Where to Eat & Stay
So many of you have been in touch asking us to recommend somewhere to eat after visiting us for a tour and tasting. Whilst we are now offering local charcuterie and cheese plates and food trucks on the weekend, if you’re looking for a full meal, then you might want to try some of our local favourites. As we are in the sticks here at Westwell, all recommendations are a drive / train journey away, but they're all well worth the journey.
ANGELA'S & DORY'S IN MARGATE
Two sister seafood restaurants serving delicious, local seafood and simple, seasonal vegetable-based dishes. The super folk here sell more of our wine than any other single place. We love their food so much that we always stop for a plate or two when we're delivering wine. Owner Lee tells us that our Amphora is Tracey Emin's favourite. Angela's have just opened up three carefully designed, beautiful rooms above the restaurant - a perfect place to stay when you visit us.
BOYS HALL, ASHFORD
Boys Hall offer nine new unique bedrooms ranging in size and character. Their restaurant, terrace and pub showcase the best that Kent has to offer, with fresh, local and seasonal produce. Much of the menu is cooked over fire and changes with the seasons. The wine cellar is brimming with Kentish and international vintages along with great cocktails.
EASTWELL MANOR, EASTWELL PARK
https://www.champneys.com/hotels/eastwell-manor/
Just around the corner from us is Eastwell Manor who are planning to have e-mountain bikes available to guests shortly with suggested trails including a cycle route to the winery.
THE FOLKESTONE WINE COMPANY, FOLKSTONE
A fantastic little place with a simple set up and extremely good food and wine.
THE FORDWICH ARMS
https://www.fordwicharms.co.uk
A recently refurbished pub and restaurant set in Fordwich, Britain's smallest town. Boasting a lovely 1930's bar and oak panelled dining room and a riverside terrace plus great food and wine. Booking essential.
THE GOODS SHED
An award-winning independent restaurant and farmers market in Canterbury - just under half an hour away from us by car. The Goods Shed is a unique space with stalls including cheese, fishmonger, baker and butcher plus our pal Clive Barlow, a master of wine who has a small but perfectly formed collection of wines on sale (including ours of course). The Goods Shed also offer delicious seasonal small plates, breakfasts and really great coffee.
LINO BON VINO, SANDGATE
https://www.lidobonvino.co.uk/
Lido Bon Vino at the Sandgate Hotel in Sandgate offers excellent Italian food and an all-English and Italian wine list, with a lovely seafront location.
MACKNADE'S
This brilliant food hall, delicatessen, butchery and café in Faversham offers delicious goodies from Kent & further afield, including an extensive range of over 100 wines and an unrivalled cheese selection. Eat in or grab a picnic.
THE OYSTER STORES, WHITSTABLE
http://whitstableoystercompany.com
A whitewashed former oyster store serving produce straight from the sea, good wines and old fashioned “steadying” puddings - all to be consumed with the technicolour sunsets enjoyed by Whitstable. It's also right by the coast - perfect for a pre dinner stroll.
THE PIG AT BRIDGE PLACE
The Pig at Bridge Place, in the heart of Canterbury, dishes up a ever-changing kitchen garden menu topped off by a great English - especially Kentish - wine list. Under half an hour away from us and also has rooms available.
THE PLOUGH, RYE
https://www.theploughrye.co.uk
Situated less than two miles from the medieval town of Rye, The Plough enjoys a fantastic larder of local produce, from the freshest of fish landed in Rye and Hastings every day, to the wonderful delights from the Romney Marsh. Above the pub is a spacious and fully independent flat overlooking the stunning views of the rolling countryside and the sea.
THE ROSE HOTEL, DEAL
Located in the heart of the vibrant seaside town of Deal, The Rose is a relaxed and friendly bar and restaurant with a sun-filled courtyard and terrace. A former pub with a spirited past, The Rose is today a chic seaside destination with artistic charm, hotel-style comforts and seriously good food.
THE SPORTSMAN
http://thesportsmanseasalter.co.uk
Exceptionally good food in informal surroundings, The Sportsman's held a Michelin star since 2008. Hyper-locally sourced, Sportsman serve North Sea oysters and fish, plus meat and game from nearby marshland and woods. They also grow their own produce grown in their very own kitchen garden. Topped off by a superb wine list and just over 20 minutes drive away, this is a great choice for lunch after one of tours and tastings, but you will need to prebook.
THE TUDOR PEACOCK AT CHILHAM
http://www.thetudorpeacock.co.uk
Set to open this year is The Tudor Peacock, a wine bar offering the best of Kent wine. The Tudor Peacock will have the unique advantage of being the only venue in the county where alcohol from all seven of Kent’s top wine producers will be on offer - ours included. Watch this space.
UPDOWN FARMHOUSE, UPDOWN
Updown Farmhouse in Updown, near Sandwich is one of our favourite places. Six gorgeous bedrooms in one of the most picturesque spots in east Kent, with fantastic food a marvellous wine list. Book in as a matter of emergency.
VALERIE'S WINE BAR, ASHFORD
https://www.valerieswinebar.co.uk/
A little over five minute's walk from Ashford station, this lovely bar is a good option for anyone in need of a drink on the way back from us via train to London or beyond.
THE WISHFUL THINKER, LENHAM
https://elitepubs.com/venue/the-wishful-thinker/
Just over 10 minute’s drive from Westwell is the newly opened Wishful Thinker. Situated in the pretty village of Lenham, this foodie pub boasts cosy rooms and a great wine list (including Westwell of course).
Failing all this, why not head to the coast for fish and chips and an ice cold bottle of our Pet Nat or Pelegrim NV. Never anything but wonderful, and that's a guarantee.
