The Staycation Special
Your guide to a Kent Staycation has landed! Discover 18 stunning holiday rentals – from shepherd huts, cosy pubs with rooms and estates to manor houses.
HOTELS | COTTAGES | PUBS | SHEPHERD HUTS | EXPERIENCES | BIG GROUPS
Foreign holidays are *so* two years ago, why not experience the very best Kent has to offer and have a staycation in style?
HOTELS
The PIG, Bridge Place
Fancy a hotel – or dining destination – that is the very definition of countryside charm with a cool, cosmopolitan edge? Hello, The Pig at Bridge Place! Kent now has it’s own arm of the legendary hotel group where the focus is on fine dining, gorgeous interiors and providing fabulous rustic charm – city-style.
There’s a unique mix of rooms here – with far reaching views out across the Kent countryside, and all finished in the PIG signature style. There are 7 characterful bedrooms in the main house, 12 light and spacious rooms in the Coach House (we’ll take the room with the roll top bath in please). There’s 2 family friendly lodges and The Barn, a rustic romantic two-storey hideaway in the old stables.
A seriously stylish stay, fine dining and treatment rooms all rolled into one? This place really is Piggy perfection. Oink, oink!
The Cave, Canterbury
Have you stayed at this sleek destination hotel, within minutes of Canterbury? The Cave boasts of incredible interiors, a golf course and a pool area – and that’s just for starters. Fancy the 3,000 sq ft Penthouse (pictured) with it’s own chef, butler and cinema screen? Bagsie this room! We love the idea of cooking lessons in your suite with the Head Chef.
Or keep it real with one of the hotel’s 41-state-of-the-art rooms that have been built to reflect the highest standard of comfort and luxury at affordable prices. All the rooms feature gorgeous accessories and furnishings, plus those special extra touches, including a rainfall shower (yes please!), robe and complimentary toiletries and flip-flops.
It’s not all about the lounging and dining here. There’s plenty to keep you busy with an incredible golf course at Boughton and a state-of-the-art gym and hydrotherapy pool. We could spend many hours chilling by the pool, sipping one of The Cave’s bespoke health drinks and admiring the lovely views through the full-length windows. Blissss.
One Warwick Park, Tunbridge Wells
When it comes to location, location, location One Warwick Park has it all. Within easy tottering distance from the train station this hotel stands in the cute and characterful part of town. From here you are literally minutes away from, the Georgian colonnade of shops known as The Pantiles and the Tunbridge Wells Train Station.
Composed of thirty nine rooms and suites, it’s the perfect setting for dining and unwinding. The suite rooms boast of restored period features showing off the building’s history and traditional charm whilst The Townhouse rooms deliver sophistication in a modern and contemporary style.
Dine in the hotel’s own restaurant, but not before you’ve filled your kitten-heeled boots during happy hour in the cocktail bar. There’s an everyday dining menu or go all out on the a la carte or choose afternoon tea. Chill in The Snug or sit in the Dining Room which features a stunning double height glass atrium – the choice is yours!
COTTAGES
Bloom Stays, all over Kent
Okay we’ll let you in on one of Kent’s best kept secrets if we MUST! The brilliant Bloom Stays offers a hand-picked selection of local and luxurious self-catering accommodation to suit every holiday break away.
Bloom Stays is a friendly holiday letting agency specialising in memorable holiday homes in Kent. They can help you find your city break in Canterbury or a foodie weekend by the sea in Folkestone. To save you hours of googling – and the risk of disappointment – they’ve sourced the very best in show for you.
They’ve just added 6 more properties to their growing portfolio, at Dungeness! These uber-cool properties are; North Vat, Radar, Coastguard Lookout, Fog Signal, PS1 and Pump Station. Dungeness is known for its nature reserve and shingle beach, it’s the perfect peaceful retreat by the sea. They are available to book from April 2021, so get in quick!
Elmley Nature Reserve, Isle of Sheppey
Introducing, the only National Nature Reserve in England where you can spend the night. Okay, so we are not talking lions and tigers and bears (oh my) but since 1991, Elmley Nature Reserve has been deemed a National Nature Reserve and is an internationally recognized site for the the conservation of rare birds, plants, animals and insects.
From Mon 12 April all accommodation will be available on a self-catering basis, although hampers can be delivered to each property. Elmley Cottage will be available as a private rental as usual, as will Kingshill Farmhouse, each for just one household.
Or book an individual room (from 17 May) in Kinghill Farmhouse – a stunning 18th century house with 5 bedrooms and 4 beautiful sitting rooms – when the building will revert to boutique, hotel-style accommodation.
Or stay in Elmley Cottage! A spacious, light-filled cottage perfect for big families with 6 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. It features a huge open-plan kitchen, living and dining room with gorgeous interior design and beautiful furniture. It also enjoys sweeping countryside views from the huge windows – perfect for wildlife watching!
Keepers Cottages, all over Kent
Keepers Cottages is the leading letting agency for holiday homes in the beautiful seaside town of Deal and the surrounding area in Kent. Run by Camilla Shipton and her family, Keepers Cottages will find you the perfect holiday home and ensure you have a fabulous time with their wealth of local knowledge.
All the holiday homes are in great locations and offer wide range of luxury self-catering accommodation. Find your perfect holiday retreat in the beautiful coastal towns of Deal, Walmer and Kingsdown as well as further inland in Sandwich, Canterbury and beyond.
The cottages themselves offer stunning interiors, many have log burners or open fires and sea-views a plenty! With such a variety of properties, there are options for every type of getaway. Many of the cottages are pet friendly, so you don’t have to worry about leaving your furry buddy behind. The Kent coast is the perfect location to bring your pets, with lots of opportunities for long walks along the beaches.
We love properties: The Cove (very cute cottage), Albion House (stunning sea views) and College Road (pictured) in Deal.
Samsara Retreat & Yoga, West Peckham
A magical retreat, located deep in the Kentish countryside, built with your relaxation at the forefront of their minds. A big hellllllo (and exhale of air) to Samsara Retreat & Yoga– the place in Kent to go to unwind and reconnect with yourself.
There’s boutique B&B’s and then there are boutique B&B’s with a real heart and a difference and this is what Samsara is all about. Samsara is the place to go and take a moment away from your daily life and immerse yourself in yoga sessions, meditation, sumptuous beds, woodland walks and home-cooked food; be it solo, as a couple or with good friends.
You can practice yoga outdoors in their spectacular garden or if the weather is not in your favour, there is an indoor yoga studio, set in a traditional Oast House, which is equally heavenly. If yoga is not your thing, you can indulge in local walks or explore the local area.
Stay in The Garden Room located on the ground floor of their 15th-century cottage (pictured) in a cosy bijoux bedroom with easy access to the garden. Or in Sanctuary Suite, a spacious suite located on the top floor with a double bedroom and en-suite bathroom.
Why not try something a bit different? Try a night or two in their Oast House. Wherever you stay, you can expect luxurious Neal’s Yard toiletries and Hungarian goose down duvets, 1,000 thread count Egyptian cotton bed linen and Tempur mattresses and pillows.
Kent Cottage Holidays, Canterbury
Enjoy something completely unique and experience Kent in a way you might not have before! Kent Cottage Holidays have 6 uniquely different properties from the Honey Tree Lodge (pictured) to the Enchanted Faraway Tree, perfect for weekend escapes, midweek breaks or full week getaways.
Inside is everything you can expect from a luxury stay, they have really thought of everything! Cosy log fires, cinema screen TVs, bespoke fully equipped kitchens, comfy beds and even a welcome hamper of locally produced goods awaits you on arrival. Depending on each property, outside you could have your own private hot tub or a treehouse snug – I know which one I would prefer!
If it’s a cool and quirky stay you’re after then Kent Cottage Holidays will have the perfect retreat for you!
Bore Place, Chiddingstone
Bore Place is set in 500-acres of countryside, near Sevenoaks in north Kent. It’s the ideal spot to get away from it all and disconnect. They have 5 self-catering eco-friendly properties sleeping from 2 to 30!
Stay in the cosy Mulberry Cottage (pictured) with two bedrooms, sleeping up to 5 people with 2 en-suite bathrooms. Stylishly decorated with a handmade bespoke kitchen, new bathrooms and a small private terrace. Or how about Cedar Cottage or The Small Barn? All are dog-friendly!
Perfect for families, they have a tennis table on site plus playgrounds and play areas so they won’t get bored! Or you can explore their woodlands, streams and fields. There’s plenty of walking and cycling routes, or go outside with a picnik and play some games.
Beautiful Broadstairs, Broadstairs
You’ll love these beautifully presented, self-catering beach homes in the charming coastal town of Broadstairs. Sitting pretty right on Viking Bay, the town’s famous strech of sand, you’ll find everything you need for a truly memorable trip.
Beautiful Broadstairs offer two, three-bedroom self-catering holiday homes; Harbour Haven and Nickleby Nook. Both properties sleep six people in total and are situated in enviable locations just a stone’s throw from beautiful Viking Bay. What better place to book when you surrender to the call of the coast?
Frasers of Egerton, Ashford
Why not spend the night or a few days in this idyllic setting on a 300-acre farm? Frasers of Egerton is as an award-winning restaurant with rooms plus a gorgeous boutique wedding and events venue. A favourite foodie destination in its own right, the 2 AA-Rosette award-winning restaurant will ensure you dine in style during your stay.
Stay at Stags Barn (pictured), their brand new state of the art guest accommodation. Forming of 4 unique units, the 4 bedrooms are fitted with stylish and modern furnishings, super king sized beds and all have beautiful views over the Kent countryside.
If you’d like somewhere with charm and a cosier feel, you’d love their 17th century ragstone Oast House with 3 gorgeous rooms. Or try Pond Cottage, a charmingly converted former stable block housing 3 suites within the grounds of the main farmhouse.
PUBS
The Dog, Wingham
An award-winning stylish, foodie pub perfectly for both walkers and family fun. Enjoy a relaxing stay at The Dog in one of the eight individually styled, en-suite luxury guestrooms, with a four poster bed suite being the popular option for *cough* romantic breaks. Or, if you must, book the family suite and bring the kids.
Positioned in the very pretty village of Wingham, The Dog is the kind of place you could choose to completely get away from it all and immerse yourself in some seriously good food mingled with interesting local walks in the vicinity. Plus Wingham Wildlife Park is literally 5 minutes down the road. This one is well worth a visit!
The Quay, Faversham
Be one of the first to discover this brand new restaurant, bar and boutique hotel in Faversham. Having opened in 2020 during what was a challenging year even for the most established of eateries, this stylish venue has already gone from strength to strength.
The Quay has been tipped to become a real foodie favourite with anyone in the Faversham area – and a destination place to dine for anyone coming from further afield. The Pea, Leek, Mozarella and Risotto Arancini balls come with our wholehearted recommendation!
You’ll be set to have a wonderful stay here with 8 Hotel rooms, all beautifully and individually decorated, no stay will ever be the same. Offering delicious fine food – and with brand new rooms decorated to perfection – why would you ever want to leave?!
Explore some of the fantastic Kent countryside around you – as well as the coastal scene with beach side destinations such as Whitstable only a ten minute drive away!
The Red Lion, Stodmarsh
The Red Lion in Stodmarsh really ticks all of the boxes for the quintessential English pub. It’s one of Muddy’s preferred spots during the summer as the extensive beer garden blends seamlessly into the English countryside so you can enjoy good food and good view simultaneously. Plus the kids are well catered for too – hurrah….!
There are two bedrooms, each with a very individual stamp as one is painted green and the other blue (believe me, it works) which are very cosy and welcoming. There are no flat TVs here – this is about good quality bed linen and snuggling down to get a very good sleep. The Blue Room has the additional luxury of a gigantic rolltop bath as well as walk-in power shower, so we know which one we’d choose!
Nestled within the very pretty village of Stodmarsh, six miles outside the city of Canterbury, the pub is a strong contender if you are looking for somewhere to stay to explore the local area. Plus Stodmarsh Nature Reserve is within walking distance so you can work off your dinner!
SHEPHERD HUTS
Romney Marsh Shepherds Huts, Romney Marsh
Escape to these gorgeous, traditional shepherd huts that offer a touch of luxury (of course), situated at the heart of the family farm on the Romney Marsh. With stunning views, these huts give you the chance to unwind and get close to nature. Did we mention they have a flock of 1,200 Romney ewes and 150 Merino ewes?
The Romney Marsh Shepherd Huts are fully equipped with a double bed, kitchen (including hob), a built in toilet and shower room, and outdoor fire pit – basically everything you could possibly need so you can hide away from it all for as long as you like. Settle in for a night under the stars by the fire pit, or cosy up inside with the log burner on. Whichever season you choose to visit Romney Marsh offers a unique experience – from summer sunsets to crisp winter mornings, as well as all the colours of autumn and the famous marsh mists in the spring.
Everything about this place makes for a magical break away and wholesome escapism.
Samsara Retreat & Yoga, West Peckham
Looking for a way to recharge your boots? Well let us help you out and introduce you to Samsara Retreat & Yoga – a magical and peaceful retreat, located deep in the Kentish countryside, built with your relaxation at the forefront of their minds.
Immerse yourself in yoga sessions, meditation, woodland walks and home-cooked food – bliss! Practice yoga outdoors in their spectacular garden or if the weather is not in your favour, there is an indoor yoga studio, set in a traditional Oast House, which is equally heavenly.
Come and stay in their idyllic shepherd’s hut, The Luna Lodge (pictured)! It has a private decking area to relax in, a luxurious double bed, private bathroom with hot power shower, luxurious Neal’s Yard toiletries, soft dressing gowns, log burning stove, access to the cottage kitchen and a private garden with a fire pit. Ooooh sounds heavenly.
Or if glamping is more your vibe, stay in The Bedouin Tent! A luxury glamping tent, a stones throw away from a modern shower room and toilet, situated amongst the trees with a beautiful view and captivating sunset.
Elmley Nature Reserve, Isle of Sheppey
Elmley Nature Reserve is one of our favourite destinations in Kent to completely switch off from life. It’s the only National Nature Reserve in England where you can spend the night and they have a wealth of luxurious sleeping options to do just that – why not try one of their uber-Instagrammable Shepherd’s Huts?
The Damson (pictured), The Ferryman’s and The Salt Box are their large shepherd huts. Sleeping up to 4 people with two beds (one kingsize!), fire pit, galley kitchen, epic marsh views and depending which one you book you’ll either have a hot outdoors bath tub or an open air shower with a view! Don’t worry, there is a shower inside too incase you’re not open to that exhilarating experience!
Or try their smaller traditional Shepherd’s Hut; Little Owl and Samphire. Perfect for 2 people with a full-sized double bed with sweeping views, wood burning stove, ensuite bathroom decorated in a rustic, vintage style.
Or why not experience the magic of Elmley from a beautiful, roomy Bell Tent? With 3 to choose from, they’re all provided with electricity, a BBQ, a gas stove and beautiful Bramley products. Sleep in comfort in a double bed and wake up to the wilderness in their luxury tents, perfect for families, friends or couples.
EXPERIENCES
Coast and Country Rambles
Let us describe the perfect Staycay…. It will be in Kent (of course) and will involve getting outdoors to walk, exploring some of the best countryside in the UK, over-night stays at some characterful pubs with views over rolling hills or by the seaside plus yummy food and a decent bed in which to rest your head. If this sounds right up your street then you’ll want to know about Coast and Country Rambles, who organise tailor made self-guided walking breaks in the beautiful countryside of Kent.
Coast and Country Rambles, allows you to unwind and de-stress from today’s hectic hubbub whilst discovering off the beaten track footpaths and bridleways. Prices start from as little as £160 per person (minimum of 2 people) for a 1 night / 2 day walking break.
They do all the research – providing full details of all the walks, in your personalised walking pack, which includes handy pocket-sized weather proof written guides, waterproof maps and a compass. The rambles have all been tried and tested and rarely will another person be sighted on many of these routes, allowing you to totally absorb the peace and tranquillity, hidden areas of Kent can offer.
You decide how far you’d like to walk, the points of interest you’d like to see and the distance you’d like to cover. Even your four-legged friend can be accommodated on some of the walk and overnight stay options. So let them do all the leg worth so you can get on with enjoying your break!
Wine Garden of England
We all know that a lot of England‘s best, award-winning wine comes from right here in Kent. But with so many wonderful vineyards to choose from – and each and every one of them offering a unique and special experience – how do you choose?
Well now you don’t have to! Let the Wine Garden of England take you on a world-class wine trail through the stunning Kent countryside – taking in a hand-picked selection of all the best local vineyards – so you can experience them all.
Made up of seven of Kent’s top wine producers (Biddenden, Chapel Down, Domaine Evremond, Gusbourne, Balfour Winery, Simpsons Wine Estate and Squerreys), the Wine Garden of England partnership was formed to promote Kent with its superb quality wines and the county’s unique and prized terroir, to both local and international tourists.
Perfect for a luxurious break with a loved one!
Green Farm Spa & Retreat, Shadoxhurst
Nestled in the heart of the beautiful Kent countryside, Green Farm Spa and Retreat offers bespoke wellness experiences, set in the idyllic countryside of Shadoxhurst. Green Farm is surrounded by 12,500 acres of ancient woodland and traditional pastures, so it’s the perfect place where you can completely switch off.
What makes Green Spa so special is its boutique spa designed to help you relax and revive. From muscle-releasing deep tissue massages to brightening facial therapies, Green Farm’s friendly and knowledgeable staff will guide you through the ESPA treatment menu.
Spend the weekend in one of individually-designed bedrooms in the 15th century farmhouse as part of their packaged Spa Stays or Wellbeing Retreats. You can also tailor them to meet your individual needs with the addition of yoga, meditation and woodland walks. Or if you’re part of a larger group, The Barn is a beautifully restored listed barn which offers luxury self-catering accommodation for 12-14 people.
We know you’ll never want to leave!
BIG GROUPS
Goodnestone Park, Canterbury
So, drumroll please! Goodnestone Park is a stunning, privately owned stately home and garden near Canterbury. You can hire the whole house for that truly special function or weekend with friends. There’s a reason it was a favourite of Jane Austen and the producer of Downton Abbey!
Goodnestone Park sleeps 24 in 12 bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, 5 reception rooms including Drawing room, Dining room with seating for 24, Library, round painted reception room (ideal for small wedding receptions), first floor sitting room with TV/DVD, hallway with sweeping staircase, huge breakfast room, Kitchen, Large gardens and grounds extending to 15 acres, extensive terraces, BBQ with ample parking.
Spend your time waltzing around the beautiful gardens and enjoy a Cream Tea or light lunch in The Tea Room. Enjoy hot and cold drinks including apple juice made from heritage varieties grown in Lord FitzWalter’s orchard. Oh I say!
The Bull at Brenchley
This wonderfully, quirky Victorian English pub has been converted into fabulous, 5-star luxury self-catering accommodation for up to 16 people in the pretty village of Brenchley (10 mins from Tunbridge Wells). I’ll get my bag!
The Bull at Brenchley is where you get all the benefits of a luxury, boutique hotel, without having to share it with anyone else.
Inside you’ll find 8 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms (6 en suite), lounge with plenty of seating, dining area with a dining table that will seat all 16 guests and a kitchen that’s so well equipped you’ll find more of what you need than at home. Think range cooker, 7 burner hob, American fridge freezer with ice and water dispenser, utility room with washing machine, tumble dryer and dishwasher.
But equally if you’d like the owners to organise a catering service for you, so you don’t have to lift a finger, just say the word.
And down in the basement is what they call a media room, complete with 65″ curved TV but what we call a cocktail/party den. Bring on the karaoke (because we’re classy like that).
Bore Place, Chiddingstone
Bore Place is set in 500-acres of countryside, near Sevenoaks in north Kent. It’s the ideal spot to get away from it all and disconnect. They have 5 self-catering eco-friendly properties sleeping from 2 to 30!
Bore Place House (pictured) is their biggest property sleeping 24 in 12 bedrooms with large drawing rooms, an open fire and doors opening up to the gardens – there’s plenty of space for everyone to get together! The house is surrounded by private, pretty gardens with terraces and ponds, a tyre swing and a big lawn, ideal for games of rounders or croquet.
Or stay in the 19th-century Old Stable with 11 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. It has a spacious living room with a cosy log burner and a dining room that can easily seat 20 guests as well as a big separate kitchen.
You won’t be bored here! Let the kids discover their playground and play areas. Or explore their woodlands, streams and fields perfect for walking, cycling, picnicking and playing games.
Elmley Nature Reserve, Isle of Sheppey
Got a big household? Elmley Nature Reserve has 2 luxurious sleeping options you should check out!
Kinghill Farmhouse is a stunning 18th century house with 5 bedrooms and 4 beautiful sitting rooms. That boutique hotel experience has been brought to life with roll top cast iron baths, Bramley bath products, the fluffiest of towels and bathrobes, and sweeping views over the Reserve in front of you from most windows.
Or stay in Elmley Cottage (pictured)! A spacious, light-filled cottage perfect for group and family gatherings with 6 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. It features a huge open-plan kitchen, living and dining room with gorgeous interior design and beautiful furniture. It also enjoys sweeping countryside views from the huge windows – perfect for wildlife watching!