Essential Sissinghurst Guidebook
Best Local Pubs
A really easy pub to recommend. Great good (bar food and more formal dining), massive garden, parking, kid friendly playground. They also do pizza (available for takeaway too).
50 locals recommend
The Milk House
The StreetA really easy pub to recommend. Great good (bar food and more formal dining), massive garden, parking, kid friendly playground. They also do pizza (available for takeaway too).
In neighbouring village, Goudhurst, this great pub has fantastic food (including great kids food), a playground, large screens for sports events (but not a sports pub). We’ve spent many afternoons there.
The Goudhurst Inn station
In neighbouring village, Goudhurst, this great pub has fantastic food (including great kids food), a playground, large screens for sports events (but not a sports pub). We’ve spent many afternoons there.
An old and historic pub that’s won countless awards for it’s great food. This pub is more classic Kent than the previous ones, and they have a fantastic reputation. We’d recommend you book, especially on a Sunday.
35 locals recommend
The Three Chimneys
Hareplain RoadAn old and historic pub that’s won countless awards for it’s great food. This pub is more classic Kent than the previous ones, and they have a fantastic reputation. We’d recommend you book, especially on a Sunday.
Good Local Food
Although there are a few fish and chip places around here, I think this one is hands down the best.
8 locals recommend
Cranbrook Museum
Carriers RoadAlthough there are a few fish and chip places around here, I think this one is hands down the best.
An unassuming Indian takeaway that is actually really good. Highly recommended. Opposite the Milk House.
Sissinghurst Tandoori
Sissinghurst RoadAn unassuming Indian takeaway that is actually really good. Highly recommended. Opposite the Milk House.
Fancy Food Options
Recently opened by some ex-Londoners. They have extensive gardens where they grow their own produce. Extremely good flat whites, extremely good breakfast, lunch and some tasty cakes. At the time of writing they only had the outside (covered) area opened but I imagine they will be providing seating in the glorious Victorian greenhouse once the weather turns colder. Make sure to have a meander through the gorgeous walled gardens and get yourself some enviable holiday snaps.
8 locals recommend
Water Lane
Water LaneRecently opened by some ex-Londoners. They have extensive gardens where they grow their own produce. Extremely good flat whites, extremely good breakfast, lunch and some tasty cakes. At the time of writing they only had the outside (covered) area opened but I imagine they will be providing seating in the glorious Victorian greenhouse once the weather turns colder. Make sure to have a meander through the gorgeous walled gardens and get yourself some enviable holiday snaps.
This has been our go-to for a more special meal around here. Worth calling ahead for a table although you might be alright as a walk-in too, depends on the day. They do fantastic lobster and chips, pizza, seafood platters, steaks and salads. While the food is of top quality, it is still pretty reasonable and not so formal. Have never walked away unsatisfied. Kid friendly.
37 locals recommend
The Great House
This has been our go-to for a more special meal around here. Worth calling ahead for a table although you might be alright as a walk-in too, depends on the day. They do fantastic lobster and chips, pizza, seafood platters, steaks and salads. While the food is of top quality, it is still pretty reasonable and not so formal. Have never walked away unsatisfied. Kid friendly.
Named as one of the best restaurants in Kent, booking essential. 7-10 incredibly inventive small courses from their “smallholding” for lunch or dinner at the fixed price of £55 (lunch) or £75 (dinner). We have gone here for special occasions and it’s one of those places you talk about it for a long time after. Very fancy, very different. Experience eating.
36 locals recommend
The Small Holding
Ranters LaneNamed as one of the best restaurants in Kent, booking essential. 7-10 incredibly inventive small courses from their “smallholding” for lunch or dinner at the fixed price of £55 (lunch) or £75 (dinner). We have gone here for special occasions and it’s one of those places you talk about it for a long time after. Very fancy, very different. Experience eating.
This Michelin starred restaurant in Biddenden often has a long waiting list for bookings, but sometimes there are cancellations so it is worth a try. I won’t write too much so as not to taunt you but it is very famous and very well regarded. Maybe book now and come back for another trip!
31 locals recommend
The West House
28 High StThis Michelin starred restaurant in Biddenden often has a long waiting list for bookings, but sometimes there are cancellations so it is worth a try. I won’t write too much so as not to taunt you but it is very famous and very well regarded. Maybe book now and come back for another trip!
Vineyards
This vineyard, a stone’s throw away in Staplehurst, has a newly opened tasting room and massive outdoor seating area with picturesque views of the vines. If you want to make more a day out of it they do a variety of different tours ranging from the free and self-guided up to £65. Also on offer are small bites to go with the wine and champagne - sharing platters and cheese boards. They do a particularly nice Bacchus.
41 locals recommend
Balfour Winery
Five Oak LaneThis vineyard, a stone’s throw away in Staplehurst, has a newly opened tasting room and massive outdoor seating area with picturesque views of the vines. If you want to make more a day out of it they do a variety of different tours ranging from the free and self-guided up to £65. Also on offer are small bites to go with the wine and champagne - sharing platters and cheese boards. They do a particularly nice Bacchus.
Another amazing vineyard about 19 minutes drive away in Tenterden. Similarly breathtaking vineyard views and swish tasting room. This one has a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant with AA Rosettes attached - The Swan Room. They run lots of different tours as well and booking is recommended.
73 locals recommend
Tenterden Vineyard Park
Small Hythe RoadAnother amazing vineyard about 19 minutes drive away in Tenterden. Similarly breathtaking vineyard views and swish tasting room. This one has a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant with AA Rosettes attached - The Swan Room. They run lots of different tours as well and booking is recommended.
This one is on a much smaller scale and more humble than the other 2 grand affairs, you can have a cosy chat with the staff in their tasting room and shop and if the weather is good sit outside on one of the picnic tables. As well as wine, Biddenden is well known for its (very strong) cider and self guided tours of the vineyard. Probably the best one to visit if you have young kids.
41 locals recommend
Biddenden Vineyards
Gribble Bridge LaneThis one is on a much smaller scale and more humble than the other 2 grand affairs, you can have a cosy chat with the staff in their tasting room and shop and if the weather is good sit outside on one of the picnic tables. As well as wine, Biddenden is well known for its (very strong) cider and self guided tours of the vineyard. Probably the best one to visit if you have young kids.
Supermarkets and local produce
They have a fishmongers, butcher, baker, cafe and everything else. It’s very very nice. Worth a visit to find the best of local Kent.
13 locals recommend
Hartley Coffee House and Farm Shop
Hartley RoadThey have a fishmongers, butcher, baker, cafe and everything else. It’s very very nice. Worth a visit to find the best of local Kent.
They will probably have what you are after. It’s Sainsbury’s. Not much else to say other than it’s a new one. The truth is, I actually love Sainsbury’s. What’s not to love?
60 locals recommend
Sainsbury's
143-165 High StThey will probably have what you are after. It’s Sainsbury’s. Not much else to say other than it’s a new one. The truth is, I actually love Sainsbury’s. What’s not to love?
Neighbourhoods
Goudhurst is a beautiful village with a charming church, beautiful walks, a wonderful pub and excellent views.
7 locals recommend
Goudhurst
Goudhurst is a beautiful village with a charming church, beautiful walks, a wonderful pub and excellent views.
Sissinghurst is a small village that hosts the famous Sissinghurst Castle Gardens and a charming pub called The Milk House. Both are essential visiting!
25 locals recommend
Sissinghurst
Sissinghurst is a small village that hosts the famous Sissinghurst Castle Gardens and a charming pub called The Milk House. Both are essential visiting!
A beautiful market town with a bustling high street, wonderful church, playground and charming windmill. Great bakeries, cafes and restaurants too.
31 locals recommend
Cranbrook
A beautiful market town with a bustling high street, wonderful church, playground and charming windmill. Great bakeries, cafes and restaurants too.
Outdoor Activities
Great place to go with kids. Loads of space and playgrounds, plus a good cafe. They charge by the car, so also quite reasonable. Bring bikes if you have them!
189 locals recommend
Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest
Bedgebury RoadGreat place to go with kids. Loads of space and playgrounds, plus a good cafe. They charge by the car, so also quite reasonable. Bring bikes if you have them!
Possibly why you came to Sissinghurst! Essential visiting. National Trust castle with beautifully kept gardens. Also a very nice cafe.
186 locals recommend
Sissinghurst Castle Garden
Biddenden RdPossibly why you came to Sissinghurst! Essential visiting. National Trust castle with beautifully kept gardens. Also a very nice cafe.