Susan Calman’s Grand Day Out: Kent (Channel 5 Friday 3 November 2023)

Susan Calman’s Grand Day Out: Kent airs Friday 3 November 2023 on Channel 5.

What is this episode about

This time, Susan and Helen, her campervan, are touring the scenic backroads of Kent, stopping in historic cities like Canterbury and rambling through the Garden of England. Susan is in for a fantastic time as she explores famous landmarks, partakes in thrilling activities, and falls in love with the breathtaking scenery of this amazing county.

She begins her journey at the magnificent Hever Castle. Anne Boleyn spent her childhood here, and the house and gardens have won numerous awards. One of the world’s richest men also had his 7,000-yard golf course built there. It’s a stunning location, but Susan also finds humour in the fact that she can lend a hand. She enjoys gardening, and who can argue with the convenience of a riding mower? She then takes the punts that travel the River Stour to the historic city of Canterbury. It’s a lovely, relaxing trip, but there are a couple of low-level bridges that need to be crossed, as she finds out.

Then it’s Canterbury Cathedral, where the unbelievable tale of Thomas Beckett took place and which made Canterbury the most popular pilgrimage destination in the Middle Ages. Again, she finds that traditional techniques are still being used to create medieval-style souvenirs. She orders her own “pilgrim badge” right away, only to find out the hard way that making them requires pouring molten metal. Even though you know you shouldn’t, reaching out to touch something hot is the first thing you do.

Brogdale Farm in Kent, known as the Garden of England, is home to the United Kingdom’s National Fruit Collection. It’s cherry season, and this area offers no less than 320 different kinds of cherries. The term “Garden of England” was reportedly coined by King Henry VIII after he sampled some of the regional cherries. Many of them are beautiful, but Susan comes across one she has never seen before that puts a whole new spin on the word “sour.” It would appear that this was the preferred style during the Tudor era.

She learns that the town of Penshurst was the setting for a famous film duel in the form of ‘The Princess Bride’ and tries her hand at fencing. Then she travels to idyllic Sandwich, one of Europe’s best-preserved mediaeval towns, to learn the origin story of the dish for which the town is named and to indulge in a few. She concludes her journey at the magnificent St. Peter’s Tower, which provides a 360-degree panorama of this breathtaking town, and she reflects on the Garden of England one last time. This Grand Day Out has exceeded all of her expectations.

Season 6 Episode 5 of 6

When can we see the episode

Susan Calman’s Grand Day Out: Kent airs Friday 3 November 2023 at 8:00pm on Channel 5

Featured Image Credit: Channel 5