Tenterden Hideaway

Tenterden Hideaway enjoys a sensational countryside spot, far away from anyone though close to the picture postcard town of Tenterden. There are numerous timeless villages around including Wye, Chilham, Pluckley, Rolvenden and Biddenden. Walkers love the calm beauty of Wye which is home to the charming New Flying Horse Inn. The gorgeous fifteenth century Chilham often doubles as a movie set, as does Pluckley, the quintessential Kent village used for filming The Darling Buds of May. Biddenden enjoys its famous vineyards where you can enjoy a tour.

Tenterden is known as the ‘Jewel of the Weald’. It enjoys a wealth of attractive architecture, excellent shopping and a fascinating history. It boasts tree-lined greens where you can browse the unique shops looking for gifts, crafts, books and antiques. To discover more about this historic town, you can visit the local museum or board a nostalgic ride back in time on the Kent and East Sussex Railway. You can steam to Bodiam Castle and visit the 16th century half-timbered home of the 19th century Shakespearean actress Dame Ellen Terry.

Wine lovers are in for a treat when staying at Tenterden Hideaway. There are many vineyards around including Tenterden’s own. The most famous Kent vineyard is the Chapel Down Vineyard, England’s leading winemaker. It is open to visitors throughout the year. You can enjoy tastings, tours and masterclasses. The vineyard also boasts the Curious Brewery, home to the beer and cider arm of Chapel Down. Also popular are the Biddenden Vineyard, the Mount Vineyard, the Chartham Vineyard, the Terlingham Vineyard and the Hush Heath Winery, a family run vineyard that produces award winning wines. You can easily book an expert-led tour through their beautiful vineyards, apple orchards and ancient oak woodlands. There are also many local farm shops selling local produce.

Those that enjoy shopping may want to head to the recently expanded Ashford Designer Outlet where you can pick up designer labels at bargain prices. There are also many restaurants to eat there. Train enthusiasts might want to give the shopping a miss and head to the Ashford Borough Museum instead where they can learn about Ashford’s railway heritage and history. There is a pop-up model railway exhibition to look at too.

There are plenty of walks from Tenterden Hideaway. You can head off on stunning trails on the North Downs Way, Pilgrims Way, Greensand Way and Saxon Shore Way. You will discover landscapes filled with Kentish apples, pears and cherries, vineyards, ancient woodlands and finally the south coast beaches.

You are close enough also to visit Sissinghurst Castle Garden, a historic, poetic, iconic refuge dedicated to beauty. Vita Sackville-West, poet and writer and Harold Nicolson, her diplomat and author husband, fell in love with Sissinghurst Castle and created the famous gardens. Harold’s architectural garden planning and Vita’s colourful, abundant planting reflect the romance and intimacy of her writing. Sissinghurst Castle Garden was the backdrop of a colourful history from a time as a prison in the 1700’s to a home for the women’s land army. The gardens are so popular entry is by timed ticket so you need to plan in advance.

Hythe, the coastal market town on the edge of Romney Marsh offers a delightful beach,  the lovely Brockhill Country Park and the famous Port Lympne Reserve. The authentic safari experience is unlike a normal zoo. Over 90 species and 766 animals roam within the 600 acres. There are big cats, gorillas and primates roaming free.