My Favourite Festive Places: Fiona Penny

Her job requires an extensive knowledge of the very best bits of Kent – so who better to reveal hidden gems in the ‘hood? Meet Property expert, Fiona Penny and her favourite places – festive edition!

She founded Fiona Penny Bespoke Home Finders 15 years ago and knows both the housing industry and this area of the country inside out. So we asked property guru Fiona Penny to spill the beans on her favourite festive places. Notepads at the ready!

Favourite destination for Christmas shopping

le petit jardin, Tunbridge Wells.

Visit le petit jardin the specialist garden and homeware shop, sitting pretty within Chapel Place end of the Tunbridge Wells High St. This is just a gorgeous shop selling all sorts of things for your home and garden that you don’t really need but most definitely want for Christmas.

Favourite festive café

BASIL, Sevenoaks.

Want to know where to go for a hot chocolate and mince pie? Well, tucked away in Bank Street in Sevenoaks, find Basil. They offer an impressive whole food menu alongside good coffees and cakes, in a small and inviting space. 

Favourite boutique for Christmas outfit

ODYL, Cranbrook.

You will leave with a smile on your face and an outfit you love! Odyl is an award-winning independent ladies clothing boutique in Cranbrook High St. Founded by GVC presenter and fashion expert, Gemma Holmes with a keen eye for style and a passion for giving women confidence and body positivity. Plus with lots of gorgeous pubs and coffee shops right next door so you can make a morning of it – there’s currently gorgeous sparkly Christmas outfits!

Favourite restaurant for Christmas lunch

The Swan at Chapel Down, Tenterden.

Treat yourself to a dining experience at The Swan restaurant set within the gorgeous surrounds of Chapel Down Winery in Tenterden. Chapel Down is arguably one of England’s best known wine makers and is recognised for its quality across the world. The Swan is a 2AA rosette, known for their top notch food and award-winning wines, this is a truly stunning and unique setting.

Favourite walk with winter-warming pub

The Bull, Benenden.

The Bull is a cosy and rustic 17th century village pub, just think inglenook fireplaces, beams, nooks and crannies alongside local ciders, real ales and fine wines. It’s the perfect place to warm up after the circular walk that includes the local donkey drove!

Favourite day out

Castlemas, Tonbridge Castle.

This has got to be the perfect festive day out with a huge range of activities, morning, noon and night, it’s fun for the whole family. Such as; shows, comedy and films in The Igloo Theatre, Santa’s workshops hosted by the best ever named “Arty Farty”, Mistletoe Town for shopping and The Jingle Bell Bar for a festive tipple.

Favourite cultural destination at Christmas

Trinity Arts Theatre, Tunbridge Wells.

The arts and culture season has kicked off and Trinity Theatre has an amazing line-up with something for everyone this December. There’s 3 shows to choose from with; fast-paced riot of a show The Aliens Who Saved Christmas (suitable for 2 years +), a live musical radio play of the well-loved classic story Miracle on 34th Street and if you’re looking for a chuckle with the family but definitely don’t want a panto, there’s The New Musketeers.

Favourite farm shop/deli for Christmas shopping

Eggs to Apples, Hurst Green.

Just over the border in Etchingham but perfectly situated on the A21 so you can’t help but drive past! It’s got everything you could possibly need for Christmas – trees, wreaths, hams, turkeys, foodie gifts, puddings and pies – much of which is sourced locally and pesticide free.

Favourite Castle at Christmas

Hever Castle & Gardens, Hever.

There’s masses of festive fun to be had at Hever Castle with not one but two magical light trails to explore, fairground rides, meet huskies, relaxed Christmas shopping, enjoy seasonal delights in the café and kiosks plus the traditionally decorated rooms inside the Castle. Wrap up and march on!

Favourite Christmas lights 

Bedgebury Pinetum, nr Goudhurst.

Follow Bedgebury’s mile long Christmas Trail through the forest until 2 Jan with over a million twinkling lights and seasonal sounds. We’re talking singing trees saturated in colour-changing lights, giant baubles, snowflakes and of course, IG famous tunnel of light. This is quite the experience.

Favourite Santa’s grotto

The Reindeer Centre, Bethersden.

The best grotto around has to be meeting the Big Man himself with his reindeers at The Reindeer Centre in Bethersden. Children will receive a gift from Santa, they can feed and pet the reindeer and then head to the snow pit in the barn for snowball fights – it doesn’t get more fun than this!

Favourite Christmas activity

SKATE, Tunbridge Wells.

Get into the festive spirit at SKATE, the outdoor ice rink set within Calverley Grounds in Tunbridge Wells. Open day and night with special times saved for Parent and Toddler sessions and even Bavarian Curling! All surrounded by rustic wooden chalets selling Christmas food and drink, perhaps best sampled after the skating session.

Favourite historical Christmas

Ightham Mote, Sevenoaks.

Visit Ightham Mote near Sevenoaks and celebrate a true Tudor Christmas in this 14th Century moated manor house. Be warmed by the roaring fires, be entertained by wandering musicians and Tudor dancers, listen to traditional carols in the courtyard and your little ones can even rummage through the dressing up box to become Tudor Kings and Queens of England!

Fiona Penny Bespoke Home Finders is a property finding service that can help you find your dream property in Kent and East Sussex.

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