Squirrel Cottage
Hawkinge, Nr Folkestone
3
2
6
2
Perched high on the North Downs, with a vineyard next door and the English Channel stretching out beyond, a stay at Squirrel Cottage means guests will never be short of beautiful vistas as the seasons roll by.
Tucked away in the peaceful village of Hawkinge, near Folkestone, this single-storey holiday home started life as a piggery, but has since been completely renovated into a stylish and welcoming countryside retreat for 6. Rustic exposed beams are a feature throughout the property, alongside a welcoming open-plan living space that combines comfortable seating, a well-equipped kitchen and a dining area – the perfect setting for slow breakfasts, lively evening meals, or simply relaxing in front of the TV.
Come nightfall, three beautifully presented bedrooms await, each with a super-king bed to stretch out on (two of these can be unlinked to create separate twin beds, if required), and the master bedroom benefiting from an en suite shower room. Meanwhile, an outdoor seating area provides an idyllic spot to enjoy your morning coffee or, later in the day, a glass of local wine as the sun sets over the surrounding countryside.
If you can drag yourself away from the cottage's little comforts, there's plenty to explore just beyond the doorstep. Neighbouring Terlingham Vineyard comes highly-recommended among the Bloom Stays team for its fine English sparkling and still wines, which possess a distinctive salty minerality thanks to the vineyard's sea-facing location (guests at Squirrel Cottage receive a discount when buying wine directly from the vineyard, while the weekend tasting tours are well worth making time for). Less than a ten-minute drive away, Folkestone’s vibrant arts scene and bustling laneways are also waiting to be wandered, as is the historic Battle of Britain Memorial at Capel-le-Ferne, and – for the more energetic among you – the many, many miles of footpaths of the Kent Downs.
