DAYSOUT
One Day Adventures cont...
GO APE AT BEDGEBURY PINETUM
THE PIG AT BRIDGE PLACE
WHEELERS OYSTER BAR
1. Castle & Clifftop Majesty: A Dover Day Out Towering over town and sea, Dover Castle is a full-scale medieval masterpiece. Spend the morning exploring secret wartime tunnels, the Roman lighthouse and Henry II’ s great keep. Then lace up your boots for a breathtaking walk across the White Cliffs of Dover, taking in panoramic Channel views. Wrap up your day with a cream tea at the National Trust café or real ale and homecooked dinner at The White Horse, Dover’ s oldest pub dating back to an incredible 1365.
2. Seaside Wandering & Seafood in Whitstable A perennial insideKENT favourite, Whitstable serves up the perfect blend of creativity, coastal calm and culinary punch. Start with oysters at Wheelers or a takeaway tray of fresh seafood from The Forge on the beach. Browse the quirky independent art shops, pick up something nautical at Frank or a new read at Harbour Books, stop for a fresh pizza refuel at The Woodfire Kitchen, and don’ t miss Bears Ice Cream Imaginarum where the family-owned ice creamery pushes flavour boundaries with the likes of Great Taste 2-star award winner Brown Butter Popcorn and 1-star awarded Raspberry Ripple, Pistachio Brittle( flavours so magic a certain Rupert Grint devoured them last month …!), then wander Tankerton Slopes for sweeping
views. If the tide’ s out, hunt for sea glass along the shingle.
3. Wine Country Escape: Vineyard Tour & Tasting Fancy France without the flight? Kent’ s wine scene is flourishing, and many estates offer elegant one-day tasting experiences. Book a guided tour and lunch at Chapel Down near Tenterden, sample sparkling wines at Simpsons Wine Estate in Barham, or pair views with rosé and a cheeky charcuterie picnic at Gusbourne near Appledore. Round off the day with a countryside stroll or lazy vineyard lunch with a bottle to bring home. Still feel like too much effort? Wine Tours of Kent organise a variety of one-day Kentish wine tours stopping off at three vineyards with the option to add lunch, too. Oh, and they’ ll even pick you up from the train station!
4. Culture & Cuisine in Canterbury You can’ t go wrong with a one-day pilgrimage to Canterbury. Start at the magnificent Canterbury Cathedral, where the story of Thomas Becket comes alive beneath centuries-old stained glass. Afterward, glide down the River Stour on a peaceful punting tour, offering unique views of the city’ s hidden gardens and medieval buildings. For dinner, tuck into seasonal Kentish produce, The Goods Shed and The Corner House are the town’ s
fresh, local dining bookends, or if you fancy countryside views after your whistlestop city exploration, THE PIG at Bridge Place is just minutes’ away( if you can bag a table).
5. Forest Adventure at Bedgebury Pinetum If you crave the outdoors, Bedgebury National Pinetum & Forest is a go-to green escape. Hire bikes and take to its wellmarked trails, or wander on foot through towering redwoods and peaceful glades. There’ s a family-friendly play trail, Go Ape for the brave, and tranquil lakeside spots for picnicking. Cap your day with coffee and cake at the café or head to The Goudhurst Inn for a gastro pub supper with period charm.
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. Art & Antiques in Deal Deal is all character and cobbles. Arrive early and start browsing the Saturday market, before exploring the High Street’ s mix of curated homewares and local art at Taylor-Jones & Son or Don’ t Walk Walk Gallery. Stop for lunch at The Lane, renowned for its themed, quirky afternoon teas. Round off your day with a beach walk and dinner at the acclaimed The Blue Pelican, based on Japanese Izakaya from the team behind design-forward boutique hotel, The Rose, expect small plates bursting with flavour and sharers underpinned with Asian flavour, even better enjoyed at the chef’ s counter.
40 • www. insidekent. co. uk