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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ?
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
What a beauty – need to see for myself too SOON
I haven’t stayed here but it sounds lovely!
I sure would like to visit ☺️
Hopefully somewhere we will be visiting soom
Looks like a great place to spend the day exploring. I hope when we visit we get the same sunshine you have!
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!
Such beautiful grounds looks like a great place to spend a day
I live in Kent but hade not heard of these places. You got some great pics.
Wonderful gardens and Baba looks so sweet in his stripey shirt!
I find your posts about Kent very useful, as that’s where my daughter and granddaughter live.
Looks lovely, love the gardens, such a shame its so far away from us
It looks lovely, I live up north so never been.
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.
Never been! Looks great!
Another lovely day out
We have never visited Eastwell but following your review, we are popping it on our hit list of places to visit.
Looks full of interesting historic places to visit
Lots of great photos!
This had made me want to visit Kent even more now-love the olde-worldey feel.
Looks like a super day out and Eastwell sounds great for wearing out the little ones!
what a beautiful looking place -would love to vist
really stunning looking area
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.
what a stunning looking area
Love the pictures it looks like a fab day out
This was such a gorgeous day out!
Another amazing blog on a place which looks and sounds like a place to visit, thank you
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
oh thank you so much 🙂 I do love fashion haha
We have a lot of beautiful gardens in this country. Thanks for sharing.
Lovely memorys, would be great to visit
I have never been to Kent, but it does look like a place I must visit
looks like a lovely day out
With family moving to Kent at the start of the year, all of these blogs are coming in handy
Everywhere you went looks so beautiful
Looks very inviting.
A really interesting read
beautiful location
you and your son have some great days out
We love visiting Kent, it’s such a pretty county.
WHAT A BRILLANT DAY OUT
thats a serious pair of sun glasses your sun is wearing
im loving Baba`s funky sunglasses
i need to get out of greater manchester a lot more and see some more of this stunning country we live in
YOUR SONS SO LUCKY –HE HAS THE BEST DAYS OUT
Brill day out!
oh it looks so beautiful there
Looks like a fabulous day out
ive been all round the world–but there is so many beautiful places in this country ive yet to explore
proper english country side
stunning day out==great sun glasses
Looks lovely. Never be to Kent.
Your days out are so wonderful that I have decided I should visit Kent soon!
It’s looks so beautiful here. I’ve never been to Kent.
You would love it here in Norfolk ❤️
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.
You always look so flawless I am definitely stealing your chic style!
This isn’t far from me and I didn’t know it existed!
It looks beautiful there
Looks lovely but a bit too far from me. We have some beautiful places in this country and need to explore them more!
really stunning scenery–this really is somewhere i must visit
Beautiful photos and lovely days out in the sun.
Looks like a fantastic place to visit it would be lovely
will definitely having a visit here
stunning day out
looks lovely
Wow it looks lovely!
Your Baba looks so cool and grown up these days, especially in his shades!
Wow a fab day out, what an absolutely stunning place
Your daughter looks like she’s having such fun
Some lovely pictures it looks like a wonderful place
Looks like a fantastic day out! Somewhere to add to my list of places to visit.
The gardens look beautiful!
CANT WAIT TO PAY THIS PLACE A VISIT
lovely ,lovely lovely