And Pup Came Too cont... |
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© Macknade © Birchwood Restaurant |
DEAL PIER KITCHEN
CHAPEL DOWN BIRCHWOOD RESTAURANT
MACKNADE
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WHERE TO GO FOR … COFFEE
These days, a coffee date is often a dogfriendly affair. You’ ll find dog treats on the counter and water bowls readily refilled, making it just as enjoyable for your pooch as it is for you- perhaps even more so!
A morning dog walk along the quiet shingle of Sandgate Beach isn’ t complete without a coffee stop afterwards. Just a few steps away, Mr Whippet’ s Cafe(@ mrwhippetscafe) is a cosy, independent coffee shop that puts dog-friendly experiences at the heart of what it does, and after the coastal breeze leaves you feeling a little chilly, there’ s plenty on offer to help warm you back up.
Choose from speciality barista-made coffees and fine teas or try the ceremonial-grade organic matcha paired with a selection of flavoured syrups. If you’ ve worked up an appetite, their freshly baked pastries and sausage rolls make the perfect accompaniment, and, of course, don’ t forget to pick up a dog biscuit for your walking companion.
Heading across to Gravesend, a coffee date can be spent at Cookie & Crow Cafe( cookieandcrowcafe. com). Just a short walk from the River Thames, this quirky café is nestled amongst the hustle and bustle of the town, but step through the doors and you’ ll find a much more peaceful escape. The best part? Dogs are always welcome to join their owners for a coffee break, and inside you can sip away at artisan coffee alongside light, fluffy cakes, or, for a lighter snack, warm buttered sourdough toast makes for a delicious start to the day.
For another way to spend the morning, head to Macknade( macknade. com) in Faversham, a destination bringing the local community together through a shared love of food and drink. During the autumn months, its wine store makes for an ideal place to start a day exploring the surrounding countryside.
Start at Oare Marshes( kentwildlifetrust. org. uk), where you can follow the picturesque footpaths through one of Kent’ s remaining areas of grazing marshland. Dogs must be kept on a lead, but there’ s still plenty to see along the route, with wide-open views across the grazing marshes. See if you can spot one of the late-migatory birds- from the striking black-tailed godwit to the elusive curlew- wading through the open waters.
Once you have worked up a thirst, make your way to Macknade, where the wine store offers a selection of barista-made coffees to recharge and is a great spot to meet friends or just spend a few hours reading. Sometimes the best mornings, it seems, are the ones that come with a peaceful walk, a great coffee and a very happy( and worn out) dog.
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“ Our wine store has become a real dog walkers’ hotspot! We love welcoming dogs in- with treats at the ready, of course. Whether it’ s after a walk or a trip to the vets next door, there’ s always a warm welcome and a coffee waiting for you!”
ROSIE COLLINS, SALES & MARKETING DIRECTOR, MACKNADE
WHERE TO GO FOR … LUNCH
Lunchtime often means finding the perfect balance between a proper sit-down meal and keeping things casual; somewhere dogs can sprawl out and snooze while their owners sit back, relax and delve into some seriously delicious food.
Starting along the East Kent coastline, Deal is home to plenty of dog-friendly finds. Begin at Barkened( barkened. com), an independent lifestyle shop filled with handcrafted goods and unique items for people, dogs and the home. From here, head down to Deal Beach, where sweeping views across the English Channel provide the perfect backdrop for a walk along the stones before making your way along Deal Pier. Stretching out into the sea, the pier is recognised as the last remaining fully intact pier in Kent, making it a particularly special sight to see.
At the end of the pier, you’ ll find Deal Pier Kitchen( dealpierkitchen. com), which offers some of the best views across Deal. Its glass-walled setting makes it an ideal lunch pit stop with your furry friend. There’ s no need to book, simply turn up, find a seat and settle in before tucking into a lobster and crayfish roll made with fresh Atlantic lobster and crayfish dressed in a spicy Marie Rose sauce with a hint of lemon, served alongside crispy skinny fries; a quintessential coastal lunch in Kent.
If you’ re after more of a countryside pub feel, the Swan & Dog( swananddog. co. uk) in Great Chart offers a calm and quaint atmosphere, with dogs welcome both inside and out. Its crowd-pleasing menu makes it an easygoing stop for a relaxed lunch after a countryside walk in the North Downs.
Expect wood-fired pizzas, mixed seafood pasta dishes and the classic Swan & Dog Burger, complete with a juicy beef patty, melted cheese and chunky chips. It’ s the kind of hearty lunchtime meal that can be enjoyed without any fuss, ideally with your four-legged friend curled up nearby.
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www. insidekent. co. uk • 105 |