What’s Beachborough Park like?
This country estate, at the foot of the North Downs, offers simple B&B rooms in a peaceful location. The manor house was once home to former prime minister, David Lloyd George, and was purchased more than 40 years ago by current owners, the Wallis family. While the estate is surrounded by countryside, it is just minutes from the Eurotunnel terminal and the Kent coast.
How dog-friendly is Beachborough Park?
Great. You’ll need to bring your own beds, bowls and food but dogs are very welcome here – and if they’re lucky, they’ll receive a little treat for breakfast. The rooms overlook a lovely green, which is shared with other private properties and handily, there’s a poo bin right by the parking area. Dogs can also be exercised in the top paddock at Beachborough Park as long as no animals are grazing there. Up to two dogs are welcome to stay per room. There is an additional charge of £8 for the first dog, and £4 for the second.
Tell me more about Beachborough Park
There are five B&B rooms available at the estate, all of which are self-contained and housed in a converted barn. We stayed in Room 24, which was at the far end of the block as you walked up from the parking area. The spacious room had a vaulted ceiling with exposed beams and sash windows and was decorated in neutral shades with pops of duck egg blue. Pine furniture and cute stable doors added to the cosy country feel, too.
As well as a small flatscreen TV, desk, armchair and foldaway table and chairs, the room had lots of storage space and handy extras such as a fan and USB charging points. It also came complete with complimentary tea, coffee, hot chocolate and biscuits and there was a zesty Eden body wash in the compact shower room. A couple of the other rooms were being refurbished during our stay too, so I imagine they’re only going to get better!
What’s the food like at Beachborough Park?
A continental breakfast is brought to your room each day at a time of your choosing – and it’s truly excellent. When we visited, it consisted of croissants, toast, cereal, yoghurt and fruit, as well as a cafetiere of coffee, fresh milk and orange juice. There was also a nice selection of jams and preserves to choose from. It really set us up for the day – and there were a couple of treats for the boys too, which was a nice touch.
While Beachborough Park does not serve food in the evenings, it does offer a selection of drinks and snacks via room service. A range of takeaway menus are also available and crockery can be provided on request. If you’d rather eat or drink out though, I can highly recommend The Gatekeeper in Etchinghill, just up the road. It’s a fantastic little pub that has been beautifully decorated and serves great food – and resident greyhound Max is a real cutie!
Are there resident dogs at Beachborough Park?
No, but you will probably meet a couple of others during your stay. We encountered a little Dachshund on his holidays.
Where are the best dog walks near Beachborough Park?
The estate is approximately a 10-minute drive from the Kent coast, with the nearest beaches in Sandgate and Folkestone. Be aware that seasonal dog restrictions do apply though. The local beaches are generally quite stony but the main one in Folkestone has an excellent boardwalk running through it, pictured above. If it’s a sandy beach you’re after though, hold out for Sunny Sands Beach at low tide, which is small but perfectly formed. Be sure to look out for the Folkestone Mermaid.
Don’t miss a walk up Tolsford Hill either, which is a real local landmark. On a clear day, you can even see France. There’s a great eight-mile walk you can do to the top of the hill that starts and finishes from nearby Brockhill Country Park. A number of other walking trails pass close to Beachborough Park too, including the North Downs Way. A 12-mile section of the path, which goes from Etchinghill to Dover, takes in a disused railway line and will also allow you to see the Folkestone Millennium White Horse, carved into Cheriton Hill.
What Ernie and Stan loved about Beachborough Park
The peaceful location, the great walks nearby, the breakfast treat
What I loved about Beachborough Park
The relaxed vibe, the cosy accommodation, the fantastic breakfast
How to book Beachborough Park
Overnight stays start from £85, including breakfast. For more information or to book, visit the Beachborough Park website.