Your Guide To Sittingbourne: Where To Stay, Eat, Drink & Explore
THE insideGUIDE to Sittingbourne
Tucked between the North Downs chalk and the Swale Estuary, the town of Sittingbourne remarkably dates back to Roman times, and was once a popular royal stopping place on long journeys from around the 14th century.
While largely recognised today for its industrial revival that has seen the town present itself anew with a contemporary flair and an ever-evolving community business scene, perhaps one of Sittingbourne’s most well-loved attributes is its passionate restoration of its unique railway heritage – with two wonderfully curated steam railway experiences proudly calling this corner of the county home.
Whether you choose to embark on a scenic Sittingbourne adventure by rail, or set off on foot to explore the abundance of surrounding countryside and villages – now boasting particularly picturesque landscapes bathed in the prettiest of autumnal shades – revel in a setting steeped in both history and modernity that always offers up the warmest of welcomes. WORDS BY MIA CHAPMAN
Top Sittingbourne Picks
Top Beauty
A magical one-stop beauty hub for all things hair, nails, skin health and body care, Seven Park Road’s friendly team of expert stylists are always on hand to help you feel and look your very best.
Top Heritage
The Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway
Built in 1905 for the local mill, this carefully preserved line showcases remarkable original steam engines and rolling stock alongside a collection of historic steam and diesel locomotives, a welcoming events calendar, a museum, shop and café.
Top Adventure
Buckle up and get ready to battle it out on this innovative indoor racetrack in a powerful electric kart. Interact with the immersive virtual scenery and use your finest gaming and driving skills to take home the trophy!
“We love Sittingbourne for its friendly people and strong sense of community. It’s a place where neighbours know each other and there’s always a warm, welcoming feel. We enjoy the lovely parks and peaceful countryside walks, spotting sheep, cows and horses along the way. The surrounding villages like Borden, Bapchild, Bredgar and Tunstall each have their own unique charm and character.”
Summer Schaffner, director of Oad Street Food & Crafts
SUMPTUOUS STAYS
Complete with comfortable yet characterful rooms, excellent on-site dining and a luxurious spa with a showstopping pool and high-tech treatments, Hempstead House should be at the very top of your list when searching for a splendid stay fit for relaxation and indulgence.
A self-contained six bedroom apartment and three luxurious glamping pods surrounded by blossoming fields where friendly alpacas roam, all set in the village of Borden. With a separate cabin housing a fully-equipped shared kitchen and individual shower facilities for each pod.
A Grade II listed 17th-century barn that’s been carefully converted into beautifully appointed en-suite accommodation. Set amongst pretty private gardens, each spacious guest room is thoughtfully equipped with handy amenities and elegant furnishings.
TOP PUBS IN TOWN
A 14th-century coaching inn that’s long been loved by both locals and visitors. With charming authentic features such as age-old oak timbers and an inglenook fireplace alongside a classic menu of unbeatable home-cooked dishes and top-notch Shepherd Neame brews.
A warm and traditional country pub that comes steeped in character and cosy corners. Family and dog-friendly, The Maypole offers a great selection of spirits, lagers and real ales, and is particularly famed for its delicious Sunday roast offerings.
Serving high-quality cask conditioned ales, craft ales and predominantly local ciders, as well as a selection of spirits and soft refreshments, this town centre micropub proudly values the joys of a no-frills setting to enjoy great ale and friendly conversation.
COFFEE BREAK
A super trendy Borden hotspot home to a welcoming restaurant serving up delicious breakfasts, lunches and afternoon teas – all freshly prepared with local ingredients – and an inviting gift shop fully stocked with treats and crafts from top Kentish artisans.
Wonderfully cosy and serving up everything from warming cups of coffee, homemade cakes and breakfast bites to tasty light lunches, Rodersham Coffee Shop is a hit with the locals for its wide array of eats, friendly setting and on-site shop displaying popular pantry essentials.
A quintessentially Kentish farm shop and tea room duo that showcases local delights from the finest suppliers around such as Simply Ice Cream and Korker Sausages, serving up a host of fresh baked treats including afternoon tea and sandwiches.
Divine Dining
An exquisite AA Rosette restaurant situated within Hempstead House Hotel boasting an array of meticulously crafted dishes. Whether you opt for a succulent steak, a spot of fresh seafood or a seasonal dish packed with top local produce, expect fine-dining excellence and a relaxed yet elevated ambience fit for all occasions.
Prided on their reimagination of rich and authentic Turkish cuisine, and intending for every bite to be a celebration of culture, flavour and care, Galata’s home-from-home dining approach and vivid dishes perfectly honour heartfelt Turkish traditions with a true sense of warmth and creativity.
Located just a stone’s throw from Sittingbourne train station, Sentado’s laid-back neighbourhood vibe, complemented by an effortlessly styled dining space complete with quirky floral prints and relaxed lighting, is just as popular as its vast menus of tasty tapas, inspired mains and irresistible puds.
CULTURAL HOTSPOTS
A charming community-first theatre established in 1989, The Avenue proudly offers a diverse range of events and performances for all ages – from full-scale musicals, plays and tribute shows to heartwarming children’s productions. For film-lovers, the theatre screens top blockbusters and is also available to hire for private screenings or showcases within its bar, events space and auditorium.
Housing many notable artefacts from Sittingbourne and surrounding villages, this free-to-enter town museum showcases fascinating changing displays, as well as established highlights such as ‘The Plough‘, a collection of late medieval items rescued from a demolished East Street public house. Behind the scenes, researchers continue to delve into the town’s past and produce books on various intriguing topics which can be purchased in the museum’s shop.
Bredgar & Wormshill Light Railway
With a mission to preserve steam locomotives in a form that allows visitors to discover just how significant this type of energy was to the industry for over 200 years, the Bredgar & Wormshill Light Railway was built from scratch by a passionate group of friends back in 1975 and has since grown into a cherished visitor attraction complete with a model railway, tea room and regular family events.
MUST-SHOP STORES
Situated in the very heart of the town and easily accessible with nearby transport links, The Forum is a bustling shopping centre that’s home to a range of high street and independent shops alongside ample delicious eateries.
Since opening over 25 years ago, family-run Mossy’s Garden Centre has stayed true to its heartfelt ambition of offering fair prices for top quality plants. Today, with its ever-changing range of stunning plants and shrubs freshly delivered weekly, alongside a glorious selection of tools, equipment and home accessories, Mossy’s remains Sittingbourne’s go-to for all things stylish garden and home living.
OUTDOORSY SPOTS
Image by: Kent Wildlife Trust
Delightful landscaped gardens surround a splendid Victorian mansion that’s known and loved for its picture-perfect woodland garden, large Edwardian rock garden with pools, a formal sunk garden with herbaceous borders and extensive lawns framed by impressively clipped yew hedges and trees. Spanning a remarkable 10 acres and lovingly cared for by a dedicated garden team, Doddington Place has also been a proud part of the National Gardens Scheme for over 50 years.
Sittingbourne’s newest green space, this buzzing 128-acre country park is complete with a natural play area and a community events space, as well as an extensive network of paths through areas of different meadow, scrub and aquatic habitats. An inviting oasis for wildlife, hundreds of animal species, including those rare and of great significance, call this park home.
An ancient semi-natural woodland preserved by the Kent Wildlife Trust that sits on the southeast side of a dry slope valley. In the warmer months, enjoy butterfly spotting – including peacocks, red admirals and meadow browns – and in the crisp, cooler seasons, set off on an outdoor exploration of the wildlife-rich haven upon its many walking trails.
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