I visited pretty UK town with lavender fields just 30 minutes from London
From Charing Cross station, a direct 34-minute train ride whisks you away to Sevenoaks, a gem in the heart of Kent. Here, you can discover quaint independent shops, cosy cafes, a delightful bookshop, and expansive parklands that house deer and a castle with six centuries of history.
The train fare is a mere £8.40. My journey began with a leisurely walk around the town centre, where The Shambles, a hidden 17th-century snickleway boasting sun-dappled paths and buildings reminiscent of the 18th century, was a definite highlight.
The local bookshop in Sevenoaks, which bears a striking resemblance to the Notting Hill Bookshop, was another standout. With its charming decor, an array of limited editions, and a snug café offering tea for just £2.90 and cakes from £2.50, it's a must-visit.
A half-hour stroll through the town centre, past intriguing sites like St. Nicholas Church and Jane Austen's uncle's house, led me to Knole Park. As the last medieval deer park in Kent, it sprawls over 1,000 acres and offers numerous hiking trails, but my main aim was to see the deer.
I had the chance to observe many deer up close, enjoying a tranquil picnic while watching fawns frolicking with their mothers and stags flaunting their impressive antlers. Afterwards, I admired the 600-year-old Knole House, once a Royal residence of Henry VIII, from the outside, reports MyLondon.
One courtyard is open for free exploration, and it's truly stunning. Entry to the estate, managed by the National Trust, starts at £9, but if your primary interest lies in deer-watching, this isn't necessary.
Afterwards, I hopped on a train to Eynsford for just £2.40. I embarked on a picturesque half-hour hike through a scenic valley, passing by a Roman villa and Lullingstone World Garden.
The pinnacle of the day trip was reaching Castle Farm's lavender fields. For a mere £7, you can stroll through the fragrant fields while bees busily work around you.
Remember to book in advance, and dogs on leads are more than welcome.
It was an utterly unique experience, with the vibrant purple fields offering fantastic photo opportunities. There's also the option of a guided Lavender and Distillery tour for £15, but for me, simply being enveloped by nature was enough.
There's also a shop selling lavender and other local products, as well as a coffee and ice cream cart that's open all year round. You'll find a wide array of lavender products, from sleep tea to bunches and shortbread.
I indulged in the lavender gelato, which had a subtle hint of lemon, and it was the perfect treat for a warm day. A tub of ice cream is priced at £2.50.
While the lavender has already been harvested for the year, Castle Farm offers apple picking in September and a pumpkin display. The Norfolk Royal Apple, known as the 'Disney Snow White Apple,' is a unique variety grown here.
Castle Farm is the only commercial grower of this rare apple, which thrives in the chalky soil of the North Downs. Keep your eyes peeled for the start of the apple-picking season.
Following a visit to Castle Farm, a picturesque half-hour stroll leads to Shoreham station where a train back to London can be caught for £8. This journey is slightly lengthier at 46 minutes and arrives at Blackfriars.
This day trip from London provides excellent value and a range of activities, making it the perfect city escape. UK and European trains, including affordable Eurostar tickets, can be booked via Trainline.
Coaches can be reserved through National Express or GoEuro. Accommodation options are available on Booking.com and Hotels.com.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
Inside charming seaside village where Londoners are flocking to work from home
Ogmore-by-Sea in South Wales has been named the best place in the UK to work from home, with a growing number of remote workers heading to the charming village Ogmore-by-Sea has become the UK's prime location for remote working, attracting ex-Londoners with its stunning sea views, top-notch broadband, and a lifestyle that perfectly blends work and leisure. The picturesque village on the Glamorgan Heritage Coast has been named the ultimate spot for home workers, thanks to a study evaluating housing affordability, internet connectivity, and proximity to nature. Residents of Ogmore-by-Sea aren't shocked by this recognition, as many have chosen to return here after years in the capital, drawn back by the rise of telecommuting. Local cafes are thriving from the influx of people working remotely, a trend that has only grown since the onset of the pandemic. Lee Davis, who once sought the excitement of cities such as London and Manchester, resettled in the nearby village of Wick five years ago. As someone in steel sales, Lee relishes the ability to work from his house, sharing: "I often work from home so I can have interludes like taking my friend's dog, Fudge, for a walk." He appreciates the serenity that contrasts with urban life, stating: "You can switch off completely - it chills me out. I can't stand the place; the Tube, the people, the stress. I wanted to come back somewhere tranquil." For Lee, Ogmore-by-Sea epitomises the idyllic balance between professional duties and personal relaxation, reports MyLondon. Ffion Hughes, an employee at The Welsh Coffee Company, her uncle's coffee shop, has noticed a trend: "We usually do get a lot of people working from here, mostly in the morning. As soon as Covid hit, so many people came here, it was crazy." Nico Gibbs from Hilary and Iain's Kitchen nearby, is thankful for the surge of remote workers frequenting their establishment. He said: "People are here for hours and hours which is nice. They get to look at the beach and most of them order breakfast, then they will have a coffee. We are happy to let them stay as long as they want." Yet, the growing popularity with telecommuters has occasionally overwhelmed their internet service. Nico admitted: "We do give out the WiFi password - but sometimes it gets too busy to give it out." John Sinden who swapped London for seaside village life in 2018 and now works remotely as a biotech executive, praised the local setup. He said: "People are friendly here and everything works, like the public transport. It is a lovely location, close to the sea and with coastal paths in walking distance." Deb Clarke is firmly rooted in Ogmore-by-Sea and after returning five years ago, she's adamant about staying put, saying: "It is so close to the coast and close enough to Swansea and Cardiff." Working from her home as a scenic artist, Deb juggles her career with looking after her one-year-old Cavapoo, Melyn, relishing the mix of seaside living and travel for work. John Davis shares the enthusiasm of those drawn back to their hometowns, having resettled in the area six years ago. He observed: "A lot of people came during Covid. People wanted to leave towns and cities." He also remarked on the influx of younger faces due to new housing projects, with census figures showing a population jump from 878 in 2011 to 1,354 in 2021. The village has been praised for its vibrant year-round community, quaint local pub, access to boutique shopping and "excellent" retail options, according to a recent study. The same report notes an average property price of £517,000 and boasts of ultrafast broadband, convenient train links to London, and the proximity to Cardiff.
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Scottish Sun
The pretty twin beach villages in the ‘forgotten corner' of Cornwall
Plus, the other village in Cornwall that has been compared to Santorini COR BLIMEY The pretty twin beach villages in the 'forgotten corner' of Cornwall Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BEAUTIFUL beaches and charming coastal cottages are what you'll find in Kingsand and Cawsand . The villages in Cornwall are found in a 'forgotten corner' of the coast and while they are now twinned, were once in separate counties. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Kingsand and Cawsand are twin villages in Cornwall Credit: Alamy 4 They're found in the forgotten corner of the country on the Rame Peninsula Credit: Alamy Kingsand and Cawsand sit side by side on the south east of the county. They are often described as being in the 'forgotten corner' due to their secluded location on the Rame Peninsula. The adjoining villages aren't visited by tourists as much as the likes of St Ives, Port Isaac, Mevagissey, and Mousehole. But both villages have beautiful shingle beaches and cosy looking cottages. The banks of Cawsand have plenty of rockpools to explore, and when the sea is calm, boats can be hired for another adventure. One visitor wrote on Tripadvisor: "To get to the beach you walk through beautiful little coloured cottages and a gorgeous town square. "The beach was clean and well kept, very safe for the children as it was within a bay so there were no rips." During the summer season, a vintage ice cream called Cawsand Bay Vintage Scoops on the promenade next to Cawsand beach to serve iced treats. The village of Kingsand has another of the area's favourite beaches. The bay is well sheltered so it's perfect for swimming, and it's dog-friendly all year round. Pub With A 'Floating' Beer Garden By The Beach 4 The beaches on both villages have classic shingle shores Credit: Alamy The beach is surrounded by pubs, making it a great spot for holidaymakers, popular spots include the The Devenport Inn and The Halfway House Inn. The two village were historically separated by a stream, with Kingsand in Devon and Cawsand in Cornwall. This division continued until 1844, when the boundary was adjusted, and Kingsand officially became part of Cornwall as well. Both have a rich history of smuggling and fishing, you can even see remains of old pilchard cellars from the late 16th century on the shoreline beyond Kingsand. Further along the coastline is another tiny Cornish village that's been called the UK's answer to Greece. Polperro has white-washed cottages and in the summertime, a bright turquoise sea which has led to it being compared to Santorini. Quaint cottages sit in the hillsides and fishing boats bob in the harbour which further paints the image of Greece. In the village there are steep streets to amble down filled with charming houses, shops and galleries. And another Cornish village compared to Greece with seafront Roman attraction and one of the UK's warmest beaches. Plus an English village that's the 'quiet side of Cornwall' has A-list holidaymakers and no cars.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Don't go to Benidorm - visit these three-lesser known European cities instead
An Irish holidaymaker has shared her top three 'underrated' European travel destinations, insisting they are less packed with tourists and offer everything you need for your holidday Since the UK isn't widely known for its hot and sunny summers, many Brits will be looking elsewhere to get to enjoy the hot summer days. One of the most popular holiday destination for Brits is the Spanish coastal town Benidorm, with approximately 800,000 visiting the town every year. Several tourists have praised the town for having everything you might want, from a buzzing nightlife to idyllic sandy beaches. However, for those yearning for a fresh adventure, choosing a new holiday spot can be daunting - especially if you don't know where to look. To help ease the burden, Irish traveller Éadaoin has divulged her top three under-the-radar European destinations, boasting that they're not as overrun with tourists as other hotspots. "Three totally underrated European destinations for a unique trip," she captioned her video before diving into her recommendations. 1. Kotor, Montenegro Éadaoin's first suggestion is the often-overlooked gem of Montenegro, nestled along the Mediterranean coast. She singles out the quaint town of Kotor. "A walled town hubbed by mountains with immense views of Kotor Bay," she described in her video. Her footage showcased her time in the town, featuring a grand clock tower, inviting eateries, and breathtaking vistas of the surrounding mountains and harbour filled with boats. She also highlighted the local beaches as perfect spots to cool off on particularly hot days. 2. Bologna, Italy Next up on her list was the lesser know city of Bologna in Italy. She described the place as: "A buzzing student town with the most delectable food on offer & fabulous architecture." In her video, she's seen exploring vibrant food and floral markets, admiring the unique architecture, and savouring the city's culinary delights – which naturally included pasta and gelato. 3. Tarragona, Spain For those still keen on a Spanish adventure, she recommended the city of Tarragona, situated on the eastern coast just a short distance south of Barcelona. Describing it as "A beautiful coastal city with Roman history and ruins, a great place for seafood," Éadaoin highlighted Tarragona in her video while posing amidst a street lined with colourful buildings. Tarragona is celebrated as a World Heritage city, rich in Roman history with impressive ancient structures like the Tarraco Amphitheatre and the Roman circus, not to mention its inviting white sandy beaches perfect for basking during the warmest hours. The comments section of the video quickly filled with viewers sharing their experiences and thoughts. One user exclaimed: "Love Tarragona. We had an unbelievable Airbnb here in June. Fabulous city," Another commented: "I've been looking for where I want to visit in Montenegro, Kotor looks like it's making the list!". And a third added: "Bologna is on my to-do list."
