Today the Marine Conservation Society announced its list of clean beaches. Although the news isn’t great, there are still some lovely beaches near Elmfield to visit. A full list of can be found at http://www.goodbeachguide.co.uk/

We would recommend sandy beaches at Dymchurch 20 minutes away, or Joss Bay near Margate 45 minutes. Hythe just 10 minutes away has a lovely shingle beach with sandpit play areas, and a promanade all the way to Folkestone.

Bank holiday Monday was supposed to be hot so we booked a table in the garden of The Hop Pocket.  About 4 miles from Elmfield, this pretty pub has recently been taken over by new owners.  The inside is bright but still has character, but as we had 4 children and 2 dogs with us the garden was the place to be! This has been revamped with giant Connect4, Chess and Jenga toys and a see saw.

The menu although short was really nice pub food, and everyone found something they liked – broccoli soup, juicy burgers, ham,egg and chips and curry.  Wherever possible the food is locally sourced and hand made to order.  I also loved the fact that children chose from the adult menu and had half size portions at half the adult price.  The food was tasty and very reasonable – we would certainly recommend it.

Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday Lunchtimes get very busy so it is worth booking a table.

The Hop Pocket,  Bossingham  CT4 6DY Tel: 01227 709866

Visit Britain have produced a list of discounts available for visitor attractions in Kent.  These range from Credit Crunch Lunch offers with the National Trust to where to get 20% discount on entry to the two closest wildlife parks Port Lympne and Howletts.  Click here for more information.

Yesterday we went with friends to Dover Castle – and for the first time took a tour of the World War II secret Tunnels. This atmospheric tour took us through areas used since medieval times. Used as a vital command post during the second world war and areas were even designated as a regional control centre in case of nuclear attack during the cold war.

Dover castle had something for evenyone in our group for the whole day- lots of history and detail with really knowledgeable guards for some, fire-eating jesters and knights for the children, and tea and cake for me!

As well as its usual attractions Dover castle has lots of events during the year.. Click here for more information

Some of our most recent guests had dinner last weekend at The New Inn in Etchinghill.  Less than 10 minutes away this pretty pub offers great food, and really friendly service.  Our guests and their children were very pleased with the range of food and  the value for money.  Andy and I have also eaten at the New Inn and have no hesitation in recommending it.  For more information click on The New Inn. or call 01303 862026

All our local pubs geet quite busy on Friday and Saturday nights.  If you are visiting us and would like us to book at table for you – please do let us know.

Other guests also recommend:

Rose and Crown in Stelling Minnis 01227 709265

The Hop Pocket Bossingham 01227 709866.

The Tiger in Stowting 01303 862130

Andy and I took the children to the Hop farm last weekend, and had such a nice time  I thought I should add it to our recommended places.  Suitable for families with primarily younger children there are small and large farm animals, rides and playzones – including a traditional carousel.  There are indoor play places, waxwork displays and craft activites so even in wet weather it is worth a visit.  More information can be found at:  http://www.thehopfarm.co.uk/visitors

The Hop farm is about 40 minutes from Elmfield.

My friend Kate recently gave me a lovely book called the Great British Picnic Guide. Full of lovely fresh recipes and at the back are recommended places to take a picnic, and a suggested menu. Low and behold it had my favourite picnic spot. The white cliffs of Dover are amazingly dramatic. You can park at the National Trust car Park for a couple of pounds, and look down over the very busy Dover port. The children are gripped for ages watching the ferries load and unload and see them sail away to France. I always think there is something very romantic about being able to see France on the horizon.

There is a wonderful walk to South Foreland Lighthouse, along the cliffs. (Cliff edge is mostly fenced, so that excited children and dog don’t drop off the edge!). There are lots of seabirds to watch including Kittiwakes and Peregrine Falcons.

After a bracing walk or gentle stroll the National Trust Centre has a nice Tea Room, with explanations of the local geology, flora and fauna. For the more technically minded South Foreland was used by Faraday as the the first electrically lit lighthouse, and Marconi used it for the first international radio broadcast to France.

The White Cliffs of Dover are 20 minutes from Elmfield. Take the M20 signposted to Dover, follow the road into Dover towards the port. Take a left turn sign posted to White Cliffs. Follow the National Trust Signs to the car park.

Although the weather hasnt been very reliable this year we managed to find a wonderfully sunny day last weekend to visit our favourite beach, Joss Bay. About 50 minutes away from Elmfield it is a lovely sandy cove with rock pool at low tide. There is a little shop (which stocks everything you need for a beach trip) and clean toilets. Our children were very happy with buckets and spades digging holes in the sand. At low tide you can explore many more coves and go hunting for fossils

Co-incidentally we went to the beach just as it was announced that Kent (including Joss bay) have been awarded 1/8 of the countries Blue Flags. These are awarded to the beaches that reach strict criteria on water quality, cleanliness, facilities and safety.

For more information on the blue flag beaches in Kent click here

Thanet have produced a useful leaflet detailing some of their beaches and coves. Download the .pdf file by clicking thanet_beaches-bays-leaflet_2008

Many of our visitors have enjoyed a day out to Dover Castle. With an amazing history stretching from Roman times, through to WWII it is well worth a days visit. There are a labyrinth of secret wartime tunnels built deep in the White Cliffs of Dover. Walk through the rooms where Sir Admiral Ramsay planned the “miracle of Dunkirk” and tour the underground hospital. Above ground, check out one of Europe’s best-preserved Roman lighthouses, explore the towering keep with its spectacular views across the channel and its recreation of King Henry VIII’s.

As well as the permanent attractions, there are also school holiday activities for children, and music at the castle every sunday in June. For more information please check out the English Heritage website.. Dover Castle is only 20 minutes from Elmfield.

English Heritage have several other castles nearby including Deal and Walmer Castles (Approximatley 40 minutes away)

Today the the Marine Conservation Society has published its latest guide to the state of the UK’s beaches.  They assess quality of the water and how sewage discharge is treated, recommending beaches in its Good Beach Guide only if it exceeds the guideline European water quality standard.

Although the news isnt good for all beaches, Kents beaches have faired comparatively well.

Our favourite beaches are all on the Conservation Society Recommended List.  They are:

Hythe – Pebbled beach with sandpit – 10 minutes from Elmfield

Joss, Stone and Botany Bays – picturesque sandy bays, some rock-pools and fossils with  varying levels of facilities – 50 minutes from Elmfield

Dymchurch, St Marys Bay- Sandy Beach (until high tide) 20 minutes from Elmfield

For a full list of beaches click here