Blackberry Barn Loose

Blackberry Barn is a converted brick barn, up on a hill in Loose, on the edge of the village. It used to be an apple store for the orchards. It's detached and you get it to yourselves. It's got a 4 Star rating, which means it's well kitted out.

It sleeps four. Two bedrooms, but one of them is a mezzanine floor with two single beds overlooking the main room. The stairs up to it are open-tread and a bit steep, which they've noted. The main bedroom is on the ground floor. One bathroom with a walk-in shower.

The living area is open-plan with a high ceiling and big windows. The view is the main thing here. You can see right across the Weald to the North Downs. There's a patio with a table outside those windows.

There's a separate little covered seating area with a firepit down the side, looking over the orchards. Parking for two cars.

It's a five minute walk downhill into Loose village. There's a 17th century pub there by the stream that does food all day. A fish and chip shop, and a few other pubs nearby. You can start walks straight from the gate.

Leeds Castle is about ten minutes away by car. Bedgebury Pinetum is about twenty minutes. For the coast, you're looking at a drive of forty minutes to an hour to get to places like Whitstable or Dungeness.

Maidstone town centre is ten minutes in the other direction for shops and the cinema. The river medway is there for walks or boat trips.

In terms of what's here: it's got a washing machine, dishwasher, WiFi, a cot and highchair if you need them. Bedding and towels are included. One well-behaved dog is allowed.

If you're looking for walking routes or other days out, the National Trust and Visit Kent sites are useful.