This year we decided to vacation nationally and went to Kent. Not far from London at all, and therefore perfect for the current situation that can be somehow challenging for travelling families.
And here we stayed at the very charming 19th century Victorian cottage called The Wainstones Cottage. A place that rather found us than the other way around because the owner is my friend Sophie. A very talented multi-entrepreneur who is living in France and owns this cottage on the other side of the channel.
The cottage is located in the pretty seaside town of Hythe, just a stone’s throw from the main shopping street. Which made general errands like grocery shopping or take away very easy. And even the beach and canal were very close by.
More about Hythe
The coast is on our doorstep, you have easy access to explore the beautiful lush countryside and there are numerous castles to discover.
We were very lucky with the weather (you just don’t know when in the UK) and enjoyed the local beach profoundly. The best thing about it really is the promenade running behind it. I just love a great beach promenade and this one is kinda endless. Plus you will find some lovely cafes, restaurants, as well as little kiosks that did great with the new rules in place.
At the beach, you can choose between sunbathing, swimming, kayaking, kite surfing, and other water sports. The beach, as well as the water, were super clean and we all had a swim. Something, I have to be honest, I did not expect. But during the very hot days, I did go in completely and had a nice and refreshing swim.
But there is more than the beach
Hythe is the best place to access the Royal Military Canal. Stretching 28 miles from Seabrook almost to Hastings, it borders the Romney Marsh and was dug by hand in the early 1800s. A public path now runs its length so it can be enjoyed by walkers, cyclists, and anglers.
And when walking up to Sandwood behind the cottage we enjoyed a little forest as well as a huge playing field and spend some lovely afternoons here as well.
Some images from our Family Holiday on the Kent Coast:
More about the cottage
The Wainstones Cottage is really well equipped and has everything you need for a comfortable family stay. There is a cosy sitting room, a separate dining space, and a small yet practical kitchen. Upstairs are two comfortable bedrooms that are beautifully decorated. Furthermore I love that Sophie chose some famous local Hythe and Folkestone artists to add colours, lovely prints, and other interior accessories. We thoroughly enjoyed the selection of family games that guests can use. Between jigsaw puzzles, classics, and games that we did not know and tried out after breakfast. It was good entertainment and very appreciated.
After all we had a very lovely time and were happy with our decision to stay in the UK. And even during the hot days, it was not too crowded at the beach, and one could always find a spot and keep distance to others.
In addition, the High Street is a great mix of antique shops, boutiques, and gift shops, intermingled with cafés, restaurants and convenience stores.
Would we recommend it?
In short: Absolutely. As mentioned, it is easy to reach from London as well as the Eurotunnel between Folkestone (UK) and Calais (FR) that is only a 10min drive from Hythe. There is a lot to do with many beautiful beaches and lovely villages and cities along the Kent coast. A good start to explore are Sophie’s recommendations that she shares on the website. She has three children and is definitely a good source when it comes to entertaining the family in Hythe and surroundings.
Thank you, Sophie, for the lovely time we had and for making us discover this part of the UK.
