Mulberry Cottages | Bonnington Cottage in Kent
Towards the end of June, Bhavin and I headed to Kent for a short staycation. Having recently enjoyed a wonderful cottage stay in Cornwall, we realised that we were beginning to enjoy these self-catering holidays more than before. After having explored some stunning parts of Cornwall, this time around we were lured to another beautiful part of the UK - Kent. Kent, often referred to as the Garden of England, is an ideal place for a short break. With a number of beautiful gardens, stunning castles, villages with thatched cottages, elegant stately homes and lots of other family attractions, Kent has a lot to offer to its visitors.
Our stay in Kent was booked through Mulberry Cottages who are a boutique self-catering lettings agency with over 600 properties in their portfolio. Whether you are looking for pet-friendly cottages, seaside cottages, cottages with pools or hot tubs, or something totally quirky - like a Coastguard radar monitoring station turned into a holiday accommodation - you will find it on Mulberry Cottage's website. We were looking for a rural bolthole with easy access to some of Kent's popular attractions and so after looking through the selection on Mulberry Cottages' website, we picked Bonnington Cottage for our holiday.
Tucked away in a lovely countryside setting, less than 20 minutes from Canterbury Cathedral, is Bonnington Cottage. The cottage is a timber jettied building from the 16th century. It was originally used as a granary and then converted to a farmhouse. After refurbishment in 2017, the Cottage was converted into the beautiful holiday home that it is today.
While browsing through Mulberry Cottages' website, I was drawn to the chocolate box exterior of this cottage leading me to pick this for our holiday. Once the booking was done, we received an email from Mulberry Cottages with all the necessary details. The code to access the key safe at the property was also provided in the email. So, we just had to drive down to the cottage and let ourselves in.
Bonnington Cottage is a 2 bedroom cottage that has a small enclosed garden and parking for two cars in a lane alongside the cottage. The timber-framed cottage with its cosy interiors, exposed beams, low ceilings and a lovely fireplace - has oodles of charm. The decor across the property was comfortable and welcoming. A good mix of old world charm and modern comforts!
On the ground floor was the sitting room furnished with a sofa and chairs and a reading table. Smart TV and a wood burner were also provided. My favourite part in the living room was the bookshelf with a host of reading material.
The kitchen was also on the ground floor. It had everything one could need - induction hob & oven, dishwasher, fridge, all kinds of cutlery & crockery, cleaning supplies, tea towels, dining table and chairs. A visitor manual with lots of useful information - the history of the house, gadget operation instructions, pubs & restaurants nearby etc. - was also provided. The cottage did not have Wi-Fi connectivity when we visited but an alternative mobile data network access had been arranged. The ground floor also had a cloakroom with WC.
Accessed via a steep staircase are the bedrooms (on the first floor) - a master bedroom with a king-size bed, built-in wardrobes & a free standing mirror and a second bedroom with two single beds, built-in wardrobe and a chest of drawers. Both the bedrooms were carpeted, done up in tasteful colours and had a relaxing feel. The bed was comfortable and we slept well on all nights. It felt more like a home away from home rather than a holiday let.
The bathroom (also on the first floor) had a bath with an overhead shower, basin, and WC. Towels were provided so you don’t need to pack those; just bring your own toiletries.
The small enclosed garden was lovely - lots of beautifully scented, colorful flowers attracting butterflies and bees. I also spotted some fragrant herbs. The garden was simple and had a relaxed style, a trademark of the quintessentially British cottage garden. Garden furniture had been provided and it was a lovely spot to enjoy our breakfast every morning.
Overall, the cottage was a lovely space; ideal for couples or a small family. It was welcoming, comfortable, well-furnished and makes an ideal base for exploring Kent. We loved how quiet and peaceful it was at the cottage.
The location of Bonnington Cottage was incredible - rural and set within a country estate yet only a 10-30 minutes’ drive from many popular tourist attractions. Some of the places you could visit while staying at the cottage are:
Goodnestone Park Gardens, around 5 minutes
Just 5 minutes away from Bonnington Cottage is this beautifully maintained and relaxing garden. There is a lot to see and explore - the walled garden, parterre and terraces, an arboretum, woodland garden and a nursey. A great place to visit if you are a lover of gardens.
Canterbury Cathedral, less than 20 minutes
Part of a World Heritage Site, the Canterbury Cathedral needs no introduction. The Cathedral dates back to 597AD when St. Augustine established his seat in Canterbury and is one of the oldest and most famous Christian structures in England. The Cathedral is home to a number of historical items and it is well worth taking the official guided tour if you are keen to learn more.
Deal Castle, less than 25 minutes
An English Heritage site, the Deal Castle was built by the order of King Henry VIII and is considered to be one of the finest Tudor artillery castles in England. Today all that remains is the bare structure of the castle and a permanent exhibition which sheds light on the history of the castle and the place. There are some tunnels beneath the bastions that are fun to explore.
Walmer Castle and Gardens, under 30 minutes
Another English Heritage site and just a mile away from Deal Castle, Walmer Castle makes for an enjoyable visit. There is lots more to see compared to Deal Castle. The gardens are beautiful especially the Queen Mother's Garden and the Broadwalk Garden.
Dover Castle, under 25 minutes
Situated atop the famous White Cliffs of Dover, Dover Castle is one the most iconic of English fortresses and a very popular tourist attraction. You can easily spend most of the day here as the Castle has lots to offer. Filled with medieval history, some of the interesting places to explore in the castle are the Great Tower, the Underground Hospital, and the medieval tunnels. The views from the castle are amazing too. Overall, definitely worth a visit but do note that there is a lot of walking & climbing involved.
Dover Museum, under 25 minutes
Located in the town centre of Dover, this small museum has a number of interesting exhibits, a popular one being a Bronze Age boat that was found in Dover.
Wingham Wildlife Park, under 10 minutes
Less than 10 minutes drive from the cottages is Wingham Wildlife Park that is home to over 200 species of animals including jaguars, tigers, red pandas, meerkats, lemurs, a number of reptiles & birds, cheetahs and penguins. The park also has a permanent exhibit called the 'Dinosaur Park' which features nearly 30 life-like dinosaur models - a big hit with young children! The park also offers a 'Keeper for a Day' experience where you can meet many of the animals up close and help with their feeding & cleaning.
St Augustine's Abbey, around 15 minutes
Yet another English Heritage Site, this abbey is an important part of the Canterbury World Heritage Site. Audio guides are available on site and these give you good information about the abbey ruins.
Sandwich, around 15 minutes
It is one of the most well-preserved medieval towns in the country. The Historic Town Trail is a must-do if you are visiting.
Kearsney Abbey and Russell Gardens, 25 minutes
One of the most popular and historic parks in Dover. These parks are beautifully landscaped and are a part of the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
We loved our stay at Bonnington Cottage. It was the perfect countryside getaway; ideally located to explore many popular attractions in Kent as well as being a peaceful and relaxing space to recharge your batteries. In fact, when it was time to leave, we did so with a heavy heart not wanting to leave this beautiful, rural cottage. We would definitely return to Bonnington Cottage.
If you'd like to book Bonnington Cottage for your next holiday, you can check the availability and book via www.mulberrycottages.com. Mulberry Cottages have over 600 properties most located in Southern England. In addition to beautiful cottages, their portfolio also includes country houses, beachside retreats, and city center apartments.
If you have any questions about Bonnington Cottage, do leave a comment and I will answer them.
We stayed at Bonnington Cottage as guests of Mulberry Cottages. All opinions, as always, are our own.
Mulberry Cottages
Our stay in Kent was booked through Mulberry Cottages who are a boutique self-catering lettings agency with over 600 properties in their portfolio. Whether you are looking for pet-friendly cottages, seaside cottages, cottages with pools or hot tubs, or something totally quirky - like a Coastguard radar monitoring station turned into a holiday accommodation - you will find it on Mulberry Cottage's website. We were looking for a rural bolthole with easy access to some of Kent's popular attractions and so after looking through the selection on Mulberry Cottages' website, we picked Bonnington Cottage for our holiday.
Bonnington Cottage | A Peaceful Retreat
Tucked away in a lovely countryside setting, less than 20 minutes from Canterbury Cathedral, is Bonnington Cottage. The cottage is a timber jettied building from the 16th century. It was originally used as a granary and then converted to a farmhouse. After refurbishment in 2017, the Cottage was converted into the beautiful holiday home that it is today.
While browsing through Mulberry Cottages' website, I was drawn to the chocolate box exterior of this cottage leading me to pick this for our holiday. Once the booking was done, we received an email from Mulberry Cottages with all the necessary details. The code to access the key safe at the property was also provided in the email. So, we just had to drive down to the cottage and let ourselves in.
Bonnington Cottage is a 2 bedroom cottage that has a small enclosed garden and parking for two cars in a lane alongside the cottage. The timber-framed cottage with its cosy interiors, exposed beams, low ceilings and a lovely fireplace - has oodles of charm. The decor across the property was comfortable and welcoming. A good mix of old world charm and modern comforts!
On the ground floor was the sitting room furnished with a sofa and chairs and a reading table. Smart TV and a wood burner were also provided. My favourite part in the living room was the bookshelf with a host of reading material.
The kitchen was also on the ground floor. It had everything one could need - induction hob & oven, dishwasher, fridge, all kinds of cutlery & crockery, cleaning supplies, tea towels, dining table and chairs. A visitor manual with lots of useful information - the history of the house, gadget operation instructions, pubs & restaurants nearby etc. - was also provided. The cottage did not have Wi-Fi connectivity when we visited but an alternative mobile data network access had been arranged. The ground floor also had a cloakroom with WC.
Accessed via a steep staircase are the bedrooms (on the first floor) - a master bedroom with a king-size bed, built-in wardrobes & a free standing mirror and a second bedroom with two single beds, built-in wardrobe and a chest of drawers. Both the bedrooms were carpeted, done up in tasteful colours and had a relaxing feel. The bed was comfortable and we slept well on all nights. It felt more like a home away from home rather than a holiday let.
The bathroom (also on the first floor) had a bath with an overhead shower, basin, and WC. Towels were provided so you don’t need to pack those; just bring your own toiletries.
The small enclosed garden was lovely - lots of beautifully scented, colorful flowers attracting butterflies and bees. I also spotted some fragrant herbs. The garden was simple and had a relaxed style, a trademark of the quintessentially British cottage garden. Garden furniture had been provided and it was a lovely spot to enjoy our breakfast every morning.
Overall, the cottage was a lovely space; ideal for couples or a small family. It was welcoming, comfortable, well-furnished and makes an ideal base for exploring Kent. We loved how quiet and peaceful it was at the cottage.
Out and about
The location of Bonnington Cottage was incredible - rural and set within a country estate yet only a 10-30 minutes’ drive from many popular tourist attractions. Some of the places you could visit while staying at the cottage are:
Goodnestone Park Gardens, around 5 minutes
Just 5 minutes away from Bonnington Cottage is this beautifully maintained and relaxing garden. There is a lot to see and explore - the walled garden, parterre and terraces, an arboretum, woodland garden and a nursey. A great place to visit if you are a lover of gardens.
Canterbury Cathedral, less than 20 minutes
Part of a World Heritage Site, the Canterbury Cathedral needs no introduction. The Cathedral dates back to 597AD when St. Augustine established his seat in Canterbury and is one of the oldest and most famous Christian structures in England. The Cathedral is home to a number of historical items and it is well worth taking the official guided tour if you are keen to learn more.
Deal Castle, less than 25 minutes
An English Heritage site, the Deal Castle was built by the order of King Henry VIII and is considered to be one of the finest Tudor artillery castles in England. Today all that remains is the bare structure of the castle and a permanent exhibition which sheds light on the history of the castle and the place. There are some tunnels beneath the bastions that are fun to explore.
Walmer Castle and Gardens, under 30 minutes
Another English Heritage site and just a mile away from Deal Castle, Walmer Castle makes for an enjoyable visit. There is lots more to see compared to Deal Castle. The gardens are beautiful especially the Queen Mother's Garden and the Broadwalk Garden.
Dover Castle, under 25 minutes
Situated atop the famous White Cliffs of Dover, Dover Castle is one the most iconic of English fortresses and a very popular tourist attraction. You can easily spend most of the day here as the Castle has lots to offer. Filled with medieval history, some of the interesting places to explore in the castle are the Great Tower, the Underground Hospital, and the medieval tunnels. The views from the castle are amazing too. Overall, definitely worth a visit but do note that there is a lot of walking & climbing involved.
Dover Museum, under 25 minutes
Located in the town centre of Dover, this small museum has a number of interesting exhibits, a popular one being a Bronze Age boat that was found in Dover.
Wingham Wildlife Park, under 10 minutes
Less than 10 minutes drive from the cottages is Wingham Wildlife Park that is home to over 200 species of animals including jaguars, tigers, red pandas, meerkats, lemurs, a number of reptiles & birds, cheetahs and penguins. The park also has a permanent exhibit called the 'Dinosaur Park' which features nearly 30 life-like dinosaur models - a big hit with young children! The park also offers a 'Keeper for a Day' experience where you can meet many of the animals up close and help with their feeding & cleaning.
St Augustine's Abbey, around 15 minutes
Yet another English Heritage Site, this abbey is an important part of the Canterbury World Heritage Site. Audio guides are available on site and these give you good information about the abbey ruins.
Sandwich, around 15 minutes
It is one of the most well-preserved medieval towns in the country. The Historic Town Trail is a must-do if you are visiting.
Kearsney Abbey and Russell Gardens, 25 minutes
One of the most popular and historic parks in Dover. These parks are beautifully landscaped and are a part of the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Our thoughts
We loved our stay at Bonnington Cottage. It was the perfect countryside getaway; ideally located to explore many popular attractions in Kent as well as being a peaceful and relaxing space to recharge your batteries. In fact, when it was time to leave, we did so with a heavy heart not wanting to leave this beautiful, rural cottage. We would definitely return to Bonnington Cottage.
Book your holiday
If you'd like to book Bonnington Cottage for your next holiday, you can check the availability and book via www.mulberrycottages.com. Mulberry Cottages have over 600 properties most located in Southern England. In addition to beautiful cottages, their portfolio also includes country houses, beachside retreats, and city center apartments.
If you have any questions about Bonnington Cottage, do leave a comment and I will answer them.
Bonnington Cottage seems very warm and hospitable! A good mix of old world charm and modern comforts makes this place absolutely lovely. In fact, if you plan to come to India, there are loads of such comfortable and hospitable BnBs or Homestays that are waiting to be written about! I would love to book my stay in UK through Mulberry cottages.
ReplyDeleteMulberry Cottages have over 600 properties in Southern England, so you are sure to find a cottage that suits your needs.
DeleteThis cottage looks so cute and relaxing. I have never been to Kent, but the sound of a countryside getaway sounds so lovely right now :) Love all the photos you shared too!
ReplyDeleteThat cottage is so cute. They did a wonderful job of converting it from a farmhouse. Going to a self contained holiday house or bach is a common thing to do in New Zealand.
ReplyDeleteYes, a lovely chocolate-box cottage that made for a lovely holiday home. I think self-catering holidays have been gaining a lot of popularity in the recent years.
DeleteThese cottages look straight out of a Jane Austen novel. I'd love to spend some night there. The gardens are beautiful...the English countryside is so beautiful in the summer, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely cottage! I love the diamond windows, and all the decor i very nicely done. And how better to spend an afternoon than relaxing in that beautiful garden! It lookks like a fab place for a staycation!
ReplyDeleteYes, Claire, a lovely place for a staycation. I did not want to leave the place :)
DeleteBonnington Cottage is so pretty, and somewhere which is great for a weekend break. It's so English, and reminds me of something from a classic Dickens novel! It's not bad there's no wifi actually, because you can switch off!
ReplyDeleteThe cottages looks so cosy and charming. All the flowers makes a difference, not to forget about the wooden design. That is what I associate with cottages. I would love to stay in a cottage like this. Thank you so much for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteI have personally never heard of Mulberry Cottages but its cool to know that they have more than 600 properties and in great locations - beachside cottages and those in the rural countryside, like this one you stayed at, seem to be my top picks. Bonnington Cottages do look like the perfect way to spend some quiet time in the middle of nature and yet it is located not too far from the sites might want to visit, like the castles. The cottage looks cosy, even though it is spacious. Makes for a lovely staycation!
ReplyDelete