Harden's survey result
Summary
Fans are “sad to hear that the Pitchfords are selling up” when it comes to this village restaurant with rooms – run by David and Rona Pitchford since 1977 and “a go-to for special family events” for many in this part of Kent. “The menu is conservative but the food always of a very high standard”, with items such as ‘A Prawn Cocktail the way we used to do it back in when we opened’. It went on the market for £3m in April 2023, but we’ve left its rating untouched in the hope that any purchaser maintains its “traditional excellence” – “always, a treat especially the soufflés”.
Summary
This “fine-dining manor house” in north Kent, run by chef-patron David Pitchford and his wife Rona as a “family business for 40 years plus”, is “consistently wonderful in all aspects” and “always a real treat”. “Although the food may be considered a little safe, its quality does not drop”, while the “range of smaller dining rooms” makes it “the go-to restaurant for special family occasions” – “even teenage grandchildren love the style and ambience”. Top Tip – “amazing soufflés”.
Summary
“Other than the fact that it’s set in the wilds of nowhere (and a walk into Faversham is less than exciting)”, David & Rona Pitchford’s long-established stalwart in an “interesting” manor house is “an excellent place to stay and to dine”, and one where the food errs on the traditional side.
Summary
“High-end dining in a comfortable manor house setting” has been a gastronome’s treat at David and Rona Pitchford’s stylish operation near the north Kent coast for three decades. “The food may seem slightly old-fashioned” these days, but there’s no shame in that – “if you’re a traditionalist, rate quality, and place substance over style, then Read’s will not disappoint”.
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Read’s?
Macknade Manor, Canterbury Rd, Faversham, ME13 8XE
Restaurant details
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Always | £75.00 |  |
|
|
|
| Lunch | £42.00 | |
|
|
| Cost | Availability | Courses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menu1 | 80.00 | Always available | 7 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £32.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £4.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 10.00% |
Macknade Manor, Canterbury Rd, Faversham, ME13 8XE
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 7 pm‑9 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 7 pm‑9 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 7 pm‑9 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 7 pm‑9 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 7 pm‑9 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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