Kentish Farm Cottage

Kentish Farm Cottage is nestled deep in the Kent countryside, in the tranquil village of Stone in Oxney, near Tenterden. There are wonderful walks right from the doorstep in this superb Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. You can stroll to the village pub for its friendly ambience and charm.  

Tenterden is a picturesque town with a broad, tree-lined High Street sprinkled with independent shops, antiques centres, cafes, and restaurants. The town’s name is derived from the Old English ‘Tenet Waraden’ which meant a clearing in the forest, belonging to the men of Thanet. The town was an important wool trading centre in the 13th century and at that time had access to the sea at Smallhythe. You can visit the local museum to learn about the history of the town. Georgian buildings share the town’s streets with tall Victorian houses and tiny cottages, lots decorated with painted weatherboard. The Kent & East Sussex steam railway runs for ten and a half miles from Tenterden to Bodiam, welcoming around ninety thousand visitors a year. Tenterden Golf Club welcomes visitors as well as its members.

Between Tenterden and Church Hill Barn, Chapel Down is England’s leading wine producer with an award-winning range of sparkling and still wines. You can visit for tours and experiences, tasting these delicious wines and learning about the vineyard. Chapel Down is one of the UK government’s Top 50 Food and Drink Producers and were the first English winery to feature on the London Stock Exchange’s 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain. They support many great English institutions such as England Cricket, The Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race, The London Symphony Orchestra, Ascot Racecourse, The Royal Opera House, The Donmar Warehouse and The Turner Contemporary.

Not far away, Rye is a Medieval citadel huddled against invaders and the sea, is today home to a myriad of art, curiosities and cosy pubs and restaurants. They serve the best that Sussex has to offer. Built on timeless tales and smuggled secrets, Rye offers charm and intrigue with nooks and crannies to explore and distant views across Romney Marsh to enjoy. St Mary’s Church tower is open to the public and offers the best viewpoint to show the warm terracotta roofs of the many timbered houses. These ancient, characterful buildings, cobbled streets and secret passages attract film crews in search of historical settings for period productions. The Rye Castle Museum was originally a bottling factory and now boasts a unique 18th century fire engine as well as relics from the town’s shipbuilding past. The Rye Harbour Nature Reserve has a wonderful network of criss crossing footpaths on the saltmarsh and shingle ridges with fabulous views across to Camber Sands and the cliffs of Hastings Country Park. It is a twitcher’s paradise with five hides where you can watch the wildlife. You can take boat trips or lessons in windsurfing, dinghy sailing or paddleboarding from Rye Watersports.

Also within easy distance, Hastings enjoys a fascinating history. It was attacked by the French during the Hundred Years War and in 1377, a second attack all but destroyed the town. The Old Town’s architecture ranges from Medieval to Victorian with one of the oldest buildings, the Court House, being built around 1450. The town boasts many passages and narrow streets known as the twittens, many cafes, bars and restaurants and some excellent shops and art galleries. The Castle, originally built by William the Conqueror, lies in ruins at the top of West Hill and can be visited using the steepest funicular railway in Britain. The Hastings Museum and Art Gallery boasts an exhibition dedicated to American Indians, Grey Owl, an early conservationist who came from Hastings and John Logie Baird who pioneered television in Hastings. There are many architectural and cultural attractions including a theatre, parks, and gardens. Hastings hosts man events including the Hastings Half Marathon, the Jack in the Green Festival, Hastings Beer Festival, Coastal Currents, and the Old Town Carnival.

Camber Sands is a fabulous beach in the village of Camber. It is the only sand dune system in East Sussex, east of the estuary of the River Rother at Rye Bay, and stretches three glorious miles to just beyond the Kent border.

Read more about Kent

Luxury self-catering holiday accommodation in Kent

Welcome to the bloomin' marvellous "Garden of England", Kent! Sprinkled with Oliver’s Travels cute cottages, bee-shaped lodges, mansion houses, seaside wonders and colossal party houses, you will find just the perfect place to stay to discover this wonderful county. So, gather up your favourite friends or your family or whisk away your special someone for a romantic getaway. Thanks to Oliver’s Travels, your adventure in this flowery haven is just a booking away!

Kent is home to some real showstoppers. First up is Canterbury Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Archbishop of Canterbury's favourite hangout. With its Gothic glam and incredible history, it is a must-visit for history buffs and spiritual seekers alike. Leeds Castle, named the "loveliest castle in the world", is surrounded by a moat and stunning gardens that make you question if you have stepped into a fairy tale. The White Cliffs of Dover stand tall and proud, like the bodyguards of Britain. These chalky wonders have guarded this fine land for centuries and a trip to Dover not only treats you to panoramic views of the English Channel but also a chance to explore the historic Dover Castle.

Nature lovers adore The Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a green haven of rolling hills, woodlands and charming villages. It feels like Mother Nature threw a garden party and you are invited! You can lace up those hiking boots, hop on a bike or just bask in the countryside tranquility. If you are looking for beachside bliss, Margate and Broadstairs have sandy shores and a lively arts scene. You should check out the Turner Contemporary gallery in Margate.

Canterbury is a living, breathing medieval postcard with cobbled streets, timber-framed buildings and the River Stour snaking through. Tenterden and Faversham, the market towns, are like stepping into a scene from a quaint British movie. Markets, boutique shops and historic architecture blend together in a beautiful way. Chilham, the village with a Tudor-style square, is practically a movie star. You might have seen it in period dramas, it is that photogenic.

There are plenty of festivals that take place, including The Canterbury Festival of music, theatre and art. The Rochester Dickens Festival offers Victorian-themed events, parades and street performances. It is like stepping into a Dickens novel. Get your taste buds ready for a dance because Kent is the "Garden of England" for a reason. Featuring orchards, hop gardens and vineyards, it is a feast for the senses. You can visit farmers' markets, cider houses and wineries to savour the local delights. Kentish cherries and apples are the celebrities here and you are the VIP guest at their flavour-packed party.

Kent is a whirlwind of history, natural beauty and culture. You will fall head over heels and the memories will linger like the scent of summer roses. So, whether you are storming medieval castles, sauntering through charming towns, lazing on a beach or feasting on oysters in Whitstable, a trip to Kent guarantees an adventure. Cheers to Kent where every moment is a bloomin' good time!