Kent

Move over Spotify. We’ve got the lowdown on every Kent Muddy review of 2024, so if you’re ever stuck for inspo when it comes to wining and dining, weekend escaping, theatre watching, or simply getting your glow back, then look no further. Here we present the Muddy team’s top reviews of 2024, covering everything beauty, foodie, hotels and culture.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat-out">EAT OUT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/03/the-counter-tunbridge-wells-robin-read-kent-11.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-101247" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/03/the-counter-tunbridge-wells-robin-read-kent-11.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/03/the-counter-tunbridge-wells-robin-read-kent-11-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/03/the-counter-tunbridge-wells-robin-read-kent-11-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/03/the-counter-tunbridge-wells-robin-read-kent-11-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/03/the-counter-tunbridge-wells-robin-read-kent-11-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



In February, we found ourselves in the small village of Kilndown, exploring <a href="https://kent.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/restaurants/the-small-holding-kilndown/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Small Holding</a>&#8216;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 <a href="https://kent.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/restaurants/the-winemakers-restaurant-balfour-winery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Winemakers’ Kitchen</a> 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 <a href="https://kent.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/restaurants/review-the-restaurant-ms-folkestone/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Restaurant MS</a>. See why it’s causing a stir in Folkestone.&nbsp;



We think it&#8217;ll be a starry future for <a href="https://kent.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/restaurants/review-bowleys-at-the-plough-trottiscliffe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bowley’s at The Plough</a> 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, <a href="https://kent.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/restaurants/review-the-counter-tunbridge-wells/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Counter</a> which opened back in July in Tunbridge Wells, complete with interactive, over-the-counter experience (hence the name!).



The weather wasn&#8217;t the only thing heating up in August! Margate’s food scene got hotter with the new opening of restaurant and wine bar, <a href="https://kent.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/restaurants/pomus-margate-kent-review/">Pomus</a> and we went to see what the fuss was all about.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dine-spa-or-stay">DINE, SPA OR STAY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/the-beacon-tunbridge-wells.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-108819" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/the-beacon-tunbridge-wells.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/the-beacon-tunbridge-wells-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/the-beacon-tunbridge-wells-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/the-beacon-tunbridge-wells-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/the-beacon-tunbridge-wells-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Perfect for your January reboot, we went to see why <a href="https://kent.muddystilettos.co.uk/lifestyle/wellbeing-lifestyle/kents-best-kept-secret-green-farm-spa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Spa at Green Farm</a> 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, <a href="https://kent.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/cafes/afternoon-tea-hotel-stay-chilston-park-review/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chilston Park</a>, 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 <a href="https://kent.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/pubs-inns/the-dog-at-wingham-review/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Dog</a> 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 &#8211; plus it&#8217;s dog-friendly!



If you&#8217;ve got a motor-racing mad child/teen or 24 hours to spare with a girlfriend, head to <a href="https://kent.muddystilettos.co.uk/travel/uk/hotels/brandshatch-place-hotel-and-spa-fawkham-kent-review/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brandshatch Place Hotel and Spa</a>. 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, <a href="https://kent.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/restaurants/the-beacon-tunbridge-wells-kent-review/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Beacon</a> in Tunbridge Wells. A place perfect for a romantic overnighter, breakfast catch-up with friends, fine dining experience or the wedding of your dreams &#8211; not a lot then, eh?



We rediscovered our love of Kent at traditional English pub, <a href="https://kent.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/pubs-inns/the-leicester-arms-penshurst-kent-review/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Leicester Arms</a> 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!



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-day-trips-amp-family-time">DAY TRIPS &amp; FAMILY TIME</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/howletts-wildlife-park-3.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-103811" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/howletts-wildlife-park-3.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/howletts-wildlife-park-3-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/howletts-wildlife-park-3-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/howletts-wildlife-park-3-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/howletts-wildlife-park-3-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



In May we saved on the flight to Africa and explored <a href="https://kent.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/day-trips/port-lympne-hotel-reserve-giraffe-safari-and-afternoon-tea-experiences-kent/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Port Lympne</a>, Kent&#8217;s biggest wildlife park. Kentish savannah, home to the county&#8217;s only safari experience and winner of Best Hotel in Kent &#8211; why go anywhere else?



We took a walk on the wild side at <a href="https://kent.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/day-trips/howletts-wild-animal-park-canterbury-review/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Howletts Wild Animal Park</a> 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 &amp; Wakeboarding Park, <a href="https://kent.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/for-kids/whitemills-wake-aqua-park-review-kent/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Whitemills Wake &amp; Aqua Park</a>. 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 <a href="https://kent.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/for-kids/walmer-adventure-golf-deal-review-kent/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Walmer Adventure Golf</a> 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 <a href="https://kent.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/the-ceramic-studio-kent-review/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Ceramic Studio</a> in Brenchley – wanna see the results?



In October, we struck gold with <a href="https://kent.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/for-kids/ballerz-greenhithe-kent-review/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ballerz</a> 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.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wellbeing">WELLBEING</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="998" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/natural-fit-tunbridge-wells.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-96884" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/natural-fit-tunbridge-wells.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/natural-fit-tunbridge-wells-800x532.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/natural-fit-tunbridge-wells-1000x665.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/natural-fit-tunbridge-wells-400x266.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/natural-fit-tunbridge-wells-768x511.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



January 2024 there was a new buzzword in wellness – <a href="https://kent.muddystilettos.co.uk/lifestyle/wellbeing-lifestyle/bionic-breathing-review-nourish-by-naomi/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bionic Breathing</a>! 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 <a href="https://kent.muddystilettos.co.uk/lifestyle/wellbeing-lifestyle/natural-fit-tunbridge-wells-kent-review/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Natural Fit</a> 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 <a href="https://kent.muddystilettos.co.uk/lifestyle/fashion-lifestyle/wardrobe-edit-victoria-genevieve-styling-tunbridge-wells-kent/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wardrobe Edit</a> with Victoria Genevieve founder of&nbsp;Victoria Geneviève Styling&nbsp;in Tunbridge Wells. Helping you refine and revive your wardrobe and boost your confidence.



Post summer, we fell back in love with fitness with <a href="https://kent.muddystilettos.co.uk/lifestyle/wellbeing-lifestyle/vwell-studio-hythe-review/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">VWell Studio</a>&#8216;s new Springwall™ Class &#8211; 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

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

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