Tiny English village home to award-winning vineyards, quaint streets and loads of celebs
THERE’S a pretty village in England where celebrities have been known to live and it’s even home to an award-winning vineyard.
Located in Kent, Biddenden is often overlooked as a holiday destination in favour of coastal destinations like Margate, Whitstable and Folkestone.
Even though the village isn’t hugely popular among holidaymakers, it is home to several quaint tourist attractions.
One of those is a wrought iron sign that depicts a set of conjoined twins.
The twins were allegedly born in the Kent village in 1100.
They were often referred to as the Biddenden Maids and became known for their charity work, which is still honoured to this day.
Depictions of the sisters are still dotted throughout the village, including a wrought iron sign that was erected to honour the two women in the 1920s.
The English village is home to quaint streets that are lined with picturesque shops.
There’s also Vane Court, which is believed to be the oldest house in the village, dating back to the 15th century.
The Grade II listed building even became a royal residence when King Rama VII of Thailand (then Siam) bought the property in 1939 following his abdication.
After purchasing the property, the king and his wife Queen Rambai Barni were often spotted in the village.
Lying a few miles away from the Weald, it comes as no surprise to find that Biddenden is home to award-winning vineyards.
The village is also home to the county’s oldest commercial vineyard, dating back to 1969.
Spanning across 22 acres, Biddenden Vineyards produces award-winning white, red, rose and sparkling English Wines and even a cider.
From May to September, self-guided tours operate throughout the vineyard at a cost of £10 per person.
The tour includes a tasting flight of three wines, which can be upgraded to six wines for an additional £5.
Meanwhile, the Red Lion pub is the only pub in the village.
The village pub serves a range of wood-fired pizzas and even has a pretty outdoor garden.
Well-known celebrities like Masterchef host Greg Wallace, TV presenter Denise van Outen and Coldplay drummer Will Champion have all lived in the Kent village.
Biddenden is a two-hour drive from London, and it’s a 30-minute drive from Maidstone.
There are plenty of other quirky towns and villages to visit in the UK too, including Bournville in Birmingham.
Bournville, Birmingham
Located in southwest Birmingham, Bournville is a tiny village that was built by the Cadbury family.
While the model village may sound fairly idyllic, it isn’t without its quirks.
Because of its Quaker heritage, there are no pubs in Bournville, so those residents, and tourists, who fancy a swift drink need to visit boozers in other parts of Birmingham, like Selly Oak and Stirchley.
Painswick, Cotswolds
Often dubbed the “Queen of the Cotswolds” by travel experts and tour operators, Painswick has also been called the “most magical” town in the UK by holidaymakers on TikTok.
Even though Painswick is fairly small, there are several sites for day trippers to explore including St Mary’s Church.
The church lies in the heart of the town and is surrounded by a churchyard dotted with graves, tombs, and 99 Yew trees.
Best staycation locations for 2024
Bristol
The arty harbour city was the top spot on the list and is bursting with culture and trendy cafes scattered along the River Avon.
A bubbling hub for creatives, Bristol is the birthplace of street artist Banksy, and you can admire some of his best early works on a free walking tour.
2. Hull
The Humberside port city started to get recognition last year, and it has a thriving nightlife scene – if that’s something you’re after.
The old town is crawling with history and classy buildings, whose walls have many stories to tell and The Deep is a fascinating aquarium attraction.
3. Isles of Scilly
Just off the Cornish coast, it’s easy to see why the archipelago made it into the top three.
Here, you can expect golden sandy beaches where you will be able to spot dolphins beyond the shoreline, as well as seafront pubs serving up hearty grub.
Another tiny village in the UK has been compared to a retro 1940s film set.
And an abandoned village in England only opens to tourists once a year.