Countryside & Walking
Peace and tranquility
We live and work in a designated ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ within the Mid Kent chalk downs. The valleys give way to chestnut coppiced woodland, Kentish Cherry and apple orchards, tall hop poles and traditional pastureland grazed by sheep and cows. The countryside is home to a wide variety of wildlife and flora. The ground is a mix of chalk, flint and a dark orange clay. The large 21st century tractors seem to be able to cope with the flint and we have our fair share of rapeseed fields, (not everyone's favourite) but they do lend an amazing colour to the landscape.
This is working countryside alive with traditional activity. Apart from our Forge, the Faversham area is an inspiration for many other artists. Bill Prickett is a wood carver from Newnham, and the artistic hub Creek Creative Studios in Faversham itself houses many artists' studios and workshops, a gallery and a pleasant cafe.
The woodlands around us are a mix of Ancient Native trees, and Chestnut which host thriving coppicing industries making fence posts, chestnut spiles and hurdles etc. Doddington has its own Butchers shop, S W Doughty, with abattoir, and has been providing customers with local meat from known sources for over 100 years. Of course we also are provided with fruit from numerous local orchards and soft fruit farmers. Local cherries, strawberries and Seed Orchard Apple juice are eagerly consumed by our guests at the breakfast table!
Chestnut Spiles ready for use
The landscape is also home to a wide variety of bird life . All the usual garden birds that you are used to seeing as well as little owls, buzzards, sparrow hawks and kestrels.
It is a fine area for walking and cycling and there is some beautiful horse riding countryside. There are several themed circular walks through Faversham and then out into the surrounding countryside. Sandhurst Farm Forge is right in the middle of one of the finest walks, the Syndale Valley walk, which has a choice of three pubs along the way!! Or, packed lunches are available for guests to purchase, if arranged the previous evening. If you are a cyclist we have storage for your bikes overnight. If you need to hire a bike please go to www.kentcyclehire.com.
We hope that we have whetted your appetite for the rural life in this part of Kent. It only remains for you to come and stay, give us a try and go off and explore the local area. So check availability and book online here. We look forward to seeing you as our guests in the countryside that is our inspiration and our home.
It is a fine area for walking and cycling and there is some beautiful horse riding countryside. There are several themed circular walks through Faversham and then out into the surrounding countryside. Sandhurst Farm Forge is right in the middle of one of the finest walks, the Syndale Valley walk, which has a choice of three pubs along the way!! Or, packed lunches are available for guests to purchase, if arranged the previous evening. If you are a cyclist we have storage for your bikes overnight. If you need to hire a bike please go to www.kentcyclehire.com.
We hope that we have whetted your appetite for the rural life in this part of Kent. It only remains for you to come and stay, give us a try and go off and explore the local area. So check availability and book online here. We look forward to seeing you as our guests in the countryside that is our inspiration and our home.