What to do and where to go in Tenterden, Kent
We pick out a few places that you could visit when you go
The Goldilocks of Kent high streets, Tenterden has got it juuuust right. There’s a lovely bit of balance to it. It’s rammed with busy independent shops but sprinkled with a few of the more necessary chains, too (come on, be fair, we can’t get rid of them all).
Maybe it’s the combination of its oldy-worldy town centre, and the fact you’re just a three-minute drive out into the countryside, but there always seems to be a chilled vibe. We took a summer jaunt down to the ‘Jewel of The Weald’ to pick out a few places that you could visit when you go.
The Nutmeg Delicatessen & Coffee Shop
You will almost certainly need a sit-down before/after traversing Tenterden’s substantial high street for a refresh - and Nutmeg Deli is certainly on the agenda. Tucked away in Sayers Lane, it has one of Kent’s best coffees on the go in Coldblow (which is hand-roasted in the county). It’s cosy in the winter and relaxing in the summer, with outdoor benches, great service and some lovingly-produced deli delights on offer - seek out the pork and chilli sausage rolls!
Vintage & Retro
Housed in an oak-beamed shop, complete with funky wallpaper, the Vintage & Retro store by the Pilgrims Hospice charity specialises in vintage and designer clothing and haberdashery, ranging from the smallest needle to vintage knitting patterns, wool and magnificent fabrics. There is also an ever-changing stock of antique and quirky bric-a-brac from furniture to board games.
ârtisserie
Patisserie master Chris Underwood, who has been a pastry chef at some of the most well-known Michelin-starred restaurants and hotels in the UK (Fera in Claridge’s Hotel, The Belmond Cadogan Hotel and Adam Handling Chelsea Restaurant), has joined forces with chef Graham Garrett of the renowned West House Restaurant with Rooms in Biddenden and the acclaimed autobiographical cookbook Sex & Drugs & Sausage Rolls.
Creating some 45 product lines per day, from sandwiches and loaves to patisserie and mini works of edible art, ârtisserie is a great stop for a sweet treat experience, while Chris’s knowledge of the pastry world is second to none.
Brunch & Brew Café
A friendly atmosphere and hot snacks await at the Brunch & Brew Café. From the all-day cooked breakfast through to our choice, the pulled-pork gyros (see image), which was absolutely fantastic, it’s a great place to stop and take a load off.
The Print House
When you fall in love with print, there’s no going back and that’s why when we saw The Print House we knew it would be a bit of us.
A former Shepherd Neame pub, The Print House now offers a unique hospitality experience - from collaborating with local (but internationally-known) vineyard Chapel Down for wine tours and tastings to dinner at The Print House alongside an overnight stay in one of the six individually-decorated en-suite bedrooms.
Each room is named after a job in the old newsroom, and each is distinct in character, ie The Author’s Suite, The Proofing Room, The Printer’s Block, The Copywriter, The Typesetters and The Bookbinders.
The Caxton Lounge, with its deep velvet sofas, cosy chairs and wood-burning stove, is the place to relax and pick up a big selection of magazines and daily papers, while the food and drink on offer is taken from the best seasonal and local producers.
Tenterden History Museum
For history buffs, the Tenterden Museum is a great (and cheap) option at £3 per person, with six different areas dedicated to various points of interest about the town - from the Tapestry Room depicting the different eras from Roman through to the 20th century.
There are nods to agriculture and the town’s Georgian theatre as well as the history of brewing in the area.
Kent & East Sussex Railway
The Kent & East Sussex Railway was built in Britain in the early 20th century and is today one of the most loved original heritage lines, celebrating the 50th anniversary of reopening in 2024. With a history spanning 120 years, it offers visitors an authentic steam- and diesel-powered railway experience through 10 miles of Wealden countryside in the beautiful Rother Valley, an area of outstanding natural beauty.
SID’S Emporium
SID’S is a mixed-creative market space, showcasing local artisans and makers, as well as furniture, clothing, jewellery and vinyl. The unique interior houses 33 stalls, with its carpenter owners repurposing all sorts of materials to build the stunning market structures. Be careful, you will lose a lot of time in there!
Old Dairy Taproom & Event Space
A family-run business based in a WWII Nissen hut, the Old Dairy Taproom not only offers spectacular countryside views from its beautiful garden but a unique venue to host events or just to settle in for a few of the brand’s own beers.
Having started life as a brewery, the taproom was created to accommodate tours, but after the brewery part shut down in 2022 the taproom continued to thrive. The brewhouse space, which is used for events and weddings, has a large bar and tapwall that can host 14 beers, a large stage, a tented cosy area and loads of additional seating.
There’s seemingly something always happening, with live music and food trucks rolling up, including the Taps Pizza horsebox serving Thursday to Sunday.
Hoof & Hook
Sister restaurant to Hoof in Rye, Hoof & Hook Tenterden was created by a third-generation farming family determined to offer a local dining establishment with first-class ingredients. Serving low-mileage food from their Romney Marsh farm just four miles away - both the beef and potatoes are produced there - alongside locally-bought seafood, Hoof & Hook has achieved the field-to-fork dream!
On our visit we sampled the set lunch menu, starting with the homemade hash brown with braised beef, poached egg and spiced tomato jam as well as the crispy squid on chickpea and chorizo casserole with paprika mayonnaise.
For mains we had the mussels in Thai-style coconut and chilli sauce with fries, which was excellent, and the 6oz rump steak with salad and fries.
Nightingale Cider
At Gibbet Oak Farm on the outskirts of the town, Nightingale Cider has become renowned for its award-winning small-batch and wild-fermented ciders and perry.
The Nightingale family have been fruit-farming in the area since 1948, with Sam’s first bottled ciders released in 2013 under the name Gibbet Oak and people loved them. In 2015, he swapped his job in sound-recording for muddy boots and overalls. On the site there is now an amazing farm shop and there are great opportunities for tours and tasting experiences. Meanwhile, the Nightingale taproom known as The Watch opens for a weekend each month. Plus, the brewer for BrewDog’s cider brand Hawkes has just joined Nightingale to head up creating the good stuff!
