Location: Faversham
Top Things to do in Faversham
- 1. Shepherd Neame Visitor Centre & Brewery Tour
- 2. Oare Marshes Nature Reserve
- 3. Belmont House and Gardens
- 4. Oare Gunpowder Works Country Park
- 5. Mount Ephraim Gardens
- 6. Fleur de Lis Museum & Gallery
- 7. Best of Faversham Market
- 8. Brogdale Collections
- 9. Church of St Mary of Charity
- 10. Faversham Antiques & Vintage Market
10 Things to Do in Faversham That You Shouldn't Miss
Faversham /ˈfævərʃəm/ is a market town and civil parish in the Swale district of Kent, England. The town is 48 miles from London and 10 miles from Canterbury and lies next to the Swale, a strip of sea separating mainland Kent from the Isle of Sheppey in the Thames Estuary. It is close to the A2, which follows an ancient British trackway which was used by the Romans and the Anglo-Saxons, and known as Watling Street. The Faversham name is of Latin via Old English origin, meaning "the metal-worker's village".
Restaurants in Faversham
1. Shepherd Neame Visitor Centre & Brewery Tour
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Take a look behind the scenes at Shepherd Neame – Britain’s oldest brewer. You guide will take you through the heart of the brewery so you can see the traditional mash tuns; taste natural mineral water from the brewery’s well; try some malted barley; smell locally-grown Kentish hops; see bygone Delivery vehicles and step into a recreated cooper’s workshop. Finally there’s a fascinating tutored tasting of Shepherd Neame’s Kentish ales and speciality lagers. Tours run most days - advance booking is strongly recommended and you should allow 2 hours for your visit
Reviewed By stephenS170555 - Maidstone, United Kingdom
Situated in the heart of the Historic and Handsome town of Faversham the Shepherd
Neame Brewery is must see for all lovers of English Beer and Ale.
Our Tour Guide (Martin) was a pleasure to be with, Patient and Enthusiastic his knowledge of Brewing was extensive.
The Tasting Session at the end of the Tour was great way to savour the range of beers
produced by this historic Kentish company.
It makes you proud to be British !
Shepherd Neame are a Class Act !
2. Oare Marshes Nature Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 115 reviews
Reviewed By Saintlysinner - London, United Kingdom
My boyfriend took me here for a Christmas walk, for him it brought back fond memories of his childhood. But I was taken aback by the beauty of the place. Unfortunately it was extremely wet and both of us weren't prepared. Would love to revisit with my boyfriend again. It's absolutely stunning.
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 93 reviews
The beautiful Georgian house of Belmont, set in formal Gardens and parkland, is a completely unspoilt and distinctive example of the work of architect Samuel Wyatt. The house was bought by General George Harris in 1801 with the prize money from his successful military career in India. Later, in 1815, he was created Lord Harris in recognition of his victory over Tipu Sultan at the battle of Seringapatam. Belmont contains fabulous mementoes of the family's history and travels - paintings, furniture, Indian silverware and one of the finest and most extensive collection of clocks in private hands in the country, assembled by the 5th Lord. The Gardens at Belmont are full of interest throughout every season. The Kitchen Garden has beautiful Victorian Greenhouses, along with figs, hops, soft fruits and traditional apple and pear varieties. The Walled Garden contains a pond and is adjacent to the Pinetum complete with grotto. Open Sat for tours at 2.15Pm and 3.15Pm, Sun & BH Mon for tours at 2.15Pm, 3.00Pm and 3.45Pm, tea room open for home-made cakes and cream teas from 1.Oopm at weekends. Wednesday tours are at 11.00Am and 1.00Pm,tearoom open Wednesday for light lunches.
Reviewed By spimpernel2015 - Maidstone, United Kingdom
We visited the Gardens of Belmont House today (2 July) when they were open under the ‘National Open Garden Scheme’ (Yellow Book). If I have to use a phrase to sum up our visit, perhaps I could use ‘Limited Interest’ but equally, ‘distinctly disappointing’ might be more appropriate. Here is why: we arrived at 1.30pm on a warm sunny day – and so, not surprisingly, there were already about 30-40 cars parked and a corresponding number of visitors already present. Having paid for admittance to the garden, we were rather taken aback to be immediately told at the gate to avoid visiting the tea room straightaway as it was busy. We therefore wandered around the Gardens for about 20-25 minutes and then headed to the tea room. There was ample room to sit down and then noted, with some disbelief, that several items had already been taken off the menu including cream teas - this was at 1405! So after two hours of opening, all that was left to buy were cups of tea, coffee, cold drinks and whatever was still on the cake stand. We then over heard a waitress saying to another couple that there would be a delay of 25 minutes just to supply cups of tea so if they were interested in cake too they had better reserve a slice immediately.
What on earth was going on to cause problems with catering and a severe delay in service that was resulting in not being able to serve cups of tea for 25 minutes? The Yellow Book indicates that the tea room is usually open during visiting hours, so it’s not as if they are inexperienced or unaware of the catering logistics!
We decided a 25 minute wait for a cup of tea was unacceptable and left to complete our walk around the Gardens – this did not take long. Our disappointment was heightened by reaching the walled kitchen garden, clearly promoted in the Yellow Book as designed by Arabella Lennox Boyd. What a let down! There was no atmosphere in the Gardens and frankly, the overall impression was one of utter indifference, there was just no ‘heart or soul’ to these grounds and Gardens. And despite advertisements, there were few plants available for purchase and what was for sale seemed over-priced.
I certainly gained the impression that back in 2000, the owners realised they needed a bigger revenue through the gates and so a ‘new attraction’ for visitors was required. Following professional marketing advice, it was decided to turn some of the ample grounds into a kitchen garden and employed a garden designer. The problem with this approach is that the designer was ’parachuted in’. The result is a completely artificial kitchen garden - ‘artificial’ in that there are no visible links or references to any of the estate, previous horticultural or agricultural estate practices or the local countryside. Indeed, if they do exist they are a well-kept secret as there is no information about it anywhere. It seems that all that has happened since this design was installed is that a minimum number of gardening staff have tried to maintain it with varying degrees of success.
Our visit lasted just 40 minutes and with an entrance fee of £4 per adult, we ended up paying about 20p for every minute we were there. I suppose as money-making Enterprise, opening the garden could therefore be classed as a success. However, to attract visitors to return, the estate administrators will need to do considerably better than this, assuming of course, that they are interested in them and offering tea and buns rather than renting out parts of the property to film crews.
4. Oare Gunpowder Works Country Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 90 reviews
Reviewed By GlobeTrotters4001 - Brisbane, Australia
We spent a lovely time just walking through these very peaceful woodlands and wetlands and learning the history of how the site housed a very extensive gunpowder plant in Faversham. The conservation and preservation work is a credit to the people involved. A bonus is no parking fees and only a donation is required.
5. Mount Ephraim Gardens
Overall Ratings
4 based on 151 reviews
Mount Ephraim is a beautiful family-owned 800 acre estate which boa some of the best Edwardian Gardens in the South East. Stroll the orchards, woodlands and rock Gardens, enjoying the outstanding views the estate offers, before relaxing in the west wing tea rooms. Mount Ephraim is also available for weddings, filming and photo sessions.
Reviewed By Karanszia - Kent
Excellent afternoon out. The Gardens were a delight, with plenty to see. Dispite the fact its late Sept, there was still plenty of colour to be seen. The Gardens were neat and tidy, and you can see that a lot of thought goes into the up keep of the Gardens. We spent a couple of hours walking around the Gardens, but could have easily spent longer, but had afternoon tea booked, so needed to get to the tearooms.
The afternoon tea was really nice. We had a huge pot of tea between us, enough for 3 cups each, plus a choice of 4 different sandwiches (out of 6 or 7), we then had some lovely nice fresh tasty scones, there was also a choice of cake, which they kindly wrapped up in tin foil for us, as we were by then totally stuffed. The staff were really nice, polite and helpful.
There was a charge of £7 each to get into the Gardens, and to be honest, as we could have easily spent at least 3hrs just walking around the grounds, I don't think the cost was too much. The toilets were spotless, which you can't always say at places like this.
To be honest, I find it really hard to understand the negative reviews, but then I suppose, we all have different ideas.
6. Fleur de Lis Museum & Gallery
Overall Ratings
5 based on 40 reviews
Reviewed By AliT0m - Adelaide
The volunteers who support and run this museum have grown and developed a very special display. We were offered a personalized tour with plenty of stories and interesting tidbits. The bookshop is extensive. If you are researching the local area they will give you lots of help. We are very grateful for the help we were fortunate to receive.
7. Best of Faversham Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31 reviews
Reviewed By tigerjilly2016 - Canterbury, United Kingdom
On the first weekend of every month the usual Faversham market blossoms into a really exciting event. As well as the usual stalls in the Market Square selling local produce, dress fabrics, fresh flowers, the odd antique or two, french cheeses and artisan bread, visit Preston Street too. Here you will find stalls with local jams and chutneys, silver jewellery, up-market arts and crafts galore, locally brewed beers and many other things to delight the palate and beautify the home and yourself. Add to this the range of other activities that are to be found in the town centre especially in the summer - the doggie competition, the Classic Cars, the Nautical Festival the music and many other interesting diversions and you have a lovely day out. Take lunch in one of the towns pubs or cafes and return home with that special something for your friend's birthday.
8. Brogdale Collections
Overall Ratings
4 based on 156 reviews
Brogdale Collections was established as a charity to work with the curator chosen by DEFRA. Brogdale Collections has managed visitor access to the NFC in partnership with the University of Reading, since the start of their curation in 2008. The Charity offers a range of opportunities for the public to use the collections as an educational resource including Daily Guided Tours (April - November), Fruit Days, Festivals and Key Stage 1 & 2 Education Days.
Reviewed By Fiona S
What a fantastic place we came here for a cider festival and to celebrate our birthday that day this is the second time of attending the festival and we were not disappointed great food available great bands playing and brilliant cider and ale etc Loads for kids to do on a festival day free bouncy castle and welly throwing etc
Also we had a great tour of
The orchards on a tractor this was run by volunteers and they were both very knowledgable and we found the tour awesome. Our tractor driver was 86 the couple were great can't praise them enough xxxxxx
9. Church of St Mary of Charity
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 28 reviews
Reviewed By Bob C - Faversham, United Kingdom
This Church has so much history, it is turely worth a visit, especially the painted column. The spire can be seen from miles around.
10. Faversham Antiques & Vintage Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
Reviewed By Christopher M - Greater London, United Kingdom
This was our first visit to the monthly antique market -very varied ranging from real tat to genuine antiques but something for most tastes. The day was dry and warm which helped a great deal, I imagine it would somewhat miserable in the rain. Plenty of pubs and restaurants and even a food stall so no need to go hungry.
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