Muddy Kent 2024 Wrapped: your ultimate guide to the best of Kent

Here’s our highlights on another year of local brilliance! From hidden foodie gems to top-notch spas, here’s our review round up celebrating everything that made Kent sparkle this year.

Thank you, dear reader, for another fabulously Muddy year. Whether you’re seeking inspiration, planning your next adventure, or reliving the highlights, this is your one-stop guide to the very best of the Garden of England. Read on for our round up of ALL this year’s on-the-ground reviews.

EAT OUT

In February, we found ourselves in the small village of Kilndown, exploring The Small Holding‘s award-winning tasting menu. There’s a reason it retained its Michelin Green Star for the fourth year in a row.

Sitting on the picturesque Hush Heath Estate set in 400 acres of spectacular Kent countryside, we drunk in the views from The Winemakers’ Kitchen at the award-winning Balfour Winery.

Having scooped Best Restaurant in Kent (as voted by you in the Muddy awards 2024!), we enjoyed a delicious fine dining experience at The Restaurant MS. See why it’s causing a stir in Folkestone. 

We think it’ll be a starry future for Bowley’s at The Plough as this is a seriously good foodie spot so read our review and pop it on your radar asap.

We were one of the first to discover, The Counter which opened back in July in Tunbridge Wells, complete with interactive, over-the-counter experience (hence the name!).

The weather wasn’t the only thing heating up in August! Margate’s food scene got hotter with the new opening of restaurant and wine bar, Pomus and we went to see what the fuss was all about.

DINE, SPA OR STAY

Perfect for your January reboot, we went to see why The Spa at Green Farm is a slice of pure escapism pie. Luxury accommodation, boutique spa and a farm-estate in the heart of the Kent countryside.

We discovered Kent’s most romantic hotel, Chilston Park, the award-winning 4 Red Star country house, known for its charming ambiance and renowned Afternoon Tea. It’s a must!

On a gorgeous September day, we visited The Dog tucked away in the village of Wingham. This award-winning gastro pub and boutique hotel offers the perfect blend of great food, cosy rooms, and rural charm – plus it’s dog-friendly!

If you’ve got a motor-racing mad child/teen or 24 hours to spare with a girlfriend, head to Brandshatch Place Hotel and Spa. Where the treatments are top notch or if fitness is your thing you’re going to be spoilt for choice.

In November we found our happy place, The Beacon in Tunbridge Wells. A place perfect for a romantic overnighter, breakfast catch-up with friends, fine dining experience or the wedding of your dreams – not a lot then, eh?

We rediscovered our love of Kent at traditional English pub, The Leicester Arms in Penshurst this December. Roll-top baths, chic interiors, stunning countryside views, mouthwatering food. Plus get 20% OFF your next stay with our unique discount code!

DAY TRIPS & FAMILY TIME

In May we saved on the flight to Africa and explored Port Lympne, Kent’s biggest wildlife park. Kentish savannah, home to the county’s only safari experience and winner of Best Hotel in Kent – why go anywhere else?

We took a walk on the wild side at Howletts Wild Animal Park to discover the animal experiences in store for you this Summer and how to save your pennies!

In August, we said hello to Kent’s newest Aqua & Wakeboarding Park, Whitemills Wake & Aqua Park. This purpose-built facility with two lakes offers a wide range of fun, water-based activities for all ages.

Plus we caught holiday vibes at Walmer Adventure Golf on the outskirts of Deal. Which offered the ultimate quintessential English seaside experience complete with electric cars and a paddling pool on site too so the fun never did stop.

Fancy trying out a Pottery Wheel? We loved this mindful Taster Session at The Ceramic Studio in Brenchley – wanna see the results?

In October, we struck gold with Ballerz in Bluewater with a kids’ party that wowed the kids and parents alike! Your children can play like professional footballers, and you can just sit back and soak up the action.

WELLBEING

January 2024 there was a new buzzword in wellness – Bionic Breathing! We tried it right here in Kent with Nourish by Naomi who specialises in this technique, which has been described as ‘industrial strength meditation’. With thousands of followers praising the benefits – and celebrity fans like Selena Gomez and Gweneth Paltrow – classes and workshops have become hugely sought-after.

Plus we were in the mood to mix up our fitness routine so discovered Natural Fit in Tunbridge Wells complete with a co-working space, cool café and best of all: a spa. But did it pass the Muddy test?

In August, we enjoyed a Wardrobe Edit with Victoria Genevieve founder of Victoria Geneviève Styling in Tunbridge Wells. Helping you refine and revive your wardrobe and boost your confidence.

Post summer, we fell back in love with fitness with VWell Studio‘s new Springwall™ Class – partly because it can be done mainly sitting or kneeling. We should tell you that it’s not as easy as it sounds but a fab option if you are looking to refresh your gym routine.

Words by Mollie Manning

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