Medley Court at Hever Castle

The whole cottage is very spacious with a country-house style drawing room sporting deep sofas in front of an open log fire, books and magazines, rich fabrics and leaded windows through which you can see the romantic gardens, studded with history. Fun for everybody to cook together in the huge kitchen with loads of prep space and kit – you’re left enough treats for your first breakfast in case you arrive empty handed.

Eat out on the covered terrace-with-views or wait until visitors go home and you have parts of the gardens, lakes and grounds to yourselves – lovely for a summer evening picnic. Return to four good-sized bedrooms (two downstairs) with panelled walls, lovely thick curtains and fabric headboards, plump mattresses and gleaming antiques.

A private guided tour of the castle, falconry displays, golf packages, tennis – all can be arranged with a bit of notice. Lunches and evening meals can be taken in the King Henry VIII inn.