Explore part of the 'Garden of England' and experience a variety of landscapes supporting a rich abundance of wildlife. Much of the Isle of Sheppey and the northern fringes of the mainland is marshland with large open skies, where stunning sunrises and sunsets and can be viewed during an overnight stay. Swathes of land have national and international protection status and are a feature of where coast meets countryside around the Swale Estuary.
The Mid Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty skirts the southern part of the Borough and in between are pretty villages nestling amongst farmland. The Rose and Crown at Perry Wood is a great place to start and finish a walk in the ancient woodland. Oare Gunpowder Works Country Park and Milton Creek Country Park provide ideal escapes for nature, wildlife and exercise. Elmley Nature Reserve and Oare Marshes Nature Reserve attract a great bird visiting population and give you the opportunity to be at one with nature
Many of our open houses and gardens such as Belmont House and Gardens, Mount Ephraim Gardens and Doddington Place Gardens are in our countryside together with some hidden gems including the Bredgar and Wormshill Light Railway which opens on the first Sunday of every month from Easter through until October. Villages also provide some great Kentish Produce available at farm shops including Bredgar Farm Shop and Tea Room as well as Brambledown Farm Shop on the Isle of Sheppey.
Experience country crafts and treat yourself to a cream tea at Oad Street Food and Crafts, Borden just outside Sittingbourne and purchase locally produced gifts and food. Alternatively the Grain Store Studio at Brenley Farm near Faversham provides an ideal setting for artists, their work and some workshops. In addition Sandhurst Farm Forge is based on the outskirts of the villages of Newnham and Doddington, within an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Charles is a professional Artist Blacksmith with over 50 years of experience.
There are some great local village pubs providing good quality food and beverages such as the Three Tuns at Lower Halstow. The Four Horseshoes Pub in Graveney near Faversham is an inviting pit stop for cyclists, walkers and locals to refuel. Other village pubs are a destination including The Plough at Stalisfield and the Plough and Harrow Greek Taverna just outside Borden.
Just outside Faversham find the home of the National Fruit Collection at Brogdale Collections and shop in Brogdale Market Place and eat in the Courtyard Restaurant. Or taste the difference and a wide range of Kentish produce at nearby Macknade Fine Foods.
The Swale area is a place for all seasons, come and meet some great people, visit our special places, stay and be inspired!
More places to visit and where to eat?
Filming on our coast and in our countryside
Our landscapes and countryside have played host to many film productions with the villages also featuring on screen. Similarly our waterways have attracted major productions with Stangate Creek welcoming Great Expectations (2012), Canterbury Tales (2003) and one for film buffs – The Long Memory (1953). During 2015 scenes were shot for 'Wonder Women' in and around the creek in Lower Halstow, the film was released in summer 2017. Belmont House and Gardens, Doddington Place Gardens and Brogdale Collections at Brogdale Farm are all ideal film locations. More information about filming in Kent can be found at the Kent Film Office website.
Many of our villages have community websites such as Iwade and The Meads, with the Swale area Parish Council's and their clerks championing many of the smaller Swale rural and village communities.
