KENTSTAYCATION
Kent’ s New Wave cont...
DESIGN LED STAYS: WHERE ARCHITECTURE MEETS ESCAPE
Architect Designed Cabins
Kent’ s cabin scene has moved far beyond the rustic retreat. Bloom Stays has curated over 130 homes across Kent and Sussex, each chosen for its design and individuality, from contemporary beach houses to architect-led builds and reimagined barns that invite you to fully immerse yourself in the wow factor they will undoubtedly bring.
Dungeness is where this approach feels most striking. The vast, open landscape has long drawn artists and architects, inspired by its light and sense of stillness, creating something almost otherworldly.
THE AMELIA SCOTT
El Ray, an architecturally bold beach house set against the raw coastline, shows off with expansive glazing that pulls the outside in, framing panoramic views across the shingle as the light changes throughout the day. An original railway carriage forms an unexpected centrepiece within the kitchen, bringing history into dialogue with modern design. Set within the Dungeness Nature Reserve, often described as Britain’ s only desert, it is a place that continues to inspire artists, not just for how it looks, but for how it makes you feel when you are there.
Boutique Hotels with Personality Kent’ s boutique hotels are embracing design as a defining feature. In Tunbridge Wells, One Warwick Park blends restored Victorian architecture with modern interiors to create what it describes as‘ curated moments’. You can’ t help but notice the attention to detail, from luxurious layered textures, jaw-dropping statement lighting and a careful balance between heritage and contemporary style.
ONE WARWICK PARK
That creativity extends beyond the hotel itself. Tunbridge Wells offers an understated art scene, best explored through independent galleries, interiors shops and the colonnaded Pantiles. Nearby, spaces such as The Amelia Scott bring together art, history and exhibitions under one roof, reinforcing the town’ s thoughtful, design-conscious feel.
Vineyards and Modern Barn Conversions Kent’ s vineyards have become some of the county’ s most soughtafter places to visit and it’ s clear to see why. Of course, the surroundings are naturally beautiful, but add to that interesting architecture and creative twists, and vineyards become a feast for all our senses. Westwell Wines, near Ashford, stands out for its contemporary tasting room where the cleverly designed spaces draw you in but still allow the wine and rolling North Downs to speak for themselves.
Art, land and creativity sit at the heart of everything here. Cofounder Galia Pike brings an artistic lens to the vineyard, from intricate label illustrations to large-scale works displayed on site; inspired by the winemaking process and natural surroundings, her work adds a distinctive, design-led layer to the experience.
Pair a visit to Westwell with a stay at Old Harrow Barn, which captures the balance between rural character and modern design and comfort. Built in the style of a traditional Tyler barn, it sits naturally within its surroundings while offering generous open-plan living. Inside, the focus is as much on experience as aesthetics, from the well-considered kitchen to the standout cinema room, where a twinkling star-effect ceiling adds a subtle sense of theatre.
WESTWELL WINES
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