FOOD + DRINK
And Pup Came Too cont...
THE PRINT HOUSE
© Westwell Wines
WESTWELL WINES
WHERE TO GO FOR … DINNER
Refined dining doesn’ t have to mean leaving your dog at home. Across Kent, a growing number of restaurants and pubs are opening their doors to four-legged diners, meaning there’ s no need to compromise on either the food or who gets to enjoy it.
Keeping things traditional, an evening at the pub is often exactly what’ s called for during the colder months. Warming fires, cosy corners and an array of pub classics are always appreciated, and The Piglet at Ye Olde Whyte Lyon( thepiglet. pub) brings these creature comforts to life.
Based in Locksbottom, just a stone’ s throw from London, start the evening with a quiet stroll around Farnborough Recreation Ground( bromley. gov. uk). Wander beneath the English oaks and rugged black poplar trees before reaching the open grassy spaces where dogs can stretch their legs, sniff around and enjoy some off-lead time.
Once the evening chill begins to set in, take the brisk 10-minute walk to The Piglet. Inside, a chic, modern interior blends effortlessly with the atmosphere of the historic 17thcentury country pub. For a proper Sunday feast, settle in for a good-old-fashioned roast made with locally sourced meat. Choose from roasted belly and pulled shoulder of Tamworth pork with crisp crackling and sweet apple sauce, or roast leg of Romney Marsh lamb, both sourced from Little Mill Farm near Tonbridge. Then come the sides: creamy cauliflower cheese, oxtail-stuffed Yorkshire puddings and honey-glazed carrots, among plenty of other mouthwatering accompaniments.
If you’ re looking for something a little different but still want your four-legged friend by your side, Birchwood Restaurant( birchwood-family. com) in Goudhurst offers a sustainable dining experience. Located at Taywell Farm( taywellfarm. com) next to the farm shop, the restaurant feels like a peaceful escape, offering sweeping views across West Kent, while a strong appreciation for the natural world is central to the dining experience.
The spacious layout makes it easy for dogs to settle in while you explore a menu centred around British produce and ingredients sourced from the farm. The menu changes with the seasons, celebrating local cheeses and locally foraged ingredients including mushrooms, brambles, wood sorrel and birch sap, offering flavours you may have not tasted before.
Birchwood also hosts regular foodie events, with autumn bringing a selection of special evenings to look forward to. Block Burger Night, on Friday 2 October, centres around whole-animal butchery, serving beef and lamb burgers alongside vegetarian burgers.
Then, on Friday 9 October, the Celebration of Venison offers a six-course feast built around the whole animal. It might be a refined evening for you, but with all those delicious aromas floating around the table, don’ t be surprised if your dog believes they’ ve been invited to the tasting menu too!
WHERE TO GO FOR … SUNDOWNERS
If you’ re looking for a sundowner experience this October, head to Westwell Wines( westwellwines. com), an award-winning low-intervention English winery located just beneath The Pilgrims’ Way on the chalky slopes of the North Downs. Run by Adrain and Galia Pike, the vineyard is as passionate about its four-legged friends as it is about its wines, meaning a day exploring the vines and tasting their acclaimed wines can be enjoyed with your canine companion by your side.
Embark on a vineyard tour through the estate, wandering between the vines while learning about the care and dedication that goes into every bottle. Afterwards, settle in for a tasting session. While dogs aren’ t permitted inside the winery itself, tastings can be enjoyed outside, where sweeping views across the vines provide a scenic backdrop for an early evening sundowner.
“ We absolutely love dogs at Westwell, having even run a dog show a couple of summers ago in the vines! We have a snack and water station for our hairy guests and well-behaved hounds are very welcome to accompany guests on vineyard tours and tastings, although we do ask that they don’ t walk around the winery.”
GALIA PIKE, MANAGING DIRECTOR, WESTWELL WINE ESTATE
An evening tipple can also be found at The Print House( theprinthousetenterden. com) in Tenterden. Located at the end of the High Street, it’ s an easy destination to reach after exploring the town. Park up and wander down the tree-lined avenue before arriving at this welcoming spot where dogs are invited to join you across the bar, lounge and enclosed garden.
Settle in with an artisan beer, an awardwinning wine from one of Kent’ s local vineyards or a signature cocktail, combining spirits and liqueurs with locally sourced ingredients. While you enjoy your drink, your pup is also well looked after, with water bowls and plenty of well-deserved cuddles on hand. What could be better- for you or your pooch?
106 • www. insidekent. co. uk