If the Kent weather turns, Ashford Designer Outlet is our go-to recommendation for a dry, easy afternoon. It’s a proper open-air outlet village with more than 100 stores — think Polo Ralph Lauren, Nike, Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger — offering up to 60% off, alongside fourteen cafes and restaurants if you want to turn it into a full day. There’s a covered walkway throughout, so a bit of rain won’t get in the way of the browsing.
It’s a short drive from the barn, or an easy walk from Ashford International station if you fancy leaving the car behind, which makes it a good option to pair with a train trip up to London. Dogs are welcome throughout the open-air site too, so there’s no need to leave anyone behind if the countryside walks get rained off.
Go on a weekday morning if you can to beat the weekend crowds, particularly during sale periods. It’s not the quiet, slow kind of afternoon we usually recommend, but it’s a reliable backup when the forecast doesn’t cooperate, and a good excuse for a treat before heading back to the fire pit.
