Food meets love in our pick of the best Kent bolt-holes for Valentine's Day (and night!)
Boys Hall
This gorgeous Jacobean manor house just outside Ashford opened last year, having been lovingly refurbished by Kristie and Brad Lomas. With a lovely garden to enjoy come spring, inside it offers a selection of dining areas, whether you want to sink into an armchair in front of the wood-burner or cuddle up close in the airy restaurant. Dishes feature local ingredients including beef and seabass, while for pudding you might like to share (one spoon between two) a chocolate mousse with hazelnut, orange and caramel miso. The wine list, meanwhile, includes stellar offerings from Kent's own Balfour and Simpsons wineries. From £35 for a three-course lunch.
Why we love it...
Period charm meets 21st century glamour, and bedrooms are decorated with an eye to previous owner's rich history - you can even spend the night in a four-poster bed .
boys-hall.com
The Ferry House, Sheppey
Tried and tested by us, the 16th-century former inn is the perfect setting for romance, right beside the Swale estuary in the wild and wonderful wetlands of Harty. If you want to make the most of the view, take a walk to the waterside to build up your appetite. You'll need to arrive before the sun sets, though - otherwise, you'll just have to content yourself with looking at the lights of Faversham twinkling at you in the darkness from across the Swale. In the AA rosette-awarded restaurant, tuck into delicate Kentish lamb tartare, scallop mousse and sea buckthorn Turkish delight, each dish supplemented with produce from the inn's own nursery, then head upstairs to your capacious, stylish bedroom.
Why we love it
The location's a must for anyone who loves being beside water - and there's that sense that you really have manged to get away from it all. Plus it's hard not to be impressed by the offer of a Valentine's Day 7-course tasting menu at just £55 per person.
theferryhouse.co.uk
St Leonard's, West Malling
Tucked away in this pretty Kent town, St Leonard's (named for the nearby Norman tower) is an unexpected delight - ideal for a couple who appreciate sophisticated style - think marble, glass and statement lighting. Local produce is showcased and celebrated with a menu that embraces British cuisine, European influences, and well-travelled twists. How does Jerusalem artichoke soup with truffle honey, followed by warming Coq au vin with mash potato, pancetta and king oyster mushrooms sound? Upstairs, take your pick from one of four light-filled boutique-style bedrooms, and enjoy brunch the next morning. No need to rise early, then.
Why we love it
Both the Times newspaper and our own Julie Friend have confirmed St Leonard's is well worth a visit - with the set lunch something of a steal at £24 for three courses. The team themselves descirbe their cooking as 'heartfelt' - and if that isn't what food-loving lovers are looking for come February 14 and beyond, what is?
stleonardskent.co.uk
The West House, Biddenden
If your romance could do with a rock 'n' roll revamp, head to The West House in Biddenden. Situated in what was originally a 16th-century weaver's cottage, it's foodie magic that chef-proprieter Graham Garrett, a former rock drummer, is weaving here these days, and winning plaudits - including a Kent Life Food & Drink Award - for doing so. Succumb to set multi-course menus that showcase the best of Kent produce on any given day - take nothing for granted except that the food, from venison to wild bass, will be delicious. Upstairs four beautiful bedrooms each have their own theme - we particularly like the energising feel of the rock n roll room.
Why we love it
In style terms, the juxtaposition between old and new is beguiling, Graham's imaginative dishes are consistently excellent, and you can choose from either a long or short menu (from £55), depending on your appetite. Plus there's a bedroom styled to suit every taste, from Scandi to Art Deco.
thewesthouserestaurant.co.uk
