I’ve lived in Kent for almost five years now, and I’m ashamed to say I haven’t explored nearly as much as I should have. I love some of my local seaside towns — Folkestone, Whitstable, and Broadstairs, to name a few — but I’m not all that familiar with some of the smaller villages. I’ve visited the pretty village of Sandwich on numerous occasions, even spending my Christmas holiday there in a quaint cottage with slanted floors and original beams next to the River Stour. I’ve walked along the coast path to Kingsdown to enjoy a pint or two, but I haven’t visited some of Kent’s smaller, historic hamlets and villages.
Rather than going abroad this year, I decided to stay in a truly unique ‘jungle’ cabin located just up the road from my house in a small hamlet called Martin. Located close to Dover and Deal, Martin is a countryside retreat between two bustling seaside towns. It’s just up the road from the village of Martin Mill, which has a railway station with trains running to and from Ramsgate and London, and is 20 minutes from the historic city of Canterbury.
I visited the hamlet in early April and was immediately surprised by its size — there wasn’t even a corner shop! But determined to enjoy a peaceful retreat away from the bustle of home, I persevered.
On arrival, I was taken aback at how tranquil it was. The buzz of traffic, car horns, and people chattering was long gone, replaced by bird song and the gentle hum of the wind.
The cabin is owned by Jon and is located in his back garden — but it isn’t as public as it sounds. It is located at the end of a winding path surrounded by palms, bamboo, and ferns to give it that authentic jungle feel. Despite being on Jon’s property, the cabin felt incredibly private and didn’t overlook any homes.
The structure itself is magical. It was hand-built by the owner, which means it’s truly unique. Incredible details include a hand-crafted four-poster bed and various wooden animal sculptures thoughtfully carved into the cabin’s interior.
The cabin includes two wood burners — one in the living area and one in the bedroom — a hot tub, a balcony, outdoor seating area, a compact kitchen and a modern bathroom.
Reading a book, cosied up next to the wood burner with a cup of herbal tea, was a highlight for me.
After a dip in the hot tub and a quick freshen up, we headed to the hamlet’s focal point: The Lantern Inn.
The 400-year-old country pub offers a delicious array of gourmet burgers, wood-fired pizzas, and local ales, as well as a warm welcome.
The atmosphere is cosy, with low beams, dark wood-panelled walls, exposed brick, and a collection of historic memorabilia scattered around.
Sitting in this pub, I felt a real part of history and village life. Everyone seemed to know one another, yet I didn’t feel out of place as a “tourist.”
The food was delicious, and the portions were generous, which was a relief as the prices were not cheap. My buttermilk chicken burger set me back £16.50, but being the only pub in the area, this was to be expected.
I loved my short trip to Martin and am planning to return for a few nights in the cabin sometime next year. It was a truly unique experience, and it’s not one I’ll forget any time soon.