'Fairytale' UK market town packed with pubs and medieval charm perfect for autumn getaway

Faversham, an enchanting medieval market town in Kent offers everything needed for a perfect day-trip or weekend break. Visitors will wander twisting cobbled lanes, discover independent boutiques, and enjoy excellent dining and drinking establishments.

Whilst the town may be rich in heritage, boasting its ancient harbour, maritime industry and hop cultivation legacy, it thrives with contemporary attractions that today's travellers seek. The town features wonderful shops and enterprises, theatrical venues, captivating events and activities, plus a thriving market that proudly claims to be "Kent's oldest".

Additionally, there are delightful scenic treasures, including Mount Ephraim Gardens, which will shortly be transformed with spectacular autumn hues, reports Kent Live.

The residents are passionate about hops and ale, hosting an annual Faversham Hop Festival, which has unfortunately just concluded, so visitors should plan for next year's celebration.

The earliest record of hop cultivation in Faversham dates to 900AD, making beer sampling essential during any visit.

Expect streetscapes reminiscent of fairy tales, featuring buildings so authentically ancient they're endearingly wonky, appearing perfectly compressed into unusual shapes.

Alternatively, visitors might encounter houses painted in vibrant rainbow shades. These winding roads contain no uniform, cookie-cutter properties whatsoever.

Young visitors will adore Faversham Miniature Railway - Britain's sole nine-inch gauge railway accessible to the public, operated entirely by dedicated volunteers. Brogdale Farm, located just 1.8 miles outside the town, offers a delightful steam locomotive ride through its stunning orchards for only £2 per person.

Plus, Brogdale is home to the National Fruit Collection and boasts over 4,000 varieties of fruit trees, making it a must-visit destination.

The historical charm of Faversham is palpable as you stroll through the town, with anywhere between 300 to 450 listed buildings, depending on which official site you consult. Many homes are beautifully decorated with multi-coloured hanging baskets, trailing flowers, and charming front gardens.

Faversham's historic market place is also home to galleries, inns, independent shops, and tea rooms. From here, you can embark on a walk to enjoy the expansive views of the estuary, its mud flats, wild flowers, and boats.

You may also spot marshes, pubs, churches, and an abundance of birdlife. Faversham was named one of the top 10 UK destinations in June this year, scoring highly across various categories including the number of independent shops, cultural landmarks, top-rated restaurants, local music events, TikTok popularity, and average summer temperatures.

A study by Betway found that 86 per cent of Faversham's restaurants had earned ratings of four stars or higher on TripAdvisor. Similarly, 85 per cent of its cultural landmarks received a four-star TripAdvisor rating or higher.

Faversham markets are a must-see, with most located in the Market Place and along Court Street. The setting is breathtaking, with the town pump, Guildhall and medieval buildings providing a stunning backdrop.

The markets operate at different times and days: the Charter Market; Best of Faversham; and Antiques and Vintage - plus a Triple Market Weekend, where all three can be visited on the first weekend of each month. There's also an array of shops offering unique gifts, local crafts and artisan products, as well as national chains.

One of Faversham's hidden treasures is the Standard Quay, nestled alongside the creek and just a short stroll from the town centre. This former commercial port was purchased by the Earl of Faversham in 1677.

You can take a leisurely walk along the creek, where you'll spot classic ships and boats, barges, fishing vessels and tugs. The quay has undergone regeneration and offers fantastic shopping opportunities, whether you're looking for butchers and fishmongers, spices and herbs, cheeses, furniture and collectibles, traditional English tools, cosmetics, art, antiques or much more.

You'll have the chance to delve into more of Faversham's history and exhibitions, and enjoy food and drink at one of the many outlets, including the Secret Garden Tea Room which serves locally-sourced, home-made fare. Be sure to check what's on before your visit, as there's a constantly changing roster of events - or as Visit Swale puts it, there's "always something happening".

History enthusiasts, take note of the Oare Gunpowder Works Country Park. Here, you can delve into Faversham's past as the hub of the explosives industry, including its production of gunpowder for the iconic battles of Trafalgar and Waterloo.

Faversham also boasts a rich maritime history. A shipyard was set up in 1916 to construct barges for landing craft.

From 1916 to 1969, over 1,200 ships were built and launched from this quaint town. Merging history with ale is the Shepherd Neame Visitor Centre at its renowned brewery on Court Street.

This brewing company, the oldest in Britain, calls Faversham home and has been crafting beer here since 1698. You can learn more about its brews and their creation process.

You can participate in a guided tour of the brewery, admire the historic buildings, and naturally, stock up in the shop. As expected, Shepherd Neame operates numerous pubs in Faversham.

Why not drop by The Sun Inn on West Street or The Bear Inn in Market Place? If you're driving to Faversham, there are ample car parks available, including Central Car Park, Partridge Lane Car Park and Queen's Hall Car Park, all conveniently located.