Wealden Times | WT165 | November 2015 | Gift supplement inside

Above left: Caroline is a regular visitor to the Ardingly antiques market, where she bought this large, French-style farmhouse table and other accessories that
decorate the large living area at the front of the house. Above right: Light-coloured homeware and furnishings help to make the most of the natural light
The Woolpack Hotel in Tenterden is one of the
great Wealden success stories of recent years. Taken
over by Rob Cowan three years ago, it has swiftly made
the transition from “rat-infested hell-hole” to one of
the most popular hostelries in the area, winning praise
for its service and atmosphere as well as scoring an
outstanding 4.5 out of 5 on TripAdvisor for its cuisine.
Rob, Caroline and family brought the Woolpack
to life and since then, it has also won plaudits for its
décor, which is no real surprise – Rob originally trained
as an interior designer. So, with such obvious talents
in creating attractive, welcoming environments, one
might very reasonably expect his own home – Brick
House Farm in High Halden – to be something really
rather special. And you’d be right – it is. There is
only one slight problem and that’s the assumption
that he is responsible for both home and hotel.
“With Rob’s background and talents, it was
83 www.wealdentimes.co.uk