The Darling Buds of May 8Pp A5 Brochure

j Experience The the Garden Darling of england - s perfick! Budsj of Mayj j Good food,good friends,love,laughter It’s no coincidencethat Kentish food The s and producealso playa starring and beautifulcountryside: TV series, ,captures life role inThe Darling Buds of May. Darling The Darling Buds of May of s Kent,where Budsj inan idyllic rural,1950 The Darling Buds of Mayseries Mayj lifewiththe Larkin familyis never dull. capturesthe Kentwayof life,and the enjoyment of localproduce is Main cast infront of table © ITV When it first aired in 1991, the feel-good Kent’s association with growing hops has The series was based on a novel of show was an instant hit and it took top position verymuch part ofthat. One ofthe led to oast houses becoming an instantly the same name by author H.E. Bates. in the overnight ratings. Three series later earliest episodes showsthe Larkin recognisable symbol of the county and in He was born in Northamptonshire, it became a firm favourite nationwide.To this women picking strawberries,and the 19th and early 20th centuries, 80,000 but it was Kent that captured his day the series has remained in the hearts of people would have been involved in the heart when he moved to Little audiences as well as the hearts of the a major storyline sees Marietteand annual harvest at hop-picking time in ond memories tChart with his wife in 1930. s Pluckley locals, who still enjoy f Charley go onto buya hop garden September. of seeing the filming and being involved. It was some years later when the author and breweryoftheir own. And not As well as growing hops, the county has and his wife stopped at a village shop Follow this trail and step back in time to forgettingthe Larkin farm,which a strong brewing heritage. Faversham to buy sweets when inspiration struck. those idyllic days portrayed in the series is overflowingwith home grown is home to Britain’s oldest j As he waited for his wife in the car, the shop and experience all the sights, smells and and localfoodatalltimes! independent brewery, door suddenly opened and an extraordinary tastes that rural Kent has to offer. Shepherd Neame, family burst out onto the street: mother and Kent has long been celebrated as which was used father with a large brood of children hugging the Garden of England and has been in the series for bags of cr isps and sweets and licking cones famous for its orchards and hop exterior shots of of multi-coloured ice-creams. Laughing and gardens since the reign of King Bristow’s Brewery. shouting, they piled into a big blue truck Henry VIII. and disappeared into the summer haze. Kent has proudly During Henry’s reign, vegetables, The Larkin family was born. carried forward this previously considered poor man’s food, tradition and today, you can Ma and Pop picnic © ITV

The Darling Buds of May novel was first became increasingly popular with the still find a vast array of local

published in 1957 and the now much-loved nobility.The King was especially par produce from traditional tial TV series first aired in April 1991. The cast to artichokes, loved fruit and, together orchard fruits to baked goods, line-up is led by David Jason as Pop Larkin, j with Anne Boleyn, shared a passion for meat, award-winning wines and even tea. with Pam Ferris as Ma Larkin and Catherine strawberries and cherries.The Garden Restaurants and outlets throughout the Zeta-Jones, who has gone on to become of England proved a fertile larder for In the words of Pop Larkin himself: county are proud to serve and stock a Hollywood name, as the beautiful his wants and in 1533 the royal fruiterer, Kent produce and there are more than Mariette. I had suchawonderfultime Richard Harris, planted apple and fruit j 30 farmers markets, so you are never filming sucha great series orchards at Teynham.The East Kent Pluckley in Kent was chosen as the without an opportunity to try the taste and enjoyed my stayin Kent ‘fruit belt’ had been born. base for the filming and nearby Buss enormously. Thereare so many of Kent for yourself. Farm with oast-house, out-buildings lovelyplacestovisitand enjoy and a paddock became Home Farm, andthe hospitality extendedto the residence of the Larkin family. “the castand crewwasjust lovely. I hopetheweather is kindand thatyouallhavea perficktime. j Withverybestwishes from Sir DavidJason ” The Darling Buds of Maytrail bringstogetherthe idyllic sights, smellsandtastes of ruralKent thatare sowonderfullycaptured

inthe Larkin family’s lifestyle. CZJ with Strawberries © ITV Whetheryou’ve gottwo days or two hours,thetrail includes plenty of choice forthings The Darling Buds to seeand do. of Maytrail

n the village of Pluckley,you can take a look at the church where Mariette and Charley got married and where Primrose flirted with the young vicar.The village primary Ischool opposite became the village hall in the series.

Or perhaps stop off at Pop and Ma Larkin’s local,The Black Horse pub, before setting off on the circular Pluckley walk, which will take you through Kent’s famous fields and orchards.

Out of the village, you’ll find the homefancy of the the Larkins, Buss Farm, and if you beach, a trip to Folkestone will reveal the location of the Larkin’s day at the seaside and the cable car lift that was used for Pop and Charley’s heart to heart. Ma with Geese © ITV You can step back in time at agricultural museums, get hands on experience at a working windmill and admire historic vehicles. Or just sit back and take To treat your tastebuds to the Kent in the Kent countryside as you travel on the experience, take your pick from a range of options from ice cream and cheese Kent and East The trail can also be viewed online or www.kent.gov.uk/filmoffice makers to wine and fruit juice producers, Sussex Railway. downloaded from: or stock up at one of the local farm shops. j And why not stay a while? Relax, enjoy The s a slice of Darling Buds of May tranquility Darling and wake up refreshed in the Garden Budsj of of England.

Mayj

olOeig© Holmes Roger Pool Opening oc n ryRolls at And Grey Coach j SEE AND 8 LEAS LIFT, FOLKESTONE PLACES TO S Leas Lift Folkestone, Kent CT20 - England 12 HEPHERD NEAME VISIT ON THE TRAIL... UK Phone: +44 (0)1303 247 376 BREWERY leasliftfolkestone.co.uk Shepherd Neame Brewery, 1 BLACK HORSE PUB The Victorian Leas Cable Car Lift was used 17 Court Street, Faversham, ME13 7AX Tel: 01795 532 206 The Street, Pluckley, Kent TN27 j© Explore Kent as a backdrop when filming on Folkestone's Tel: 01233 841948 beach for the Larkins' seaside holiday. It is shepherdneame.co.uk 5 still operational and carries weary tourists to Shepherd Neame was used as the Known as the Fox and Hounds in the FOLKESTONE HARBOUR Darling Buds of May, The Black Horse folkestoneharbour.com The Leas for a fine view across The Channel. exterior of Bristow's Brewery. The oldest working brewery in Britain, it offers tours was Pop Larkins' local. Today it still offers When Mlle. Dupont arrives for Oscar's Open Easter to October 09.00 - 18.00 daily. and tasting. Monday to Saturday 10.30 - a typically friendly country hospitality Christening, she arrives at Folkestone 9 LITTLE CHART CRICKET CLUB 16.30 and Sundays (1 May to 30 and hearty fayre. Harbour. The Larkins first met her during their holiday to Brittany in the previous The Forstall, Rams Lane, Little Chart, September) 10.30 - 13.00. 2 BUSS FARM season. Ashford, Kent TN26 1ES Nothing says ‘British Summer’ better than 13 ST Bethersden Green,Bethersden, Kent NICHOLAS - PLUCKLEY [email protected] 6 HALDEN PLACE a game of cricket on the village green, St Nicholas Pluckley,St. James Vicarage/ Known as Home Farm to most, Buss Farm Cranbrook, Kent TN17 4JG enjoying strawberries and Champagne, Glebeland, Ashford TN27 9DH Tel: 01233 756 224 is the most iconic of all the locations: the Mrs. Kinthley's hop garden was a or even Kent's award winning sparkling g7churches/pluckley.co.uk home of the Larkin’s! Remaining virtually particularly hard find! But with the white wine from Chapel Down Winery. The church was used for the filming unchanged you can visit the farm during help of the series location manager we Little Chart cricket pitch was used in the of Mariette and Charley's wedding, the annual Darling Buds of May Classic tracked it down. Not much is visible from episode When The Green Woods Laugh. as well as the scene where Primrose tries Car Show or for groups over 25, you the road but the distinctive Oast Chimney PLUCKLEY CHURCH OF to seduce Mr Candy. can arrange visits by emailing is a dead giveaway. This is a private 10 ENGLAND PRIMARY SCHOOL [email protected]. residence. Pluckley Church of England Primary School, 14 SWAIN ROAD AGE The Street, Pluckley, Ashford, Kent, TN27 0QS Wentwood, Swain Road, St Michaels, 3 CHURCH GATES COTT KENT AND EAST SUSSEX 7 Nr Tenterden TN30 6SH Pluckley Village RAILWAY Tel: 01233 840 118 Having undergone quite a few changes Church Gate Cottage became Edith Kent & East Sussex Railway,Tenterden pluckleyprimaryschool.co.uk since it appeared in the series, Wentwood Pilchester’s home and has changed little Town Station, Station Road, Tenterden, Pluckley’s primary school doubled for cottage, Marriette and Charley's bijou in the intervening years. It is now a private Kent TN30 6HE the village hall. It was here that Mr Mason, a home, saw Charley trying to become the residence but from the pavement you can Tel: 01580 765 155 recently escaped prisoner, disguises first man to freeze strawberries and Pieter easily visualise Pop leading Edith up her kesr.org.uk himself as Santa to see his children before the German visitor proving his worth by garden path. The Kent and East Sussex Railway heading back behind bars in 'Christmas brought tax man Charley into the lives of is coming.' fixing the leaky tap. This is a private 4 FIG TREE COTTAGE the Larkins, as well as taking Ma, Charley residence. 11 Pluckley Village and Mariette to find the perfect wedding PLUCKLEY VILLAGE The exterior and garden of Fig Tree dress. The railway still hasn't run out of Pluckley Village Cottage were used as the Brigadier's steam and operates much as it did during The small village of Pluckley was the garden. Die-hard fans of the series will the series. A train timetable can be heart of the Darling Buds territory. The no doubt remember the Brigadier walking downloaded from the website: local butchers in the square featured and out into the street as the Larkin's test drive kesr.org.uk/timetable the local post office was turned into the the new Rolls Royce. This is a private Larkins’ local grocery shop. residence which can be seen from the pavement. Behind the scenes blue truck © ITV j S PRODUCTS 19 FARMER PALMER' Jesse’s Farm, Wanden Lane, Egerton, Ashford TN27 9DB 18 EL VEY FARM HOTEL Tel: 01233 756 609 21 HARB Elvey Farm Country Hotel, ElveyAshford TN27 0SU OURNE VINEYARD farmerpalmermeats.co.uk The Harbourne Vineyard, Wittersham, Tel: 01233 840 442 Specialising in the production of quality Tenterden, Kent TN30 7NP elveyfarm.co.uk beef, lamb and pork processed on their Tel: 01797 270 420 Enjoy some real peace and quiet surrounded by own farm, Farmer Palmer meats can harbournevineyard.co.uk seventy five acres of Kent countryside. The nine RT GARDENS be purchased at various outlets in the area, A small family owned and run vineyard 15 BEECH COU rooms are the closest you can get to a rural idyll including farmers markets. Check the and winery using traditional methods. Beech Court Gardens, Beech Court Gardens, and there is a restaurant on site serving locally website for details. Drop into the on-site shop open on an Challock,Nr Ashford, Kent TN25 4DJ sourced food. evening or at the weekend to buy the wine. Tel: 01233 740 735 20 FROGSHOLE FARM beechcourtgardens.co.uk Frogshole Farm, Sissinghurst Road, 22 HERE Beech Court Gardens are a nationally FORD OAST Biddenden, Kent TN27 8EY Hereford Oast Smarden Bell Road, renowned 10 acre oasis of tranquillity Tel: 01580 291196 Smarden, Ashford, Kent TN27 8PA and beauty. The beautiful English gardens The Darling Buds frogsholefarm.com Tel: 01233 770 541 can be visited between April and October of May - A WALK Farm producing local Asparagus which herefordoast.co.uk from 10.30 - 17.30 except Fridays is sold at the farm shop seven days a week Hereford Oast is a single oast built in in season - mid April to early June. D AROUND PLUCKLEY 1876, set within 21.5 acres of wooded 16 BIDDENDEN VINEYAR grounds including a charming English Gribble Bridge Lane Farm Gribble Bridge country garden. Breakfast for guests Lane, Biddenden, Kent TN27 8DF staying in the two rooms is served in Tel: 01580 291 726 the original Victorian Roundel, formerly biddendenvineyards.com used for drying hops, and includes This is Kent's oldest family-owned home made preserves and local produce. Vineyard, located just outside the picturesque village of Biddenden. It produces award winning wines alongside farm pressed apple juice and deceptively Centre of Pluckley Village strong Kentish cider. Open seven days Black Horse a week from 11.00 - 17.00. Pub 17 CLEARLY JUICE Clearly Juice Limited, Great Tong Farm, Headcorn, TN27 9PP Church Gate Pluckley CoE Cottage Tel: 01622 891 352 Primary School St. Nicholas’ clearlyjuice.co.uk Church 200 years of fruit growing, has produced a range of single variety apple juices with a distinctive style. Unfortunately there is no access to the orchards, but you can purchase juice from suppliers listed on Fig Tree Cottage

'To find out about more walks in Kent please visit www.kent.gov.uk/explorekent Ma Painting Victoria With Lamb© Roger Homles j 31 THE AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM The Agricultural Museum, Brook, The Street, Brook, Ashford, Kent TN25 5PF agriculturalmuseumbrook.org.uk j 23 NT TEA AND TRADING COMPANY 27 KE PLUCKLEY FARM SHOP The museum hosts a variety of collections Weeks, Smarden Road, Pluckley, Kent Tea & Trading Co, Pivington Mill, j charting farming history, including j Pluckley, Ashford, TN27 0PG Ashford, Kent, TN27 0RF 34 THE DERING A j ploughing, seed sowing, harvesting RMS Tel: 01233 840 265 Tel: 01233 840 400 The Grove, Pluckley, kent TR27 0RR and associated crafts. Open on kenttea.co.uk pluckleyfarmshop.co.uk Tel: 01233 840 371 weekends from June to September Pluckley Tea is one of over 200 different A farm shop and fine food store deringarms.com from 14.00 - 17.00. teas and coffees roasted and blended on selling Kent produce to local people. The Dering Arms houses an award site and sold at this unique shop. Store is Open Monday-Friday: 09.00 - 18.00 32 THE C.M. BOOTH COLLECTION winning seafood restaurant, serving open weekdays from 09.00 – 14.00. Saturday:09.00 - 17.00 Sunday:10.00 - 16.00. OF HISTORIC VEHICLES up some of the finest seafood dishes C.M Booth Collection, Falstaff Antiques, in Kent. Known locally for its high quality 24 KINGCOTT CHEESE 28 RARE BR EEDS CENTRE 63-67 Highstreet, Rolvenden, Cranbrook, fresh food, you may also enjoy the fine Kingcott Cheese Ltd, Iden Manor Farm, Rare Breeds Centre, Woodchurch, Kent TN17 4LP selection of local ale and cider and the Cranbrook Road, Staplehurst, Kent TN12 0ES Ashford, Kent TN26 3RJ morganmuseum.org.uk three guest rooms. Tel: 01580 892 478 Tel: 01233 861 493 A private collection specialising in kentishblue.co.uk rarebreeds.org.uk 35 Morgan cars dating from 1909 to 1936. WILLESBOROUGH WINDMILL Kentish Blue is an un-pasteurised, mould Apart from getting a chance to see some of Willesborough Windmill, Ashford, Kent There are early motorcycles, cycles, ripened, blue, handmade cheese using the British rare and heritage farm breeds, Tel: 01233 661 866 garage equipment, Automobilia, as well milk straight from their Holstein-Friesian the centre offers 120 acres of woodland, willesboroughwindmill.co.uk as toy and model cars on display. Open herd. This exclusive produce can be ponds, fields and play areas. Open April A working windmill where the traditional purchased from numerous Kent shows. Monday to Saturdays 10.00 - 17.30. to November daily 10.30 - 17.30 - November method of producing stone ground flour listed on the website. to March, Tues - Sun 10.30 - 16.30. 33 THE CHAPEL DOWN WINERY can be observed and children are in- 25 KENT LIFE The Chapel Down Winery, Tenterden vited to try their hand at making a small 29 SILCOCKS FARM SHOP sample of flour using quern stones in Kent Life, Lock Lane, Sandling, Silcocks Farm Shop, Grange Road, St Vineyard, Small Hythe, Tenterden, Kent,TN30 7NG the traditional way. Open Weekends and Maidstone, Kent ME14 3AU Michael’s Tenterden, Kent TN30 6TL Tel: 01580 763 033 Bank Holidays as well as Mon and Wed Tel: 01622 763 936 Tel: 01580 763 351 englishwinesgroup.com 10.00 - 17.00 in July and August for kentlife.org.uk s silcocksfarm-organics.co.uk Award winning winery in the heart of Kent. guided tours. Museum located in the Weald of Farm shop retailing their own organic The Wine and Fine Food store sells a full Kent including oast houses, barns and and rare breed produce: beef, lamb, range of Chapel Down wines and has a 36 WOOD a herb garden. Within the 28 acres there port and rose veal. There is also an on dedicated tasting area. Tours are available CHURCH WINDMILL Ashford, Kent TN26 3QW are animals to cuddle, tractors to ride, site butchery. Open from 09.00 - 16.00 daily from June to Sept and weekends only Tel: 01233 860 649 play areas to go wild in, fascinating Tuesday to Saturday. in May and October. Call to confirm woodchurchwindmill.co.uk historic buildings to explore and cafés availability before your visit. The on site The windmill has extensive views over to relax in. Open daily 10.00 - 17.00. 30 SIMPLY ICE CREAM ‘Tochard Phillips at Chapel Down’ the village and countryside towards Simply Icecream Ltd, The Nook, restaurant has a south facing sun terrace B & B the English Channel. It is a fine example 26 PARSONAGE COTTAGE Bonnington, Ashford TN25 7BA overlooking the beautiful vineyards and herb of a Kentish smock mill. Open Parsonage Cottage Bed and Breakfast, Tel:01233 720 922 garden. Open daily from 10.00-17.00. Station Road, Pluckley, Ashford, Kent TN27 0QZsimplyicecream.co.uk 13.00 - 17.00 Sundays and Bank Tel: 01233 840 118 Hand made, using the freshest local Holidays between Easter and the end parsonagecottagebandbpluckley.co.uk ingredients, Simply Ice Cream can be of September and also on Saturdays s Parsonage Cottage is one of the oldest purchased all over Kent. A full list of during July and August. houses in Pluckley, with parts dating back suppliers can be found on above website. for over 400 years. It is set back from the road, so if you are looking for some peace KENTISH FARMERS' MARKETS www.kfma.org.uk and tranquillity, you will find it here. There are many farmers' markets in Darling Buds of May Country for all you foodie fanatics to enjoy. Why not pop along to savour the flavour of real Kentish produce straight from the fields? Visit theKent Farmers' Markets Association website for locations and opening times. j e s For more information Th on the darling buds of may trail, including Darling special offers, behind of the scenes images Budsj and more, go to: Mayj www.KENT.GOV.UK/FILMOFFICE

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