Colret House

Bed & Breakfast.

Local Interest.

COLDRED, is on top of the North Downs above Dover and at nearly 400 ft., one of the highest places in East Kent. The village comprises some 55 assorted dwellings and less than 150 inhabitants. The name of the village is thought to derive from the charcoal burners who used to live here.

Coldred is a conservation area and won the "Best Kept Small Village" title in 1993 and "Kent's Best Kept Village" in both 1996 and 1997.

Village life is centred on the Norman built St. Pancras Church and the village hostelry "The Carpenters Arms", which has a mason's mark dated 1716 over the fireplace.

"The Carpenters" is a true "local", serving the needs of the community and acting as a village hall, leisure centre and social meeting place. The selection of drinks is somewhat limited and food is not served and as such it is not always appealing to visitors although it is worth a visit.

SO WHERE TO EAT........

There are several pubs and restaurants nearby catering for all tastes and pockets. In each room you will find a folder which includes details of local restaurants, menus and prices.

Dover and Canterbury have a variety of restaurants although Canterbury is by far the more varied.

WHAT TO DO........

Dover, - Busiest passenger port in the world. The soaring white cliffs are an enduring symbol of island Britain. The Romans bequeathed the lighthouse and "Painted House", the Saxons the Church of St Mary-in-Castro, Norman and English Kings built the forbidding castle. The Grand Shaft staircase was part of the port's defences against Napoleon. The labyrinth of tunnels in Hellfire Corner below the castle was the nerve centre for the evacuation of Dunkirk and the Battle of Britain.

Canterbury, - Bell Harry Tower, 500 years old, soars over one of the world's great cathedrals, mother church of Anglican faith. St Augustine re-established Christianity here in the 6th century, and the murder of Thomas Becket made it an important shrine. Wartime bombs destroyed one-third of the city centre, but plenty survives including medieval streets, stretches of the old city walls and ruins of Norman castle and St Augustine's Abbey. The old time charm is brought bang up to date with excellent shopping facilities.

Deal, - 14 miles. Quiet fishing port retaining 18th century charm. Henry VIII built the spendid tudor-rose shaped Deal Castle. There are naval communication displays in the 19th century Time Ball Tower and the seafaring history of the area is displayed in the Town Hall and Maritime Museum. Walmer Castle is 2 miles along the coast towards Dover.

Walking:- Several well known lengthy footpaths start in this area of East Kent. The North Downs Way passes through the village. Also nearby are the Saxon Shore Way following the cliff route from Sandwich and Elham Valley Way. National cycle route 16 also passes Coldred Church.

Sport:- Motor sport meetings for both cars and bikes are held regularly at Lydden Circuit only 5 minutes away. There are several Golf courses including the 3 famous links stretching between Sandwich and Deal of which Royal St George's was the venue for the British Open in July 2003. There is also a good course at Broome Park some 3 miles away previously the home of Earl Haig. Kent County Cricket play the majority of their county matches at Canterbury. Sea angling is allowed from the beaches all around the coast.

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