Hythe & Folkestone

WHY WE LOVE IT: In two words? Foodie heaven. This corner of Kent has enough wonderful eateries to keep you in elasticated trousers all year-round. Plus you’ve got the attractions of the Kent coast and all accessible within an hour from London. With stunning views of the English Channel, Hythe has become a popular spot for holiday-makers and relocators alike. And fashionable Folkestone boasts a year-round buzz, with its coffee shops, galleries, artistic heart and Book Festival.

WHERE YOU’LL STAY: The Beach House, Sandgate

WHERE YOU’LL GO: An absolute must when visiting Folkestone is its Creative Quarter and Harbour Arm – a beautiful promenade out at sea which has become a true destination for food and drink fans – with top food critics travelling to try the street food sellers.

Plus there’s all-day eatery, a café and grocery, Gourmet Kitchen. It’s a favourite with the Folkestone locals serving continental delicacies with a strong Spanish and French influence. For fancy dining there’s RockSalt perched over Folkestone harbour with panoramic floor to ceiling views out over the English Channel.

If you’ve got kids or teens in tow then an absolute must is the 3-floor skate park and climbing centre known as F51 Folkestone – providing indoor fun whatever the weather.

Just along the coast you’ll find Hythe where there’s eateries to enjoy like Hide and Fox which was awarded a Michelin Star this year.

Located on the old Hythe High Street, The Truffle Pig is an exciting new deli-restaurant. Clare and Russell, Chef founders of Touchays Bespoke Event Catering company in Hythe, are the brains behind this exciting new sister venture. With tasty grab-and-go dishes or a restaurant area for sit-down dining. Plus, on Friday and Saturdays the team of chefs flex their creative muscles and create intimate tasting evenings consisting of a five-course tasting menu.

For relaxed dining, with beautiful sea views, benches on the beach and quirky interiors, grab a bite to eat at The Lazy Shack. Or only 15 minutes drive inland gets you to Boys Hall, the trendy new boutique restaurant-with-rooms.

Or why not visit the savannah, right here in Kent? Easily the best local family attraction, Hythe is home to Port Lympne Safari Park, Wild Animal Reserve. Choose from a selection of unique safari experiences where zebra, wildebeest, ostrich, and many more animals roam free with stunning views to the Kent coastline.

Ickham & Wingham

The Dog at Wingham restaurant with rooms in Kent

WHY WE LOVE IT: Superbly located between cultural Canterbury and the seaside destination of Sandwich, these quintessential Kent villages are two rural gems. On offer here are stunning walks aplenty and gastro-pub heaven for fuelling up after.

WHERE YOU’LL STAY: Perry Farm, Wingham

WHERE YOU’LL GO: The Dog at Wingham, is a family-run, friendly, foodie pub. Owner Marc Bridgen, oversees the award-winning restaurant, gin bar and beer garden and his mum, Marilyn, an interior designer is responsible for the super-stylish look of the restaurant, terrace and rooms. Nearby you’ve got golf (at one of the finest and most famous courses in the world) or for pamper-time Eastwell Manor, Champneys Hotel & Spa. For family visits there’s nearby Wingham Wildlife Park.

Sitting deep in the chocolate-box depths of the Kentish countryside, The Duke William, Ickham offers low timber ceilings, a wood-burning fire, candles burning in old ceramic beer bottles, mismatched wooden tables and chairs – it’s gone for the classic and quirky vibe. With one of the most picturesque beer gardens you can imagine – open views across corn fields – and top notch food, you can’t go wrong here.

Visit in the summer and head to the Smoked & Uncut Festival at The Pig at Bridge Place (Sat 12 Aug 2023). This music festival is run by the hip hotel group, having first launched 10 years ago in conjunction with The (original) Pig in the New Forest. Kent’s very own version of this fun and feasting extravaganza is celebrating its third year, with Razorlight headlining, and is set to be bigger and better than ever.

Faversham & Dargate

Faversham Market Town in Kent — Lisa-Valder-Photography

WHY WE LOVE IT: We love Faversham for it’s pretty market centre, brimming with independent shops. Plus if you head down towards the Creek which is now home to Standard Quay you’ll find more wonderful stores, selling everything from antiques, local meat and fish as well as a shop purely dedicated to spices.

Or, the nearby village of Dargate punches well above its weight in the foodie world and is perfect as a springboard for day trips, sitting right in the middle of two of East Kent’s top destination towns – Whitstable and Canterbury.

WHERE YOU’LL STAY: The Old Post Office, Dargate

WHERE YOU’LL GO: Head to Faversham for antiques, Canterbury for culture or Whitstable for bracing walks along the beach.

Plus Faversham is becoming known as a foodie hub and a large part of that is down to Macknade food hall which is 10,000 sq ft of foodie heaven, serving not only local produce but also stocking the very best food and drink from Italy and all over the world.

You’ll love The Quay, a boutique hotel, bar and restaurant within walking distance from Faversham town centre. If you are looking for serious food in a relaxed, happy setting, look no further than The Phoenix Tavern, it’s the perfect spot for a delicious lunch with friends, a business lunch or an intimate dinner a deux and if you really want to push the boat out, make sure you go for its new Tasting Menu. Check out pizza-heaven at Papa Bianco down at the Standard Quay in Faversham with a beautiful waterfront setting – the ultimate place for a sundowner.

And, if you’re in Dargate, head to the heart of this pretty village and on Plum Pudding Lane (yes really) you’ll find The Dove. With a fast-growing reputation for seriously good food and a wonderful, welcoming ambiance, this hidden gem boasts an ever changing menu, great beer garden and nearby walks aplenty.

Whitstable

WHY WE LOVE IT: With the beach on your doorstep, this pretty fishing town is known for its wide scattering of great eateries, from the Michelin starred to the cool cafés, as well as a thriving art scene, a strong community spirit and a perfect launchpad for lots of outdoor pursuits. Shops are quirky and delightful, whether you’re seeking an ice cream parlour or indie book store.

From the unofficial New Year’s Day dip in the sea to the famous Oyster festival, celebrating its native oysters, that takes place every year in July, there’s lots of seaside fun for all the family.

WHERE YOU’LL STAY: Whitstable Hideaway, Whitstable

WHERE YOU’LL GO: A regular smorgasbord of restaurants to enjoy – with different price points and appeal for each one. Here is just a mere snapshot of a few to whet your appetite. Sitting pretty on Wraik Hill above Whitstable, at The Crescent Turner Hotel you can escape the crowds for one of the best sundowner spots in Kent and if the mood takes you, stay for dinner.

The Sportsman in Seasalter – hugely successful and highly acclaimed but also boasts incredibly laid-back, relaxed atmosphere. For the true Oyster experience, you can’t go wrong at the Whitstable Oyster Fishery Company where fresh fish is (surprise, surprise) their specialty.

Also within the same family, is the Lobster Shack down on the shingle beach behind the Harbour, where you can munch on the freshest of fish and chips while your children paddle happily in the sea. We also love Samphire, an independent family-run bistro, where its ever-changing menu focuses on seasonal ingredients sourced from local farms, allotments, fisherman and producers in Kent and the South East.

Want to hire a beach hut? Whitstable Beach Hut is located on the front row of the much sought after Tankerton Bay. Its elevated position with large decking area makes it a perfect place to relax and watch the world go by. Complete with tables and chairs, gas hob, kettle, bucket and spades, disposable cups and cutlery, tea and coffee making facilities (maximum capacity up to eight people).

Tunbridge Wells and surrounds

WHY WE LOVE IT: Once seen as more straight laced than its cool east Kent cousins, good old Tunny Wells is having a bit of a renaissance when it comes to foodie gems.

WHERE YOU’LL STAY: Cart Lodge, Tunbridge Wells

WHERE YOU’LL GO: If you’re after a brunch in town head to local landmark, Hotel du Vin, the handsome Grade II-listed mansion sitting in the perfect location at the top of the High Street.

There’s foodie favourite Tallow, or, tucked away down Tea Garden Lane by the edge of the woods in Tunbridge Wells, you’ll find The Beacon in a truly picturesque setting, overlooking Happy Valley. The restaurant and bar has crackling fires in the winter, swathes of bluebells and foxgloves in the spring, a pretty terrace for summer cocktails and breath-taking views all year round. Or for a more informal bite, try The Beacon’s Garden Bar – the perfect spot for a coffee, breakfast, light lunch, or cocktail.

For culture vultures there’s Trinity Theatre and Arts Centre as well as the Assembly Hall – for taking in everything from musicals to comedy nights.

And for a strong all-rounder, and firm family favourite, visit The Kentish Hare (in Bidborough just outside Tunny Wells). Winner of Best Destination Pub, in the 2019 AND 2021 Muddy Awards – plus it came in at a very impressive No.5 in this year’s foodie hotlist – the Estrella Damm top 100 gastropubs.

East Sussex border

WHY WE LOVE IT: Within 10 minutes drive of Tunbridge Wells you’ll find the most glorious countryside, woodland wonders and sweet gastro treats dotted around the Kent / Sussex border.

WHERE YOU’LL STAY: Wheelwrights Cottages, Staplecross

WHERE YOU’LL GO: After a dining experience like no other? Head to Kilndown for The Small Holding, where you’ll discover wonderful home-grown and reared produce, hence the name. It’s one of a few dining destinations in the UK to receive a Michelin Green Star – the award recognises restaurants with a focus on environmental practices.

Owned by Will Devlin, who is one of Kent’s most exciting chefs, this rustic restaurant is situated in one acre of beautiful countryside with the mission of growing, rearing and foraging as much of the food that’s cooked as possible being at the heart of its ethos.

Or try Birchwood, the second restaurant from iconic Chef Will, sitting just over the border on the edge of a magical 46-acres of birch and chestnut trees in picturesque East Sussex.

In Hawkhurst, not much further on from Flimwell if you’re coming from the Tunbridge Wells direction, you’ll find The Eight Bells – a firm family favourite just on the Kent side of the Kent/East Sussex border. It was recently named winner of the Best Meat Roast Dinner in the Knorr Professional’s Great British Roast Dinner competition. The winning roast was a rump of local beef served with all the trimmings.

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