What is a country cottage holiday without the great outdoors? There are numerous footpaths, cycle trails and bridleways to be found in the Isle of Sheppey’s, Harty. Some favourites are the Isle of Harty Trail, which takes you through beautiful coastal wetlands to the Blue Flag beach at Leysdown, taking in the St Thomas the Apostle Church (dating from around the 11th/12th century) and The Ferry House, our 16th century country restaurant. At around 6 miles, this is a flat, circular route and is mostly traffic free.

Another is a Harty to Shellness walk - a circular route across unspoilt countryside to the Blue Flag shell/shingle beach at Shellness. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy both the coast and country landscape surrounding the Mocketts Farm Cottages. Allow two hours for the walk, perhaps three if you want to spend some time on the beach.

The Isle of Sheppey boasts three Blue Flag beaches. Leysdown, Shellness and Minster are all within easy reach of the Mocketts Farm holiday cottages. What’s more, the cottages are just a stone’s throw from the Swale estuary. Wild wetlands, meadows and the Swale Nature Reserve run alongside the river and make for a beautiful and relaxed ramble, spotting our abundant wildlife on the way.

Mother Nature has been very kind to Harty, and we’re privileged to have such an amazing array of wildlife surrounding the cottages. Bird watchers ‘flock’ to us, with our coastal wetlands a haven for harriers. Owls, buzzards and kestrels are a daily sight, with the RSPB describing Harty's Capel Fleet as "perhaps the best bird of prey viewpoint in the UK.” Wild fowl, water and migratory birds are also abundant.

In the fields around the Mocketts Farm Cottages you’ll easily spot cows (with their calves at the right time of year), along with horses, ponies, sheep and lambs from a neighbouring farm. Not forgetting our smaller critters - hares, rabbits and weasels, ‘weaseling about’, so do be mindful of wildlife as you drive down to us.

Every good cottage holiday needs an excellent pub. Just a pleasant 10 minute stroll from the cottages you’ll find The Ferry House, our 16th century restaurant set waterside beside the Swale estuary. Here you can walk our Kitchen Garden before trying the produce for yourself when you dine. Our family farm beef and local estate game also feature on award winning, 2AA Rosette menus, so you can really get a ‘taste’ of Harty and quality Kent produce.

As well as dining, The Ferry House has a tranquil treatment rooms where you can unwind under the skilled hands of our friendly massage therapists. Choose from a carefully curated list of massage treatments, including hot stones massage, Swedish massage and mum-to-be massages, which are all bespokely customised to your individual areas of tension or need.

Just around the corner from The Mocketts Farm holiday cottages is the grade 2 listed church of St Thomas the Apostle - often called Harty Church. Early Norman in period, it dates from around the 11th/12th century and is often described as Kent's remotest place of worship. Whether you stop off on the Isle of Harty Trail or make a special trip, it’s well worth a visit.
The church is open every day from 9am-5pm, with a service on the first Sunday of each month.

The Isle of Sheppey is an excellent base to explore some of the favourite heritage towns and cities of Kent. Just across the estuary is Faversham, a charming town with Shepherd Neame - the oldest brewery in England - at its heart. It’s open to the public with guided tours imparting its 300 year history.

We're also just 35 minutes from Maidstone and Leeds Castle, often described as “the most beautiful castle in the World”. The cathedral cities of Canterbury, with its fabulous shops, sites and theatre, and Dickensian Rochester are also within easy reach. Take a look at the holiday guides below for more ideas of things to do on your Isle of Sheppey cottage holiday