Local Produce

Famous for its orchards and farms, Kent is a natural larder for juicy fresh fruit and delicious vegetables and with so much on the doorstep, there's an emphasis in restaurants, cafés and hotels on locally sourced ingredients, sometimes organic. That all keeps down the ‘food miles', which is good for the planet, and is another meaning of ‘good living'.

So tuck in with a clear conscience to seasonal, traceable, high quality fare: seafood from Dover Sole to Whitstable Oysters, Romney Lamb, apples, pears, plums and lots of other wholesome fruit. Visit some of Kent's 20-plus farmers' markets and for a wide variety of businesses selling local food, drink and goods take a look at www.producedinkent.co.uk.

Tours and tastings at vineyards like Chapel Down Winery, Tenterden, and Lamberhurst Vineyard, near Tunbridge Wells, will introduce you to more distinctive regional flavours. Or tour Britain's oldest brewer, Shepherd Neame at Faversham, to find out how Kentish hops are turned into pints. Shepherd Neame combines a heritage of 300 years with attention to modern environmental issues and claims the title of Britain's first ‘green' brewery.