Ashford is no looker. It’s one of those English towns that was forgotten (even the Eurostar left). In fact, the moment I got off the train from London, my instant thought was “where the hell am I?” Despite my miserable scepticism, I encountered something rare as I walked down the ramp towards the taxi station: friendly Brits who smiled. To any Londoner, such niceties are treated with extreme suspicion, but for the sake of not coming across as a complete dirtbag, I smiled back. Flying by concrete scrapers and outlet malls, my cab rolled off the main road 10 minutes later, and I was greeted by the sight of Boys Hall. “So, this is why people come to Ashford,” I instantly thought.
Surrounded by gardens flecked by hydrangea and rose heads, the 400-year-old Grade II listed manor house is perhaps best described as one of the coziest and storied pubs with rooms the south of England has to offer. Opened back in early 2023 by Brad and Kristie Lomas, the 17th-century manor house has now become a book-ahead weekend stay magnet for Londoners wanting an easy-to-reach escape that’s just 40 or so minutes outside of the capital. In and out, the whole thing is an ode to fine Jacobean living with huge sofas, tiled fireplaces, and portraiture strewn about the walls. Service is relaxed, to-the-point and fuss-free—proper provincial British—and as everyone working here are local yokels, the knowledge of the area and beyond is limitless.
Up a flight of creaky and moody stairs, you will find the rooms. Nine, to be precise, all unique in style and in their mod cons. Mine for the night was the Bishop’s Quarter, the largest of the roost. The character of it all was undeniable. Wood panelling gifted by Charles I from Windsor Castle (rumoured) lines the walls alongside great big period windows that look out onto the gardens, cobwebs and all. In the middle of the grand digs, a huge bed crowns the space, topped by a flamboyant gold-leaf chandelier, spying roomy and cushty loungers. Out back, there’s the bathroom, another behemoth plot of curiosities stocked with grand cabinets wedged between a roll-top golden tub fit for monarchs. There’s also a smidge of Kentish apple brandy handy on the garden-facing desk to knock you out come the witching hour.
As it’s all about the food here, dinner is a laidback occasion in the conservatoire. The menu is a splattering of options in ode to the Garden of England (that’s Kent’s nickname for all you Americans). Everything on the menu curated by head chef Alfie Calie is sourced as local as can be from the county’s farms to its coastline. Cakey focaccia with raspberry oil—it bizarrely works—heritage tomato salads with burrata, mighty salads and veggie schnitzels are highlights, along with cider mussels and big old steaks. It was all a little too much on the salty side during my visit, but the zesty cocktails helped ward off the excess sodium sweats. Breakfast? Go all out on the Full English. It was one of the nicest and most generous fry-ups I have had in a long time, and the beans and sausages were melt-in-your-mouth perfection. Skip the buffet—it’s sad, boring, and could do with a glow-up.
Fast Facts
Location: Ashford, Kent
Rating: Four-star
The vibe: Old England meets French flair (it was built by them), via a whirlwind of memories curated by Brad and Kristie.
Room Count: 9
Starting Rate: From about 240 USD per night, including breakfast.
Dining: Classic farm-to-table British with seasonal menus that have some eyebrow-raising moments that work
Amenities: Bar, restaurant, gardens
Our Favourite Thing About the Hotel: The rooms. They have plenty of character and spunk, and you won’t want to leave them.
What’s Nearby? Vineyards and the Kentish coast. You will need a car if you explore, so book in advance if you choose to make Boys Hall your base outside of London.
Any personal neighbourhood recs? No. You come here to stay here.
Closest Airport: London Gatwick or London Heathrow
