Kent’s scenic village with Michelin star pub, acclaimed hotel and ancient church

Good things come in small packages. This classic saying simply couldn’t be more accurate when looking at the teeny tiny village of Bridge near Canterbury.

While it might not be a part of the county you’ve heard a great deal about, it’s one that should absolutely be on your list of places to visit for 2024. Found two-and-a-half miles south east of Canterbury, Bridge might be overshadowed by its big city neighbour, but it has plenty to offer in its own right.

According to the latest census held in 2021, the area holds a population of little over 1,500 people and the village itself spans only 1.58 square miles. Nestled amongst gorgeous countryside and farmland, it’s the epitome of quiet rural life in the Garden of England.

Among its most notable features is The Bridge Arms gastropub, one of Kent’s few Michelin-starred restaurants. Started by the team behind the critically acclaimed Fordwich Arms found nearby in the nation’s smallest town, high-quality, locally sourced food is the focus of The Bridge Arms.

It prides itself on its “produce-driven” menus which are centred around “seasonality and provenance”. Originally a 16th century coaching inn, the Grade-II listed pub is dog-friendly, boasts original fireplaces to keep things cosy during the winter months and an outside bar during the summer.

An exterior view of The Bridge Arms pub, in Bridge near Canterbury on a clear day.

In 2021, new owners Daniel and Natasha Smith took over the establishment, giving the pub an impressive refurbishment and ‘restoring its former glory’. True experts in their field, Daniel was named the Observer’s Young Chef in 2016 while Natasha previously worked at the Michelin starred Chapter One in Kent among other acclaimed foodie destinations.

The pub’s seasonal menu sees high quality, local produce cooked over charcoal in a Josper oven, giving the dishes their signature style. The Michelin guide states: “The highly skilled cooking is available in a range of forms, from snacks like buttermilk fried chicken to dishes cooked over charcoal in the Josper oven, which feature on the seasonal à la carte.

“Prime seasonal produce like line-caught turbot is treated with exacting detail by the chefs, resulting in beautifully seasoned dishes. Recently, The Bridge Arms landed itself a spot on the prestigious Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs list .

The list is described as an “opportunity to highlight and celebrate the talent within the industry”, and is an incredibly high honour for an establishment to receive. Four other Kent boozers managed to make the cut, including the aforementioned Fordwich Arms.

The Red Lion Inn is another of the village’s pubs, which has seen great praise from past guests. Known for its hearty gastropub dishes, the establishment currently holds a TripAdvisor rating of four stars out of five. The pub is currently closed for refurbishment but will re-open on Saturday, February 10.

Being a countryside village within the Kent Downs Area of Outstand Natural Beauty, it should come as no surprise that Bridge has plenty of scenic walking routes and trails, which are perfect for a brisk winter stroll. If after all your walking and pubbing you’re feeling too tuckered out to face the journey home then you’re in luck, as the village also houses a renowned boutique hotel.

An exterior look at The Pig at Bridge, a luxury hotel situated within a 17th century manor house.

The Pig at Bridge opened in 2019 and has risen the ranks to be one of Kent’s most celebrated luxury hotels. In fact, the hotel proudly took the number four spot in a ranking of the nation’s top 50 boutique hotels in 2022.

A 17th century manor house with a quirky Jacobean interior, owners have described the location as “an intriguing old building with a rock-n-roll vibe”. It boasts a range of period features, including large fireplaces, secret stairways, panelled rooms and more, all of which have been carefully restored to maintain site’s period charm.

It features seven primary bedrooms, while attached to the main building is the Coach House with a restaurant and 12 further rooms. Hop Picker’ Huts sit just over the brook which you skip over on a little hand-crafted bridge, each of which has a double bedroom, a bathroom and a wood-burning stove.

St Peter’s Church has a history dating back to 1189

For the history buffs, St Peter’s Church is an absolute must-visit in Bridge. A chapel has existed on the site since 1189, which was then enlarged throughout the 12th and 13th centuries to become a church. During the mid-19th century, St Peter’s was restored and enlarged further. The Grade-II listed building stands as one of the village’s central landmarks and continues to provide regular services to this day.

Should all of this be enough to entice you to Bridge a little more permanently, you’ll be pleased to know that house prices are fairly close to the county’s average. Rightmove reports that over the last year, properties in Bridge sold for an average price of £498,615, a little higher than the Kent average of £455,624.

Bridge has plenty to offer for visitors and residents alike

The High Street is lined with a number of charming shops and businesses, and the village also has a popular tea room, perfect for a lunchtime bite. There is a village hall which is available to hire, a health care centre and a dentist, plus a football pitch and tennis court to make the most of.

The nearest school is the Bridge and Patrixbourne C of E Primary School, which holds an Ofsted rating of ‘good’ following its latest inspection in October 2023. Numerous secondary schools, colleges and universities can be found a short distance away in the city of Canterbury. The village benefits from easy access to the A2, making journeys around East Kent and beyond a breeze, while the nearest train station is found in the neighbouring village of Bekesbourne.

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