As the darker days set in over the autumn, we know there’s one reliable source of happiness – food and drink! With it being harvest season and us being in the Garden of England we know we can certainly muster up a weekend, or longer, to celebrate the three main meals of the day - and maybe the odd mid-morning, afternoon and post-dinner indulgence…! So, read on and get some corking ideas for your next foodie break.
Coastal foodie haven
From traditional seaside fayre and ice cream outlets known the world over in Broadstairs to Margate’s up and coming food scene, the coastal towns in Thanet should be atop the list for a foodie stop. In Ramsgate you have Marc-Pierre's Kitchen, a finalist in the Taste of Kent Awards known for its seasonal ingredients and seafood dishes. In Margate, there’s the Pearly Cow that is a vibrant celebration of local, fresh ingredients – plus with the rooms at No. 42, you don’t need to go too far to rest your head after!
But it doesn’t stop there, head to Visit Thanet’s Award Winning Places to Eat page and make your list almost endless, from Good Beer Guide pubs to Michelin guide restaurants.
Eat and drink well in Tenterden
If you’re even a light connoisseur of wine in England, you’ll know of Chapel Down. Possibly Kent’s best known wine, on a trip to the vineyard you can venture on a luxury dining experience, where you’ll be guided through the vines and winery, have a tutored wine tasting all complemented at the end by a three- course a la carte dinner at The Swan. If that’s not enough, take a culinary journey to the deli where stacks of local produce and Chapel Down wine awaits.
For your overnight stay, we’d recommend the The Print House Inn Tenterden – an AA 4 Star Rated 16th century property with chic bedrooms that will provide a well-earned rest.
An Ashford countryside getaway
If you want to simply escape for a weekend or weeknight and totally switch off, head to Boys Hall in Ashford. This restored Jacobean Manor is set in three acres of gardens, has nine bedrooms that are all uniquely designed – with one suite having paneling that was gifted by King Charles I from Windsor Castle back in the 17th century. Not only can you rest in luxury, you can taste it too. In the Boys Hall restaurant, you can savour Kentish ingredients with dishes crafted from seasonal ingredients from local suppliers, and remember when we mentioned wine in the section before, you can get that here too – with no less than 4,000 wines in their wine cellar!
If you did wish to sample some wine from the countryside in Kent (we’re pretty well known for it!), we’d recommend taking a guided day out, with the driving taken care of, with Wine Tours of Kent, or Wildshark Vineyard near Harrietsham.
A city full of cuisune
With a vibrant international student community, thousands of years of history and a gateway to the rest of the county and country, Canterbury will certainly be up there for culinary delights. As soon as you get off the train, you’re greeted by the old railway warehouse, The Goods Shed. This staple of the local community has plenty of choices for a coffee break and snack (such as Gill’s) to an exquisite evening meal in the main restaurant.
After filling up, take a wander through the city’s old streets and then carry on the foodie adventures at the likes of the newly opened The Ivy, which brings to Canterbury the group's iconic relaxed brasserie food.
If you’re spending the night and planning for the next day, consider a stay at the Corner House. This restored medieval pub combines British food and drink done beautifully well with a city wall view, plus there are five bedrooms so you eat and drink all evening until you want to call it a night and not venture far at all to sleep!
Other nearby accommodation includes the Cathedral Lodge which has possibly the best views of the Cathedral; and the House of Agnes, a boutique bed and breakfast just moments from the Westgate Towers and the Canterbury West Station, served by Southeastern trains with quick links from London and beyond.
The wider Canterbury scene
It’s not just the city of Canterbury itself that is a foodie and cultural haven. If you take a journey approximately 20 minutes out of the city or head by bus with Stagecoach, you’ll arrive in Whitstable. This town is known around the world for its oysters at the Instagram-famous Wheelers, its Michelin starred The Sportsman and chic rustic bistro Samphire – all giving you something delicious and local. If you need a spot to rest the Duke of Cumberland should be your go-to with newly renovated rooms right in the centre of the town.
Hythe’s catch
Nothing quite matches a seaview whatever the season – whether it’s storm watching in the winter or dreaming of a swim in the summer. At the Hythe Imperial, you can take an escape to the seaside with their Sea Sparkle and Stay offer this winter. Offering a room from just £135 you’ll be treated to a bottle of sparkling wine on arrival, a breakfast for two people and a reduced rate on a three course dinner at their AA Rosette Coast Restaurant.
Penshurst Place
Whatever the season, whether it’s autumn and its harvest food, or summer and the fruit-laden dishes – the Porcupine Pantry Café is a perfect stop off to meet with friends and family to enjoy some delicious food and drink. While the gardens and house of Penshurst Place itself are closed in the winter, you can enjoy the vast parkland that is delightful whatever the season, and finish with a winter warmer like a cosy soup! Plus, while you’re in the area, the village of Penshurst is picturesque with autumnal leaves to spring shoots, and the Leicester Arms in the centre of it all can be your boutique base for the night.
Produced right here in Kent
Our friends at Produced in Kent know a thing or two about the Kentish produce, so when they recommend somewhere you know it’ll be special! On the Isle of Sheppey, you can combine an afternoon at the Elmley Nature Reserve with a night's stay at the country and coastal combination of The Ferry House. The 16th Century restaurant holds 2AA Rosette for culinary excellence and two Taste of Kent awards, and you can expect homegrown produce, cultivated in their large Kitchen Garden.
Gravesend
Just over 10 minutes from London by Southeastern train, the Thames-side town of Gravesend is a melting pot of cuisines from across the world. From British, Italian, Indian, Turkish, to Romanian and Lithuanian, the town brings them all together – from Julius Caesar & RM Italiano for a fresh pizza and traditional Italian dishes, to Minel and Sultan Sofrasi for Middle Eastern tastes. Plus the Hatch Market in the centre of town has a vibrant street food scene to pick something up on the go.
If you need a spot to rest after eating so good, our friends at Visit Gravesham have a useful list of accommodation in the area.
