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

Bed and Breakfast in Cranbrook, Kent

Cranbrook is Kent’s smallest town, described here by Vita Sackville-West, the author and creator of Sissinghurst Garden.

“…I may allow myself to add a word in praise of Cranbrook, dominated as it is by its old windmill, its really beautiful church and church-yard planted with magnolias and flowering trees … its air of busy peace on a shopping day. I have often thought that if I wanted to show an over-seas visitor a sample of a small and very English country town, I need not go further afield than my three mile distant Cranbrook, with its legacy of history behind it”

Today the little town of Cranbrook with its distinctive huddle of medieval, Tudor and Georgian white weatherboarded buildings is a vibrant place to stay. The historic windmill, one of the largest in England, towers over the town. Recently restored and often floodlit at night, it is still grinding corn and is regularly open to the public.

Dining Out

Cranbrook provides a good selection of recommended restaurants from Michelin starred Apicius just down the road on Stone Street, to the welcoming Mumtaz  Mahal curry house. We can also recommend  Terracotta Italian Restaurant  a few minutes walk away on the edge of town, and the George Brasserie opposite Church Gates on the other side of Stone Street for fine quality food. Tiffins Wine Bar, near the windmill serves a good selection of  fine wines, continental lagers and an extensive menu - it’s just a couple of minutes walk away too. During the day several speciality cafes and tea rooms are great places to relax with a cappuccino or enjoy a light lunch - or sit outside with an espresso and just people watch! Further afield great country pubs like the highly recommended (and our favourite pub restaurant)  The Three Chimneys serves real ales and fantastic food. The Great House in Hawkhurst is another good restaurant with a french menu.

Shopping and Facilities

With its range of traditional pubs,  a regular farmers market, many small independent speciality shops, including bookshops, gift shops, two great delis plus antique shops, art gallery, library, Post Office, cycle hire, tourist information office and banks (including Cash Machines) Cranbrook is an ideal base to discover the wealth of gardens, castles, historic houses and beautiful countryside.

Countryside

Set within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Cranbrook is a superb base for walkers and countryside lovers. Church Gates is directly on the High Weald Landscape Trail, and there are many other local walks and trails in the area.

Explore the Area ....

Garden Tours....

Church Gates Bed and Breakfast, Cranbrook, Kent

Church Gates Bed and Breakfast: Front Garden

View from Church Gates Bed and Breakfast

View of Cranbrook Windmill from Stone Street

Cranbrook Food Festival outside Church Gates Bed and Breakfast

Gorgeous girly gifts at Spice

Cranbrook cafe culture at Cranbrook's Italian Deli

Cranbrook monthly Farmers Market in the Vestry Hall next to Church Gates Bed and Breakfast