LOCAL DINING
Kent has some of the best produce in the country and this is reflected by all the great places to eat in the area! Whether you're looking for a cosy pub, a light bite or fine dining, there's something for everyone.
While the village centre is a short walk down the road, there is also a bus stop right outside the house which takes you into
Hawkhurst in just a few minutes or for local taxi firms, click here.
HAWKHURST
The Oak & Ivy - opening Summer 2023
The Queen’s Inn - historic inn with dining room and bar areas offering small plates and larger dishes
The Great House - a modern take on the country pub with a varied menu and wood-fired pizza
The Prince of Kent - Indian restaurant with dining and takeaway at the village crossroads
The Eight Bells - next to The Moor area of the village, serving seasonal "country rustic" food
Water Lane - seasonal dishes in a walled garden setting (lunch only)+
IN THE AREA
Birchwood - seasonal, local food in a modern woodland setting (lunch only)
The Castle Inn, Bodiam - welcoming, traditional pub with a varied menu
Hoof, Rye & Tenterden - upmarket burgers using locally farmed food from Romney Marsh
The Milk House, Sissinghurst - dining room serving a contemporary menu plus a bar and terrace at this village pub
Montalbano, Tenterden - homemade, regional Italian dishes at this family-run restaurant
Ozgur, Tenterden - friendly Turkish restaurant serving authentic Middle Eastern dishes
Tatner's Street Kitchen, Rye - incredible street food using locally sourced ingredients
The Smallholding, Kilndown - creative food with an emphasis on farm to table (sister to The Curlew)+
The Swan at Chapel Down, Tenterden - modern European restaurant above the winery+
The West House, Biddenden - Michelin-starred restaurant serving classic dishes with a modern twist+
The White Dog Inn, Ewhurst - country pub with a large beer garden and views over the Rother valley and Bodiam
+ please note that these establishments are generally only open Wed/Thurs - Sunday (see website links for up-to-date info)
LOCAL WINE - TOURS & TASTINGS
Kent is at the forefront of the UK wine industry with its favourable climate and "terroir" and there are a number of unique wineries, each offering tours and tastings.
In order of distance from Meadow Cottage...
Oastbrook - our nearest producer, offering still and sparkling wine (pre-booked weekends only)
Sedlescombe - organic wine producer offering tastings and tours with lunch/afternoon tea
Biddenden - Kent’s oldest commercial vineyard with a local produce shop, tastings and tours
Oxney - largest single organic estate in the UK (shop open all week, pre-booked tours Saturday only)
Tillingham - experimental sparkling and still wines based on organic and biodynamic principles
Chapel Down - Kent's most well-known English winemaker with very popular tours
Balfour Hush Heath Estate - tastings, tours and platters in an impressive California-style winery
Carr-Taylor - guided and self-guided tours at one of Kent's longest-running wineries
Gusbourne - tastings and guided and self-guided tours at this boutique sparkling wine producer