Smarden Barn, Smarden

Kent. Sleeps up to 6

* Please note that due to Covid-19 restrictions, as the swimming pool, games room and gym are shared facilities, they are currently not available at this time. Wow! You are taking a holiday in history at Smarden Barn. It is lavish, it is luxurious, it is cavernous, it is extraordinarily stylish, it is very hard to beat. Sleeping 6 in pure luxury, it is an absolute treat to spend a week in Smarden Barn. Deep in the glorious Kent countryside with phenomenal gardens to match the interior, you might be seriously overwhelmed with beauty.

Smarden is a picturesque village close to Bethersden, Biddenden, Headcorn, High Halden and Pluckley. From this location there are many Kent delights to explore and enjoy, including the fabulous gardens at Sissinghurst, the Biddenden Vineyards, The Chapel Down Vineyard at Tenterden, the Rare Breeds Centre in Woodchurch and Smarden’s own Big Cat Sanctuary. It is also an easy drive to the coast and Rye.

Steeped in history, the main open plan living space of Smarden Barn is a timber framed cathedral of good taste. It boasts exposed beams and a vaulted ceiling, all with incredible craftsmanship. Interior designers have waved their magic on this incredible space. The kitchen is really quite extraordinary with rising display units showing off gorgeous pottery and artworks and opulent marbled worktops contrasting beautifully with the contemporary wood cabinetry. There are two wine fridges and striking gold accents. You know you are in for a treat. Sumptuous sofas face each other, the perfect spot for pre-dinner drinks. The blend of days gone by meets ultra-cool is divine. The dining table and chairs, carved in the shapes of mid-century furniture from hand-milled wood, sit next to the show-stopping, contemporary wood burning stove. Modern floor-to-ceiling windows look out onto The Cloth Hall, a medieval yeoman’s timber hall house. Overlooking all of this wonder is a fabulous, designer wallpaper referencing the natural materials from which Smarden Barn was constructed all those years ago.

Each exquisite bedroom is a marvel in its own right. The master offers a dreamy four-poster in effortless industrial steel with a majestic Catchpole & Rye stand-alone bath and extraordinary, eye-catching artwork completing this slice of luxury. The jungle print wallpaper makes its own statement and feels utterly contemporary in the fabulous second bedroom. The third bedroom offers a luxurious monochrome palette, wondrous lighting and delightful garden views. You may have to pick straws for the bedrooms but no-one will be disappointed with their slice of magic. All of the bedrooms, including the master with its freestanding bath, enjoy their own stunning ensuite shower rooms complete with luxury dressing robes and slippers.

Outside, guests can enjoy their own private, terraced garden and wander through the large estate gardens. The owners have a fabulous swimming pool surrounded by luxury loungers, day beds and deluxe parasols as well as a brilliant games room with a pool table and a well-equipped gym which you can use on request. You can even pick your own vegetables from the vegetable plot.

The pretty, historic village of Smarden is perfectly placed to enjoy many of the delights of Kent. There are plenty of wineries, gorgeous gardens and historic houses to visit. There are zoos and a Rare Breeds Centre and a short drive takes you to the coast for a day by the sea.  

Sissinghurst Castle Garden is historic, poetic, iconic, a refuge dedicated to beauty. Vita Sackville-West, poet and writer and Harold Nicolson, her diplomat and author husband, fell in love with Sissinghurst Castle and created the famous gardens. Harold’s architectural garden planning and Vita’s colourful, abundant planting reflect the romance and intimacy of her writing. Sissinghurst Castle Garden was the backdrop of a colourful history from a time as a prison in the 1700’s to a home for the women’s land army. The gardens are so popular entry is by timed ticket so you need to plan in advance.

Nearby, you can also visit Smallthythe Place, Ellen Terry’s early 16th century house and cottage gardens. It was built when Smallhythe was a thriving shipbuilding port and later purchased by renowned Victorian actress Ellen Terry in 1899. Soon afer her passing in 1928, her daughter transformed the house into a museum. Visitors can enjoy the museum, colourful cottage garden, a vintage tea room and a charming 17th century thatched barn theatre. There are many productions in the theatre, keeping Ellen’s legacy alive.

Wine lovers are thoroughly spoilt in this area. The most famous vineyard is the Chapel Down Vineyard, close to the picturesque market town of Tenterden. It is open to visitors throughout the year. You can enjoy tastings, tours and masterclasses. It is a wonderful day out though you may have to draw straws to see who is driving. Also popular are the Biddenden Vineyard, the Mount Vineyard, the Hush Heath Winery, the Chartham Vineyard and the Terlingham Vineyard.

The characterful town of Rye, a medieval citadel huddled against invaders and sea, is home to a myriad of art, curiosities, boutique hotels, trendy restaurants and cosy pubs. Built of smuggled secrets and timeless tale, Rye has plenty of nooks and crannies to explore and distant views across Romney Marsh to ponder.

Hythe, the coastal market town on the edge of Romney Marsh offers a delightful beach,  the lovely Brockhill Country Park and the famous Port Lympne Reserve. The authentic safari experience is unlike a normal zoo. Over 90 species and 766 animals roam within the 600 acres. There are big cats, gorillas and primates roaming free.