Award-winning English village with its own train station has riverside pubs and rare castle
THERE’S a pretty village in England with riverside pubs, the country’s best Norman castle and its very own train station with direct links to London.
Located in Kent, Eynsford is often overlooked as a holiday destination in favour of coastal destinations like Margate, Whitstable and Folkestone.
In 2023, Eynsford won the Gold Award for the ‘Large Village’ category in the South and South East in Bloom, marking its 9th year winning the award.
Set in the Darent Valley, which is part of the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Eynsford is surrounded by rolling hills, farmland and ancient woodlands.
The village backs on to the banks of the river Darent, with its own picturesque hump-back bridge by an old ford.
Visiting Eynsford has been described as like “stepping back in time”.
Eynsford Parish council writes: “A walk through Eynsford village, is like stepping back in time as it is home to many Listed buildings of significant and conservational importance and traditional country Pubs.”
The village has even been used a filming location for the popular ITV series The Larkins, with places like the Village, Castle Hotel and The Ford all featured.
Dating all the way back to 864, Eynsford is a must for history buffs.
One place where visitors will find a sense of its history is Eynsford Castle, one of England’s most complete Norman castles.
Eynsford Castle, which is currently managed by English Heritage, was built by the Eynsford family in the 11th century.
The castle soon became the subject of an inheritance dispute, resulting in an act of vandalism that forced the castle to become abandoned in the 14th century.
Entry to the castle is free, with it open to visitors between 10am until 5pm every day.
Another point of historical interest is the Lullingstone Estate, which is home to Lullingstone Castle – one of England‘s oldest family estates.
Both the Manor House and Gatehouse date back to the end of the 15th century, which means there’s a little bit more to tour compared to Eynsford Castle.
Both Henry VIII and Queen Anne were regular visitors to the Kent castle, with her very own Bath House hidden in the grounds of the estate.
Lullingstone Estate is also home to Tom Hart Dyke’s World Garden of Plants, with flowers and greenery from around the globe.
Entry to the Lullingstone Estate costs £9 for a full-paying adult and £4.50 for a child.
The estate, a five-minute drive from Eynsford, will be open to visitors until October 27, 2024, when it will close for the winter.
Holidaymakers who’ve worked up an appetite should visit the Malt Shovel, a pub located close to the ford.
Pub-goers can have their drinks served in plastic cups, if they choose to watch the ducks on the river.
There’s also the Plough Inn Eynsford, which sits on the banks of the river too.
Visitors can book to stay overnight at the Castle Hotel where stays start from £110 per night.
Eynsford has its own train station, which means it’s easily accessible from London.
Direct trains operate between London Blackfriars, London Victoria and Sevenoaks.
Eynsford Train Station is a 10-minute walk from the centre of the village.
There are plenty of other quirky towns and villages to visit in the UK too, including Bournville in Birmingham.
Built by the Cadbury family, there are no pubs in Bournville because of its Quaker heritage.
Or you can head to the Cotswolds to explore Painswick, called the “most magical” town in the UK by holidaymakers on TikTok.
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.