Local Attractions

Straight out of your tent…

The Public Right of Way on your doorstep gives you direct access to the local villages of Newenden (<2 miles), Sandhurst (<2 miles) and Bodiam (<3 miles) – all of which offer their own attractions (see below).

Getting supplies

The nearest town if you want to find supermarkets and a variety of restaurants is the picturesque town of Tenterden (approx 7 miles away). For Waitrose and Tesco, along with a range of eateries including Italian and Turkish as well as many cafes and, of course, Kentish pubs!

Nearby Newenden

Less than 2 miles from SPM, the pretty and picturesque village of Newenden, sitting on the Kent/East Sussex border on the banks of the River Rother, offers a number of attractions to keep you busy during your stay. At the Bodiam Boating Station you can enjoy all manner of water-based activities including canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding etc. Alternatively embark on a relaxing guided boat ride on “The Dannie Lee” to Bodiam Castle and back (or beyond!).

Once in Newenden make a pit stop at Newenden Nibbles for a reviving hot/cold drink and pastry or breakfast roll. Then once you have finished on the water, walking or biking pop into The White Hart for a drink and a delicious bite to eat (try their speciality sourdough pizzas), or Lime Wharf Café (at the Boating Station) offers a mouth-watering food menu with a range of drinks and often hosts live music events in the evenings. Despite being the smallest village in Kent, Newenden offers a number of activities and eateries all with very friendly and accommodating hosts. Please allow us to book any of these activities for you if you wish, or alternatively visit their websites for more information and contact them directly.

Newenden village is close to our hearts and may offer all you need during your stay. However, if you want more you do not have to go much further afield to explore the many other varied attractions that the immediate local area has to offer…

We have only here specified quite local attractions, many of which are within walking distance of SPM. There are many more attractions slightly further afield… e.g. The historic Cinque Port town of Rye, Camber Sands and the South Coast less than 10 miles away. Please get in touch if you would like any information about other attractions.

Bodiam Boating Station

Newenden

A wide range of water based activities including canoes, kayaks and SUP’s. You can also book a river cruise to Bodiam Castle and beyond. When you come off the water why not grab a bite to eat at Lime Wharf Café on the same site. If you have your own canoe/kayak why not bring it with you and you can self-launch into the River Rother at the Boating Station, or we can recommend other locations down the river where you can launch for free.

Bodiam Castle

Bodiam – <3 miles from SPM

Accessible on foot from SPM along local footpaths, by boat with Bodiam Boating Station, by train from Northiam railway station (just outside Newenden) as well of course by road. Tour the medieval moated castle and grounds before stopping at the tearoom or café for refreshments. Alternatively pop across the road for lunch at The Castle Inn.

Great Dixter House and Gardens

Northiam – <4 miles from SPM

Located in the pretty village of Northiam less than 4 miles from SPM, Great Dixter is an historic house (built by Edwin Lutyens in 1910) and garden, and a place of pilgrimage for horticulturalists from across the world. Great Dixter was the family home of gardener and gardening writer Christopher Lloyd, and is now under the stewardship of the Great Dixter Charitable Trust.

Hole Park Gardens

Rolvenden – <4 miles from SPM

A delightful privately owned country house with one of the best known gardens in Kent. Famous for its bluebell displays in May it still has a lot to offer the visitor at other times of the year in its extensive 16 acre gardens and woodland areas. Once you have finished exploring the grounds pop into the Coach House Tea Room for a light lunch or homemade tea.

Kent & East Sussex Railway

Northiam station – <2 miles from SPM

Take a day trip on this historic steam railway. The line is currently about 10 miles long and was the first ‘light railway’ in the country to be constructed. The line runs from Tenterden, through Northiam, to Bodiam. Most people board at Tenterden or Northiam for a visit to Bodiam Castle with an open ticket so that they can return once they have wandered the castle and grounds. Alternatively book a one way ticket and walk there (or back) on the footpath network. Visit the KESR website for more information, timetables and to book.

Chapel Down

Small Hythe – <9 miles from SPM

Chapel Down are a leading English wine maker producing a world-class range of sparkling and still wines, gin and vodka together with the award winning range of Curious beers and cider. All Chapel Down sparkling wines are created from fruit grown in the South East of England. Visit their beautiful vineyard located in stunning surroundings close to the picturesque town of Tenterden. The Winery is open from Wednesday to Sunday for guided vineyard tours, wine tasting and masterclasses. Also onsite is a shop well stocked with all of the Chapel Down range…and much more. Book in to The Swan Kitchen @ Chapel Down for an exquisite fine dining experience.

Biddenden Vineyard

Biddenden – <10 miles from SPM

Situated near the historic village of Biddenden this family owned and run vineyard was originally a 40 acre apple orchard. The farm diversified in the 1960s and now 23 acres of the farm is dedicated to vines. 11 different varieties of grape are grown on site to produce an award winning range of wines. Visit the vineyard for one of their open tours, or enjoy a private guided tour which culminates with a wine tasting in the vineyard shop. The shop itself is stocked with the full range of Biddenden wines as well as lots of other local and regional products from independent artisan producers.

The White Hart

Newenden

Traditional family run pub with large inviting garden (including heated outdoor dining booths) offering a range of drinks, including premium cocktails and many local ales such as Harveys Best Bitter. Delicious range of food available for lunch and dinner, with a highlight being the sourdough pizzas homemade on the premises.

Lime Wharf Café

Newenden

Based on the same site as Bodiam Boating Station, this is a popular Scandinavian boathouse inspired restaurant on the banks of the River Rother with large outdoor seating area. Offers breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as afternoon tea with much of the food homemade on site. Throughout the Summer Lime Wharf also hosts regular live music events.

Nibbles

Newenden

A cosy Café operating out of 3 fully kitted out Shepherds Huts.  Pick up a takeaway coffee and pastry during a walk along the river, or you can enjoy a sit down breakfast / lunch outside or in one of the cosy Shepherds Huts.  Nibbles offer a varied hot food menu, with takeaway burgers and pizzas available at weekends. 

Sahebs Indian restaurant

Northiam / Newenden

Offering traditional and authentic food to eat in or takeaway. Delicious Indian food in the heart of the High Weald. Highly recommended as the best curry outside of Brick Lane!

The Swan Inn

Sandhurst

Recently extensively refurbished offering wholesome pub food (including imaginative vegetarian and vegan options) using locally sourced ingredients. Wide selection of drinks including fine wines and craft beers.

The Woodcock Inn

Iden Green

A traditional 17th Century Village Inn located in a tucked away location in the small village of Iden Green easily accessed via footpath and country lane from SPM. The Woodcock serves locally sourced homemade “pub grub” and is a great choice for a restorative bite to eat (accompanied by the obligatory pint of local ale!) in the middle of a long country walk.

The Castle Inn

Bodiam

In a picturesque location adjacent to the medieval Bodiam Castle. Traditional pub serving freshly prepared locally sourced food, and a garden offering stunning views over the Sussex Downs, including the river and steam railway.

The White Dog

Ewhurst Green

Friendly pub in the charming East Sussex village of Ewhurst Green. Offering real ales, locally sourced ingredients and fresh homemade food including pizzas freshly cooked in their outside wood fired pizza oven.

The Ewe and Lamb

Rolvenden Layne

A traditional Kent pub serving delicious food prepared using locally sourced ingredients. All dietary requirements are catered for.

The Swan Kitchen @ Chapel Down

Chapel Down, Tenterden

Situated in the heart of the Garden of England, world-renowned Chapel Down offers vineyard tours and wine tastings as well as a shop on site selling a variety of award winning wines, and much more. The Swan Kitchen @ Chapel Down offers an exquisite menu – fine dining and wines for that special occasion