insideKENT Magazine Issue 39 - June 2015 | Page 114

DAYSOUT
FOOD-AND DRINK-inspired DAYS OUT cont.
Hush Heath // www.hushheath.com

National Fruit Collection // www.nationalfruitcollection.org.uk

The National Fruit Collection at Brogdale Farm in Faversham is one of the
largest fruit collections in the world. It includes over 3,500 different varieties
of fruit such as apples, pears, plums, cherries, and of course the famous
Kentish cobnuts. You’ll be amazed at just how much fruit our county can
produce! There may even be varieties that you’ve never heard of, let alone
tasted – your horizons will certainly have been broadened after a visit here.
After visiting this fascinating collection of beautiful fruits, why not go
and explore some of the many apple and cherry orchards Kent has to offer?
Pick the right time of year (spring for beautiful blossoms, summer for juicy
cherries, autumn for crunchy apples, and winter for a more stark, but no
less stunning effect) and you will be proud of the county you call home.

When one day of wine tasting and eating beautiful, local food isn’t enough,
Hush Heath offers you two, including an overnight stay on the Hush Heath
Estate, or in one of the linked venues nearby (including the Goudhurst Inn).
With 400 acres to explore, you may need a little extra time to enjoy them.
Tours and tastings are free of charge, and don’t need to be booked in
advance, so this is the perfect spontaneous day out for anyone who enjoys
the Kent countryside, and the wonderful produce that comes with it.
To really make the most of your day (or two) on the estate, you can
even purchase a picnic lunch in the shop to take into the vineyard with you.
This fabulous lunch includes all things local and Kentish including a mouthwatering pork pie, homemade piccalilli, Woodchurch ham, and seasonal
apples from Jake’s Orchard. Wash it all down with some fizz from Hush
Heath itself and you’ll really understand what this place is all about.

Shepherd Neame Brewery // www.shepherdneame.co.uk

Oysters in Whitstable

If beer is your tipple then a visit
to the Shepherd Neame Brewery
in Faversham should certainly
be on your to do-list. Famous
beers such as Spitfire and
Bishop’s Finger are brewed here,
and you can go behind the
scenes to discover exactly how
it’s done. Tours run at various
times during the day and the
evening too, and you can
combine a wonderful freshly
cooked meal with your tasting
tour. If you choose this option,
you’ll have the fabulous 80minute guided tour including a
tutored tasting, and then a twocourse supper. Everything is
locally sourced and homecooked
for that true Kentish flavour.

Oysters have been collected in Whitstable since the Roman times, and are
just as popular now as ever. In fact, Whitstable oysters are so well loved
and well regarded that the town holds an annual oyster festival each July.
But even if you can’t make it to the town in the week of the festival to see
the famous landing of the oysters, take part in sampling the food, watch
the oyster parade, and hear some excellent music, you can still taste some
absolutely amazing and totally fresh oysters in many of the restaurants in
Whitstable year round.

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