insideKENT Magazine Issue 30 - September 2014

GETAWAYS The traditional 15th century Kentish farmhouse STONE GREEN FARM Before its current owners bought the 15th-century Stone Green Farm, it was a derelict, empty shell of a house surrounded by equally sad and neglected buildings. Now, after many years of restoration, love and attention by its owners – Caroline and Geoffrey Fletcher – it is a beautiful family home and thriving Bed & Breakfast business, set in seven acres of gardens, fields and woodland in a quiet rural setting on the outskirts of Mersham village. It combines country living with the ease of great access to London, all motorways and the Continent. BY ADAM READY The accommodation is traditional with an emphasis on quality and comfort for their guests – one reason they have been awarded the high accolade of a 5* Silver grading by Visit England. Anyone researching a stay at Stone Green Farm won’t be disappointed if they read the TripAdvisor reviews. It is an ideal location for anyone wanting to explore the wide-ranging attractions Kent has to offer, as well as those travelling to or from the Continent. With two pubs in the village – The Farriers Arms and The Royal Oak – guests can eat and drink locally. Business guests are well catered for with complementary wireless internet access and a quiet environment in which to work or relax. On arrival we were treated to afternoon tea with the most delicious homemade Victoria sponge cake by Caroline. Tea was served on fine bone china, sitting on the terrace in the garden. After tea we had a walk around the field and wood, planted with indigenous species in 2000, and visited the resident sheep and chickens. The extensively oak beamed guest sitting room is comfortably furnished with leather chairs and traditional furniture making it a lovely room in which to relax. In the winter it is particularly welcoming with a roaring fire in the wood-burning stove. Toys and games make it a haven for children if the weather doesn’t allow them to go into the garden. The farmhouse is one of the oldest buildings in Mersham and parts have been dated back to 1485. Guests will find themselves in one of three well-appointed bedrooms, all with TVs, tea and coffee making facilities and fluffy robes for relaxing at the end of the day. Complementary toiletries come from the local, award-winning Romney Marsh Wools. The Doodlebug room on the second floor boasts a super-king bed with en-suite bathroom and overlooks the neighbouring fields of ponies. The Doodlebug room is named after the V1 bomb which exploded in 1944 blowing part of the house down. Guests can find the remains of the bomb in the field. The Bosworth room, with its super-king sized bed and private shower room, is in the oldest part of the house and is a magnificent room under the eaves. You can even enjoy watching the cricket from the window at Mersham Cricket Club across the street! The third guest room at Stone Green Farm is the Pluto room, which is located on the first floor with views of the wood. With its king sized bed and additional single bed, couples or families will enjoy this room and its generously sized en-suite bathroom. Breakfast is obviously a large part of a stay in a B&B, and Caroline and Geoffrey were awarded 109 a Visit England Breakfast Award in 2011. Using as much locally sourced produce as possible, Stone Green Farm guests are offered a wide selection each morning. The full English breakfast including Coopers of Aldington pork and hop sausages, freshly made Scotch pancakes with maple syrup, or perhaps the French toast with a hint of cinnamon. These are in addition to the fresh fruit, local apple and pear juices, organic yoghurts and cereals that are always available. Breakfast is served communally at the long oak refectory table and many new acquaintances are made whilst enjoying your meal. Caroline and Geoffrey pride themselves on providing a professional but friendly and relaxed environment for their guests. Their mantra for the Bed & Breakfast has always been to “exceed people’s expectations” and be part of their guests’ visit rather than just the place they happened to stay. Stone Green Farm Mersham Ashford TN25 7HE 01233 720365 www.stonegreenfarm.co.uk

insideKENT Magazine Issue 30 - September 2014 | Page 109