KENTSTAYCATION
NEW YEAR , NEW VIEW CONT .
THE PIG ’ S SPA TREATMENT ROOMS , ‘ THE POTTING SHED ’
© Ed Schofield
UPDOWN FARMHOUSE
WINNING STAYS FOR 2023 …
The Pig at Bridge Place , Canterbury 4th best hotel boutique in the UK
The Pig at Bridge Place took the number four spot in this year ’ s list of the nation ’ s top 50 boutique hotels , voted to acclaim by leading industry experts , hoteliers , travel writers and influencers .
The Pig is set in yet another of Kent ’ s finest country homes , although now only a wing of what was once a large country house estate , Bridge Place still oozes stately home splendour but is today combined with modern opulence , a sustainable ethos and tireless team of staff to ensure stays at the hotel are just as resplendent as guests ’ surroundings . First built in 1638 on the site of an ancient hall , The Pig at Bridge Place comes with more than its fair share of history , glimpses and echoes of which can be seen through original features such as secret oak staircases , flagstone floors , huge fireplaces and intricate wood carvings . Saved and restored in the 1960s , it became Kent ’ s foremost rock and roll club venue ; mixing an old historic house with rock heritage and a remote location . In its glory days it played host to Led Zeppelin , The Kinks , The Moody Blues and many more – posters of such concerts can now be seen in the restaurant bathrooms .
With far reaching views out across the Kentish countryside , all bedrooms are finished with rustic textures , quintessentially English and boast soft velvet fabrics and rich colours . There are seven characterful bedrooms in the main house , 12 light and spacious rooms in the Coach House , two family friendly lodges , and ‘ The Barn ’, comes in the form of a rustic romantic two-storey hideaway in the old stables .
Additionally , seven Kentish Hop Pickers ’ Huts on stilts sit alongside the river in the grounds , each has been made from reclaimed materials and has a double-bedroom , a free standing bath , a monsoon shower and wood burning stove . These are right next to The Pig ’ s spa treatment rooms , ‘ The Potting Shed ’, that make for an ultra-indulgent stay where guests can really relax and unwind amongst the pretty kitchen garden surroundings . The Pig is also home to a sensational restaurant , which uses locally sourced produce to make up their delectable ‘ 25 mile menu ’, this can be indulged in in the Victorian greenhouse style surroundings , complete with terracotta tiles and botanical plants .
www . thepighotel . com / at-bridge-place
Updown Farmhouse , Deal
Having only opened in July 2022 , Updown Farmhouse in Deal is already making waves across the luxury travel and staycation sector . Named in the ‘ 100 Best Places to Stay in Britain 2022 ’ list by The Times , reviewer Steve Bleach called the 17thcentury farmhouse ‘ laid-back , petite and picture perfect ,’ noting Updown ’ s unique features of ‘ ancient flagstones and weathered brickwork ’ and went on to compliment their ‘ hearty food , good booze ’ and service which comes with ‘ a personal touch you only get when a place is small ’.
Along with Gardener ’ s Cottage , the house has been lovingly updated to provide five luxuriously appointed rooms , a terrace restaurant and farmhouse kitchen . There are four rooms in the house , two with king size beds and two with super king beds , all boasting lovely countryside views across the treetops and down into the garden . The Gardener ’ s Cottage is set in the grounds , away from the main house and all guests are welcome to order lunch and dinner throughout the property , whether in the farmhouse kitchen , bar or outside on the heated covered terrace watching the chefs at work over the wood fired grill .
A hearty breakfast is served in the farmhouse kitchen every morning , with everything one could want to start the day - from strong cups of tea and a wholesome full English to refreshing orange juice and fruity porridge .
www . updownfarmhouse . com
ONE TO LOOK FORWARD TO ...
Brama , Bromley
An abandoned Grade II listed building in Bromley , which once hosted the wedding of David Bowie and his first wife Angie in 1970 , is set to become a fully restored boutique hotel that honours the history and beauty of the original building . Originally built in 1906 , with further additions in 1939 , the part-Grade II listed building has stood empty for many years . Before being sensitively restored , the Bromley gem was recently added to the Heritage at Risk register in 2009 , before it was taken on by new owners that have also opened a separate co-working space and sophisticated new restaurant , Dorothy & Marshall on the site . Many of the original details and materials have been retained throughout the building , wanting to stay sympathetic to its history , standout features include a grand entrance hall housing the reception , flanked with four giant fluted concrete columns clad in green marble , three large stained-glass windows in the former old Council Chambers , and vaulted doors in the former ‘ holding cells ’ of the old Courthouse . It has not been announced when Brama will open yet , but interested visitors can get a glimpse at what it will be like by booking a table at Dorothy & Marshall .
www . dorothyandmarshall . co . uk
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