Places of interest in our part of Kent
We're lucky enough to have fantastic places to eat and drink both locally and further afield and lots to do whether your staycation is for a long weekend, a short break or a long stay. Sleeping up to six people, there are things to do for couples, families with children and friends wanting a to stay in a holiday cottage in Kent together. Please ask if you have specific requirements, or indeed find something to add to our list.
Eating:
Great pubs within walking distance:
The Kentish Rifleman: Traditional pub fayre, our local pub 2 mins walk from the cottage, landlady Vicky will give you a warm welcome. Book in advance. www.thekentishrifleman.co.uk.
The Papermakers Arms: 15 mins walk up the hill to Plaxtol. Posh pub grub. Graham and the team provide a great service. Book in advance www.papermakersarms.com.
The Chaser Inn at Shipbourne: 30 mins walk across the fields. Big busy gastro pub open all day. Check the website as they sometimes open for breakfast when the Farmers Market is running. www.thechaser.co.uk.
The Swan on the Green: West Peckham. 60 mins walk. Wonderful pub food in a lovely location on the village green. Our favourite for Sunday lunch. Book in advance. www.swan-on-the-green.co.uk.
The Plough: Ivy hatch. 50 mins walk. Restaurant style food with Masterchef Semi-Finalist Freddie Innes, fairly expensive. Book in advance for that special occasion. www.theploughivyhatch.com
Further afield:
Check out Chart Farm Shop in Seal. Great butcher and fish shop. Particularly famous for venison. Also does private butchery and eating events. . Home delivery available.
Westerham Brewery: Great tours and pop up food evenings.
The Mount Vineyard: A lovely day out amongst the Kentish vines. Lovely outdoor eating area, home delivery available.
Greensand Ridge Distillery: Amazing gin and occasional pop up events and tours www.greensandridge.com or buy the gin from Plaxtol Village stores!
Home-delivery / local butchers / markets and farm shops:
Shipbourne Farmers Market: Award winning farmers market in the Church at Shipbourne. Well worth a visit on Thursdays and they are currently organising a home delivery service. www.shipbournefm.co.uk.
Plaxtol Village Store is our little village shop and post office. They have a wide range of food, wine, beer, including a freezer of Cook Food if you want a day off from cooking. Bal would be happy to do home delivery if you book with us in advance. Teston bakery delivery lovely sourdough bread on Thursday and Fridays 01732 811330.
Haywards Farm Shop: A lovely farm shop 5 mins drive away or home delivery of wide range of meat and veg. We love their BBQ boxes. www.haywardsfarmshop.co.uk. Usually deliver to Dunks Green on Friday.
We are also served by all the home delivery supermarkets. But if you struggle to get a slot we can recommend some other home delivery options we have discovered recently!
Takeaways: Good home delivery options for curry, pizza and chinese.
Local fish and chips (Tonbridge Martin Hardie Way, York Parade and Borough Green).
Things to do:
Walking: You could spend every day walking somewhere different. We are lucky to be surrounded by streams, rivers, woods and wonderful Kent countryside. There’s something for everyone, a gentle stroll or a days hike along the famous Greensand Way. There's often a pub to quench your thirst on your way. Walking guides at Walking Connected, www.kentconnected.org and Ordnance Survey Maps www.osmaps.com
Fishing: Bring a net and try and grab some crayfish in our local river. Or we can enquire about fishing on the Medway for you.
Paddleboarding and Sailing at Chipstead Lake paddleb@chipseadsc.org.uk.
Cycling: Hire bikes from Cycle Ops www.cycle-ops.co.uk in Tonbridge and ride from Tonbridge to Penshurst along lovely country and waterside tracks. Further afield (40 mins drive) is Bedgebury Pinetum www.forestryengland.uk/bedgebury where you can hire bikes and there is a great outdoor adventure trail for families.
Canoeing on the River Medway: A lovely day out along the beautiful Medway 20 mins drive away, spot kingfishers and dragonflies, stop for a picnic, some safe wild-swimming and some fun canoe shoots. www.elveys-canoe.co.uk.
Swimming: Tonbridge swimming pool has an outdoor pool in the summer.
Playgrounds: Plaxtol has two playgrounds.
Miniature railway outside Tonbridge swimming pool, runs in the summer.
Horse Riding: Bitchet Green is our local riding school and offers lovely hacks round the back of Knole Park National Trust, call to book 01732 762196.
Yoga: Samsara Yoga at Clements Reach cottage. Lovely outdoor and indoor yoga 5 mins drive or a half hour stroll up through the orchards www.samsararetreatyoga.co.uk.
Beaches: An hour from the Kent Coast. We love Camber Sands (miles and miles of sandy beaches), Whitstable (amazing seafood), Hastings (for entertainment on the pier).