insideKENT Magazine Issue 99 - June / July 2020 | Page 12

KENTSTAYCATION
2020 - THE YEAR OF THE STAYCATION CONT.
THACKERAY’S
SPA HOTEL
you are looking for a unique bar experience be sure to check out the Black Dog
- a tiny hole-in the-wall pub that is a favourite with locals. Quirky and back to
basics, this bar is extra friendly, and they even welcome your four-legged friend!
What to Eat?
Once you have enjoyed all the alcoholic beverages the high street has to offer,
food should definitely be on the agenda, and with such a diverse range of authentic,
independent restaurants to choose from, this could be a tough decision. During
lockdown some of Whitstable’s restaurants are operating a collection and delivery
service. One such place is the oldest restaurant in town: Wheelers Oyster Bar.
Wheelers is a seafood restaurant whose take-away menu offers everything from
fish pies to closed-rock oysters, making this the perfect place to acquire the food
for a romantic seafood banquette, enjoyed from the comfort of your own dining
table. If you are lucky enough to visit post-lockdown, your foodie go-to should
be Samphire – a no-nonsense bistro that will blow your socks off! Home to the
most sumptuous, melt in the mouth beef you will ever taste, Samphire is designed
to be enjoyed slowly so you can savour every little bite.
THE LUXURY LOVERS HOLIDAY
Next, for all of you desperate for a bit of luxury in your life, we propose a Staycation
to Royal Tunbridge Wells. If the height of affluence isn’t holidaying in a town
so closely associated with royalty that it has received it’s very own royal title, then
we really don’t know what is. This town is a hub of life and feels more like a city
when the high street is packed with the hubbub of cheerful people going about
their day. Wander up and down the high street and the gloriously quaint Pantiles,
to appreciate the contrasting mix of historic architecture and modern ambience,
while soaking up the effervescent atmosphere from this bustling borough.
Where to Stay?
Due to Royal Tunbridge Wells’ size
and scale there really is a type of
accommodation to suit everyone.
Whether you want a townhouse
holiday let, where the noise and
motion of the city centre is just a step
outside the door, or a quiet, secluded
bed and breakfast, this town has it all.
There are also a myriad of luxury
hotels that offer relaxing escapism
from the comfort of a king size bed.
One such place is the Spa Hotel that
lies on the outskirts of town. This
beautiful hotel provides luxury in
spades and of course, as its name
suggests, a plethora of indulgent metime
spa treatments to boot. No matter
what your preference is, be sure to
book as soon as we can travel again,
as these spaces will fill up fast!
What to Do?
If you are starting your Staycation
while strict social distancing laws are
still in place, it is likely you won’t be
able to indulge in some of the more
traditional extravagant activities
Tunbridge has to offer, but this is an
opportunity to take advantage of the
stunning countryside that surrounds
the town. Pack a locally grown picnic
and venture out to some nearby
woodland, discover the breathtaking
views from High Rocks, meander
around Dunorlan Park and Calverley
Grounds, and sit in the summer
sunshine and indulge every single one
of your senses. Post-lockdown, make
like the royals and have a spa day at
one of the many local spas! Indulge
in some beauty treatments that will
refresh your soul as well as your skin,
and you will come out smelling of
roses and feeling brand new.
Where to Eat
If you are looking for an exquisite fine
dining experience, there is only one
place to head. Tucked away at the top
of a hill lined with beautifully intricate
residential houses sits Thackeray’s; a
multi award winning luxury restaurant
merely a stone’s throw away from the
highstreet. Thackeray’s is an
effortlessly homely, fine-dining eatery,
and the perfect place for a romantic
meal to remember. Enjoy a delectable
cocktail at the cosy bar as soft music
lulls in the background and relaxes
the soul. Tickle your palate with
scrumptious appetizers, but make sure
to leave room for the show-stopping
main course, and delectable dessert
( - their souffle is to die for!).
Courageous and innovative with their
cooking, friendly and welcoming with
their customers, visiting Thackery’s
will be the highlight of your trip.
12