Suffield House

Upchurch lies just inland of the Medway estuary, near the Saxon Shoreway footpath, on a part of the north Kent coast where industrial landscape mingles with marshes and mudflats, particularly attractive to bird life. This is not the Kentish Weald of quaint villages and rolling downs, but an area rich in history and much to occupy the visitor. For example, the old naval dockyard at Chatham has a spectacular visitor’s centre, and Rochester (with fine Cathedral and Castle) and its environs are bound in Dickens associations.

Vicky and Phil Newbery’s pretty Victorian cottage sits in the middle of the village. It is very stylishly decorated throughout, with nice old pieces of furniture. Bedrooms are immaculate and well equipped. For dinner, Vicky might serve bean and pasta soup, followed by fresh fish from Whitstable and then a homemade Tiramisu. The nearby Golf Club - where you might play for a green fee - also has a restaurant.

Readers comments: “Everything about the accommodation and breakfast was superb and we were made to feel very welcome”.