Garden of England

The historic county of Kent is renowned for its rural beauty and historically known as the ‘Garden of England’. Kent’s original market town, Faversham is perfect for enjoying a day-trip or a relaxing break, offering the best of the county’s traditions, countryside plus local food and drink. It is in the heart of rural Kent with excellent road and rail links to London, with first-class accommodation, outstanding attractions, fine food and drink and wonderful walking routes. Faversham has Kent’s oldest street-market and is a unique treat, filled with half-timbered buildings and independent shops. Highlights include Abbey Street, described as ‘Britain’s finest medieval street’ and appealing Market Place, with the striking tower and portico of its 16th century Guildhall.

Macknade Fine Foods where Kent and Italy meet up!  This is a family run (for over 150 years) shopping experience where customers can complete their weekly shop as well as discover a gourmet treat for the weekend, with an on-site cafe, wine merchant, garden centre and fishmonger. They are proud of their competitive price structure; ‘Qualita- Prezzo’ is at the core of their ethos… it simply means that you should always get what you pay for.

Locals and weekend visitor can receive a newsletter so you can stay in touch with seasonal updates www.macknade.com  Selling Road Faversham KentME13   8XF 017965 534497

Brogdale Farm, home of the national fruit collection in Faversham.  “Working to secure the long term, sustainable future of the National Fruit Collection as a living collection at Brogdale” Brogdale is a living gene bank of over 4,000 varieties of apples, pears, plums, cherries, cobnuts, currants and quinces and one of the biggest collection of fruit trees in the world.  The Brogdale Collections Charity was set up to keep the doors to the orchards open to the public and runs daily orchard tours from March to October. Brogdale Collections run annual Fruit Festivals and Event Days throughout the year including the Cider, Apple and Cherry Festivals.

Guided tours start 29 March 2014. Brogdale Marketplace is a stylish conversion of farm buildings in an attractive retail courtyard. You can purchase local Meats, Cheeses and Foods as well as visit the Florist, Gift Shop and Garden Centre on the site. A great choice for tasty local produce!  www.brogdalecollections.co.uk

The Sun Inn, a 14th century Shepherd Neame property offers good accommodation in  Faversham it oozes history, charm and character.  With original features – inglenook fireplaces, oak beams, plenty of comfortable seating and a lovely courtyard garden. My room, which had been recently refurbished, was spacious, tastefully decorated, the beds very comfortable and a huge bathroom with a brilliant shower.  The next morning breakfast was varied with freshly cooked hot food and cold buffet. All the staff were very friendly and helpful. The only problem was the lack of parking, surprising that if the council wants to encourage tourist that parking was difficult and expensive! West Street, Faversham.  ME13 7JE www.shepherdneame.co.uk/pubs/faversham/sun-inn

The Sun Inn is just a short stroll from the Shepherd Neame Brewery so it’s a great location for an award winning guided tour (17 Court Street, Faversham, KentME13 7AX) www.shepherdneame.co.uk/

Beer, otherwise known as the ‘Drink of England’, has been produced in Faversham for over 850 years and Britain’s oldest brewer produces a range of quintessentially Kentish ales including Spitfire, Bishops Finger and Master Brew as well as award winning lagers.  The Neame family uses the finest traditional ingredients including water from their own artesian well, deep beneath the brewery. Discover the brewer’s art and then learn how our beers and speciality lagers are tested for quality during an entertaining tutored tasting – audience participation encouraged!  The Visitor Centre, in a beautifully restored medieval hall house in Court Street. From here expert guides will take you through the busy working brewery revealing mix of traditional and modern technology used to produce arrange of Kentish Ales and speciality lagers. The secrets of brewing are revealed as you are guided through the brew house with its traditional mash tuns. Here you can taste the malted barley, sample the natural mineral water from their own well and smell locally-grown Kentish hops. You will find out about every stage of the brewing process as well as packaging and distribution  The Old Brewery Store houses displays of historic delivery vehicles, bygone pub signs, hop picking memorabilia and a recreated cooper’s workshop. The Brewery Shop, selling souvenirs of your visit – including a good selection of our beers! Visitors are strongly advised to book in advance to ensure a place on a tour,  allowing 2 – 2½hours for your visit. Due to the industrial nature of the brewery they are unable to allow visitors younger than 12 years of age on the tours – this includes babes in arms.

For more information about visiting Kent www.visitkent.co.uk

 
Written by Penny McCarthy

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