England’s ‘most underrated’ town is ‘picturesque’ and has its own winery | UK | Travel
If you’re looking for a local place to travel that is off the beaten path, look no further than this underrated town.
Dubbed the “Jewel of the Weald” by locals, the picturesque town of Tenterden in Kent is easily accessible and boasts arts and folk festivals, restaurants and award-winning wineries and historic architecture.
You can also take a scenic steam railway ride through the Rother Valley to a 14th century castle.
You can also check out the UK’s most walkable streets, England’s prettiest seaside village and Wales’ tourist-free beach town with hidden coves.
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Visitors can take the Kent & East Sussex Railway, a heritage steam railway, on “a nostalgic journey” through the scenic Rother Valley to see a 14th-century structure, Bodiam Castle, which is considered “one of the best loved and best known castles in England.”
Surrounded by lush green scenery, the castle was built by Sir Edward Dalyngringge, a knight of Edward III, in 1385, according to its website.
With his knowledge of battle, he designed the castle to defend East Sussex from a potential invasion by the French during The Hundred Years’ War.
The town also has a local history museum, The Tenterden Museum, which is housed in a historic building on High Street.
The museum includes displays from the period when nearby Smallhythe served as an English Channel port.
The town is home to Chapel Down Winery, which offers tours and samples of its award-winning wines, ciders, and spirits, according to WorldAtlas.
It also hosts regular arts and crafts fairs and folk festivals, including a free-entry community festival this summer.
During the weekend of July 5-7, the town will be hosting a food, drink and music called The Spirit of Tenterden Festival, according to its website.
It will host a “great mix of music” with rock, pop, jazz and classical group and solo acts to jazz, choirs, as well as putting on a dog show.
It will also boast street food and ice cream as well as real ale, cider and lagers, cocktails, wine and a tea tent.