EGGPIE Bed and Breakfast

General information

Whether you come to Kent to visit the many historic castles, houses and gardens for which the county is famous, or to enjoy some of Britain’s finest beaches, a trip to France for lunch, or our unspoilt countryside, you’re sure of a warm welcome and a friendly stay here at Eggpie B&B. You’ll find its quiet location and homey atmosphere a real treat after a busy day.

On long summer evenings, our guests can enjoy sitting in the garden watching the ever-changing colours as the sun sets over the pond – more of a lake – whilst numerous garden birds and ducks chatter away.

After a good night’s sleep, when you’ve made your way to the Inglenook Hall for a real farmhouse breakfast, the view will have changed again as the morning sun warms the air and slowly clears the mist across the pond.

ABOUT US

We have lived at Pond Cottage for twenty eight years, and raised our four musical offspring here.

Our family’s skills include Cycling, Drums, Harp, Guitar, Singing and Tennis Coaching (Mandy is a qualified LTA coach and is available to coach on the court here at EGGPIE B&B)

We are a family run B&B in Kent which we have run for twenty years, with a big break in between, when the ‘children’s taxi service’ was at it’s height !
If you are looking to get away from the hustle and bustle and stay in the lovely countryside of the Garden of England, but still be convenient for many attractions, Eggpie B&B is the perfect place to stay. English and French spoken.

Dogs: We are dog friendly, but unfortunately not inside the house. There is a dog kennel and a little ‘run.’ We have our 14 year old boy Labrador Jonah, and 11 year old ‘mutt’ Molly, and lady cat Ronnie. Dogs can use our large garden – under the supervision of owners.

Walkers / Horses:

For walkers there are numerous country footpaths close by – several actually begin in Eggpie Lane.
Stidolphs Stables are also in Eggpie Lane, for those who fancy a horse ride.

Golfers:

We welcome guests who are visiting or competing at Nizels Golf and Country Club – only 5 minutes away from us by car .
Nizels welcomes occasional golfers and non playing guests to their bar, café, and restaurant.Www.nizelsgolfandcountryclub.com

EGGPIE B&B has off road parking and secure shelter for bicycles.

We are a no smoking establishment and regret that we do not take cards of any kind.

Payment is by cash or cheque.

HISTORY

Pond Cottage probably started life as a small Gamekeeper’s Cottage. It was built in 1580; extended in the 1600’s; and again in 1928 by Mrs Orr-Ewing, later Lady Orr-Ewing, who owned Pond Cottage from 1925 until 1974.

A further extension took place in 2001.

We have owned Pond Cottage since 1984.

The Orr-Ewing’s installed a tennis court in 1928 which seems to have played a part in the televising of tennis at Wimbledon. Mrs Orr-Ewing’s son Ian, later Lord Ian Orr-Ewing, became the first Outside Broadcast Manager of the BBC, and as a Member of the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club (Wimbledon) he persuaded the ‘All England Club’ to allow a camera in to film, arguing that Centre Court Tickets were always far in excess of the available seats, and also that young players would have the opportunity of seeing (and hopefully emulating) the greatest players at the time – like Fred Perry, Bunny Austin etc….Lord Orr-Ewing served as an MP for over forty years including as Minister for Air, and in the Navy, before becoming a member of the House of Lords.

In his autobiography ‘A Full Life’ Lord Orr-Ewing credits his love of tennis to the‘many happy hours spent on my mothers court at Pond Cottage, Weald, Kent!’

During the Orr-Ewing years at Pond Cottage they entertained many celebrities including Noel Coward, Beatrice Lilley, Richard Hearne (Mr Pastry) and Britain’s first female television announcer Jasmine Bligh – a collateral descendant of Captain Bligh – of The Bounty. During a visit to Pond Cottage in 1936, Jasmine Bligh met Roger Eckersley – a senior BBC Executive – who selected Jasmine Bligh for the post. On the wall at Pond Cottage is a copy of her obituary announcement in the Independent Newspaper which pictures her “In the peaceful surroundings of Pond Cottage, at Weald, Kent.”

In 2011 we welcomed ninety-three years young Lady Orr-Ewing to Pond Cottage with her son Simon, who was born in the main guest bedroom. Sir Simon Orr-Ewing was interested, on his seventieth birthday, to see the room and to see the air raid shelter in the garden, to which he was apparently frequently whisked to during the war!

Lady Orr-Ewing wrote afterwards to say ‘what a splendid reunion it was at dear, dear Pond Cottage.’

LOCAL ATTRACTIONS

Pond Cottage is close to some lovely old pubs, good restaurants and historic houses: Chartwell, former home of Sir Winston Churchill, Knole, Hever Castle, Ightham Mote, Leeds Castle, and Penshurst Place.

There are many fine music concerts and theatres in Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, Royal Tunbridge Wells, and summer music concerts at Hever Castle, and at the Hop Farm near Tonbridge.

Some guests also travel into London for concerts or shows – 37 minutes each way from nearby Hildenborough Station.

A day trip to France is easy too – we often pop over to France for lunch !