Church Gates

Historic Bed and Breakfast  

Stone Street Cranbrook Kent TN17 3HA

01580 713521    email dgreen@churchgates.com

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Copyright David Green 2008

Historic Church Gates Bed and Breakfast in Cranbrook, Kent

Reviews

ABSOLUTELY UNBEATABLE

A friend and I recently decided to take advantage of the lovely weather and go to see Christopher Lloyd's remarkable garden at Great Dixter. As we also wanted to see  Vita Sackville-West's famous gardens at Sissinghurst some overnight accommodation was required.  I can tell you, should you find yourself in similar circumstances, that Church Gates, in the pretty Kentish town of Cranbrook is absolutely unbeatable.

UTTERLY WONDERFUL

My husband and I felt so comfortable. Joe gave us excellent suggestions on where to visit and where to eat. He made our stay in Cranbrook utterly wonderful! We look forward to another visit hopefully next year!

HIGHLIGHT OF OUR YEAR

My husband and I are one year residents in England and decided on the luxury of a return visit to the famed Sissinghurst Gardens over May bank holiday weekend. We reserved two nights at Church Gates directly with Joe Taylor and had a wonderful weekend. Joe is a gourmet chef and our two breakfasts food will be highlights of our English YEAR. Joe's table was most attractive and pleasing and his food is even better. Our bedroom was stocked with Sissinghurst and last interview with Christopher Lloyd (Great Dixter) DVDs and hundreds of gardening magazines and books.

The day before our arrival Joe finished a garden tour and car hire for two North Carolina garden ladies that were repeat week long visitors. It is understandable why Joe would be hired to take guests to the great gardens of Kent and Sussex England. Joe suggested Pashley Manor for the tulip festival and lunch and we would have missed this wonderful garden if Joe hadn't directed us to it. He also suggested and provided the telephone number a convenient gourmet pub, Three Chimney's, for dinner after Sissinghurst.

With Joe in charge you will sleep well, have a gourmet breakfast and be provided with a perfectly organized day.

PERFECT CHOICE

We chose Church Gates B&B after reading many glowing reviews on Trip Advisor (thank-you TA!). Having spent 9 days travelling throughout the UK via a fully escorted coach tour (and staying at Hiltons and Ramadas), we decided to extend our holiday and venture into the southeast corner of England (Kent and Sussex) on our own for several days. This area is known for it's many beautiful gardens, castles and estates. We were searching for a quieter, more leisurely and personal experience of England rather than the hectic pace of the guided tour.

Historic Church Gates B&B is located in the charming medieval town of Cranbrook in the heart of Kent and was central to all the places we wanted to visit. It was also within easy reach of Gatwick for our return flight to the US. It proved to be the perfect choice for us. Tucked just around the corner from the town's main street on a cobblestone pathway and facing the old churchyard, this inn was built in the 1530's and restored in 1736 in a Georgian style. Not only is this wonderful place tastefully decorated in an eclectic and lovely way, it is filled with ambiance and warmth. Our hosts, Joe & David were kind and caring...they made us feel like we were extended family and went out of their way to provide us with everything we needed. They also gave us helpful advise to make sure we enjoyed the best of what the area has to offer. We will always have fond memories of our interesting conversations with these two gentlemen and their other guests, of the relaxing music playing in the background, of the offered hot cups of tea, of the many neighbors who popped their heads in the open front door to say hello and of the delicious breakfasts prepared by Joe each morning and served with such great presentation (Joe's special pancakes are to die for!).

Simply put, this place is the epitome of quiet elegance and English atmosphere...it was exactly what we were searching for. We were and are completely captivated! Our en suite room was spacious and filled with many special touches to make it feel homelike, not to mention the wonderfully comfortable beds! For us, Church Gates was the quintessential experience of "Old England". It was like stepping back in time while still having all the 21st century comforts!..Our stay there was the absolute highlight of our holiday in the UK.

If you're interested in seeing Kent and the surrounding area, you may be satisfied to stay at any hotel but if you're interested in savoring this delightful part of England, stay at Church Gates B&B in the pretty little town of Cranbrook.

DON’T JUST SIT THERE - MAKE EVERY WEEKEND COUNT!

There are few better ways to enjoy the darling buds of May than by visiting the Garden of England — and prettiest of all is Sissinghurst, the Elizabethan manor and gardens developed by the writer Vita Sackville-West and her husband, Harold Nicolson. The ravishing rose garden should be in full bloom. Church Gates (01580 713521), in Cranbrook, has doubles..., B&B.