THE LOWDOWN

If there’s one positive thing we can all say about the pandemic, it’s that it resulted in some wonderfully creative and community-minded new ventures. And here’s one perfect example – this husband-and-wife-run, super stylish café, Heathfields.

Owner, Paul Spencer, left his job in media to persue his dream of running a neighbourhood café/bar where people leave feeling better than when they arrived. The other aim is, wherever possible, to serve local kent produce, to support local farmers, bakers and makers and do their bit for the environment.

THE VIBE

And, rather handily, Gail Spencer is an interior designer and along with her business partner Gaynor Christie, Christie Spencer Interiors have created a truly relaxed, welcoming and quite frankly gorrrrgeous space. 

The welcoming and super stylish interiors make for a relaxed evening space too – as on Friday and Saturday they offer Evening Tapas and Sharing Boards between 5.30 – 10pm (kitchen closes at 9pm).

SCOFF & SQUAFF

Breakfast (served until 11am) includes everything from pastries, granola or the Heathfields Super Smoothie.

My friend and colleague, Chrissi, and I arrived somewhere between brunch and lunch (brunch is served until 12.30). Brunch fans – delight! There’s a great selection of dishes here from ‘The Veggie Option’ to ‘The Full Healthfields’ which comprises scrambled eggs, streaky bacon, sausage, baked tomato, mushrooms and black pudding on toasted sourdough.

Then there’s a Classics Menu which is served all day – and from here, I opted for the Ultimate Mushroom on Toast (pictured above) – a wonderfully rich dish (if you can’t get enough of mushrooms and garlic you’ll love this – me, me, me!)

Chrissi selected a Mixed Vegetable Frittata from the Daily Specials Board which was wonderfully fresh and wholesome (pictured above).

There’s an excellent selection of freshly baked goodies all made and delivered daily by a lady who lives 30 seconds up the road. It’s this kind of local collaboration that adds to the community feel of Heathfields and can be felt running through the veins (and freshly baked cakes) of the café.

Although we were pretty full, we took one for the team and tried a Toffee Apple Cake (can you get more autumnal than that?). Oh and for lazy late afternoons, there’s Cream Teas on offer too.

This is definitely somewhere you’d feel equally happy in the day, having coffee and mushroom on toast, as you would in the evening, supping on a glass of wine and enjoying one of their charcuterie boards.

They have also created a lovely heated garden terrace to the rear, pictured above, where you can sit amongst the Olive Trees. It has a fully extending canopy to shelter you from the rain or sun, perfect for those post walk refreshments, or a weekend evening drink and nibble.

OUT AND ABOUT

Heathfields is located in the heart of Keston – picturesque and tranquil village in Kent. Keston is blessed to be set in an area of outstanding beauty, with Keston Ponds and Hayes Common offering accessible and charming walks for all abilities. 

And one for the Fact Fans, if you please… Keston was also home to several historically important people such as Charles Darwin who used the woods to form part if his research into his theory of evolution.

The now named Wilberforce Oak also has its place in history, where in 1788 William Pitt MP was to have stated his intention to abolish slavery in the UK.

Even Julius Caesar was said to have stopped in Keston and drank from the now known ‘Caesers Well’ sited on the edge of the Southern most pond. 

THE MUDDY VERDICT

Good for day trippers, Down-From Londoners, brunchers and supper clubbers. Makes a decent destination for a walk and brunch (or lunch) combo. From brekkie to lunch, tea time to supper – there’s something tasty to tempt you in.

18 Heathfield Road, Keston, BR2 6BQ, heathfieldskeston.co.uk, hello@heathfieldskeston.co.uk