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About
The Small Holding
Welcome to The Small Holding, a charming eatery nestled in the picturesque countryside of Kilndown, Cranbrook. Located at Ranters Ln, this farm-to-table restaurant is redefining the dining experience with its commitment to sustainability, self-sufficiency, and locally sourced ingredients. Patrons can immerse themselves in the joys of seasonal produce, thoughtfully showcased on a menu that highlights the flavors of the region.
Dining at The Small Holding is more than just a meal; it's an experience. As visitors step through the door, they are welcomed with a refreshing beverage and a tour of the on-site gardens, where they can see firsthand the fruits, vegetables, and herbs that will elevate their culinary journey. This unique approach not only enhances appreciation for the ingredients but also connects diners to the very essence of each dish.
Guest reviews consistently echo the restaurant’s excellence. Joshua Doyle called it one of the "most memorable meals" he's had, praising both the food and the service quality. Rob Smith celebrated the full acre menu, which thoughtfully offers a balance of meat and vegetarian choices, complemented perfectly by expertly curated wine pairings. Each bite is a delicious journey, highlighting the care and creativity of the chefs.
Will Blake’s experience on his 21st birthday exemplifies the meticulous attention to detail that The Small Holding embodies. His glowing remarks about the exceptional scallop dish and berry dessert reveal a deep appreciation for the chef's artistry. The dessert, a delightful fusion of local berries and garden herb sorbet, stands as a testament to the innovative flavors and presentation. Every dish is described with passion by the knowledgeable staff, enhancing the overall dining atmosphere.
Helen Armer’s delightful evening dining with friends reinforces the consensus: The Small Holding is a treasure trove of flavors, where each canape bursts with creativity, and every course is a vivid expression of culinary craftsmanship. The friendly and attentive staff contribute to the immersive dining experience, ensuring each guest feels valued.
In a world where dining often feels rushed and impersonal, The Small Holding offers a cozy and inviting atmosphere that invites conversation and connection. The thoughtful curation of local wines and in-house crafted drinks adds another layer of excellence to an already extraordinary experience. If you find yourself in the area, a visit to this delightful restaurant is not just recommended—it's essential.
For an unforgettable meal that respects both the locality and the artistry of cooking, The Small Holding is undoubtedly a place to cherish. Set your reservations and prepare for a dining adventure that will linger in your memories long after the last bite.
People talk
Our Guestbook
“ Most memorable meal had in a long time. Food and service excellent, and all locally sourced/grown. Up there with the very best Michelin star spots around for us. Highly recommend! ”
“ Visited here with family for my birthday and what a fantastic experience this was. On arrival we were greeted and offered drinks which were served promptly. We started our time with a tour, being shown the produce grown on site which was both interesting and informative. I definitely recommend doing this if you’re interested in what this restaurant is trying to achieve in becoming sustainable and self sufficient. Following on we were shown to our table for lunch in which we opted for the full acre menu. 3 of us had the meat option whilst my partner had the vegetarian. Having had the tour first allowed to fully appreciate all of the ingredients used in the dishes. The food was simply amazing. Each bite was delicious and the menu in my opinion was curated very nicely. 2 of us had the wine pairing whilst the other 2 had the soft drinks pairing, both of which complemented the courses very nicely. The staff were very friendly and engaging and displayed very good knowledge in all areas. Their passion really showed. There’s so much more I could say but to put it simply you just have to visit this place for yourself. I cannot wait to return to sample new additions to the menu. Thank you for a fantastic birthday meal ”
“ A very enjoyable lunch in every respect. All four of us really enjoyed it. The pork was not quite as tender as one would expect but everything else was extremely tasty with lots of varied and subtle flavours, and beautifully presented. Huge care was taken over every course. It would be good to see a bit more colour on the terrace-pots of geraniums and hanging baskets maybe otherwise the ambience was delightful and the service quite excellent ”
“ 21st birthday dinner, This was mine and my partners second time at the small holding and it didn’t miss a beat. On arrival we enjoyed some local English wine on the terrace overlooking the humble yet picturesque farm. The food was outstanding with the highlights for me being the scallop dish and the berry dessert. This berry dessert with garden herb sorbet was the best dessert I’ve ever experienced. The balance of this dish was truly exceptional and a real testament to a very talented chef. The service was excellent with attentive, but not too overbearing, hosts. The hosts are always very kind and we love the conversations we get with them throughout the evening. Each dish is presented and explained table side by either very knowledgeable hosts or the chefs themselves. The drinks served, that were made in house, were just impeccable. The atmosphere of the restaurant is cozy and inviting. The music is just the correct volume especially for my partner who has hearing loss, she was still able to hear me and the hosts perfectly. Overall this restaurant never misses a beat, a combination of a fantastic chef team, fantastic hosts and home grown/local ingredients, all in a beautiful setting. We will be back... :) ”
“ We had the most delicious dinner with friends on Friday evening. The canapes were a delight, bursting with interesting flavour . The whole meal from beginning to end was an incredible flavour full and delicious experience. All nicely presented. Gorgeous wines. The staff are very friendly and attentive . Lovely location. Will definitely be back , highly recommend it. ”
“ I am not a typical tasting menu diner. That said, the food was a revelation. Presentation and the creation of so many flavours was one of the finest meals I have eaten. The waiter was very courteous with a dash of humour to add to the atmosphere. The decor is simple rustic. I am not sure whether it is by design or accidental but the all wood design makes the acoustic very noisy. Listening to what was being said at out table was a little to effortful. They would benefit from using rugs or table cloths to reduce the reverberation time of the noise ”
“ I booked this for my wife's birthday and it didn't disappoint. We travelled from Broomfield which was an hour's drive away and this took us through beautiful countryside. The weather was perfect and this beautiful place is tucked away in the countryside and has a beautiful setting. When we arrived the staff were so friendly and made us very welcome. We were shown to our table. The restaurant is rustic and beautifully decorated. We opted for the full acre and also my wife had the drink pairing as well. There were a couple of extras on the menu which are optional and we also took these. One was a scallop dish which I'm glad we did as it was incredible. I can't explain how each dish was prepared but believe me the food was sensational. The work that goes into the flavour and presentation is first class. The staff are very attentive and the wine pairing was on point. I can't remember the gentleman's name but he was so knowledgeable and his choices of wine were faultless with each dish. I went for the soft drinks pairing and again some amazing drinks put together for me. This is an experience which my wife loved, the food was faultless, presented beautifully and the staff were incredible. Thank you to all for making my wife's evening so special. There was even a birthday card on our table which was a lovely touch. ”
“ A wonderful, cosy restaurant with a green Michelin star (awarded for sustainable practices) tucked away in rural Kent. With a farm to table approach, the Full Acre vegetarian tasting menu was fantastic, showcasing their fresh produce and their kitchen staff’s skill in preparing, cooking and presenting the seven courses, plus snacks and sweet treats. No restaurant is complete without its front of house team, who were warm and friendly, and very knowledgeable about the dishes they served. All in all, The Small Holding was delightful, and I’d be very happy to return again. ”