insideKENT Magazine Issue 41 - August 2015

FOOD+DRINK Kent’s Best Cream Teas cont. Riverhill Himalayan Gardens Chiddingstone Castle Sevenoaks // www.riverhillgardens.co.uk Nr. Edenbridge // www.chiddingstonecastle.org.uk If you want to combine a traditional cream tea with an untraditional (to say the least!) day out, then the Riverhill Himalayan Gardens should suit you perfectly. Here there are world-class British sculptures, den building activities, secret pathways, beautiful views, a wealth of history, and a yeti. Yes. A yeti. See if you can spot him as you enjoy the stunning surroundings of Riverhill. And when you have (or even if he is being elusive), treat yourself to an indulgent afternoon tea. Everything is homemade, and all the ingredients are locally sourced, so you can’t get much more Kentish than this! Kent & East Sussex Railway Tenterden // www.kesr.org.uk One of the Seven Wonders of the Weald, the much-loved Kent & East Sussex Railway is always popular with visitors, and you don’t need to be a train enthusiast to enjoy it – a love of history, or tradition, and of good food and entertainment will work just as well. Along with themed nights and marvellous meals, both the station at Tenterden and the refreshments on the trains themselves include a wonderful cream tea. With warmed, buttered scones, sticky clotted cream, and Kentish preserves, you can watch the world go by as you eat and sip at your cup of tea of coffee. Groombridge Place Tunbridge Wells // www.groombridgeplace.com The cosy Tea Room of Chiddingstone Castle has both indoor and outside seating, allowing you to enjoy the fine weather, when we have it. Here you can enjoy delicious homemade scones with cream from Cornwall and mouthwatering jam all served on vintage china crockery. You don’t even have to enter the castle grounds to enjoy the Tea Room (although it is highly recommended), so there is no entrance fee to pay if you are visiting just for the sumptuous sweet treats on offer here. For the larger cream tea with extra sandwiches and pastries, you must book in advance to save disappointment. A new (as of July) and delicious cream tea to be found in Kent is the superb one at Groombridge Place. The menu includes a luxury tea option with a glass of Prosecco served on the terrace or bowling green. All cream teas can be booked on the day of your visit except luxury teas, which need to be booked in advance. They include scones, clotted cream, jam, finger sandwiches, and a selection of fabulous cakes

insideKENT Magazine Issue 41 - August 2015 | Page 68