Food & Drink, The Arts, High Street and History

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Arguably the most picturesque town centre in Kent, with its pedestrianised Market Square, Guildhall, historic buildings and waterside quay, it’s no wonder that Faversham has become something of a must-visit for people across the county and beyond its borders.

The popular market, which runs three times a week - as well as the monthly antiques and food events - stretches back more than 1,000 years! There is the nationally renowned Hop Festival, which welcomes tens of thousands of visitors every year, and it’s home to one of Britain’s oldest brewers. But there’s so much more to discover, with amazing independent shops, delightful pubs and eateries and even a few hidden gems.

STANDARD QUAY

Head along stunning Abbey Street, which has its own little gem in the Phoenix pub and its two AA-Rosette restaurant, to discover Standard Quay.

A former commercial port, steeped in history, the quay has been transformed into a bustling destination for those looking for a quality bite to eat, a friendly drink and a penchant for antiques.

The Vintage & Furniture Barn and Aladdin’s Loft are prime spots when browsing for that key piece for the house or a vintage trinket, or, in the case of Old English Tools, to find that rare piece of equipment that you might never see again.

When it comes to refreshments, Standard Quay has got it covered. There are The Butcher of Brogdale and Herman’s Plaice to grab meat and fish for your dinner, but if you’re sticking around there are a few options. The Secret Garden Tea Room is a relaxing hideaway offering a range of hot and cold meals, from full English breakfasts through to cakes and pastries.

Clad in beautiful weatherboards, Baltic House Wine Bar is everything you need it to be, cosy and warm in the winter or airy and lively in the summer, with its outdoor seating and cute serving window. There’s a wide range of wines and spirits, as well as beers on tap, to suit any taste.

It’s a great stop-off after a walk through the old boatyard and along the Creek with your four-legged friend (dogs are very welcome). Grab yourself one of the cheese, meats or fish platters or a warm toasted sandwich or panini. Keep an eye out on their socials for live-music events and special dining days like their recent jerk chicken and paella cook-outs.

The newest venue on the quay is Brookwood Pitstop, which is attracting classic car and motorcycle ride-outs from all around.

Grab a cuppa and browse the curated selection of vintage petroliana, automobilia, books, apparel and diecast models. Find a comfy chair and chat motors to your heart’s content.

The jewel in the crown is arguably Papa Bianco. With its sister brand Barge Burger (ordered at the same place) easily knocking out the best burgers in the town, Papa’s is fast becoming the go-to scran spot in Faversham. Enjoy homemade, cooked-right-in-front-of-you, fresh-as-you-like pizzas on the waterside (REVIEW HERE).

THE ARTS

There is something of a creative scene developing in the town, with one of the key drivers of this housed at Creek Creative on Abbey Street.

Home to 45 local artists and makers in the rented studios, Creek Creative is something of a one-stop shop for those looking to practise their artforms as well as display them to the public. The Gallery Kitchen Cafe is a place to relax with a beautiful breakfast, a tasty sandwich or soup for lunch and a sweet treat or two with tea and coffee. But it also doubles as an exhibition space for artists to show and sell their work and a flexible space for hosting launch events and workshops.

The Hot Tin in Whitstable Road is renowned for putting on alternative live music nights and The Arden Theatre is a lovely little facility, but it is The Alexander Centre that tends to be the place for touring shows. The key venue for the town’s renowned literary festival, The Alex has more recently become a regular circuit stop-off for comedians of national and international fame.

ON THE HIGH STREET…

With a unique fusion of books and hats, Tales on Market St. is a standout shop. Offering a carefully curated collection of books, stationery and greetings cards, they host pop-up events and offer a super-fast ordering service for books they don’t hold in stock. On the hat side of things, there is a wide range of styles for all seasons, ethically produced clothing and fashion accessories - it’s a unique retail experience.

Some 35 years after it was founded, The Hobby Shop is still going strong; a family business run by Harvey Alexander, it’s a must-visit for collectors and crafters of all generations. Brand new to the town is Positive Retail. With stores in Margate, Deal and St Leonard’s, Faversham was next on the list for the team, who have been picked out in national newspapers and Vogue Business for being a “high street disruptor”. Positive Retail partners credible fashion brands for its surplus stock and mixes this with pre-loved designer items.

A new arrival this summer, Saturnalia has brought a 70s vibe with amazing interiors, wicked music and beautiful scents. It’s hard not to be enticed in by its shining gold logos and velvet drapes to peruse vinyl records of all different eras - both classic and contemporary. There is also some fantastic clothing, with band T-shirts available as well as accessories, patches, joss sticks and even alcohol-free craft beers… plus a rather spectacular tote bag!

Keep an eye out for One Gatefield Lane and its pop-up shop concept, bringing in different retailers and creatives for short residencies - including the Faversham Makers, a group of 11 local makers and artists offering an exclusive curation of contemporary homeware, skincare, art and gifts with provenance and sustainability at its core.

MAKE TIME FOR…

There are some places you just have to visit when in Faversham.

Dominating the skyline with its stunning spire, St Mary of Charity Church is worth a look, even if it’s just for a quick pic. Unusually large for the size of the town, the spire stands at a whopping 46 metres tall.

On the outskirts of the town are the remains of the Oare Gunpowder Works, which date back to the 18th century (incidentally, Faversham was one of the centres of the gunpowder industry and would have provided gunpowder for famous battles such as Trafalgar and Waterloo).

Now, mostly, ruins remain, but they have been beautifully renaturalised and offer great walks and views of the industrial architecture and watercourses that served the old gunpowder factory.

Faversham is also one of a handful of English towns that can boast a medieval version of the famous Magna Carta.

After years in storage, the Faversham Magna Carta - one of the most celebrated documents in English history - is available to be viewed, as well as a magnificent series of royal charters granted to the town by successive English monarchs.

In a nod to the town’s history, brand new for 2024 the Faversham Medieval Festival (Sunday 29th September, 10am-4pm) will offer visitors a step back into Tudor times in the historic Market Place for an autumnal farmers’ market and craft fair, with plenty of historical activities and entertainment for all the family.

One huge reason that people travel to the town is the amazing Faversham Pools, which have been a cherished part of the community since 1964, offering year-round swimming both indoors and outdoors.

There is a 25-metre indoor pool with a learner pool, jacuzzi, and slide, alongside a heated 33-metre outdoor pool - the only outdoor pool in the country with 1-metre, 3-metre and 5-metre diving boards. And of course there are the fun pools and the legendary Rapids - perfect for families.

This year, Faversham Pools (a registered charity) introduced Sunset Swims, a unique opportunity to enjoy the outdoor facilities as the sun sets over Faversham.

Finally, a venue that needs no introduction, Macknade Food Hall continues to offer a don’t-miss destination for anyone into their food. With fresh produce, a deli, butchery, cafe and street-food village (which hosts great live music events), you cannot miss out.

FOOD & DRINK

A great place to start your day, and end it, is The Refinery in West Street.

Husband-and-wife team Jordan and Amy have created a haven of heavenly drinks as well as a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. With a high-quality coffee offering and some cracking cocktails, local wines and beers on offer, it’s always a hub for lively conversations, meetings, reading, writing or just relaxing in a comfy chair watching the world go by.

For breakfast and brunch, Cosgroves Cafe in Preston Street is a fantastic space to sit and enjoy classic dishes and a changing specials board. With a 20-year history (and a 500-year-old building), Cosgroves came under new ownership in May this year. Pop in and take a seat in the cute front dining area and cosy covered courtyard and let the friendly team guide you through the choices. Sourcing is local where possible, with dairy from Hinxden Farm in Cranbrook and coffee from John Street in Greenhithe. On our visit we went for a Full English with sausages and bacon from Ham Man and Coastal Farm Eggs from Canterbury. We also went for the roasted vegetable wrap - with greens from Macknade’s farm shop… fresh and delicious.

If you’re on the go, East St Deli has taken the hot-sandwich game up a notch. Apart from a delightful pantry of Kent goodies - from fresh fruit to cheeses, and eggs to local seasoning - there’s fresh, homemade soups, baps, baguettes and bagels to take away. Keep an eye out for the salt beef bagels… but be quick, they go fast! Elsewhere, Tommy Butchers has become known for its epically meaty sausage rolls, while Crusts is a charming little bakery for all your pastry-based needs.

If you’re in need of refreshments, there are some seriously good options. Apart from a host of pubs, and a couple of cracking craft-led micro pubs like The Creeker’s Tap and Furlong’s, there’s some really unique places to stop off.

Castella, Faversham’s Corsican bar offers traditional wines, spirits, beers, delicious platters and a very, very warm welcome.

In Court Street, wine shop and tasting bar Vino is always bubbling with conversation, while owner and wine expert Fabio talks you through a stunning array of tipples. A new option for decent pub grub is the Railway Hotel & The Carriage restaurant. With new landlords in place and a new chef in the kitchen, the pub is on the way back! A new menu that boasts favourites like burgers, scampi, chilli con carne and a beautiful mac n cheese dish is ready to be tried! The gem is the homemade, stone-baked pizzas - crispy and bubbling!

The Thursday night offer of a Pizza & a Pint for £10 is unreal value!

If you’re up for some heat, head to the Spice Lounge, our favourite Indian restaurant in Faversham. Its award-winning chefs are experienced from working in the world-class Taj group of hotels in Madras and offer both classic and more contemporary dishes - as well as some amazing regional specials that you won’t find elsewhere. Make sure you go for the onion bhajis - they are a sight to behold and I am yet to see them beaten for size, crispiness and flavour! Top tip: look out for the legendary banquet nights, which offer one starter, one main, one rice and one side vegetable or naan for £14.95.

If you are looking for something substantial, The Quay on Conduit Street offers one of the best meals in the town. Nick and Tania have created an amazing space that has the atmosphere and feel of a friendly pub but with the friendly service and stunning cuisine of a top restaurant - not to mention the beautifully designed guest bedrooms if you fancy a longer stay.

To drink, local leads the way, with McCann’s Brewery in Tenterden, Brenley Wines and Kentish Pip ciders, Dockyard Gins and Whitstable Harbour gins all on offer.

The menus are known for mixing Nick’s dedication to quality produce (meats from nearby Stour Valley Game and Kent-grown fruit and vegetables) with a culinary flair. There is live music, tapas nights and Pie & a Pint evenings every week, so there’s always something happening. We opted for the brand-new lunchtime offer of moules and frites or minute steak and frites, with a drink, for £15 from midday to 3pm, Wednesday to Saturday.

The fresh mussels in a white wine and garlic sauce were superb (perfect for dipping your skin-on fries), while the minute steak was tender and suits a quick and quality lunchtime bite.