Cranbrook crackers: 5 hidden gems to add to your Christmas wish-list

All I want for Christmas… The top 5 on our wish-list in Cranbrook – introducing these cracking hidden gems.

Cranbrook is a popular, small town smack bang in the middle of the beautiful High Weald area of Kent. It’s popular for families who want a cosy, but strong community town in an idyllic rural setting.

Think weather boarded houses, a windmill and some of our favourite indie shops. Here’s our top 5 seasonal highlights giving us all the festive feels.

1. Award-winning brand-new family homes, Farmstead

Cranbrook Farmstead family house for sale in kent

Farmstead at Tannersbrook, is a brand spanking new collection of houses, by Berkeley Homes, found right in the middle of High Weald, Kent, just a few minutes walk from the high street of Cranbrook. 

Plus it only went and won ‘Best Small Development for 2023′ at the recent Evening Standard Awards. Impressive, right? And, better still, all of the properties are now ready to move into and the three-bedroom houses start at £499,950.

Set amid the rolling hills, woodland, and streams of the High Weald AONB, Farmstead is a gated collection of just 28 private three- and four-bedroom homes, alongside a five-bedroom farmhouse, all within a rich mature landscape of green spaces and ponds.

If you don’t know this area of Kent, think patchwork fields, rich wildlife, and ancient woodlands, just a short stroll away from the local farm shop, cafés, and shops in Cranbrook.

One of the biggest attractions for families is Cranbrook Grammar, for pupils from 11 – 18 years, sitting on a 75-acre campus – found to be Outstanding in Behaviour and attitudes as well as Personal development.

2. Green and conscious gifting, The Glasshouse

The Glasshouse botanics in Cranbrook plant social enterprise

Like the idea of gifting something with purpose? Brighten up someone’s home (or yours) with a stunning plant from this gorgeous store which is packed with interior goodies and also involved in local social enterprise. From small Desk Brighteners to extra large stunners, every single one of the plants from The Glasshouse in Cranbrook is nurtured, potted and beautifully packaged from East Sutton Park prison for women in Kent.

It’s a brilliant scheme that has an incredible success rate for rehabilitation – plus you’ll just fall in love with everything in the shop – like this gorgeous Strelitzia with basket, £185 – the perfect statement plant for any sitting room.

3. Ultimate party piece, Odyl

Black dress Odyl boutique Cranbrook

We are crushing on this Sparkling Strap Dress which would ensure a spectacular entrance (and exit) all festive season in this simple but stunning black dress from Odyl Cranbrook (costs £155). Perfect for your Christmas or New Year celebrations.

Odyl was founded by QVC presenter and fashion expert, Gemma Holmes with a keen eye for style and a passion for giving women confidence and body positivity. Our fave Cranbrook boutique is packed full of goodies for this Christmas and owner Gemma, is always on hand for gift advice and help with styling the perfect party outfit.

4. Comedy Club, Queen’s Hall Theatre

microphone close up

This one’s another hidden gem. The Cranbrook Comedy Club takes place in the Queen’s Hall Theatre, Cranbrook. This cosy, local community theatre manages to bring in some high-profile acts – we’re talking quality comedians at almost half the cost of other venue tickets.

There’s something for everyone – from the Christmas Cracker Comedy Club 4 Kids, taking place this Sat 9 Dec – to the Cranbrook Comedy Club for grown-ups with three headline acts always guaranteed (next shows Sat 9 Dec or Fri 9 Feb). Keep an eye on their Facebook and Twitter pages for future gigs.

5. Foodie gems

kypseli Cranbrook Kent Greek restaurant

For local food and produce you’re spoilt for choice here. Try one of the amazing selection of local farm shops on your doorstep, we’d recommend Hartley Coffee House & Farm Shop (pictured) or for cafés there’s the dog friendly Arthur’s or nip into The Wendy House for coffee, cakes or ice-creams.

Sitting at the end of a stretch of small independent shops, pubs and cafés that run on Cranbrook High St, you’ll find Stone Street and lovely restaurants perfect for a romantic date night or a get-together with friends.

Go see Kypseli (pictured), an authentic Green taverna on Stone Street in Cranbrook. It’s a traditional greek kitchen, deli, patisserie, coffee bar and licensed bar with a beautiful all-weather decked terrace. We hear they’re expanding to The Pantiles in Tunbridge Wells really soon, we can’t wait! 

Or there’s The Cloudberry with a handsome Georgian façade, we love their relaxed setting and ever-changing seasonal menu, take a peek and book their 4-course set menu asap.

M
Be the first to comment
Share this story: