Villages In Kent – Eastwell & Westwell

Bonjour lecteurs! I can’t believe I have not written any features about villages in Kent for so long. Many of you actually took the time to message me and say that it was super useful. I am so glad it helps! And if you live in London, the Garden of England is literally on your doorstep. So easy to have a mini day out somewhere down here! But without further ado, today is all about Eastwell & Westwell.

Eastwell & Westwell, Westwell, Wheel Inn, Pub, Kent in Kent, Kent Life, Kentish Villages, Family Days out, Kent Downs, The Frenchie Mummy

The Wheel Inn

Last weekend was officially Super Saturday! I said we would not go out and check out a pub as we thought it would be too busy and not enjoyable. But Sunday was sunny.

So we decided to drive down somewhere for a family walk. We eventually ended up at the Wheel Inn in Westwell.

Eastwell & Westwell, Westwell, Wheel Inn, Pub, Kent in Kent, Kent Life, Kentish Villages, Family Days out, Kent Downs, The Frenchie Mummy

L’idée was to park the car on the green and go for a walk but Grumpy Boyfriend fancied a beer before any actual exercise.

Westwell

Westwell is about 4 miles north of Ashford in Kent.

Eastwell & Westwell, Westwell, Wheel Inn, Pub, Kent in Kent, Kent Life, Kentish Villages, Family Days out, Kent Downs, The Frenchie Mummy

Located in the fameuse North Downs, you can start from the crossroad in the heart of the village. If you do the circular walk that follows the North Downs Way and Pilgrims’ Way, you are in for a treat with great views across some of Kent’s most beautiful countryside.

Arable land, pasture, woodland… you will have it all.

Seeing The Village

We did not do it in the end as it is 6 miles long and maybe too much for Baba. Instead, we walked around the church.

Eastwell & Westwell, Westwell, Wheel Inn, Pub, Kent in Kent, Kent Life, Kentish Villages, Family Days out, Kent Downs, The Frenchie Mummy

Surrounded by what Baba called ‘very old houses’, it did not stop me to dream about one of them in my new vie à la campagne ?

Eastwell & Westwell, Westwell, Wheel Inn, Pub, Kent in Kent, Kent Life, Kentish Villages, Family Days out, Kent Downs, The Frenchie Mummy

But if you want to have a go, c’est simple. Park up by the Wheel Inn. Then head east on Westwell Lane. Take the first on the right, go up Dunn Street and the beautiful Westwell Dunns will be on your left.

Just be aware that you can not really park on the road by the entrance. This is why you need to start from the village. Hence why we did not do it in the end 🙁

But instead, we decided to carry on driving and ended up in another place enchantée… Eastwell!

Eastwell

Really, what a parfaite combination! After Westwell, we were due to make it to Eastwell!

Next village in Kent Downs, the place is merely a hamlet with a couple of houses and a pub.

The Flying Horse has a huge back garden actually, so it is super convenient for families.

Eastwell & Westwell, Village in Kent, Kent Life, Kentish Villages, Family Days out, Eastwell Manor, Eastwell Park, Luxury Spa Hotel, Champneys Spa Hotel, the Fenchie Mummy

But what really makes the difference dans le village is its immense Eastwell Park. The country estate is indeed almost 1 square mile and famous for its beautiful luxury spa hotel.

Eastwell Manor is a Champneys Spa Hotel situated within the park that offers gorgeous rooms but also cottages to rent.

Eastwell Manor

The hotel features aussi a golf course, an indoor swimming pool and plus!

Indeed, if you decide to stop by, enjoy a cocktail on the terrace or even one of its famous Afternoon Teas.

Eastwell & Westwell, Village in Kent, Kent Life, Kentish Villages, Family Days out, Eastwell Manor, Eastwell Park, Luxury Spa Hotel, Champneys Spa Hotel, the Fenchie Mummy

The property is huge and has so much to offer! The drive from the gatehouse to the manor house is about 1 mile long, so it gives you une bonne idée of what it looks like.

When we arrived, it was closed. The hotel is reopening soon on the 17th of July.

But we still went for a stroll among the beautiful property.

Eastwell & Westwell, Village in Kent, Kent Life, Kentish Villages, Family Days out, Eastwell Manor, Eastwell Park, Luxury Spa Hotel, Champneys Spa Hotel, the Fenchie Mummy

Eastwell Manor’s Grounds

Eastwell Manor’s grounds are truly magiques! You can usually play croquet, pétanque or simply go for a walk. It is great to enjoy some garden games and relax as a famille.

Eastwell & Westwell, Villages in Kent, Kent Life, Kentish Villages, Family Days out, Eastwell Manor, Eastwell Park, Luxury Spa Hotel, Champneys Spa Hotel, the Fenchie Mummy

It also has an outdoor swimming pool.

We started wandering around the manor but you can also relax by Eastwell Lake, which is on the south-west side of the property.

Eastwell & Westwell, Villages in Kent, Kent Life, Kentish Villages, Family Days out, Eastwell Manor, Eastwell Park, Luxury Spa Hotel, Champneys Spa Hotel, the Fenchie Mummy

After walking around the Eastwell Mews Cottages, we also had a look at the pond and the east side.

So many memories there! We actually rented one of the mews back in 2017 for a mini-break.

Eastwell & Westwell, Villages in Kent, Kent Life, Kentish Villages, Family Days out, Eastwell Manor, Eastwell Park, Luxury Spa Hotel, Champneys Spa Hotel, the Fenchie Mummy

Back then, Baba was starting to walk and I remember him going up and down the stairs in the hotel lobby’s while we were having a cocktail at the bar!

Enjoying The Garden

This weekend, he was far from being a little baby starting to walk!

Eastwell & Westwell, Villages in Kent, Kent Life, Kentish Villages, Family Days out, Eastwell Manor, Eastwell Park, Luxury Spa Hotel, Champneys Spa Hotel, the Fenchie Mummy

Baba truly had a whale of a time running around the garden.

The hotel is situated less than an hour from London by train, and perfect for a romantic weekend or even a family break.

Eastwell & Westwell, Villages in Kent, Kent Life, Kentish Villages, Family Days out, Eastwell Manor, Eastwell Park, Luxury Spa Hotel, Champneys Spa Hotel, the Fenchie Mummy

I think my favourite has to be the mini garden on the side of the hotel, just by the car park. There is always something magical there with the lavender.

Summer Break

Baba was at his ease and treated us to his best poses.

Eastwell & Westwell, Villages in Kent, Kent Life, Kentish Villages, Family Days out, Eastwell Manor, Eastwell Park, Luxury Spa Hotel, Champneys Spa Hotel, the Fenchie Mummy

It was a shame we did not have a ball.

In the Summer, you usually have some deckchairs out so that you can enjoy the grounds, relax and just take it all in!

I can not wait for the hotel to reopen soon! Next time we are around, we will make sure to get one of its fancy cocktails and maybe a scone or two.

Eastwell & Westwell, Kent in Kent, Kent Life, Kentish Villages, Family Days out, Eastwell Manor, Eastwell Park, Luxury Spa Hotel, Champneys Spa Hotel, the Fenchie Mummy

There is something even for smaller budgets. The mews is a great family option if you don’t want to bother other guests. and very spacious too!

Eastwell & Westwell

So which one has your vote? Are you more Eastwell or Westwell?

If you like a long walk and are up for a real adventure à l’anglaise, then head over to Westwell. Don’t’ forget to get a drink at the local pub on the way back!

Eastwell & Westwell, Kent in Kent, Kent Life, Kentish Villages, Family Days out, Eastwell Manor, Eastwell Park, Luxury Spa Hotel, Champneys Spa Hotel, the Fenchie Mummy

If you are more of a princesse like moi, then Eastwell Manor is definitely your place! Enjoy some peace while sipping a drink.

En plus, kids have some much space to run around and pretend they are some chevalier moderne.

Eastwell & Westwell, Kent in Kent, Kent Life, Kentish Villages, Family Days out, Eastwell Manor, Eastwell Park, Luxury Spa Hotel, Champneys Spa Hotel, the Fenchie Mummy

Have you ever stayed at Eastwell Manor? What did you think of it?

Et voilà for today!

For more information, you can also visit visitkent.co.uk & kent.gov.uk.

Merci for reading as always! And I will post soon more Villages in Kent to visit! Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions or if you want to suggest some cool places for us to check out.

 

75 Comments

  1. Margaret Gallagher
    July 9, 2020 / 12:36 pm

    What a beauty – need to see for myself too SOON

  2. Penny Lane
    July 9, 2020 / 12:47 pm

    I haven’t stayed here but it sounds lovely!

  3. Mira
    July 9, 2020 / 1:03 pm

    I sure would like to visit ☺️

  4. Sandra Fortune
    July 9, 2020 / 1:46 pm

    Looks lovely I’ve never been to Kent the major looks interesting

  5. judy kennedy
    July 9, 2020 / 2:00 pm

    Hopefully somewhere we will be visiting soom

  6. Nadia Josephine
    July 9, 2020 / 2:17 pm

    Looks like a great place to spend the day exploring. I hope when we visit we get the same sunshine you have!

  7. Lyndsey cooksey
    July 9, 2020 / 2:28 pm

    I can’t choose… Eastwell or Westwell! What lovely photos. The grounds look gorgeous, and young man looks like a real cool dude with his sunglasses!

  8. Jazz Tattersall
    July 9, 2020 / 9:23 pm

    Such beautiful grounds looks like a great place to spend a day

  9. YOLANDA DAVIS
    July 9, 2020 / 9:54 pm

    I live in Kent but hade not heard of these places. You got some great pics.

  10. lynn neal
    July 9, 2020 / 10:00 pm

    Wonderful gardens and Baba looks so sweet in his stripey shirt!

  11. Fiona jk42
    July 9, 2020 / 11:10 pm

    I find your posts about Kent very useful, as that’s where my daughter and granddaughter live.

  12. Susan Smith
    July 10, 2020 / 9:30 am

    Looks lovely, love the gardens, such a shame its so far away from us

  13. Charlotte isobelle
    July 10, 2020 / 9:51 am

    It looks lovely, I live up north so never been.

  14. Carly Belsey
    July 10, 2020 / 10:15 am

    I havent been for a few years but I agree that Eastwell Manor is such a wonderful place. I have had two spa days there with friends and it was fantastic.

  15. ashleigh allan
    July 10, 2020 / 10:42 am

    Never been! Looks great!

  16. Priscilla Stubbs
    July 10, 2020 / 10:44 am

    Another lovely day out

  17. A.E. ADKINS
    July 10, 2020 / 6:09 pm

    We have never visited Eastwell but following your review, we are popping it on our hit list of places to visit.

  18. MARIA ROGERS
    July 10, 2020 / 8:45 pm

    Looks full of interesting historic places to visit

  19. ashleigh allan
    July 11, 2020 / 9:35 am

    Lots of great photos!

  20. Carolle Wieler
    July 12, 2020 / 1:27 pm

    This had made me want to visit Kent even more now-love the olde-worldey feel.

  21. Catherine S
    July 13, 2020 / 9:47 am

    Looks like a super day out and Eastwell sounds great for wearing out the little ones!

  22. adrian price
    July 13, 2020 / 10:14 am

    what a beautiful looking place -would love to vist

  23. adrian price
    July 13, 2020 / 10:21 am

    really stunning looking area

  24. Susan B
    July 14, 2020 / 5:41 am

    The hotel grounds look gorgeous and it is so lovely seeing your Baba enjoy himself on this little adventure. I love exploring new places nearby. There is always somewhere new.

  25. adrian price
    July 14, 2020 / 7:54 am

    what a stunning looking area

  26. Jeanette Leighton
    July 14, 2020 / 11:44 am

    Love the pictures it looks like a fab day out

  27. Penny Lane
    July 14, 2020 / 1:11 pm

    This was such a gorgeous day out!

  28. Susan Smith
    July 14, 2020 / 7:09 pm

    Another amazing blog on a place which looks and sounds like a place to visit, thank you

  29. Susan Willshee
    July 14, 2020 / 8:51 pm

    Both Eastwell and Westwell look lovely. I must just comment on how smart Baba looks in all of the photos. He clearly has inherited his mama’s sense of chic style

    • Cecile Blaireau
      Author
      July 15, 2020 / 3:18 pm

      oh thank you so much 🙂 I do love fashion haha

  30. Alice Gilkes
    July 14, 2020 / 10:27 pm

    We have a lot of beautiful gardens in this country. Thanks for sharing.

  31. Rich Tyler
    July 15, 2020 / 10:49 am

    Lovely memorys, would be great to visit

  32. MARIA ROGERS
    July 15, 2020 / 11:34 am

    I have never been to Kent, but it does look like a place I must visit

  33. adrian price
    July 15, 2020 / 11:34 am

    looks like a lovely day out

  34. Julia Kerr
    July 16, 2020 / 12:10 am

    With family moving to Kent at the start of the year, all of these blogs are coming in handy

  35. Margaret Clarkson
    July 16, 2020 / 8:18 am

    Everywhere you went looks so beautiful

  36. Annaloa Hilmarsdottir
    July 16, 2020 / 1:41 pm

    Looks very inviting.

  37. Christine Constable
    July 18, 2020 / 11:13 am

    A really interesting read

  38. Rebecca Walker
    July 18, 2020 / 9:38 pm

    beautiful location

  39. adrian price
    July 19, 2020 / 9:48 am

    you and your son have some great days out

  40. jen english
    July 19, 2020 / 11:18 am

    We love visiting Kent, it’s such a pretty county.

  41. adrian price
    July 19, 2020 / 2:00 pm

    WHAT A BRILLANT DAY OUT

  42. adrian price
    July 20, 2020 / 11:16 am

    thats a serious pair of sun glasses your sun is wearing

  43. adrian price
    July 20, 2020 / 11:23 am

    im loving Baba`s funky sunglasses

  44. adrian price
    July 20, 2020 / 11:29 am

    i need to get out of greater manchester a lot more and see some more of this stunning country we live in

  45. adrian price
    July 20, 2020 / 11:49 am

    YOUR SONS SO LUCKY –HE HAS THE BEST DAYS OUT

  46. Kas Grant
    July 20, 2020 / 1:48 pm

    Brill day out!

  47. sandy lynn ralph
    July 20, 2020 / 2:48 pm

    oh it looks so beautiful there

  48. James Travis
    July 20, 2020 / 8:03 pm

    Looks like a fabulous day out

  49. adrian price
    July 21, 2020 / 11:50 am

    ive been all round the world–but there is so many beautiful places in this country ive yet to explore

  50. adrian price
    July 21, 2020 / 12:05 pm

    proper english country side

  51. adrian price
    July 21, 2020 / 12:19 pm

    stunning day out==great sun glasses

  52. Rachel Craig
    July 21, 2020 / 11:56 pm

    Looks lovely. Never be to Kent.

  53. Susan B
    July 22, 2020 / 8:20 am

    Your days out are so wonderful that I have decided I should visit Kent soon!

  54. Selena Longworth
    July 22, 2020 / 8:56 am

    It’s looks so beautiful here. I’ve never been to Kent.

    You would love it here in Norfolk ❤️

  55. Jenny McClinton
    July 22, 2020 / 10:54 am

    Both of these places look lovely for a family walk, I wasn’t aware of them until now so nice to learn of new places.

  56. Nadia Josephine
    July 22, 2020 / 11:08 am

    You always look so flawless I am definitely stealing your chic style!

  57. Amanda Botterill
    July 22, 2020 / 11:52 am

    This isn’t far from me and I didn’t know it existed!

  58. Denise Walton
    July 22, 2020 / 12:04 pm

    It looks beautiful there

  59. Mel Pennie
    July 22, 2020 / 12:08 pm

    Looks lovely but a bit too far from me. We have some beautiful places in this country and need to explore them more!

  60. adrian price
    July 22, 2020 / 3:10 pm

    really stunning scenery–this really is somewhere i must visit

  61. Carly Belsey
    July 22, 2020 / 3:51 pm

    Beautiful photos and lovely days out in the sun.

  62. Jeanette Leighton
    July 22, 2020 / 4:10 pm

    Looks like a fantastic place to visit it would be lovely

  63. adrian price
    July 22, 2020 / 5:22 pm

    will definitely having a visit here

  64. adrian price
    July 22, 2020 / 6:12 pm

    stunning day out

  65. Rebecca Walker
    July 22, 2020 / 10:33 pm

    looks lovely

  66. Georgie Wright
    July 22, 2020 / 10:47 pm

    Wow it looks lovely!

  67. Susan B
    July 23, 2020 / 12:53 am

    Your Baba looks so cool and grown up these days, especially in his shades!

  68. Rachael Sexey
    July 23, 2020 / 8:08 am

    Wow a fab day out, what an absolutely stunning place

  69. Alex
    July 23, 2020 / 8:34 am

    Your daughter looks like she’s having such fun

  70. Jeanette Leighton
    July 23, 2020 / 9:48 am

    Some lovely pictures it looks like a wonderful place

  71. Adrian Bold
    July 23, 2020 / 12:29 pm

    Looks like a fantastic day out! Somewhere to add to my list of places to visit.

  72. Sarah Cooper
    July 23, 2020 / 1:00 pm

    The gardens look beautiful!

  73. adrian price
    July 23, 2020 / 2:26 pm

    CANT WAIT TO PAY THIS PLACE A VISIT

  74. adrian price
    July 27, 2020 / 8:41 am

    lovely ,lovely lovely

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *