The Cart Shed High Halstow

The Cart Shed is one of three cottages here on our fruit farm in High Halstow. It's a conversion from an old barn. You get your own bit of enclosed garden out the front, which looks straight over the fields towards the RSPB reserve at Northward Hill.

It sleeps four. Two bedrooms, both with their own bathroom, which is handy. It's a 3 Star place, so think clean and comfortable, not five-star luxury. The farm track to get here is a bit bumpy, just so you know.

Being a working farm, there are chickens and ducks wandering about. You'll hear farm noises, tractors mainly. If you come in spring, the blossom in the orchards is really something. In season, you might get to try some of the fruit.

The village is about two miles away. It's got a decent pub that does food, a shop, and a post office. For a bigger shop, you'd go to Rochester, which is about eight miles.

You're well placed for getting about. The historic dockyard at Chatham is close. Rochester itself is full of Dickens history. Canterbury is about a 40-minute drive. If you need to go into London, the high-speed train from Ebbsfleet gets you there in under 20 minutes.

For walks, the RSPB reserve next door is the main event. It's the largest heronry in the UK. We often see barn owls from the kitchen window at dusk. There's a reservoir on the farm if you fancy a bit of trout fishing.

Facilities wise, it's all there: parking, WiFi, a TV, washing machine, dishwasher. Bedding and towels are included. We can provide a cot and highchair. No pets, I'm afraid.

Useful links: RSPB Northward Hill for the reserve and Visit Kent for ideas further afield.