Swan English Restaurant

After meandering around the beautiful grape vines and sampling the home-grown wine at Chapel Down Winery, just outside Tenterden, treat yourself to a meal or some light bites in the modern restaurant. The food here is so good that Chapel Down has become as much of a destination for gastronomes as for wine connoisseurs.

The dedicated kitchen team sources the best local ingredients to produce a menu full of the finest flavours of the region. Every meal here is special, as we can attest. My starter of Rye Bay scallops featured plump, juicy scallops with crisp slices of Granny Smith apple, and the platter of homemade bread with garlic and rosemary butter was a fine accompaniment. My sirloin steak main course was not only tender and juicy but had been procured from the local beef supplier, down the road at Park Farm. Served with diced foraged mushrooms, Chantenay carrots, creamy Béarnaise sauce and a basket of traditional chips, it was a delightful supper and the freshness of each ingredient shone. A glass of Chapel Down's rich red was a match made in heaven for this dish. Beers and ciders are also produced on site, along with fresh juices, and the carefully crafted desserts are divine.

If the weather is fair, take your meal out onto the terrace - bordered by grape vines and olive trees and overlooking the winery and Kent countryside, it's a relaxing and romantic spot. Unsurprisingly Chapel Downs is a popular place for weddings, and special supper club events are hosted throughout the year