insideKENT Magazine Issue 100 - August 2020 | Page 30

KENTSTAYCATION
The Pleasure of
THE PICNIC
EVERYONE LOVES A GOOD PICNIC. FROM THE TRADITIONAL BANQUET OF PORK PIES AND CRISPS TO A MORE
EXTRAVAGANT BEACH FEAST, THE THOUGHT OF LOUNGING AL FRESCO ON A COSY BLANKET IN THE AUGUST
SUN IS SURE TO TICKLE ANYONES FANCY, ESPECIALLY AFTER BEING LOCKED IN DOORS FOR SO LONG.
WHETHER YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A SECLUDED SPOT FOR ROMANCE, THE PERFECT PARK FOR A PICNIC WITH
THE KIDS, OR A WIDE OPEN SPACE TO RECONNECT WITH ESTRANGED FRIENDS, JESS MARSHALL HAS FOUND
THE PERFECT LOCATION FOR YOUR ULTIMATE OUTSIDE DINING EXPERIENCE.
The Traditional Family Picnic Spot
If you are looking for an excuse to get out of the
house with the kids, the perfect place to head is
Westgate Gardens in the accessible, yet ancient
city of Canterbury. Perfect for families, dog friendly,
and less than a 10 minute walk from West Station,
this should be a firm favourite for all families. First,
you’ll need to collect some supplies. Hop off the train
into the warm summer air and pop next door to the
Goods Shed - an indoor farmers market, food hall,
and restaurant, bursting with Kentish produce and
local passion. Stock up on artisan cheese from
Cheesemakers of Canterbury, grab some
charcuterie meats from Patriana Charcuterie,
and pick up some incredible baked goods from
Enzo’s Bakery - handmade cheesy pizza, spiced
sausage rolls and, for those craving some sugar, grab
some crunchy biscuits and tempting cakes!
Once you’ve stocked up on all your picnic essentials
head over to Westgate Gardens and set down your
blanket in awe of the beautiful tapestry of rainbow
coloured flowers that surround you. The trickling
of the River Stour, the tweeting of the birds, and the
precious sight of ducks bobbing lazily on the water
set the perfect ambience for this family day out. Put
those electronic devices in your back pockets, and
let them stay there. Enjoy this precious family time
with a few card games or a travel-size game, Connect
Four anyone?
These pastimes may seem old-fashioned to some but
these simple, yet surprisingly fun games leave time
to talk, laugh and, most importantly, spend some
precious hours soaking up the sun while making
happy memories with each other. Packing a seed
mix (or sourcing one from the Good Shed) to feed
the ducks will serve as the icing on the cake of this
traditional, family day out.
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