Review: Mount Ephraim Country House & Gardens - A romantic escape to the heart of the Garden of England

With two tiny humans now in the mix, it’s not often that my husband and I get the opportunity to enjoy a night away as just the two of us. So, when Mount Ephraim Country House & Gardens offered a stay at their beautiful, rural B&B, we jumped at the chance.

Located in the picturesque heart of Kent, Mount Ephraim Country House & Gardens offers a tranquil retreat where nature and history intertwine. This stunning family-run 10-acre estate has been passed down through generations of the Dawes family since 1695, providing an idyllic escape with its immaculately landscaped gardens, scenic views, and rich heritage. 

Nestled between the bustling city of Canterbury and market town of Faversham, the period house now operates as a B&B, wedding venue and seasonal public gardens. It really is a true hidden gem, combining an impressive formal setting with a homely, friendly welcome in a fabulous location.

We stayed in the Sir Edwyn suite, the largest of five thoughtfully decorated double ensuite bedrooms in the West Wing of the main house. It was a large, airy room with high ceilings, vintage touches and a magnificent Super King French bed which took centre stage. Though tempted to sink straight into the comfortable-looking bed straight away, we made tea on arrival and sat in the two majestic wingback chairs to take in the surrounding views from the bay windows. My husband has always dreamed of having a massive armchair to read books in, so he was in heaven!

I, on the other hand, was more interested in the vast freestanding bath that was revealed as I opened the bathroom door. It was incredible. I couldn’t resist, so had a lovely long soak before getting ready to go out for dinner - such a treat!

Once settled and suitably relaxed, we headed out for the evening. Though there’s no restaurant on site at Mount Ephraim, you will be spoilt for choice in the local area, and the team are more than happy to offer recommendations. We chose to head into Faversham for a meal at Posillipo, an authentic Italian restaurant set on the waterfront.

Serving a wide variety of dishes from fresh seafood and steak; to pizza and pasta, the menu offers something for everyone. With lovely decor and a candlelit, bustling ambiance, we had a fabulous meal and the staff were so friendly. I went for the Calamarata di Mare which was really different with fresh, rich flavours, and beautifully presented. 

Other options for dining in the area include The Korean Cowgirl or The Firepit restaurants at the high-end Cave Hotel in Boughton, or you could travel into either Canterbury or Whitstable for restaurants such as Cafe des Ami, Samphire or Birdies. Alternatively, the Red Lion pub in Herne Hill is a 10-15 minute walk away.

Full and sleepy, we returned to our room where I can confirm that the bed was as comfy as it looked!

Breakfast in the morning was served in the characterful tea room downstairs, again overlooking the spectacular scenery. Cooked and served by friendly and welcoming B&B manager Elliott, our cooked breakfasts were delicious with perfectly prepared eggs and well-seasoned, high quality ingredients. I went for the vegetarian breakfast (plus a sausage!) which included halloumi, eggs, hash brown, tomato and mushrooms. There was also a selection of cereals, yoghurt, juices and fruit on offer.

After a gentle and indulgent start to the day, we headed out to explore the grounds which were bursting with colour in the Spring sunshine. Open to the public between March and September, the gardens feature impressive topiary, fragrant rose gardens, a fabulous Japanese rock garden and unique ‘Miz Maze’ with a small play area for little ones. We strolled around the lake seeing the area used to host weddings and marvelling at the pretty blossom appearing in the on-site orchard.

Mount Ephraim Country House & Gardens was the ideal destination for a laid back, romantic country escape, and we left feeling refreshed and full. The cakes in the tea room also looked scrummy, so we’ll be back to sample them another time! In addition to the B&B rooms, they have glamping pods and self-catered accommodation on site, as well as a season of events throughout the summer.

For more information and to book your own stay, visit - https://www.mountephraimgardens.co.uk/

This review is based on a stay in April 2024 and was gifted in exchange for promotional content