Day One: Slow Mornings, Cliff Walks & Lighthouse Views

Morning: A Slow, Unhurried Breakfast in Your Foreland Cottage

Wake gently.  No alarms, no deadlines, no traffic hum. Just sunlight edging through the curtains and the soft quiet of the countryside.

Take your time over breakfast:

• fresh pastries on the table

• hot coffee brewing

• pyjamas, cosy socks, open windows

• nowhere you need to be

It’s a moment for the two of you — slow, warm, and simple. The kind of morning you don’t get at home.

Early Afternoon:  Wander Through Pines Garden & clifftop walk to south foreland lighthouse

Stroll through peaceful greenery of Pines Garden for a gentle wander through ponds, waterfalls and quiet corners. The gardens feel intimate and timeless — perfect for couples who love nature, history and a moment of calm.  From Pines Garden, continue along the clifftop path towards the South Foreland Lighthouse — a route filled with sweeping views, sea air, and that feeling of being far from everyday life.  At the lighthouse, settle into the quaint National Trust café. Inside, the décor echoes the past.  It’s cosy, mismatched, deeply charming.
In warmer months, borrow a deckchair or spread a picnic blanket and spend a slow hour with tea and cake.  If you’re feeling adventurous, climb the lighthouse itself for a breathtaking 360° panorama over the White Cliffs and the Channel.

early evening –  Dinner at The Coastguard

Head down to the shingle and settle into The Coastguard, the bay’s iconic beachfront pub.  In summer, sit outside with plates of fresh coastal food and the sound of the tide inches from your table.  In winter, cosy beside the roaring fire and watch the waves shift beneath the huge sea-view windows.  Either way, dinner here feels special — relaxed, scenic, effortless.

Night: Cosy Evenings in Your Cottage

End the day in true St Margaret’s style: slowly, warmly, quietly.  Run a deep bath, open a bottle of wine and laugh over a nostalgic boardgame or read side-by-side on the sofa – simply sitting in the stillness together.

Outside, the countryside falls into deep quiet — no cars, no city noise, just the soft hush of the night.

Day Two: Long Walks, Sea Views & Boutique Stores

Morning: Another Slow Start

Enjoy another unhurried breakfast in your cottage- After all, this is what weekends should be:

• slow coffee

• warm toast

• shared plans

• soft morning light

Late Morning: Clifftop Walk to Kingsdown

Follow the cliff path south, a beautiful stretch of coastline where the sea shifts from deep blues to shimmering silver. The walk is gentle but scenic, taking about 45 minutes – perfect for couples who enjoy quiet conversation and open views.

Lunch or Light Bites at The Zetland Arms

Arrive in Kingsdown and settle at the Zetland Arms, sitting right on the beach.  Order a selection of light bite plates — fresh seafood, warm bread, seasonal dishes — and enjoy them overlooking the waves.
In warm weather, sit outside with your toes almost touching the shingle. In cooler months, dine inside while still feeling totally connected to the sea. It’s simple, relaxed, and wonderfully atmospheric.

Afternoon: Walk to Deal for Boutique Shops & Cosy Cafés

Continue your coastal walk into Deal (25–30 minutes on foot from Kingsdown), a pretty Georgian seaside town with narrow streets, pastel façades and an easy, welcoming charm.  Spend the afternoon browsing:

• independent boutiques

• vintage stores

• small bookshops

• artisan homeware and pottery shops

And take breaks in some of Deal’s much-loved independent cafés — perfect for long conversations, warm drinks and shared slices of cake

Evening: Sunset Walk Back to St Margaret’s

Return the way you came as the day begins to glow. This return walk is magical — the blues of the sea on one side, the greens of countryside fields on the other.  With the late light settling over the cliffs, it feels like you’re walking through a landscape painting. 

A Weekend That Fills You Up

In just two days, St Margaret’s gives you a rare combination: nature, history, sea air, warm food, slow mornings, open landscapes, and meaningful time together.

It’s romantic without trying.
Restorative without effort.
A place where you both get to breathe.