Updown is a newly opened restaurant with rooms set in a former farm

Credit: Ben Eagle

Ruth Leigh and Oliver Brown are now welcoming guests to dine at Updown, their newly opened restaurant with rooms set in a former farm near Deal. Over the last few years, the couple have been carefully restoring the farmhouse and grounds to house seven rooms including two cottages. Set among seven-and-a-half acres of rolling Kent countryside, the 17th-century Grade II listed farmhouse, hidden in its own magical woodland and mature wildflower gardens has been conscientiously restored to celebrate its working history and rural setting.

In the main house, you can stay in one of four beautifully appointed rooms, all overlooking the grounds. Each one has been thoughtfully designed to reflect the character of the location. Alongside these, Ruth and Oli have transformed the farm’s outbuildings including its stables to house three new guest rooms. A hidden garden lies behind a wrought iron gate and forms a quad between house, barn and pergola, housing the outdoor dining area. The pergola is shaded by hanging vines and wisteria and surrounded by herbs, olives and lavenders with open fires to keep you warm as the sun sets. What’s more, the central seating area provides a perfect space for cocktails or a glass of wine overlooking the central lawn and farmhouse.

The couple have created a simple, Italian-leaning, hyper-seasonal menu using carefully-sourced, local ingredients. The equally seasonal drinks menu features cocktails made with produce from the garden and local wines sitting side by side with bottles from high quality producers in France and Italy.

So, if you’re tying the knot in the area and are looking for a stunning place to stay pre- or post- wedding, or indeed for a foodie’s mini-moon heaven we suggest you don’t delay in heading over to www.updownfarmhouse.com