Kent holiday cottage: Hollingbourne

We'd thoroughly recommend Twitchers for anyone wanting a relaxing family holiday in rural Kent. The heated swimming pool was great for the kids, in a really secluded sunspot - and we had virtually sole use of it the week we were there. The oasthouse conversion itself is very tastefully done, very practical but also with real character. The downstairs en suite bedroom was a real plus, as we had a disabled grandparent with us - one of the main reasons we booked Twitchers in the first place. But the real winning point are the grounds - fantastically well maintained gardens, lawns and borders, with tame moorhens, ducks and chicken roaming free - sometimes right up to the frontdoor. A haven of tranquility! We also saw a Kingfisher in the pond right next to the house, Heron and an Adder (!) - thankfully not in the garden, but whilst walking on the Pilgrim way which runs just a couple of hundred yards from the house.
The owner (Pauline) was extremely welcoming - fresh free range eggs and home made cake on arrival, plums and blackberries from the garden and home made jams later in the week! Another nice touch was the fact that the Village shop were happy to deliver a daily newspaper to the frontdoor - luxury!
In spite of feeling away from it all, the transport links are great - M2 only 1.5 miles away (only just audible from garden), giving easy access to Maidstone, Ashford and points further afield. We got to Hever Castle (other side of Tonbridge), Tudelely church (amazing Chagall stained glass windows) and Sissinghurst (world famous gardens) - but really only touched the surface of the olde worlde charm of rural Kent - much more to see next time!