New Straw Cottages

Posted on by Elmfield Farm Cottages

We are delighted to announce that we have received planning permission to build a new building here.  It will be Europes first terrace of load bearing straw bale houses.  These will become 3 three bedroom holiday houses cottages.  Built our of straw bales rendered with lime, they will have many environmental features, and we think will be very comfortable.

Andy has now stopped working for Philips and is full time on the farm, so we hope to be doing much of the building work ourselves supported by Straw Works (previously known as Amazonails).  I am currently working on some new pages for our website with more information about the build, so check back soon for more information and pictures.

Dilly cottage and Gilt cottage will be open for bookings during most the year but please contact us or check our build timetable page for information on what is due to be happening when you would like to stay.

 

 

Kents Elhams Valley

Posted on by Elmfield Farm Cottages

Many of our guests enjoy visiting Canterbury, Port Lympne, Dover Castle and many of the other local attractions.  Some take day trips to France either on the ferry or through the tunnel, but did you know there is  so much going on in the Elham Valley.  We sit on the edge of one of the most lovely forgotten valleys around – so easy to get to – but it feels a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of the South East.

For example there are many arts and crafts courses you can take while visiting.  I am very happy to help arrange courses for you – or put you directly in touch with the crafts people  running these courses.  Why not try spinning, felt making, pottery or learning some bushcraft skills while you are here?

 

Click here to  find out how you can ‘Escape Discover and Unwind’  in Kents Elham Valley.

Kents coast voted one of the top destinations in the world!

Posted on by Elmfield Farm Cottages

The Kent Coast from Whitstable to Ramsgate has been voted one of the top destinations in the world for 2011 by Frommers – one of the leading travel guide books.

With wonderful towns, glorious beaches and stunning countryside the editors said it “shone out as an area that would be of great interest in the run-up to the 2012 Olympics”.

Follow the links for more information:

Frommers Travel Guide

BBC News Article

We may be biased but we believe Kent is a wonderful place to visit.  If you ar elooking for peace and quiet – it has so much history and beautiful countryside and is so close to London and the channel crossing, but feels a million miles away! The coast mentioned in Frommers can be reached from Elmfield in 1/2 hour to Whitstable and 45 minutes to Broadstairs.

 

Roar on CBBC filmed at Port Lympne and Howletts Wildlife Parks

Posted on by Elmfield Farm Cottages

Series 5 of Roar is now being broadcast on BBC and CBBC.  This fantastic program follows the animals and keepers at Kent Wildlife parks.   Dedicated to conservation these 2 parks have great collections of animals from all over the world and aim to reintroduce many endangered animals back into the wild.  With outstanding gorillas, a safari tour and rhinos (my personal favourite!) it is a great day out.  Visit the website to find out more http://www.totallywild.net/.  You can book tickets online on their website for a 20% discount.

Elmfield Farm is about equidistant from both parks.  It takes around 15 minutes to get to each park from here.

Clean Beaches in Kent

Posted on by Elmfield Farm Cottages

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.

Green Heron Spotted in Hythe

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Along the Royal Military canal today I saw lots of twitchers with cameras with the most enormous lenses. They told me that a Green Heron had been seen very near by. This is a very rare visitor to the country and indeed has not been recorded in Kent before.

Although I didn’t see the bird, here is a picture of what a Green Heron looks like.  BBC News release about Green Heron

We do encourage wild birds to visit the cottage gardens. We have many blue and great tits, gold and green finches, siskins, yellow hammers, spotted and green woodpeckers amongst others. We do have a Heron regularly visiting the duck pond – unfortunately it isn’t a green one!

Elmfield is only 10 minutes from the Royal Military Canal – where the green heron was seen.  The Dunganess Nature reserve is less than half an hour from here and has many unusual birds including 2 Marsh Harriers.  These fledged at the nature reserve where improvements to their wetland habitat has attracted these rare birds.

Haloween Fun

Posted on by Elmfield Farm Cottages

Dover castle is an amazing place to visit.  Along with the usual attractions from Saturday 25th  October until Friday 31st October you can enjoy a chilling fun day out.  Spooky characters will take you around the haunted castle.  Children are invited to turn up in fancy dress.

Alternatively you can visit Canterbury Environmental Centre on Friday 31st October to join a guided walk by lantern with gory games and freaky face painting.

Canterbury Festival 11 – 25 October 2008

Posted on by Elmfield Farm Cottages

With an amazing array of theatre, walks, music and events, the Canterbury festival runs from 11 – 25th October. There are children’s events, music concerts and workshops or even try your hand at Morris dancing – there really is something for everyone.   Every night of the Festival, Canterbury restaurants will be offering a 2 or 3 course meal for just £10  as part of the great ‘Eat Out’.  For more information visit the Canterbury Festival website.

Elmfield farm is set on top of the North Downs and is only 15 minutes from Canterbury town.