School House
Farm Camping
Email us: shfholidays@gmail.com Call us: 01580 893850
Places of Interest
School House
Farm Camping
Surrounding Places of Interest
Blink and you will miss Hawkenbury! This weald of Kent hamlet does boast fabulous countryside, a great pub and some magnificent timbered buildings in this is primarily a farming area. However, we do hold a claim to fame from 9th June 1865 – when Charles Dickens was involved in a terrible train crash killing 10 people and injuring 40 more, it happened a few fields away and according to folk law the first person to come to their aid was a labourer from School House Farm.
For those interested in Charles Dickens & his strong Kentish connections, there is a Dickens trail of places made famous either in life or in Dickens novels. There is a similar “Darling Buds of May” experience which highlights many places of used in the filming of the TV series which are all very local to us.
Our Own Little Menagerie of Animals!
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Hawkenbury Hens and our lovely Exmoor pony.
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Incredibly friendly wild rabbits.
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Plus 'Little Ernie' our almost famous, ginger nutcase miniature Shetland Pony!
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A wonderful variety of wildlife to enjoy!
Sporting
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Golf – Weald of Kent 1.5mile Chart Hills Golf Course 2 miles & Biddenden Par 3 Golf Course (like a grown up pitch & putt £7.50 inc club hire)
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Fishing – Our own + many others including Monks Lakes at Staplehurst, Manor Fisheries, Headcorn & Cackle Hill Lakes, Biddenden
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Horse riding – Bedgebury Stables, Goudhurst, Horseshoes Stables, East Farleigh
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Livestock Courses – Chicken, pig & sheep care courses run locally by a neighbour & friend Lizzie Offen lizzieoffen@virginmedia.com
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Swimming – Moat Park Leisure Centre, Maidstone, Weald of Kent Sports Centre, Cranbrook & Tenterden Leisure Centre.
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Cycling – www.ukelectricbiketours.co.uk friendly neighbouring electric bike business. Bewl Water cycle trails & bike hire plus a range of water sports. Bedgebury offroad cycle trails & bike hire.
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Local Interest - Brattle Farm at Staplehurst with its eclectic mix of memorabilia & The Wildlife Heritage Foundation at Headcorn with 40+ big cats including lions, tigers & snow leopards occasionally have open days that are well worth attending in addition to the many other local events that take place regularly at Headcorn Airfield.
Should you want further information on any of the above please contact Lesley on cookshf@aol.com
Days Out
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Leeds Castle: “The loveliest castle in the World” - www.leeds-castle.com
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Sissinghurst Castle: Exquisite gardens - www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sissinghurst.castle/
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Headcorn Airfield: Watch the airfield action & excellent museum - www.headcornaerodrome.co.uk
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Bedgebury Pinetum: Lovely walks & bike rides - www.forestry.gov.uk/bedgebury
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Biddenden Vineyard: Tours & Cafe - www.biddendenvineyards.com
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Kent Life: Great day out for the family - www.kentlife.org.uk
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Hempstead Forest: East walking and free! - www.kent.gov.uk/leisure_and_culture/countryside_and_coast/walking/hemsted_forest_walk.aspx
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Smallhythe Place: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/smallhythe-place/
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Scotney Castle: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/scotney-castle/
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The Hop Farm: Another good family day out - www.thehopfarm.co.uk
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CM Booth Collection: Fabulous collection of beautifully restored Morgan 3 wheeler cars at Rolvenden - www.Morganmuseum.org.uk/
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Bodiam Castle: You can catch a train to Bodiam Castle - www.nationaltrust.org.uk/bodiam-castle/
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Kent & Sussex Railway: www.kesr.org.uk
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Chatham Dockyard: www.thedockyard.co.uk
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Maidstone Museum: www.museummaidstone.gov.uk
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Rare Breeds Country Farm Park: www.rarebreeds.org.uk
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Bayham Old Abbey: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/bayham-old-abbey/
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Cranbrook Museum: www.cranbrookmuseum.org
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Working Windmill: www.unionmill.org.uk
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Tywhitt Drake Museum of Carriages: www.museummaidstone.gov.uk/tywhittdrake
I have picked some of the nearest places to visit but Brogdale Fruit Collection, Battle of Britain Museum, Turner Contemporary, Port Lympe Wild Animal Park, Hever Castle and many more are all within easy distance.
Of course London is in easy reach by our local main line stations. There is plenty to see at Rochester or Canterbury although lovely places such as Rye, whitstable or Chilham make for great days out
Should you want further information on any of the above please contact Lesley on cookshf@aol.com