It also boasts an acclaimed hotel perfect for a weekend break
Kent is full of wonderful and well-known town centres to explore on a weekend day out, but often taking a step outside of these hotspots to the surrounding villages can be just as rewarding. Take Bridge for example, a charming countryside settlement just a 10 minute drive away from Canterbury.
Sitting alongside the A2, 2.5 miles south east of the historic city, this beautiful village might be a little overshadowed by its neighbour but boasts acclaimed pubs, boutique stays and even a thriving high street for a spot of shopping. According to the latest census held in 2021, the area holds a population of just over 1,500 people and the village itself spans only 1.58 square miles, giving it a real tight-knit community feeling.
Thanks to its remarkable setting amidst the rolling Kentish countryside and farmland, it’s the epitome of quiet rural life in the Garden of England. One of Bridge’s most remarkable features is undoubtedly The Bridge Arms gastropub, one of Kent’s few Michelin-starred restaurants.
Helmed by the same team behind the acclaimed Fordwich Arms located in the nation’s smallest town – which boasts a Michelin Star of its own – high-quality, locally sourced food is the focus of The Bridge Arms. It prides itself on its “produce-driven” menus which are centred around “seasonality and provenance”.
Originally a 16th century coaching inn, the Grade-II listed pub is dog-friendly, boasts original fireplaces to keep things cosy during these chilly winter months and an outside bar during the summer for some al fresco refreshments. In 2021, new owners Daniel and Natasha Smith took over the establishment, giving the pub an impressive refurbishment and ‘restoring its former glory’.
True experts in their field, Daniel was named the Observer’s Young Chef in 2016 while Natasha previously worked at the Michelin-Starred Chapter One in Kent among other acclaimed foodie destinations. The pub’s seasonal menu sees high quality, local produce cooked over charcoal in a Josper oven, giving the dishes their signature style.
The Michelin guide states: “The highly skilled cooking is available in a range of forms – from snacks like buttermilk fried chicken to dishes cooked over charcoal in the Josper oven – and often highlights prime seasonal produce cooked with exacting detail and consummate seasoning. The Kentish apple tart is a great example of what they do, showing off local produce and the kitchen’s strong pastry techniques.”
Being a countryside village within the Kent Downs Area of Outstand Natural Beauty, it should come as no surprise that Bridge has plenty of scenic walking routes and trails, which are perfect for a brisk winter stroll. If after all your walking and pubbing you’re feeling too tuckered out to face the journey home then you’re in luck, as the village also houses a renowned boutique hotel.
The Pig at Bridge opened in 2019 and has risen the ranks to be one of Kent’s most celebrated luxury hotels. In fact, the hotel proudly took the number four spot in a ranking of the nation’s top 50 boutique hotels in 2022.
A 17th century manor house with a quirky Jacobean interior, owners have described the location as “an intriguing old building with a rock-n-roll vibe”. It boasts a range of period features, including large fireplaces, secret stairways, panelled rooms and more, all of which have been carefully restored to maintain the site’s period charm.
It features seven primary bedrooms, while attached to the main building is the Coach House with a restaurant and 12 further rooms. Hop Picker’ Huts sit just over the brook which you skip over on a little hand-crafted bridge, each of which has a double bedroom, a bathroom and a wood-burning stove.
For the history buffs, St Peter’s Church is an absolute must-visit in Bridge. A chapel has existed on the site since 1189, which was then enlarged throughout the 12th and 13th centuries to become a church. During the mid-19th century, St Peter’s was restored and enlarged further. The Grade-II listed building stands as one of the village’s central landmarks and continues to provide regular services to this day.
Should all of this be enough to entice you to Bridge a little more permanently, you’ll be pleased to know that house prices are fairly close to the county’s average. Rightmove reports that over the last year, properties in Bridge sold for an average price of £412,095, a little lower than the Kent average of £427,686 for the same time frame.
Meanwhile, Flo and Ted’s is the place to stop by for a spot of lunch, with the café on Western Avenue having received high praise from previous customers. Visitors on TripAdvisor have mentioned the “warm and welcoming service”, “fresh food” and “good prices”.
The nearest school is the Bridge and Patrixbourne C of E Primary School, which holds an Ofsted rating of ‘good’ following its latest inspection in October 2023. Numerous secondary schools, colleges and universities can be found a short distance away in the city of Canterbury. The village benefits from easy access to the A2, making journeys around East Kent and beyond a breeze, while the nearest train station is found in the neighbouring village of Bekesbourne.
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