KENTSTAYCATION
Cabin in the Woods, Biddenden coolstays. com
Built from salvaged wood and furnished with vintage pieces, this cabin offers a serene place to stay in the Kentish countryside for up to four guests, far away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Featuring a muted pastel colour palette, exposed beams and a cosy atmosphere, guests can relax in the living area’ s comfortable armchairs or enjoy alfresco dining by the garden’ s charcoal BBQ. Within each of the cabin’ s two bedrooms, guests will find duck-down duvets and Eve mattresses for restful nights, and the spacious bathroom offers opportunities for latenight soaks in the serene bathtub. Ideal for small families or getaways with friends, the Cabin in the Woods is dog-friendly, meaning that guests can bring along their four-legged friends to explore the surrounding woodland of Biddenden.
Nearby, National Trust properties including Sissinghurst Gardens and Scotney Castle are great choices for days out in nature, with stunning pine forest trails for hiking or cycling also close to the property. Further afield, the charming town of Rye offers plenty of boutique shopping experiences and independent cafes, with the coastal beauty of Camber Sands just a short drive away for those wanting to truly immerse themselves in all the natural landscapes Kent has to offer this season.
Elmley Nature Reserve, Isle of Sheppey elmleynaturereserve. co. uk
A 3,300 acre expanse of wilderness absolutely brimming with wildlife, Elmley Nature Reserve is one of Kent’ s most unique landscapes yearround, but it completely transforms during the autumn. As summer comes to an end alongside the life cycle of all the insects and pollinators that made Elmley their home during the warmer months, September sees migration become the overriding story of the landscape. While the yellow wagtail prepares to return to West Africa, visitors of Elmley might also be greeted by passage birds such as the whimbrel or curlew sandpiper, which can often be spied from one of Elmley’ s birdwatching hides.
Set amongst secluded trees, the on-site woodland bell tents are a haven where your only neighbours will be butterflies and woodpeckers, and groups of up to four can enjoy the simplicity of traditional canvas walls and the serene countryside right on their doorstep. Fit with its very own firepit and hammock or tree swing, guests can watch the evening sun set while roasting smores and sharing stories of the day. For the ultimate Elmley experience, guests can upgrade from a standard stay to a selfguided wellbeing retreat including breakfast, dinner, one of Elmley’ s signature nature-focused treatments and a personalised walking map and journal for exploring the outdoors.
The Dog at Wingham, Wingham thedog. co. uk
The perfect foodie bolthole for those wanting to keep their taste buds happy, The Dog at Wingham is an award-winning gastropub just a short drive from the historic city of Canterbury. From just £ 100 per person, The Dog offers dinner, bed, breakfast and one of their eight luxurious guest rooms, each of which boasts an en-suite shower room and Hypnos beds. There’ s a choice between a four-poster bed suite for couples wanting a romantic break, or a family suite for guests bringing little ones with them to enjoy a leisurely stay with a warm welcome and a restorative night’ s sleep.
Within the restaurant itself, guests will be greeted by expansive menus of contemporary British cuisine, often accompanied by live folk music on evenings and weekends. Prepared by head chef Charlie Kendall- Smith, every dish is handcrafted using the finest local ingredients, demonstrating the best of every season’ s produce. Within their à la carte menu, standout dishes include crab ravioli with saffron beurre blanc, as well as tandoori monkfish with shallot bhaji and a classic treacle tart with lemon balm for dessert. For guests wanting to head into the city after dinner, Canterbury is home to a plethora of unique sights from Westgate Gardens to its iconic cathedral, and nearby, Leeds Castle has a popular Sculpture Trail available for families to explore until 5 October.
ELMLEY NATURE RESERVE www. insidekent. co. uk • 61