Local Area
Stable Cottages is a great base from which to explore everything the South East has to offer. Here's our list of the top 10 things to do during your stay with us:
1) Country walks & wildlife
Set in 20 acres of farmland, Stable Cottages is the perfect base from which to explore the countryside of the Hoo Peninsula. The Thames Estuary is one of the UK's richest wildlife habitats. Great walks include the Thames sea wall and Saxon Shore Way. The High Halstow National Nature Reserve and Northward Hill, which are within reach on foot, are particularly beautiful. Look out for the array of wildlife on route - from herons and hares to badgers to butterflies.. For a complete guide to circular walks on the Hoo Peninsula, click here.
2) DINING OUT
As well as the Fenn Bell pub at the end of our road (where there is also a small zoo and a lovely miniature railway), there are plenty of great places to eat in the local area. Here are some of our favorites:
The Pumproom (tapas/fine dining) - Chatham Maritime
Cafe Nucleus (great for lunch/coffee) - Rochester
The Tudor Rose - Upnor
Pink Paprika (Indian) - Hoo
Lime house (Thai) - Rochester
The Cheese Room (lunch/takeaway) - Rochester
Don Vincenzo (Italian) - Rochester
Mama Mia (Italian) - Rochester
The Knowle Country House (special occasion) - Higham
If you have something to celebrate as a group during your stay but don’t want to venture out to a restaurant, we highly recommend booking a beautiful grazing platter from Plentifull: https://www.plentifulllavishgrazing.co.uk.
3) Bluewater Shopping Centre
Just a short drive along the A2 is Bluewater - one of the largest shopping centres in Europe. As well as a huge variety of shops and department stores (300 in total), the complex houses a cinema, over 50 restaurants and offers it's customers free parking. For directions to Bluewater, click here.
4) London
London is easily accessible from the Medway Towns, either by road or rail. Southeastern operates a variety of regular services to the city. The closest stations are either Strood (10 minutes drive away) or Ebbsfleet International (15 minute drive away). From either of these stations, you can take the high speed train to London St Pancras - the journey time is just 17 minutes from Ebbsfleet. There are a variety of other services which go from Strood to London Bridge, Waterloo East and Charing Cross in around an hour. If you're heading to Victoria, you can also hop on a train at Rochester, around 20 minutes away. With great links to the A2, the O2 Arena and Westfields shopping centre are also easily accessible.
5) Rochester
With it's beautiful cathedral and Medieval castle and gardens, Rochester is a must on the list of things to do while you are in Medway. The high street is filled with unique and independent boutiques, antique shops and restaurants. With it's strong links to Charles Dickens, there is also plenty of history to discover along the way. Head to the Tourist Information Centre half way down the high street to find out more.
6) Chatham Historic Dockyard
Chatham Dockyard played a vital role supporting the Royal Navy for over 400 years and today it is one of the main attractions in Medway. For more information, click here.
7) Diggerland
A great place to take your kids for a day out - Diggerland offers adults and children the chance to operate and drive real full-size construction machinery. Diggerland is situated in Medway Valley Leisure Park (15 minutes away). For directions to the park, click here.
8) Whitstable
This beautiful seaside town (45 mins drive away) is full of lovely independent boutiques and restaurants and a great place to spend the day mooching around in the sunshine. Stop for fish and chips or oysters on the beach or for a sit down meal, head to the nearby town of Tankerton to our favourite dinner spot - JoJo's.
9) Leeds Castle
Leeds Castle (30 mins drive away) describes itself as the 'loveliest castle in the world' and we think they might be right...Steeped in British history, the beautiful castle and moat are surrounded by immaculate gardens and an array of unique attractions and activities for the whole family. Check their website for events happening throughout the year: https://www.leeds-castle.com.
10) Beaches
Kent has the longest coastline of any county in Britain. We can recommend beautiful vast sandy beaches such as Botany Bay and the more secluded Joss bay, or head to Reculver to discover the Roman Fort.