Faversham

Voted ‘best market town in Kent’ by Country Life magazine, Faversham exudes old-world charm in an attractive rural setting. With a picturesque Creek linking it to the open sea, it’s poised between the stunning landscapes of the North Downs and the remote solitude of the coastal marshlands. Only 48 miles from London, you’ll be surprised how unspoilt everything is.
Faversham is home to the oldest company, oldest social club and oldest brewery in the UK. Shepherd Neame still brews its renowned beers on its original site, going back at least 450 years. You can take a guided tour and sample its ales.
A galaxy of other great attractions greets you in and around the town - among them Farming World, popular with children and parents alike; Belmont, with the finest collection of clocks outside the British Museum; Brogdale, with the world’s largest collection of fruit trees; picturesque Mount Ephraim gardens; Chart Gunpowder Mills, oldest in the world; Oare Gunpowder Works Country Park, surprisingly serene; and Oare Marshes, a big nature reserve of international importance for its bird life. Superb and varied countryside too, perfect for country strolls.
Steeped in history, it boasts nearly 500 listed buildings, many of them medieval, and some of them specially open during the annual ‘Open House’ event, on the first three Saturdays of July. Guided town walks, starting at the town’s excellent Fleur de Lis Heritage Centre on summer Saturday mornings, will introduce you to the town’s vibrant past. The Fleur also houses one of the best local museums in the country.
Faversham hosts a series of enjoyable street events each year, from a huge classic car show to its own food and drink festival. London East-Enders used to come and pick the local hops in the autumn and the biggest local event is the annual Hop Festival. held over a late summer week-end. In the town centre, it makes an unforgettable day out. If music’s your taste, it’s all free and there are two stages. Morris Dancers and other entertainers mingle with the crowds. Shepherd Neame run special steam trains to and from London.
Faversham’s a Fair Trade town. It’s also a Mecca for good food and drink, locally-sourced as far as possible. Friendly period pubs, cafes and restaurants cater for every taste and pocket, serving everything from tasty Pub Grub to Michelin starred marvels.
You’ll find a warm welcome at hotels, inns and B & Bs. You’ll almost certainly want to return - most people do.