffee machine. Accessible via a ladder from the lounge, the mezzanine bedroom is a comfortable sleeping area featuring a king-size bed, shelf storage and a window with blackout blinds. Outside, guests can climb a couple of steps to the secluded garden and make use of the sun loungers or charcoal BBQ, unwinding as the sun sets over the vineyard.
Having been owned and managed by the Barnes family since 1969, Biddenden
Vineyards spans 23 acres of gentle, southfacing slopes, growing 12 different grape varieties from their award-winning white to their decadently sparkling English wines. To add an extra special touch to an overnight stay at The Grape Escape, guests can book private guided tours to gain in-depth insights into local winemaking history and partake in a tutored tasting at the winery. Lasting just under an hour total, couples can continue an action-packed day out by visiting nearby Leeds Castle or The Big Cat Sanctuary( thebigcatsanctuary. org) before tucking into a hearty meal at The Black Horse in Pluckley( theblackhorsepluckley. com).
Romney Marsh Shepherds Huts, Romney Marsh romneymarshshepherdshuts. co. uk
Deep in the Kentish countryside, the Romney Marsh Shepherds Huts are an off-grid adventure with nobody else around except for the land’ s woolly friends. With three
SISSINGHURST CASTLE
© Chris Davies luxurious huts: The Lookerer, Rumwold and The Romney- available to book separately or all at once- guests can enjoy an experience like no other in Kent. Within the huts, you’ ll find a comfortable double bed, kitchen and en-suite bathroom fit with a warm shower and hotel-quality linens. Complete with its own outdoor firepit, each hut can be enjoyed all year round by local astrophiles wanting to soak in one of Kent’ s most unspoilt sky views.
Keeping busy during a stay at Romney Marsh Shepherds Huts is never an issue, as their additional offerings include alpaca trekking with Alpaca Annie, cocktail making and jeep safari tours across the farm. With plenty of walking routes across the marsh, the wetland, rivers and streams attract a plethora of wildlife from herons and linnets to tree sparrows and reed buntings, so make sure to bring a pair of binoculars! Closer to civilisation, visitors can enjoy a late lunch at Deblyns Teashop & Garden on the high street( deblyns. co. uk) or visit family-owned pub, The Shepherd & Crook Inn, for a delicious evening meal( shepherdandcrookinn. com).
Mocketts Farm Cottages, Sheerness mockettsfarmcottages. co. uk
Set on a third-generation working family farm, Mocketts Farm Cottages are a home away from home for visitors wanting to enjoy a weekend of secluded countryside living. With spacious living areas, fully equipped kitchens and a welcome basket of local treats, guests are sure to have everything they’ ll need during their stay. For younger ones, there’ s a shared games room with table tennis, pool and foosball, as well as BBQ firepits for roasting marshmallows in the evening. Great for small families, the grounds also feature a secure, twoacre dog field perfect for your furry friend to treasure some off-lead freedom and stretch their legs in a safe environment. Even better, their country restaurant, The Ferry House, is a dog-friendly dining spot just a short walk away with uninterrupted views of the Swale Estuary.
Tucked away on the Isle of Sheppey, Mocketts Farm Cottages sit between open countryside and the expansive Kent coast, with quiet walking trails, abundant wildlife and uninterrupted views right on their doorsteps. Just an hour from London and an easy drive to Whitstable, Canterbury and Faversham, guests can head into one of the nearby towns for an action-packed day exploring local history. In Whitstable, Wheelers Oyster Bar is a must-visit for seafood lovers( wheelersoysterbar. com), with Canterbury of course home to the iconic Canterbury Cathedral, and Faversham full of beautiful walking trails at Huckleberry Woods, Mount Ephraim Gardens and Oare Marshes Nature Reserve.
ROMNEY MARSH SHEPHERDS HUTS www. insidekent. co. uk • 77