Our June Highlights - Inspiration for what to do in Kent

As usual, we've been out and about exploring a variety of fantastic spots for food and drink, including charming vineyards and exciting new bars. But it’s not just about the eats! We’ve also had some awesome family days out and have been getting in touch with our creative side!

Here's a look at what we got up to in June...

Gusbourne’s Midsummer Barbecue

Katy celebrated English Wine Week by sipping wine at Gusbourne:

Nothing says Summer quite like sipping a glass of chilled sparkling rosé in the sunshine!

As the Summer Solstice hit, I visited Kent winery, Gusbourne, with my husband for their Midsummer Barbecue. Located in the pretty village of Appledore, this historic estate dates back to 1410, but the first vines were planted far more recently in 2004. Since then, Gusbourne has made it's mark on the English wine scene, producing an array of critically acclaimed fine still and sparkling wines.

We each enjoyed a glass of their award-winning sparkling rosé, whilst tucking into some delicious food from the barbecue in their alfresco dining space, The Nest. From the barbecue, I had harissa spiced lamb with chimichurri, local mackerel with beetroot tzatziki dressing and a range of lovely accompanying salads; all of which were absolutely divine. With the sun shining and vines all around, we could easily have been in rural France and had to pinch ourselves that we were just an hour from home!

After eating, we headed out on a vineyard tour with one of the team’s experts, learning more about the estate's history and winemaking process at Gusbourne. Our guide was so knowledgeable, making for a fascinating insight into the vineyard, as well as offering some fantastic views across the Kent countryside out towards the sea. What an idyllic way to spend a Summer's day in Kent!

Peter Rabbit at Knole Park

Katy took her little ones to visit Knole Park's new The World of Peter Rabbit™ Storytime Trail:

Running until 25th August, Knole's immersive, walkthrough experience makes for a wonderful day out with the kids this Summer. With gates to crawl through, mirror ponds to peer into and a classic, illustrated Peter Rabbit story to follow, both my five year old and almost 1 year old loved it!

Upon arrival, we were given a trail sheet with tasks for the little ones to do, and there was colouring, dressing up clothes and toys to play with at the end of the story trail. As we visited on the press day, we also got to meet the main rabbit himself which my littlest was entranced by!

Afterwards, we visited the gorgeous bookshop where there was a huge array of Peter Rabbit books, toys and homeware to buy. It's all so well curated and a real love letter to Beatrix Potter's timeless illustrations and stories.

Entry to the trail is included with admission tickets and free for National Trust members.

The Craft Haven

Kirsty got creative at this fun workshop near Canterbury:

The Craft Haven is tucked away in the Kent countryside near Canterbury and offers the perfect opportunity to relax and try something new. I went to a clay mug workshop run by the lovely and very talented Issy.

We arrived to a beautifully set table with everything we needed to get started and a delicious welcome drink. Issy keeps the workshop small and the other attendees were all lovely. 

Issy provided us with instructions which allowed us to make our mugs at our own pace which really took the pressure off! It was really interesting seeing everybody's designs which were all so different. Once the mug was shaped, I decorated, I kept it simple as I know my own limitations! Issy didn’t rush us and we had loads of time to create our masterpiece and even had some time spare to create a little trinket dish. I left my creations with Issy ready to go in the kiln and I can’t wait to come and pick them up soon and see how they turned out.

Issy runs a variety of clay workshops at the Craft Haven - find out more here

Glow Festival at Penshurst Place & Gardens

Katy enjoyed a magical night of entertainment, feasting and celebration at Glow Fest, part of Hever Festival:

Set in the grounds of the magnificent Penshurst Place, this unique event showcased a range of mesmerising performances, followed by dancing and food whilst the sun dipped low.

We were welcomed with a glass of Pimms and some chilled tunes from DJ Marcel Mendez, before being escorted on a magical walking tour through the formal gardens, with some unforgettable performances along the way. From graceful ballet to hilarious street theatre and epic fiery choreography, we were wowed and amazed at every turn.

Our personal favourite was the memorable slinky show from Bedlam Oz which I can honestly say is like nothing I've ever seen before and needs to be seen to be believed! All of the acts were mesmerising, entertaining and unique.

At the end of our hour tour, we returned for street food, more music and dancing as the sun went down. This really was a very special night set in the glow of midsummer golden hour and I really hope it returns again next year!

The Txoko Bar

Kirsty spent a gorgeous evening at this new bar in Broadstairs

Tucked away on Harbour Street, The Txoko Bar opened a few weeks ago and is already proving popular with locals. We visited on a sunny Friday evening and were lucky enough to grab the window seat where we could watch the world go by.

The Txoko Bar serves up a delicious range of wine - tThey’ve got a great selection of wines, and the owners really know their stuff — they gave us some brilliant recommendations and even let us try a few before we settled on our final choice. Alongside the wines, they serve cicchetti — delicious savoury bar snacks with a variety of toppings. We sampled nearly all of them and the goats curd and honey was my favourite.

The vibe here was just lovely. We stayed for hours. Everyone was welcomed by the staff, and although the bar is relatively small, they made their best efforts to accommodate everyone. We’re already looking forward to our next visit.

The Txoko Bar is open every Friday 4-11.

Light Bites Menu at Essence

Katy sampled some delicious Indian tapas in The Pantiles:

June saw the launch of Essence at The Pantiles' excellent new Light Bites menu and it's fair to say that this are not your average lunch menu!

Served 12-3pm during the week and 12-5pm across the weekend, this carefully constructed menu features a range of uniquely delicious Indian tapas, as well as salads, snacks and desserts. Stand out dishes for me included the Tandoori Lamb Chop which were so tender and gently spiced; the Curried Prawn, Mango & Kimchi Salad which packed a punch, but softened with the sweetness of the mango; and the Vegetable Samosa Chaat which was beautifully presented with jewels of pomegranate.

With dishes starting from just £6, Essence at The Pantiles have really pulled out all of the stops with this varied, flavoursome and reasonably priced menu. Definitely one to add to your must-visit list this Summer!