Faversham Society (favershamsociety.org) has all you need to know about the town. Run by volunteers the society’s motto is ‘seek to cherish the past, adorn the present, create for the future’ and it’s certainly doing just that. The Fleur de Lis Heritage Centre, also the HQ of the society, houses the town’s museum, archives, as well as second-hand book shop.
It was during the Napoleonic Wars that the gunpowder industry reached its peak in Faversham. Chart Mills most probably supplied powder for both the Battles of Trafalgar and Waterloo and a small museum, including a working model of the mill, is located off Stonebridge Way and is free.
The guided town walks are both fun and educational… did you know there are more than 450 listed buildings in the town? You can learn more interesting facts by signing up to a walk and the summer evening history strolls take advantage of longer summer days and those all-important historic facts, Of course,
Faversham is also home to Britain’s oldest brewer, Shepherd Neame. Dating back more than 400 years, we catch up with chief executive officer, Jonathan Neame, in our case study section below, who shares his love of the area.
Living here provides lots to do. From the leisure complex (favershampools.com) with both indoor and outdoor pool… perfect for the summer months, and for nature lovers, Oare Marshes (kentwildlifetrust.org.uk), is an important wetland reserve with a range of bird species. A Site of Special Scientific Interest, with 81 acres, there are grazing animals and walking trails and circular footpaths are wheelchair accessible.
Faversham scores strongly where education is concerned. There’s a range of primary schools, both in town and in the neighbouring villages. Ethelbert Road Primary School and Hernhill Church of England Primary School are currently rated ‘Outstanding’ by Oftsed while Lorenden Prep School provides pupils with open space and a thriving and rich environment. Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School is a forward thinking co-educational selective school.
Faversham station provides links to London St Pancras and London Victoria. Bus services connect with many of the nearby villages and towns and there’s also easy access to the A2, A249, M2 and M20. With a welcoming environment for newcomers and long-term residents alike, there’s lots to love about Faversham.
EXPLORING
There’s plenty going on in the town which prides itself on community spirit. Mount Ephraim Gardens (mountephraimgardens.co.uk) has plenty to offer and delight visitors. With ten acres of gardens, set in the heart of an 800-acre estate, there’s magnificent views over the Swale and Thames Estuaries. Home to the Dawes Family for more than 300 years, every time of year brings its own distinctive pleasures, and no two visits are the same. The gardens feature a Japanese rock garden and bridge, water garden and lake, arboretum and spectacular grass maze. The elaborate and unusual topiary with a miscellany of birds, animals and First World War memorabilia sited up near the main house sit alongside the Millennium Rose Garden and herbaceous border. Open on Wednesdays to Sundays and Bank Holidays from 11am until 5pm. Devoted to micro and miniature animals, Huckleberry Woods (huckleberrywoods.co.uk) is a small and rustic farm which enables visitors to reconnect with nature. Everyone is welcome to see the micro pigs, miniature donkeys, teddy bear sheep, pygmy goats and alpacas and there’s a café and play area.
SHOPPING
Set in picturesque buildings, there’s a special collection of shops in Court Street, West Street, Preston Street and in the Market Place, but don’t forget to take a stroll down to Standard Quay with its unique and independent shops and places to eat. It’s here you’ll find Harley's Place (harleybearscocobites.co.uk) the only dedicated dog shop in Faversham. Owner, Sami, is a canine nutritionist and is currently studying for her Canine Holistic Health Certificate. Harley's Place is home to the legendary Stinky Stuff Island which is packed full of doggy delicious natural, chemical-free and air-dried snacks. Natural supplements, first aid items, herbal wet and dry shampoos are also available. The town is proud to have the “oldest market in Kent” status and the charter market runs on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays selling a range of local produce. There are also two monthly markets… best of Faversham arts, crafts and food market on the first and third Saturday of the month and an antiques and vintage market is held on the first Sunday of the month (favershammarket.org). Out of town, Macknade’s (macknade.com) food hall, along with butchery, delicatessen, café, wine store brings together some incredible produce from the Kentish doorstep as well as from further afield.
EATING AND DRINKING
From cosy cafes to historic pubs, it’s easy to find a spot for a bite to eat or drink. The Anchor (anchorfaversham.co.uk) in Abbey Street is a 300-year-old building which has recently undergone a sympathetic refurbishment. Some of its beams are reportedly from the old Abbey in Faversham. A few minutes’ walk from the town centre and the historic creek, it has beams aplenty and a beautiful beer garden. Refinery Faversham (refineryfaversham.co.uk) has a passion for roasted coffee, loose leave tea and luxury cake, but there’s also a passion for keeping it local in the evening so expect to experience some of the finest beers, wines and spirits all produced in Kent. Fancy learning the art of making cocktails? The cocktail masterclasses are a fun-filled 90 minutes with the master barman providing tips and techniques. The Bear (bearinnfaversham.co.uk) looking out on to Faversham’s Guildhall and marketplace, is a brilliant beer house, which offers an unrivalled experience for ale aficionados. Its main bar was salvaged from a ship built at the local boatyard, while there are also two further bar areas and a patio at the front. Serving up seasonal dishes with herbs and vegetables from the walled kitchen garden, Read’s restaurant with rooms (reads.com) is set in an elegant Georgian manor house in landscaped grounds.
STAYCATION
We’ve already mentioned Mount Ephraim is well-known for the spectacular ten-acre Edwardian gardens, but it also hosts weddings and private events and it’s a lovely place to stay, too! Accommodation includes five B&B rooms, aptly named after their former inhabitants, a holiday let sleeping 12 and two glamping pods. The pods have a well-equipped kitchen with small fridge/freezer, induction hob, kettle and other essentials…there’s even an ensuite bathroom with toilet and hot shower…so this is glamping in style! Above all, Mount Ephraim ticks a lot of boxes for a countryside escape. All of the accommodation has its own individual character and provides fabulous views of the estate (mountephraimgardens.co.uk) As well as getting a bite to eat, The Quay (thequayfaversham.co.uk) in Conduit Street also has eight rooms. All have a Nespresso coffee machine and a claw top bath and four-poster emperor bed feature in one of the first-floor rooms. The Sun Inn (sunfaversham.co.uk) in West Street dates back to the 14th century and is in Faversham’s conservation area. Popular with visitors and locals alike, it also has 12 bedrooms. It’s central location within the town make it a perfect base for exploring, too.
Case study
Jonathan Neame is chief executive officer of Shepherd Neame, Britain’s oldest brewer, which is based in Faversham. He is the fifth generation of his family to be involved with the company.
'I’ve lived in Oare, which is just over a mile outside Faversham, for 25 years.
'Faversham has a unique and rich history and heritage. It’s a town with a remarkable evolution of different trades from gunpowder, to fruit, to brewing, to bricks. There is a vibrant and strong sense of community and local pride.
'Whatever your interests, there is a club or society for you in Faversham! There is a passionate commitment to make Faversham thrive. I hope to live in the area for many years to come.
'One of my favourite hidden gems in the area is the walk from Oare to Conyer along the Swale Estuary – it’s a rare wild environment, full of interesting bird life. Also, the pubs in the area are unique and special with The Sun, the Bear and the Anchor all historic gems.
'Also, our Shepherd Neame Brewery Tours really are a must for any visitor to the town.'
shepherdneame.co.uk
