Grove Ferry Things to Do Tips by planxty

This place will undoubtedly get better.

Many people wonder about the idea of the Isle of Thanet, that area of Eastern Kent comprising Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate amongst other places. Well, to explain, it is a fact that Thanet was technically an island in days past, effectively cut off from the rest of Kent by a couple of rivers, one of them being the Stour. The Grove Ferry Inn stands on this river and commemorates a hand pulled ferry across it.

On a tour of this region on a glorious August day, and having just visited the simply glorious Woodbere village (see tips and travelogue) my friend and I saw a roadsign for the Grove Ferry Inn and decided to investigate. Driving into the spacious carpark beside the large garden / kids adventure area we saw a sign stating that the place was under new management, and changes were on the way. I thought this was interesting given that pubs are closing at an alarming rate in the UK at present. A subsequent conversation with a local friend revealed that the place had been dying on it's feet for some time, and there are still signs of the way the place had been let go.

The new owners make no pretence, however. There are signs saying effectively that they know there is a lot of work to do and it will all take time. Having visited, spoken to the staff and seen the location, I really believe they can turn it round. Certainly, the location is delightful, on the bank of the previously mentioned Stour River and in the middle of Stodmarsh Reserve. There has certainly been a bit of refurbishment inside, and the place looks nice and fresh.

The emphasis is obviously on food, and whilst the menu offered is excellent (my friend had a very tasty snack although I did not eat) they apparently have plans to expand it in the future. The staff were friendly and courteous, including a rather hilarious attempt to capture a wasp that had flown in from the garden which amused me.

The building is delightful, dating from 1831 and indeed there is so much ivy on it you can barely read the inn sign. It is large inside, and apparently has 6 rooms available.

I was really impressed with the attitude of the new owners. Not only do they adknowledge the shortcomings whilst they complete their plans, they have a delightful note on the menu exhorting you to let them know of any local producers worthy of note. This is in line with the policy of trying to source all food from within 20 miles of the premises, a noble aspiration. I really cannot wait to visit in the future to see how they get on. I hope they succeed, they deserve to.

The photos hopefully give you some indication of what the place is like and I recommend you visit if you are in the area.

Address: Grove Ferry Road Upstreet Nr. Canterbury Kent CT3

Directions: Just off the A28, follow the signs. It is basically over the small bridge on the left.

Other Contact: +00 44 (0)1227 861007 (fax)

Phone: +00 44 (0)1227 860302

A wonderful old church.

In a village stuffed full with very old buildings, the parish church of all Saints stands as the oldest. It was rebuilt in the 14th century to replace the earlier Norman structure on the site. For those not familiar with Kent, the Normans built many churches here after invading England in 1066. This building is a very typical Kentish building being mostly covered in flint, a common local building material. this building style is very common in this region.

Do not be confused by the date of 1673 on the door, as this refers to a further refurbishment in that year following a fire.

Unfortunately, and somewhat sadly, the church was locked when we visited, presumably a precaution against theft and / or vandalism. It is a sad indictment of the state of my country that churches which used to be open all the time have now got to be closed in this way.

Address: Church Lane, Westbere, Kent, UK.

Two fine churchyards.

Westbere boasts not one but two very interesting graveyards. Readers of my other pages will know I have a fondness for graveyards and cemeteries. This is not a morbid fascination, rather an interest in the social history of places I visit. I find graveyards to be a great source of information about a place.

The first, and older graveyard is in the grounds of the delightful All Saints Church, and the second directly across the road. Both have lain unused since 1984 and are becoming slightly overgrown, although work is obviously still undertaken to keep Nature from completely reclaiming them. Nature has, however, certainly got a foothold there and, on a glorious August day, I found some wonderful butterflies in the newer graveyard.

For some further photos, I will post a travelogue. Please visit to see some of the wonderful and photogenic things I saw there.

Address: Church Lane, Westbere, Kent, UK.

Directions: In the grounds of the Church and directly opposite, across the lane.

Yet another fine building.

I get the impression that the village of Westbere must have been an extremely affluent place nover the years. It has no less than four hall houses dating from different periods, all of which are hugely impressive (see seperate tips). This one is Ashby House and is believed to date from aobut 1480.

Interestingly, given the way buildings change over the centuries, Ashby House has never had an upper floor, although there was a sleeping platform internally providing sleeping accomodation in past times.

The house os of the traditional wattle and daub construction as you can see but my favourite feature is the wonderful reed thatched roof.

Address: Westbere Lane, Westbere, Kent.

Directions: On the main street opposite the village green.

Every village needs it's green.

I have elsewhere described Westbere as the quintissential English village, and obviously any such place needs a green. Westbere has a particularly pleasant one, gifted to the village in 1990 by the former owners of Westbere House.

It provides a pleasant retreat in what is already a very peaceful place and apparently hosts an annual Christmas Carol service. A lovely place to spend some time.

Directions: On the main junction in the village, just down from the village church.

A mystery for you.

Have a look at the photos. The first shows a delightful row of five cottages in an idyllic English village. The second shows the date 1881, the name Cecil Cottages and the initials FCSP. So what is all that about then? Allow me to explain.

In the late 19th century, a Major Parker and his wife Sarah Elizabeth moved into Westbere House (see seperate tip) and became a Churchwarden in the nearby All Saints Church (again, see seperate tip) from 1880 until his death in 1890 and quickly became a great benefactor to the village. So the cottages were built during his time in the "great house". Only relatively recently a researcher came up with what seems like a very plausible answer tp the cryptic inscription. When you consider the Major's full given name was Francis George Shirecliffe Parker, the initials make sense. And as for Cecil? Well, the good Major's son was called, you've guessed it, Cecil. I think this is a lovely story. The buildings were sold to the Coal Board in 1917 but have now reverted to private use.

Address: 14 - 18 Westbere Lane, Westbere, Canterbury, Kent,

Directions: On the main street, going away from the A28 on the left side before the pub.

Westbere House.

In another tip I described Kemp Hall as being one of the highlights of this wonderful village, although this place must surely trump it.

It is Westbere House which dates from the early 18th century although many changes were made to the building in the succeeding 150 years and the name Westbere House does not appear in the census until 1861. What the previous name may have been, I have no notion.

It seems that there were many owners in the 19th century but by the time of the First World War, the fortunes of this wonderful building had changed for the worse and it fell into disrepair. It was then requisitioned by the Army during World War 2, hardly surprising given the villages proximity to the Kent Coast, the anticipated site of a Nazi German invasion of the UK which never actually materialised.

The owners since the Second World War have obviously spent time, and I would suggest not a little cash, on restoring the building to the wonderful edifice it is today.

Address: Westbere Lane, Westbere, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 0HH

Directions: On the same side of the road and beside Kemp Hall.

Kemp Hall.

In a village full of such architectural gems, Kemp Hall must surely rank as one of the highlights.

Scholarly opinion is divided as to the origin of the place but is generally reckoned to date from around 1480, although it may be a continuance of an older, now lost, manor house. Either way, I can attest that in the 21st century it is impressive enough to make the casual visitor draw breath. Even to my completely untutored eye, the place appears to contain two distinct parts, and I am led to believe that most of the brick part of the building dates from the 17th or 18th centuries.

This is yet another example in the village of a wonderful building now in private ownership and acting as a private dwelling. I must admit, I really would love a look inside!

Address: Westbere Lane, Westbere, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 0HH

Directions: Right opposite Box and Little Gem Cottages in the main road through the village. On the left hand side as you come from the A28.

Box and Little Gem Cottages

As the date on the gable wall clearly attests, these cottages were built in 1790, yet another very old building in this wonderfully old village. research of historical documents would suggest that they were originally known as Numbers 1 and 2 Box Cottages, although one now has adopted the name Little Gem (prehaps they grew lettuce?) and the name is believed to have derived from the Box Field that ran from the back of the buildings.

Again, these are currently inhabited, although they are delightful to look at from the outside.

Address: Westbere Lane, Westbere, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 0HH

Directions: As you enter the village, the cottages are just before Bere Lodge on the right.

Bere Lodge.

Although relatively recent (comparative to the rest of Westbere) this place really is charming. It was constructed in 1914 by a Colonel Wotton of a local brewery who at that time owned the Yew Tree Inn (see seperate tip). I discovered a grave in the local churchyard which may or not be his, the dates seem feasible.

There is a lovely story attached to these premises. the good Colonel, although he had plenty of land available, decided to build the house this close to the road as it is said he did not want to cut down an apple tree to the rear of which he was inordinately fond. The Lodge provided a residence for his two spinster sisters until their deaths. Yet another lovely building in this delightful village. Unfortunately, I omitted to take a photograph of it, so you will have to take my word that it is lovely.

Address: Westbere Lane, Westbere, near Canterbury.

Directions: As you go through the village it is on the left just before the Yew Tree Inn.