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The Forstal, Appledore

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Located in the heart of a pretty village in Appledore is this magnificent character property. Set in an acre of grounds with a swimming pool for the summer, tennis court and a croquet lawn, perfect for large family gatherings or groups of friends. Ideally located for relaxing and exploring, with the village pub, tearoom, and shop only a few doors away. The area is noted for its bluebells in the spring with many woodland walks with panoramic views over the Romney Marsh. The market town of Tenterden, with its tree-lined High Street and restaurants is 6 miles away and you are very close to the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Appledore has a station with trains to Rye (6 miles) and Hastings (19 miles) and Camber is a 10 mile drive.
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At HolidayCottages.co.uk

About The Forstal

Located in the heart of a pretty village in Appledore is this magnificent character property. Set in an acre of grounds with a swimming pool for the summer, tennis court and a croquet lawn, perfect for large family gatherings or groups of friends. Ideally located for relaxing and exploring, with the village pub, tearoom, and shop only a few doors away. The area is noted for its bluebells in the spring with many woodland walks with panoramic views over the Romney Marsh. The market town of Tenterden, with its tree-lined High Street and restaurants is 6 miles away and you are very close to the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Appledore has a station with trains to Rye (6 miles) and Hastings (19 miles) and Camber is a 10 mile drive. You can follow the coastline to the beaches of North Kent, enjoying the many historic houses, castles, and vineyards along the way. The entrance hall with its grand staircase and doors leading off into the four reception rooms. On your left enter reception room one with a large bay window, comfortable seating arranged around the Smart TV and a feature fireplace. The Sitting Room, which is reception room number two, also has a large bay window and a working fireplace for the winter with cosy sofas, leading through to a snug with a TV and a sofa which then leads into a very spacious and bright kitchen and dining area. Reception room four is the drawing room with seating and French doors to the garden. The kitchen/diner is the heart of the house, with garden views and doors leading out onto the terrace. The kitchen has a 5 door Aga with a dishwasher and under-counter fridge. It is well-equipped for catering to large groups and has a separate walk-in pantry with a fridge/freezer. The dining area in the kitchen has a large dining table and seating for 10 with doors opening to the terrace and a walled garden with a croquet lawn. The utility room has plenty of space for hanging coats and storing shoes and boots. and there is a separate WC. Upstairs in the main house there is a light-filled landing with doors leading into the master bedroom with a super-king-size bed with stunning views over the garden. The Jack and Jill bathroom with WC is shared with a bedroom with super-king bed and views to the front. The other super-king bedroom with views to the front shares a Jack and Jill bathroom with a twin room with garden views. From the kitchen there is a staircase to the attached annexe where you will find a king-sized bedroom with en-suite shower room and another super king-size bedroom overlooking the garden, and another bathroom. Outside, the garden has many different areas to enjoy. From the kitchen or drawing room step out onto the terrace which has an outdoor table and chairs, loungers, and a BBQ. Stroll through the box-lined path of the walled garden with its croquet lawn into a wild meadow area and follow the path to the tennis court. Back through the garden, take time to stop and admire (but please don’t touch) Shelia, a much-loved art installation. The swimming pool is in an enclosed area which is terraced, with sun loungers. Swimming pool available from beginning April until the end of October.
Check Prices & Availability »
At HolidayCottages.co.uk

Need To Know

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Local Insights: The Forstal

Unique information you won't find on booking sites

Appledore, Kent

Weather & Local Conditions

11Β°C

Clear sky

Updated: 9 Sep 2026, 3:01am

🌑️
11.20Β°C
Temperature
πŸ’¨
14 km/h
Wind Speed
πŸ’§
87%
Humidity
🧳
Packing Tip: UK weather can turn quickly, so pack layers whatever the forecast. A waterproof and sturdy shoes mean the whole group can head out whatever September throws at you.

What to Expect Through the Year

  • βœ“ May - September: Warmest, longest days - ideal for big group days out, gardens and BBQs
  • βœ“ October - November: Crisp autumn colour, cosy evenings by the fire, quieter attractions
  • βœ“ December - February: Perfect for a snug winter escape - great for Christmas and New Year gatherings
  • βœ“ March - April: Spring blooms, longer evenings returning, wildlife becoming active
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Rainy Day Tip: A large cottage comes into its own on wet days - board games, a long lunch and a film with the whole group beat a cramped hotel any day. Check the tabs here for nearby pubs and attractions with indoor options.

Dark Skies & Stargazing

The Forstal sits in a location with genuinely dark skies - a real treat for a group, and something you rarely get at home in town.

Bortle Scale Rating

The Bortle scale measures night sky darkness from 1 (darkest) to 9 (brightest urban):

1
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5
6
7
8
9
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Class 4 - Rural/suburban transition
This location's dark sky rating

What You Can See From the Cottage

The Milky Way is visible overhead, though light domes may be visible on the horizon towards larger towns.

The Milky Way is visible on clear, moonless nights.

Best Stargazing Conditions

  • βœ“ New Moon periods: Darkest skies, best Milky Way visibility
  • βœ“ Winter months: Earlier darkness, crisper skies, Orion constellation prominent
  • βœ“ After 11pm: Neighbouring lights typically switched off
  • βœ“ Allow 20 minutes: Let your eyes adjust to darkness before looking up
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Pro Tip: Download a stargazing app like "Sky Map" or "Star Walk" before arrival. Mobile signal can be limited, and these apps work offline - a fun activity to share with the whole group.

Location & Elevation

11m

(36 feet above sea level)

The Forstal sits in a peaceful Kent setting - space to spread out and the perfect base for a group getaway.

πŸ”οΈ
11m
Elevation
πŸ“
Appledore
Nearest Village
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Rural
Setting

What the Elevation Means for Your Stay

  • βœ“ Fresher air: Expect it a touch cooler than coastal areas - bracing walks and restful sleep
  • βœ“ Clearer air: Less pollution and haze, better views and stargazing
  • βœ“ Morning mists: Valley fog sometimes forms below, creating magical sunrise views
  • βœ“ Walking access: Higher starting point means shorter climbs to hilltops and summits
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Driving Note: The roads to Appledore are typical Kent lanes - narrow in places with passing spots. If the group is arriving in several cars, share the postcode and a meeting point in advance.

Coordinates

Latitude: 51.0301070Β° N | Longitude: 0.788905Β° W

Sunrise & Sunset Times

Today's sun times for Appledore (Wednesday, 9 September 2026):

5:21am

Sunrise

5:27pm

Golden Hour

6:27pm

Sunset

πŸŒ…
5:21am
Sunrise
πŸŒ‡
6:27pm
Sunset
πŸ“Έ
5:27pm
Golden Hour

Planning Your Days by Season

  • βœ“ Summer (Jun-Aug): Sunset around 9:30-10pm - long days for group walks, days out and late alfresco dinners
  • βœ“ Autumn (Sep-Nov): Sunset 5-7pm - perfect timing for an after-dinner drink as the stars come out
  • βœ“ Winter (Dec-Feb): Sunset around 4pm - cosy early evenings by the fire, ideal for stargazing
  • βœ“ Spring (Mar-May): Sunset 6-9pm - watch the evenings grow longer each day
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Golden Hour: For the best light, plan your group photo or evening walk around golden hour (5:27pm). The warm colours make for lovely holiday photos before you head back in for dinner.

September Daylight

This month in Appledore, you have approximately 13.10 hours of daylight. The shortening days create the perfect excuse for earlier, cosier evenings in.

Practical Essentials

Everything the group needs to know before you arrive at The Forstal.

Mobile Phone Signal

πŸ“±

Signal Strength

Good

Mobile signal is generally good in this area across most networks.

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Signal Tip: All major networks should work well here.

Nearest Essentials

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Arrival Tip: Fill up with fuel before you arrive - petrol stations can be sparse in rural Kent. With a larger group it's worth doing one big supermarket shop on the way, especially if arriving late.

Family & Fun


Local Breweries & Craft Beer

Discover local craft beer near The Forstal:

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Rother Valley Brewing Company

Micro Β· Rye

7.7 mi
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The Three Legs Brewing Co

Taproom Β· Rye

9.7 mi
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The FILO Brewing Co Ltd

Micro Β· Hastings

14.4 mi
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Beer Lover's Tip: Many Kent pubs serve locally brewed ales. Ask for local ales - perfect after a day exploring with the group!

Data updated: 9 Sep 2026 | Location: 51.0301070, 0.7889050

Information unique to this location - not available on booking sites

What Guests Love

What do previous guests think about their group stay at The Forstal

Getting To The Forstal

Find your way to your perfect countryside retreat

Group Attractions & More Nearby

Stuff for larger groups and families to try!

Is The Forstal Right For Your Group

Discover why this cottage is the one for your party or family reunion...

For Families
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Pet Friendly

Dining & Cafes

Taste the local flavours during your stay at The Forstal

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to our most common questions about The Forstal

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The Forstal Reviews

Matt
This property could be amazing but unfortunately isnΓ’??t in its current state. The house itself is tired and needs a deep clean and a lot of the equipment needs replacing. The heater for the pool did not work all week so the pool remained cold and when we arrived was also green and murky. The colour was sorted but took a couple of days to clear up. During the course of our stay we had visits from the pool engineer and a plumber, as none of the showers were working properly. For balance, the gardens are huge and we enjoyed the tennis court. It is also in a great location: the village itself is lovely with a nice pub and itΓ’??s ideally located for Rye and Camber Sands. The description of the property however does not fit the reality and it is far away from being 5 star. response from holidaycottages.co.uk Thank you for your review. We've spoken with the owner and the issues have been resolved.
Diana
Beautiful house with amazing garden - the photos don't even do it justice. Very comfortable and well appointed - though the kitchen is Aga-centric - you'll need to bring an electric kettle if you want one (there is a stovetop one). The location is amazing - there is a nice pub, cafe, playground and shop in the village, and also a free carpark with electric car chargers just around the corner. You can do lovely walks straight from the house (including to a lovely pub in a neighbouring village), and you're a short drive from Tenterden, Rye and Camber.
Caroline
The property itself was very comfortable and the outside areas very good indeed.
Rachael
The house has a huge amount of potential and we enjoyed our break in the main with the tennis court a huge success and the pool was enjoyed. The grounds are exceptional but we felt the house needed updating and depersonalising. We recognise that such a large grounds needs regular attention but we found the gardner too intrusive and this should be clarified in the description so people can make an informed decision. He also left his tools wherever he last used them including a grass rake with the tongs upward and we had a dog who could have been seriously hurt if we hadnΓ’??t realised and moved it. The owners was responsive to issues raised when the boiler broke and in getting a second twin ready.
Sally
The Fostal is a beautiful house, and the stunning gardens are enormous! It was just right for a family party of 10, aged from 6 to 85 - the swimming pool was very well used, and the garden is easily big enough for cricket and football without the ball going into next door's garden. We found cooking a little difficult - have never used an Aga before, and no electric kettle.
Peter
Once the electronic driveway gate closes behind you, you can lose yourself (almost literally) in the fabulously peaceful garden and in the beautifully presented house, both inside and out. It feels like a real home to enjoy as your own with a huge kitchen, a large pantry, several glorious sitting rooms and luxurious bedrooms with sumptuous bedding. And then of course the large pool (surprisingly warm) and tennis courts add that touch of fun. I would recommend it to anyone who wants happy memories from their break.
Manuela
We spent an amazing time in that house with our family. The house is comfortable and spacious and we were able to use the facilities ! Great location as well for the area
Anne Graham
Lovely house but could do with some updating. Great for children.
Leslie
Magic House and Garden for a family holiday
Peter
Very enjoyable stay, swimming pool & tennis court much appreciated rated by all. Beautiful grounds. Good position for enjoying Kent's attractions.
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