THE UK is becoming a world-leader when it comes to wine – and a small English town has one of the best vineyards in the country.
Dubbed the “jewel of the weald,” the town of Tenterden in Kent is just a short drive from Chapel Down.
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The vineyard has won awards for it’s sparkling wine, and is England‘s largest wine producer.
And their sparkling rose wine has even been given royal approval, even being served at Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding.
But Tenterden has more to it than just amazing wines, dating back to 791 AD and now home to just over 8,000 locals.
The town is known for it’s quaint streets, with huge Georgian buildings and Victorian houses.
Tourists often flock to the town for it’s independent sellers, with interiors, antiques and clothing stores, along with bakeries and cafes lining the streets.
Visit on a Friday for the local market with fresh food and drink as well as gifts.
One of the most popular spots in town is the Old Dairy Taproom, with some saying it’s the “best brewery tour” they’ve ever been on.
Along with local beers, they also have food trucks at the weekend as well as live music nights.
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And Tenterden is home to the steam trains of Kent and East Sussex Railway which opened in 1900.
Sadly the train doesn’t have it’s own train station, as it opened in 1903 only to close in 1954.
The steam train that runs from the town is on a private operated track, which traverses the 20-minute journey from Tenterden Town Station to Bodiam Station, although this line could soon be extended.
Visitors can head to the Tenterden Museum or the Col. Stephens Railway Museum to learn more about the town’s history.
One tourist said: “What a charming town! Almost in a time-warp.”
Another agreed: “What a beautiful little town! Very picturesque and quaint.”
A third simple said it was a “hidden gem”.
If you fancy staying, there are a few hotels and B&Bs to choose from.
One is the three-star The Woolpack Hotel, dubbed The Wooly in the middle of town with the 15th century Inn serving local wines and beers with an outdoor garden.
Otherwise there is also the White Lion, a Grade II listed pub with 14 rooms or the Print House Inn, another pub with rooms.
To get to Tenterden, trains to Ashford take around 40 minutes from Ashford, followed by a short bus.
Kent is home to some amazing other towns, including the seaside resort of Margate.
The town is soaring in popularity with both tourists and Londoners moving there, and has even been used as a filming location for a number of Hollywood blockbusters and TV show.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
Another up-and-coming town is Folkestone, another coastal town which is less than an hour from London.
And here’s why you should head to the town of Deal, home to the last complete pier in Kent.
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