Weald of Kent bed and breakfast in Sevenoaks, Kent, England
How this holiday makes a difference
Environment
The Studio is set within the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding National Beauty (AONB) and the green belt. Visitors only need to stand at the window to see a microcosm of this within Double Dance's garden.
The replanted cherry orchard, cob nut platts which are a native feature of Kent, and animal habitats within fallen tree trunks are all there to be enjoyed and celebrated. Sitting quietly at night, you can be fortunate to hear the shriek of barn owls together with the blur of gambling rabbits in the garden. Daylight reveals woodpeckers, a range of native birds such as blue tits, sparrows, blackbirds, jays and the proverbial thieving magpies.
We recycle and compost to sustain and preserve our environment. Compost is recycled to enrich the garden. Water is preserved in butts to ensure that all garden watering is totally natural and does not draw on mains water supplies.
Many of the glories of the county can be enjoyed on foot, with the Studio accessible from a number of long-distance national footpaths. A visitor's carbon footprint can be minimal.
Double Dance itself has been extended over the years from its origin as a stable. But would you notice this? Reclaimed brick and original Kent peg tiles have been used to produce a seamless blend of old and new. Go round to the front door and see the original cobbles in the entrance courtyard. The outline of the garden, with its many fruit trees reflects its origin as a kitchen garden for a neighbouring house.
Community
We actively promote our local community. Visitors are encouraged to buy local and to support our village farm shop and nearby weekly farmers' markets. Our local plant nursery sells Kent seasonal produce such as asparagus, strawberries and apples grown either in Ightham itself or within a small radius.
Breakfast provisions are drawn as far as possible from local sources. Home made marmelade, jam, cakes, biscuits, eggs and organic home-grown seasonal fruits are all used.
Visitors are encouraged to patronise our many local pubs, and especially Ightham's own George and Dragon within walking distance of the Studio. The Church's weekly coffee shop and week-end services are publicised as a rewarding way of meeting local residents and hearing more about life in Ightham.
The Studio has a large basket of local information leaflets, encouraging visitors to enjoy local gardens, nearby market towns and National Trust properties. Special annual events such as South East Open Artist Studios and the Sevenoaks festival are publicised in the local information folder.
We are actively involved in community events, helping to run weekly parent and toddler groups, summer village fairs and fetes. The current village excitement is the planning for the 2012 Coxcombe Fair, a gathering of mediaeval origin organised for each historic Royal jubillee.
Landscape
A folder of our favourite local walks, accessible from Double Dance, is provided for visitors. Local walking guides and Landranger maps are also available.
Within easy walking distance of the Studio you can find evidence of how the Weald of Kent used to look. Guests are encouraged to enjoy the beauty of Oldbury with its ancient Roman camp. Walking through the tree hung paths with occasional glimpses of distant views, it is easy to imagine that this was how mediaeval Kent would have been.
Visitors are walk a few paces down our neighbouring lane to enter apple orchards and again see a vista of the county as it would have been years ago. The Garden of England is very obvious if you visit in the early autumn and can admire the russet hues of fruit laden apple trees. Wander through the garden, and you crunch cobnut shells under foot - the squirrels having craftily removed the tasty nuts. A neighbour's original cob nut platt provides another glimpse into the county's agricultural past.
Walk a little further, and guests can begin to admire the views from the Pilgrim's Way, the route which marches across swaithes of southern England to the glories of Canterbury.
1of3
