A pretty holiday, rural cottage in the heart of the garden of England-Kent
- Cottage0
- Sleeps: 4
- Bedrooms: 1
- Bathrooms: 1
- Min. Stay: 3 nights
A modern self contained holiday let in rural setting with 4* rating.
Bedrooms
Owner
Katherine Hughes
- Languages:
- english
About Katherine Hughes
I am a part time teacher in a primary school, a wife and a mother of two grown up boys 16 & 18. I enjoy managing our holiday let and help travellers enjoy all the places to visit in Kent. We have so many places that our foreign visitors are desperate to visit such as Leeds Castle, Canterbury, London, Tunbridge Wells, Rye all within an hour from us. We have made many friends while running the holiday let and enjoy being able to share what we enjoy about living in Kent with all of our visitors.
Katherine Hughes purchased this Cottage in 2001
Why Katherine Hughes chose Tonbridge
Set in a beautiful location in the heart of the Garden of England. California Annex is set behind my family home . Hawkenbury is a lovely quiet Hamlet village that is in the middle of the Kent countryside. There are two lovely villages with mainline train stations to London only 2 miles away. We are close to London (55 minutes by train) Royal Tunbridge Wells, Canterbury, Bluewater shopping centre, Howlets Zoo, Leeds,& Hever Castles, Many National trust properties, Scotney castle, Sissinghurst gardens and for sightseeing this area is perfect. Many people come here to explore the garden of England and we now have an electric bike hire centre less than half a mile away so that you can hire bikes and visit the local villages. Local Vineyard and tours are available from Biddenden or Chapel down where you can sample their wines and ciders. Kent is very popular for road cyclists especially ones who are advanced that would enjoy cycling to Tunbridge wells through the country lanes and then on to the Ashdown forest for sunning rides and views. The Annex is very private but still close enough to not feel completely cut off. In the evenings you can enjoy the peace of the countryside, from June onwards the calfs and cows actually put their head over the annex hedge to say hello . Hawkenbury has a lovely pub only 4 minutes walk where you can meet the locals and enjoy a traditional lunch and dinner and in the summer months they have a pub garden. Both villages of Staplehurst and Headcorn have lovely country pubs, The Kings Head -In Staplehurst and The George and Dragon in Headcorn, chemist, small supermarkets, Indian takeaway/restaurant, Chinese restaurants, Butchers, off-licence, Bakers and the other convenience shops. There are a number of great restaurants within a 5 mile radius enabling you to eat from pub food to Michelin Star every night. There are plenty of days out for the children from Zoos, Castles, Play centres, Ice Skating, Cinemas.
What makes this Cottage unique
Private, Self contained, peaceful, pretty and modern. Rated 4* by Visit England. This annex is not let to anyone I am very careful to only let it to people I know will look after it enabling every stay to be as pleasant as the next. We have equipped the annexe with home comforts such as free sat, Ps3 for the children, Board Games, books and DVD's to make your stay when your in the annexe comfortable. The fields in front and behind the Annexe are owned by our friendly farmer neighbour and he is happy for you to walk round the fields in the summer months. Being behind our family home provides the travellers with piece in the middle of the Kent countryside but the reassurance if they need anything we are only next door to help with information on the local area. Within walking distance from the local pub that provides lovely food and being surrounded by Kentish pubs and restaurants (about 50 within a 10 mile radius) there is always somewhere to eat out if you don't fancy cooking.
Amenities
Featured
- Parking
- Children Welcome
- Heater
- No Smoking
- Internet
- TV
- Pets Welcome
- Satellite or Cable
Bathrooms
- Bathrooms: 1
House Rules
Check-in: 2:00 pm
Check-out: 10:00 am
No parties/events
No smoking
Smoking only outside
Pets allowed
1 dog will be considered. Please enquire.
Children allowed
Suitable with parents.
Minimum age of primary renter:18
Max guests:4
The annexe is only suitable at maximum for 4 people. If unauthorised guests stay the booking damage/breaking of T & C will be charged. £100
Cancellation Policy
100% refund if cancelled at least 60 days before arrival date.
29 Reviews
Perfect Getaway
The property was exactly what I was looking for, and was priced appropriately for a cute, cosy getaway. The locals were very welcoming, and we went on some nice country rambles in nearby villages, followed by hearty pub food. Everything was clean and in order, with an appreciated welcome basket of essentials (tea, coffee and cereal).
Perfect!
We had a perfect time at the annex. Everything we needed was there. Great location for trips around beautiful Kent, to Sussex and also perfect to take the train to London. Katherine and John are wonderful hosts as well. My kids and me hope to be back again.
Neat & Tidy
Neat property, included everything we needed. Suited our family of 4.
Lovely little break from the city!
The California Annex is perfectly formed holiday getaway cottage, equipped with everything you need and surrounded by lots of quaint Kent villages. My Husband and I had a delightful time and would highly recommend.
Thank you for being great guests. Glad you enjoyed the tranquility of the country for afew days over the Easter weekend before returning to the city.
Perfect rural getaway!
From the welcome basket to the cows in the adjacent farm...it was absolutely lovely!
Very nice stay in a beautiful region
The Annex is lovely arranged, with every comfort (kitchen, books, games, tips for visits around, etc...). Katherine and John are very nice hosts and Kent is a beautiful region. A very nice holidays for a family of four.
Map
Hawkenbury is a small hamlet between the villages of Staplehurst and Headcorn sitting 8 miles south of Maidstone, Kent. London and all of its attractions are 55 minutes by train and the stations of Staplehurst and Headcorn are only 2 miles from the cottage. Many castles within easy reach by car, Leeds Castle (10 min), Sissinghurst Castle and Gardens (15 min) and Scotney (30 min). There are several Zoos, Drusillas, Howletts and Port Lymne all within an hours drive. The seaside town of Hastings is a 45 min, Battle, Rye, Eastbourne, Camber Sands being only an hour away. Fantastic indoor shopping at Bluewater Shopping Center (45 min) and Lakeside (55 min), Royal Tunbridge Wells, (40 min) Canterbury, (50 min) Tenterden, (20 min) all lovely towns to visit. There are many family attractions accessible, The Hop Farm (25 min) Bewl Water (20min) The Rare Breeds Center (20 min) The Hop farm family fun (30mins) and several vineyards, Biddenden, Hush Heath (15 mins) There are two multiplex cinemas, bowling complexes & leisure centers in Maidstone & T.Wells. Annex is in a rural location so car is necessary.
Golf: There are several good courses in the near by area, Leeds castle, Chart Hills (15 mins) Headcorn golf club (2 miles) The Ridge Golf and country club (10 min).
Sports: A Ski and sports center and indoor ice rink is within a 30 minutes drive private lessons available. Swimming centre (Mote Park) has an olympic swimming pool and leisure pool which is open 7 days a week (20mins)
Lots of beaches within an hours drive, Bexhill, Eastbourne, Hastings, Historic town of Rye, Lydd, Camber sands to name a few.
Towns: Historic Rochester (45 mins), Royal Tunbridge Wells (40 mins) Canterbury (50 mins) all beautiful towns full of history.
The cottage is surrounded by farmers fields ideal for a stroll in the evening while the sun is setting.
California Cottage is in the heart of the garden of england and is an ideal position to visit all of the tourist attractions and come back to the piece of the country side.
London is 55 minutes via train from either Staplehurst or Headcorn station and costs approximately £17 per adult after 10am on weekdays and cheaper at weekends. This train line runs directly into the heart of london (charing cross) and is ideal to spend days in the beautiful city of London without worrying about driving. You can purchase a group thicket if there are 3 or more persons. You can also buy a ticket including underground/bus at the station so that you don't have to worry about it when you get there as busses don't take cash.