Before you come
The stay guide
Only what we can state plainly: what is at the Oast now, what to bring, and what is still only planned. If something you need is not on this page, it is because we have not confirmed it.
Getting here
Arrival
- The lane
- The last stretch is a single-track farm lane between hedgerows. Take it slowly, and expect to meet a tractor rather than a queue. The oast cowl appears through the trees just before the yard.
- Parking
- Park on the farm, beside the Oast. There is no need to book a space and no charge; just leave room for a vehicle to pass.
- Arrival and departure
- Times are confirmed with your booking rather than fixed on this page. Late checkout can be requested as an add-on and is confirmed subject to the changeover.
- Booking terms
- Two nights minimum, from £220 a night. Secure checkout uses live rates and availability, and a successful checkout confirms the reservation.
By car from Tunbridge Wells
Leave Royal Tunbridge Wells south on the A267 towards Frant and Mayfield. The road climbs out of the town, crosses the county line into East Sussex and reaches Frant village in three to four miles — a quarter of an hour in ordinary traffic, a little more on a Friday evening. Carry on through the village and the last stretch is the farm lane described above. Coming from the south, the same A267 brings you up through Mayfield. We send the exact address, the turning and a pin with your booking confirmation, because satnav has been known to send guests past the gate.
By train
The nearest station is Frant (FRT) (opens in a new tab), which is at Bells Yew Green rather than in the village itself, a little over a mile away. Royal Tunbridge Wells is the larger mainline station, three to four miles north. Both need a car or a taxi at the end; we do not run transfers, and we would rather not name a taxi firm we have not used recently.
Shops and supper
Frant village has a shop and post office; the butcher and farm shop at Bunny Lane is a few minutes by car, and Tunbridge Wells has everything else. The list is on Around Martins Farm.
Inside
The house
- Sleeping
- The Oast sleeps four. There is no cot and no high chair at the property, so please bring your own if you need them.
- The kitchen
- An AGA and a small butler's fridge. The AGA is a pleasure and a personality; if you have not cooked on one, ask and we will talk you through it. The big American-style fridge is part of the boot room and laundry facilities.
- Boot room and laundry
- A practical boot room and laundry facilities are the most useful thing on a wet week. They hold the American-style fridge, which has an ice machine, along with a washing machine, a tumble dryer, an electric drying rack, a towel rail, coat racks and storage. Between them they deal with most of what a Sussex winter walk, a long weekend of walking or a family stay brings back.
- Wi-Fi and signal
- Ask us before you book if you need to work from the Oast — we would rather answer honestly for your dates than print a promise here.
Outside
Dogs, children and mud
For walking beyond the gate — the village, the lanes and the signed footpaths — see walking from the gate. Everything about staying here with a dog, from the boot room to the gallery of dogs who have stayed, is gathered on Winston’s Friends.
- Dogs
- One dog is included with every stay, and a second may be considered by prior agreement if you ask before booking. The Oast has a private, fully enclosed garden. A dog welcome with bed, bowls and towels can be added to a booking. Winston, our golden retriever, will introduce himself.
- Walking on the estate
- The wider fifteen-acre estate is enclosed and open to guests, but deer and other wildlife can be present, so dogs should remain on a lead outside the Oast garden. Beyond the boundary, follow the signed public rights of way.
- Children and families
- A working farm rather than a play barn: gates that must be closed, ground that is uneven, and a great deal to look at. Children are welcome within the four-guest limit.
- Mud, honestly
- The ground here holds water. From autumn to spring, assume boots and a change of socks; in summer, assume long grass and burrs. Neither is a complaint.
Available now
What to bring
- Boots, and something to change into
- A cot or high chair if you need one
- Dog bed and bowls, unless you add the dog welcome
- A coat with a hood — an umbrella is no use in a hedge
- Anything specific you cook with; the AGA does the rest
Planned, not available
Please do not count on
- A private hot tub — planned for a later date, and not installed
- Estate honey — hives are planned for the meadow; there is none yet
- Orchard fruit and estate wine — planted, if at all, years before anything is picked
- The Hathaway Huts — in planning, and not bookable
Anything not listed on this page — charging points, accessibility arrangements, equipment — should be asked about directly at hello@martinsfarmestate.com. We would rather answer than assume.
- Is there parking at The Oast?
- Yes. Guests park on the farm beside the Oast. There is no charge and no need to reserve a space; just leave room for a vehicle to pass on the lane.
- Are dogs allowed at The Oast?
- One dog is included with every stay, and a second may be considered by prior agreement — write to us before booking. The Oast has a private, fully enclosed garden. The wider fifteen-acre estate is enclosed too, but dogs should remain on a lead outside the garden because deer and other wildlife can be present. A dog welcome with bed, bowls and towels can be added to a booking.
- What are the check-in and check-out times?
- Arrival and departure times are confirmed with your booking rather than fixed here. Late checkout can be requested as an add-on and is confirmed subject to the changeover.
- How do we get to Martins Farm from Tunbridge Wells?
- Leave Royal Tunbridge Wells south on the A267 towards Frant and Mayfield. Frant is three to four miles on, about a quarter of an hour in ordinary traffic, and the last stretch is a single-track farm lane. The exact address, the turning and a map pin are sent with your booking confirmation.
- What should we pack?
- Boots and a change of socks, a hooded coat, and a cot or high chair if you need one — there is neither at the property. Bring anything specific you cook with; the AGA does the rest.
- How muddy does it get?
- The ground here holds water. From autumn to spring, assume mud, boots and wet paws; in summer, assume long grass and burrs. The boot room, with its washing machine, tumble dryer and electric drying rack, deals with most of it.
Ready when you are
Two nights minimum, from £220 a night. Secure checkout confirms your dates.