insideKENT Magazine Issue 90 - September 2019 | Page 60

FOOD+DRINK
KENT’S GLORIOUS WINEST CONT.
TAKING A SHORT BREAK IN THE
WINE GARDEN OF ENGLAND
HEADING TO A VINEYARD, TAKING A TOUR AND PERHAPS INDULGING IN A FEW DRINKS SOUNDS LIKE THE
IDEAL DAY. BUT WHAT IF YOU’RE VISITING FROM FURTHER AFIELD, OR PERHAPS WISH TO MAKE A WEEKEND
OF IT? WELL, ONCE YOU’VE DESIGNATED YOUR ALCOHOL-FREE DRIVER OR BOOKED A TAXI, YOU CAN HEAD
TO SOME OF THESE LOCAL HOTELS OR COTTAGES NEARBY THE WINE GARDEN OF ENGLAND VINEYARDS…
Hush Heath & Goudhurst Squerryes & Chiddingstone Gusbourne & Hythe
Thankfully one of the shorter journeys, at just three
and a half miles a way is Hush Hea ths’ very own
Goudhurst Inn. Once you’ve stocked up at the new
visitor centre, it’ll no doubt be time to soak up on
your new purchases. Serving gastropub favourites,
continental treats and fresh clay oven pizzas that you
can enjoy on the sun terrace, you’ll not want to leave,
and as the pub has their own rooms, you won’t need
to! Each room has been designed to culminate in a
boutique country hotel – a retreat in the Weald. Sitting just outside of Westerham, Squerryes vineyard
occupies prime K entish countr yside b ut within
touching distance of the M25. Once you’ve tasted
the wines or gone on the e xperiences, it’ll be time
to head back home – or not. Sitting just 19 minutes
from the vineyard is Mulberry Cottage’s Duck Lodge.
This quaint lodging is filled with oak beams, a wood
burner and other country ideals and is even home
to some namesake creatures. Closer to the Woolpack Inn than Chapel Down is
Gusbourne, yet if you are not picking countryside
to sleep in for your night, perhaps head further east
toward the beautiful Kent coast. Around 30 minutes’
drive away is the Hythe Imperial Hotel. Pr oudly
standing on the seafr ont overlooking the Eng lish
Channel, this hotel will truly make the dif ference
to the countr yside you have been accustomed to
earlier in the day.
Chapel Down & Warehorne Biddenden Vineyards
Just south of Tenterden is where Chapel Down lies,
a typically Eng lish town setting. With many pubs
and independent shops there is plenty to do, but if
you fancy getting away from it all and getting into
the village lifestyle then head to nearby Warehorne
and to the Woolpack Inn. The 16th Century Inn is
surrounded by fields with grazing sheep, and inside
is home to fiv e individually styled r ooms full of
memorabilia and c haracter. T he r estaurant
downstairs even stocks the tipple from the vineyard
you’ve just visited – just in case you need more! Rustic charm and appeal go with the 50-year history
of Biddenden Vineyard. To go hand-in-hand yet in
stark contrast with this is the Bar row House in
Egerton. Built in 1576, the pub is a hive of activity
for the village and its historic interior is combined
with the modern features of each of their rooms, all
with a minimalistic almost Scandi like outfitting .
Once you’ve slept well overnight, head out and into
the country as you’ll be greeted by sweeping views
over toward the Kent Downs AONB.
Simpsons & Canterbury
Luckily being just over 15 minutes’ drive south of
Canterbury, Simpsons W ine Estate has plenty of
hotels and inns to settle do wn for the night after a
busy day right on its doorstep. A fine example is the
Abode Hotel in Canterbury. With some bedrooms
featuring wet rooms and roll top baths to rooftop
terraces overlooking the city, this hotel is the epitome
of luxury in the centre of the city. If you can’t tuck
into your purchases from Simpsons just y et, then
there’s even a champagne bar on hand!
For more information and inspiration from the Wine Garden of England, visit www.winegardenofengland.co.uk
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