Between Teams and TikTok, Facebook and FaceTime, our modern, connected world can certainly feel a little loud at times, can’t it?
If you were one of those who felt secretly smug the night Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp ground to an overnight halt earlier this autumn (or, perhaps someone who remained blissfully unaware that there even was an online outage until this very moment in time) we reckon you might just be tempted to book yourself a little digital detox in the Garden of England.
Picture this: just you, your travel buddy of choice, and memories waiting to be made in the glorious Garden of England. Bliss, right? It’s time to switch off and take things offline in Kent…
Raring ramblers, this first one’s for you. Starting at Rochester Cathedral the Augustine Camino week-long walking pilgrimage wends its way through the bucolic Kent countryside for 70 miles via Aylesford Priory and Canterbury Cathedral to the Shrine of St Augustine, Apostle to the English, in Ramsgate. Be sure to book onto a guided tour and immerse yourself in unrivalled knowledge of the Camino trail, along with the cultural significance of the places you’ll pit-stop at along the way. Walk this way…
Set in 500 acres of countryside, encompassing an organic dairy farm and market gardens, conference centre, and environmental education centre, beautiful Bore Place is the ideal place for those looking to spend time outside in nature. With a commitment to sustainability and connecting people to the countryside at its heart, Bore Place offers visitors the chance to truly retreat from the stresses of life, with a wide range of group activities from organic bread making and yoga, to bat-spotting and meetings with the site’s organic dairy herd. At one with nature…
With outstanding shopping, buzzing bars, and iconic venues all within touching distance, you could be mistaken for thinking that perhaps charming Canterbury isn’t the best place to power off. However, the terrific team behind the award-winning Canterbury Historic River Tours have recently launched a brand-new walking tour for winter which offers the chance to pop your phone away for a few hours, and instead indulge in a guided tour to uncover the stories and secrets hiding within the cobbles of this characterful city spot.
The Garden of England is gaining quite a reputation when it comes to wine, and with our climate and chalky soil making ideal viticultural growing conditions, it’s not hard to see why. At Mereworth Wines, the team create exceptional sparkling wine with fruits straight from their Kentish vineyard, sharing their passion for traditional method English winemaking with all who visit their site, or sample their produce. Why not decant for an indulgent afternoon tour and tasting at Mereworth with loved ones, and toast to time well spent in the great outdoors? Wi-Fi-free with wine sounds pretty appealing to us!
There are few things better set-up for escaping daily life, than a night spent under the stars. And, whether your plan to break away from the digital world is scheduled to take place on the outskirts of the city, deep in the countryside, or along the coastline, our friends at The Camping & Caravanning Club have club sites for you to pitch up at spread across Kent. All you’ll need to do is pack the campsite snacks and bring your best tent-side tales to share with fellow campers over a steaming mug of hot choc…
If our last suggestion has you feeling starry-eyed for a memorable night of astronomy, we recommend sticking that phone on aeroplane mode in favour of marvelling at the night’s sky right here in Kent. The UK's only desert couldn't be a better place for seeing some of the most amazing starry nights. Dungeness is unlike anywhere else, and when you can see a sky brimming with sparkling stars all the way over the sea, open landscape, and endless skyline, it's certainly a sight for sore eyes. Once those starry-eyes have turned to bleary-eyes and you need somewhere to rest your head for the night, Best Western’s Clifton Hotel in nearby Folkestone will ensure you emerge feeling fresh when the sun rises once more!
There’s something quite tranquil about train travel, isn’t there? The chance to switch off, and simply stare outside as your surroundings whizz past you! Our friends at the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway are inviting passengers to climb aboard to get hands on with their brand-new ‘Wood Whittling & Whistles’ taster experience, which combines a journey on one of their world-famous steam locomotives with a wood whittling workshop (try saying that one quickly!) at Romney Warren Halt – home of Kent Wildlife Trust’s Romney Marsh Visitor Centre and Nature Reserve. Satisfy your creativity by making a wonderful wooden item – be that a clothes peg, coat hook or rustic mushroom - before climbing back aboard the train proudly clutching your latest creation.
Tansy Jane Dowman’s forest therapy, mindful walks, and retreats for women are the chance to get back into nature, and with so many glorious landscapes in our county, Kent has got to be the place to start that journey. Tansy’s workshops are all about rewilding yourself and reconnecting with nature through crafts, classes, and guided meditations, so if you’re looking for a chance to switch off and escape from the hustle and bustle, they’re the perfect antidote to life’s everyday stresses. And b r e a t h e...
Resting on the coast near St Margaret's Bay, The Pines Garden is the perfect place to escape for peace, quiet and a taste of the countryside. A stroll through the six acres of organic gardens offers plenty of discoveries, including a poetry path, lake, children's sustainability trail, and more than 40 species of fruit and vegetables. And where can you get a taste of some of that organic fruit and veg? In their very own tea room, which offers an ever-changing menu packed with locally produced delights.
We’re here to tell you that a tranquil trip to some of Kent’s glorious gardens isn’t simply something to enjoy during the spring and summer sunshine. Grab a moment of peace at Belmont House and Gardens this season and you’ll be treated to sightings of their Dogwood and Willow bed, the green hues of the cornus sericea, reds of the cornus alba and golden tones of salix – who said winter lacked colour? And, while you’re catching a breath, make sure you grab a few shots to add to your Insta grid (only once you’re officially ready to switch the phone back on and disrupt the perfect peace, that is…)
Nestled in an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’, we don’t think this next rural recommendation will require much of an intro to entice you… Retreat for the night in your very own stylish Shepherd’s Hut, before unleashing your creativity courtesy of one of this site’s seriously special workshop experiences. From creating your own felted creatures, to incredible photography and art tuition, you’re certain to leave your cosy home for the night with a fresh dose of inspiration! And, for those with more of a hunger for… well food and drink… than arts and craft, the Romney Marsh Shepherd Hut’s team also have a perfect partnership with Wine Tours of Kent which offers a tasting tour around the Wine Garden of England before delivering you back to your Hut front door.
Calm the mind, s t r e t c h the body, and rejuvenate the soul with a visit to the beautiful Buckland Lake Nature Reserve. Set in the quaint village of Cliff, the brilliant blue waters here offer far more than just an idyllic spot for a wander, with weekly activities, a nutrition-based cafe, and a health clinic on site. Release your inner karate kid and high kick your way to one of the martial art classes, delivered against the backdrop of rolling hills and panoramic views. If you consider yourself more a water bug than a sensei, the opportunities here are abundant; from fishing, to diving, you’re sure to find something to fill your adventure boots!
Those with a penchant for fabulous food and stunning views are likely to make a beeline for this next experience, which combines the two beautifully between Swanley and Sevenoaks. The Darent Valley Food and Drink Rail Trail itinerary walks (quite literally) visitors through the food history of the valley while meeting key independent producers in the area along the way. Hear about the producers’ attachment to the unique chalk soil of the valley and their passion for the products they make – from the marvellous team at Mount Vineyard, to the home of the UK’s largest lavender fields at Castle Farm. With each stop located an easy walking distance from a local train station, this Rail Trail offers the ideal day trip into the Garden of England.
Ready and raring to tackle a new challenge over the coming months? Looking for something that will see you social distancing yourself from the sofa (and the mindless TV channel surfing that comes with it) in favour of mastering a new skill? Steeped in history, surrounded by uninterrupted views of the Kent coast, and rich in championship links, enjoy an unforgettable visit to Prince’s Golf Club in Sandwich. Here, you’ll have the chance to perfect your swing with a golf lesson, followed by either a serene session of yoga or some fabulous foraging on the beach beside the course. Prince’s brand-new package is sure to putt a smile on your face, while leaving you feeling well and truly inspired…
Now we don’t know about you, but the prospect of sitting in standstill traffic with only the sounds of our SatNav for company doesn’t necessarily conjure up the image of the ‘digital detox’ that we’re hoping for. Luckily, thanks to Southeastern, switching the traffic for a tranquil train journey through the Garden of England couldn’t be easier! Just a short hop on the train and you can explore the beautiful Kent countryside, historic buildings, and stunning coastal views. Plus, with Southeastern’s list of favourite spots for a relaxing stroll that are all just a hop away on train, we recommend lacing up your walking boots and discovering Kent’s winters landscape, for a real escape from busy life.
