Channel 5 is once again travelling through Kent, the Garden of England, in the fourth episode of its documentary series on Wednesday night.
The day begins on the English Channel, as we join sea anglers aboard the Portia, a fishing vessel with a rich history. Captained by Matt Coker, whose family’s fishing roots go back to the 19th century, the boat navigates the waters off the coast of Dover.
Meanwhile, on land, we explore Hever Castle, once the residence of Anne Boleyn, the second wife of Henry VIII. Head Gardener Neal Miller showcases the castle’s incredible gardens, including a 100-year-old Yew tree meticulously shaped into a tortoise.
The episode then takes us to Ide Hill, Kent’s highest village, where Anne Turner and Liz Denbigh manage a bustling community shop. This multi-purpose hub, which includes a post office and a tearoom, has become the heart of the village, with its profits supporting various local initiatives.
As the sun reaches its peak, we find ourselves in the fields near Biddenden, witnessing a grape harvest. This vineyard, Kent’s oldest ‘modern’ establishment, was inspired by a 1960s radio programme on English wine. Today, it produces an impressive 80,000 bottles annually.
As the day comes to a close, we enter Kent’s ancient woodlands and meet Frankie Woodgate and her five-year-old Brabant horse, Jude. Here, we learn about the traditional art of logging with horses, a method that is gentler on the forest than tractor-based approaches.
Kent: The Garden of England, Episode 4 airs Wednesday, 2 October 2024, at 8:00 pm on Channel 5.
