Move over The Pig, The Newt, Soho Farmhouse and any other much-hyped rural retreat, for Updown Farmhouse really is the ideal English countryside getaway; elegant, bohemian, bucolic. Or as the legendary Grace Dent described it in The Guardian:
“Somehow [owners] Ruth Leigh and Oli Brown have taken this Grade II-listed building and created one of those quintessentially British, rural settings that matches how American screenwriters believe we all live: endless days perusing dusty, arty tomes in our boldly painted libraries, padding about in our bohemian country piles.”
And what’s more, the restaurant – more on that later – has just received a Michelin star. Booking in advance is a must, as it has become increasingly in demand.
The location
Situated just outside Deal in Kent, the 17th-century former working farmhouse sits tucked away down a quiet country lane amidst the ‘Garden of England’s’ woodland and wildflower meadows. Occupying around seven and a half acres of restored grounds, including a walled garden, kitchen garden and flower garden that grows the beautiful blooms that decorate throughout. Hunter wellies for every shoe size sit by the back door if you fancy a yomp around the property or even further afield.
This summer, Updown Farmhouse opened an outdoor heated swimming pool, hidden away in the corner of the garden, surrounded by ancient woodland, elegant palms, ferns, and fabulous striped sunloungers – giving it a certain old-world Hollywood charm. The pool, open all year round, is available to all hotel guests, and non-guests can book day passes during the week. There are also plans afoot for an Updown spa, stay tuned…
The vibe
Small but perfectly formed, super relaxed but with a certain boho elegance, Updown Farmhouse opened in 2022 and, as opposed to being a full-on hotel, it’s more of a “restaurant with rooms”. Nowhere feels fussy, and you are treated more like a guest in someone’s home rather than the formality of a boutique hotel. The refurbishment has kept a reverence for its 17th-century bones, while moments of joyful colour and on-trend design make the whole vibe feel both cosy and contemporary.
In the main farmhouse, there’s a drawing room with inviting deep comfy sofas, a library stuffed with books and board games and even an honesty bar where guests can rustle up their favourite tipple. Special mention to the fabulous bespoke lamps that pepper the property, made from old, colourful Art Deco lamp shades stacked on top of each other.
