Wine, vines and a truly historic short break

Morning

For your first morning in Ashford and Tenterden we recommend starting off at Chapel Down, the vineyard that has so often stolen the headlines and helped transform the reputation of English Wine. With so many tours and experiences on offer, the choice is yours, but we recommend taking the Guided Tour and Tasting for the chance to learn tour the vineyards, winery, and about the English grape harvest and intricate process of crafting Traditional Method Sparkling Wine. Your tour will be rounded off perfectly with a tutored tasting of five award-winning still and sparkling wines.

Lunch

The nearby town of Tenterden has many restaurants to choose from but we think there’s no better place to follow up a Chapel Down tasting than in the vineyard’s on-site restaurant, The Swan. Boasting 2AA Rosettes and a menu of the finest locally sourced produce, it’s the perfect place to raise a glass of your new favourite Chapel Down tipple and soak up the vineyard views out on the terrace.

Afternoon

Your next must-visit has got to be Tenterden, the Jewel of the Weald and a picture-perfect town to while away the afternoon. Visit boutique shops, see the town’s historic church and watch the world go by in independent high street cafes. If you have time, we highly recommend jumping aboard the Kent and East Sussex Railway, a historic steam train which will take you on a journey back in time through glorious countryside.

Lovers of historic houses and magnificent manors, we recommend a detour to Godinton House and Gardens, a Jacobean Manor on the outskirts of the town of Ashford. With its manicured gardens and pretty parkland, this beautifully restored house and its ever-changing calendar of events like sculpture festivals and outdoor theatre make it one of our hidden gems.

Dinner

Dinner is served at Eastwell Manor, an idyllic country house in a picturesque location. Pull up a chair at The Brasserie in the Manor and you can expect fine dining in a sumptuous setting, overlooking the grand gardens. Round off your evening with a cocktail or two in the lounge bar beside a roaring fire.

Stay 

The choice for where to rest your head is yours. Head upstairs and spend the night in comfort in one of Eastwell Manor’s luxurious rooms or suites and you’ll have panoramic garden views and a beautifully designed room that’s just made for the perfect night’s sleep.

For something a little different, how about a vineyard stay? Enjoy a romantic break at Biddenden Vineyard’s Grape Escape cottage, which offers a rural retreat from everyday life. Curl up in the lounge/diner, cook up a storm of local produce in the kitchen or head out into the secluded garden for vineyard views and the chance to relax in your very own wood-fired hot tub.

Morning

Refreshed and ready to carry on your tasting tour? Head to Perry Court Farm Shop and you’ll have your pick of local produce, not to mention the chance to start the day off right with coffee and cake in their newly opened tea room. Once you’ve had your pick-me-up a stop off at The Devil’s Kneading Trough offers sensational views over the Wye Downs National Nature Reserve.

Lunch

From Wye it’s off to Warehorne for lunch at local favourite, The Woolpack Inn. This characterful 16^th century village pub is real gem, offering a comforting array of locally sourced food and drink, with treats like Romney Marsh Lamb, local catch of the day and Kentish pies on the menu. In winter, be sure to grab a seat beside one of the inglenook fireplaces, but in summer the terrace offers views across the fields and St Matthew’s Church.

Afternoon

When in Warehorne a visit to Warehorne vineyard is a must. Expect views over the Romney Marsh and a warm welcome at this picturesque vineyard. Enjoy a tour and tasting experience and learn about this family-owned vineyard, from the vines they grow to the process of crafting their wines. Your tour will of course be followed with a wine flight and the chance to sample their exquisite still wines.

If you have time, Gusbourne is just down the road, another of Ashford’s esteemed vineyards. Discover what goes into creating their exceptional wines with a still or sparkling flight and be sure to purchase a bottle or two to take home. Trust us, they mean it when they say they aim to produce the finest wines in the world.

Afterwards a wander along the nearby Royal Military Canal is the perfect way to round off your afternoon. Be sure to keep your eyes open for the plethora of wildlife that calls this 28-mile waterway home and learn about the intriguing reason it was built more than 200 years ago.

Dinner

After a day of sipping and sampling, it’s time to head back and do some more sipping and sampling…well, it is a holiday, after all. We recommend heading back to Wye and to wine and dine at The King’s Head. This cosy gastro-pub offers an upscale menu of British classics, Sunday roasts, Kentish wine and even regular live music.

Morning

Your next vineyard visit is Biddenden. Known as Kent’s original vineyard, it has been in the Barnes family since 1969, boasting decades of winemaking experience. Take a guided tour and learn about the quality that flows through everything Biddenden does, from the hand-working of the vines to the award-winning wines. Once you’ve walked the vines you’ll get to taste three specially selected wines in a tutored tasting.

Lunch

If you can, we recommend heading to The West House in Biddenden for lunch, a Michelin Guide recognised 16^th century Weaver’s Cottage that serves food well worth planning your trip around. Chef-patron Graham Garrett has been truly inspired by Kent’s local ingredients, from coast to countryside, so be prepared to indulge with a lunch of seasonal delights. Be sure to check their website for the latest lunch opening times.  

Afternoon

You’ll no doubt have heard of Kent’s hop-growing heritage, and with Ashford and Tenterden’s culinary credentials, it should come as no surprise that the area is the perfect spot to learn more about this key ingredient in brewing. Hukins Hops offers hop garden guided tours through their Wealden farmland, sharing the secrets of hop growing, their beautiful aromas and the important role they play in crafting beer.

Once you’ve learnt about beer, it’s time to try some and the on-site McCanns Brewery is the place to try seasonal brews, limited editions and local guest beers with a side of delicious artisanal pizza. With 24 taps and a warm and welcoming atmosphere, this is one of our favourite spots to unwind and relax with friends and family.

Stay a while and relax at McCanns or take another historic path to Hole Park, a beautiful country house garden that’s a picture of bluebells, daffodils and wisteria in spring, and a delight of exotic and colourful plants in late summer. Stroll the woodland in autumn and take in that fall colour, or wander the 200 acres of parkland that surround the historic manor.