Globally minded Individually known
FREE
www. insidekentmagazine. co. uk insideKENT
WELCOME
PUBLISHER: Adam Ready, adam @ sidewaysmedia. co. uk EDITOR: Samantha Ready, insidekent @ sidewaysmedia. co. uk
EDITORIAL: Deputy Editor: Polly Humphris Features Writer: Emily Sturgeon
OPERATIONS: Operations Manager: Karlene Gannon
DESIGN: Design Director: Lorna Morris Designers: Maisey Wilson, Nic Craig, Melissa Boxall
SALES: Sales Manager: Jerry Barrett, jerry @ sidewaysmedia. co. uk Sales Account Manager: Tina Winter Sales Account Manager: Anna Lockyer
DIGITAL: Digital Content & Marketing Assistant: Sophie Shorter
Contributors: Carol Ford, Florrie Gannon, H-J Dobbie, Jo Ginn, Neil Miller, Paula Chappell, Rebecca Stanton
Cover: © Bloom Stays
insideKENT Magazine is published by Sideways Media Ltd, Sideways Studios, Unit 3 Eden Business Centre, South Stour Avenue, Ashford, Kent, TN23 7RS
www. sidewaysmedia. co. uk For general enquiries, please contact hello @ sidewaysmedia. co. uk or 01233 226519
For all advertising enquiries, please contact Adam Ready on 01233 226519 or email adam @ sidewaysmedia. co. uk
For all editorial enquiries, press releases or news stories, please contact insidekent @ sidewaysmedia. co. uk
© Copyright 2026. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher. Neither the publisher nor any other person associated with the production and publication of this magazine make any guarantees, warranties or claims as to the accuracy, currency or truthfulness of any of the contents of this magazine. No part of this magazine may be copied, reproduced or transmitted in any form without the publisher’ s written consent. No responsibility is taken for unsolicited editorial, images or photographs published. While every care is taken, prices and details are subject to change and the publisher takes no responsibility for omissions or errors. Publisher is not responsible for any variation in image colour due to printing processes.
EST. 2010 SEPTEMBER 2026 FREE
DAYS OUT / DINING / ARTS + CULTURE / GETAWAYS / EVENTS
EST. 2010 OCTOBER 2026
DAYS OUT / DINING / ARTS + CULTURE / GETAWAYS / EVENTS
EST. 2010 NOVEMBER 2026 FREE
DAYS OUT / DINING / ARTS + CULTURE / GETAWAYS / EVENTS
It’ s officially Christmas at iKHQ, and frankly, we couldn’ t be more excited! The festive countdown is officially on, the diaries are filling up, the gift lists are growing and the iK elves have been working overtime to bring you one of our absolute favourite issues of the year. So, grab a suitably festive tipple, get cosy and prepare to embrace the most wonderful time of the year right here in the Garden of England.
As the temperatures finally tumble and the nights draw in, we’ re embracing all things snug with Seasonal Staycations, rounding up some of Kent’ s most wonderful winter boltholes. Think roaring fires, luxurious linens, countryside calm and the perfect excuse to do absolutely nothing. We’ ve even thrown in some fabulous PJ inspiration on p152 because, let’ s face it, a winter escape deserves a suitable stylish sleepwear wardrobe.
Of course, shorter days don’ t mean less to do. Quite the opposite, in fact! Kent After Dark shines a light on the county’ s best evening adventures, proving that some of the most magical experiences happen long after the sun has set.
With party season properly upon us, we’ re also turning our attention to the all-important food and drink- well‘ it’ s Christmas’, right? Celebration Season has your festive feasting firmly covered, from sophisticated cocktail spots and indulgent afternoon teas to fabulous party menus and the very best places to book for Christmas Day dining. We’ ve even headed into the dairy with the brilliant Cheesemakers of Canterbury to discover more about the process behind their fabulous Christmas cheese( check out December’ s mag for top tips on how to build the perfect cheeseboard!).
Christmas wouldn’ t be Christmas without some spectacular decor at home and we’ re on hand to help you deck the halls in style. Taking inspiration from our beautiful front cover star, a stunning Bloom Stays’ property, we explore this year’ s must-have festive decor trends. From the rich warmth of roasted chestnut and the nostalgic charm of nutcrackers to those must-have viral bells, there’ s plenty of inspiration to transform your home from p164.
And then, of course, there are the presents! Our diligent iK elves have been beavering away since the summer( yes, really!) to bring you this year’ s annual bumper Christmas Gift Guide. Packed with present picks for kids, grown-ups, the pooch and everyone in between, we’ ve rounded up some fabulous finds to make your Christmas shopping a little bit easier, all from p71.
We’ re also once again championing the importance of shopping local with some fantastic gifting inspiration courtesy of Produced in Kent. Did you know that buying just five locally made gifts could make a huge difference to the county’ s economy and the brilliant indie businesses that call it home?
I’ m off to toast the end of gift guide compilations( until next month’ s Kentish Gift Guide!), celebrate our very own Sideways Academy star Sophie’ s apprenticeship graduation( well done Sophie!), and attempt to nab another table at Keller- read about our recent dinner there on p124; trust me, it’ s one for your must-visit list! bright futures
INSPIRING MINDS ACROSS KENT
SLOW TRAVEL IN KENT // VINEYARD DISCOVERY ADULT-ONLY ESCAPES // THE GREAT KENTISH BAKE OFF fall in love with kent
GET COSY IN THE GARDEN OF ENGLAND THIS AUTUMN
KENT PUBCAYTIONS // OH YES IT IS! PANTO SEASON CULTURAL CUISINE // KENT’ S CAFFEINE CREW // SPA SPECIAL festive season starts here!
CHRISTMAS MAGIC ARRIVES IN KENT
CHRISTMAS DECOR TRENDS // THE iK GIFT GUIDE // KENT AFTER DARK SEASONAL STAYCATIONS // TASTE OF KENT AWARDS
As always, there’ s plenty more packed into these pages celebrating the very Best of Kent ® and all the wonderful people, places and businesses that make our county shine, especially at this time of year. Here’ s to festive adventures, fabulous feasting and supporting local.
SUBSCRIBE!
For digital or print copies and never miss an issue. insidekentmagazine. co. uk / subscribe
Happy Christmas shopping, Kent!
Samantha samjready insidekent
www. insidekent. co. uk • 9