The Wife of Bath, Tapas Bar, Restaurant and Rooms in Wye

In the heart of Beautiful Wye

The Wife of Bath has been on the food map of Kent for over 40 years. Acquired and refurbished by Mark Sargeant in 2016, we now serve Northern Spanish inspired dishes across our A La Carte and Tapas menus. There are 5 beautifully refurbished en-suite bedrooms at The Wife of Bath if you decide to stay over. The stunning Sir Thopas room in the main house comes with a super king size bed and has a stunning vaulted ceiling. Enjoy a formal meal in the restaurant, some simple casual tapas at the bar or even a stop over en-route to the continent, The Wife of Bath caters for everyone.

Discover Wye

Historically a resting place for weary Pilgrims, Wye is a beautiful village set in the heart of the Kent countryside. You will not have to venture far from The Wife of Bath to find the old age charm of this beautiful village which has the river Stour running beside it. Wye holds a local famers market every other weekend in the village and there are also a few shops and pubs to discover along the high street.

Further Afield

The Wife of Bath is perfectly located for travellers wanting to stop en route to the continent. The Eurostar Terminal at Ashford International Station is just one stop away by train from Wye, or about a 10 minute drive by car and the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle Terminal is about a 15 minute drive by car, southbound on the M20.

Wye also makes a fantastic base for those looking to explore Kent and the South East of England, whether by road or rail. Wye station is less than a ten minute walk from The Wife of Bath, and both Ashford and Canterbury are just a short train ride away. Canterbury Cathedral would serve as a wonderful day out, and Ashford has a high speed rail link to London so you can be in our wonderful capital city within an hour.

Meet our suppliers

BOOK A TABLE

To reserve a table please call 01233 812232, or use the form below to book online

We cater for all dietary requirements, please let us know when you book.

OpenTable

Press & Awards

"Manchego and chorizo scones for breakfast? Padron peppers on the side? Moorish blue tiles? Well hola, Weald of Kent: this former resting spot for pilgrims bound for Canterbury now has a dash of northern Spain, and it's all down to the restaurateur Mark Sargeant. He'd already nailed a couple of fishy restaurants in nearby Folkestone (Rocksalt; the Smokehouse) and a classic English pub in Ickham (the Duke William), so presumably thought: "Wye: picturesque, straddled by the Kent Downs, garden of England... tapas?" And he's pulled it off..." The Sunday Times - Foodie hotel of the year October 2018 - Read more...

"The Wife of Bath's attractive edifice is home not to a traditional country pub, or even anything so 20th century as a wine bar, but in fact a serious, modern Spanish restaurant; two bright, spacious rooms populated by effortlessly attentive staff, serving the kind of high-end Iberian fare you would be more than pleased to pay for in Galicia, never mind in deepest Kent..." Cheese & Biscuits September 2018 - Read more...

"If you want a night away from the city with some serious culinary credentials factored in, hop on a train and head to The Wife of Bath, Mark Sargeant's Grade II listed restaurant-with-rooms, for English Inn vibes with a Spanish twist..." Urban Junkies August 2018 - Read more...

"One of the UK's best northern Spanish restaurants isn't what you expect to find at a six-bedroom B&B in a sleepy Kent village. Unless you knew it were there, you'd never find it... it's a light and airy space where the bedrooms host high ceilings, wrought-iron beds and excellent design touches, but the restaurant is worth the visit alone. Sundays see a Spanish take on a traditional lunch (book a seat on the terrace), with superb tapas and a subtly spiced pork belly from local pigs that had us reconsidering our own approach to roasting. Spanish breakfast is equally superb. Tortilla with crispy jamón Ibérico beats bacon and eggs hands down in this weather, while Manchego and chorizo scones had us begging for the recipe..." Food & Travel Magazine July 2018

"... You'd expect the restaurant to serve traditional British gastropub fare but in fact, truly mouthwatering Spanish fine dining is on offer. I sampled a starter of earthy wild mushrooms topped with a perfectly runny duck's egg, and anchovies from Ortiz which taste like a different fish compared to the overly salty tinned variety. The main of chorizo-crusted flaky lemon sole on a bed of pea risotto with a deep-fried oyster was lavish. I finished it off with a rewardingly rich bitter chocolate tart. Luckily the Kent Downs are only a short walk away so you can exercise off the excess..." Daily Mail Online July 2018

"... The menus are equally nuanced. Locally sourced pork, fish, poultry and game is ravished, rattled and rolled by flavours from the likes of the Basque Country and Catalunya. Stand-outs include the rabbit and chorizo starter, which arrives ready to hop from a tidy parcel of savoy cabbage, the surprisingly light and tender ox cheek and the not-so-bitter-chocolate tart, served with Sevillano olive oil and Folkestone salt â€“ the latter used liberally on the restaurant's devilishly silky butter. Make sure to explore the Spanish drinks too: from the rich Bobal de San Juan red to the oaky Alvear dessert wine, this sharp spouse has used all her wiles to smuggle out those better bottles normally kept quietly back in Spain..." Condé Nast Traveller Featured June 2018 - Read more...

"... Rustic meets refined in a locally sourced menu that takes its lead from Basque flavours, with perfect plates of baked cod, cider and saffron broth; Iberico pork; and moreish wild mushroom empanadas. Eaten so much you can't move? The restaurant has rooms, too, so book yourself in and you'll only need to get yourself upstairs. Phew..." Escapism Magazine Read more...

"... Now it is a Spanish Restaurant, tapas bar and six room boutique hotel. The food, which has been described as 'superb' by no less than the Telegraph, is inspired by the cuisine of Cataluna, the Basque country, Cantabria and Galicia, made using the wonderful produce available from the local fields, coastline - and vines. We are very honoured to share some recipes..." Wealden Times Featured June 2018 - Read more (p177)...

"... There wasn't a single low point in our selection: seasoning was on point, presentation was perfect, and the taste was a combination of being transported to a beachside bar in Spain with the added benefit of being in a beautiful restaurant in Kent..." insideKENT Magazine Reviewed January 2018 - Read more...

"... The à la carte menu takes inspiration from the best of Spanish gastronomy: Cataluña, the Basque Country, Cantabria and Galicia. We soon discover that chef Adam's dishes are adventurous in both their influence and flavour, perfectly blending the rustic with the refined while showcasing locally sourced pork, poultry, game and south-coast fish..." Kent Life Reviewed October 2017 - Read more...

"... 'Inspired' by northern Spain, rather than claiming some spurious and slavish 'authenticity', dishes have both verve and confidence... Throw in a wine list that offers real value, plus the heaven-sent service I've already banged on about. And you have a restaurant to relish." The Mail On Sunday Rated 4/5 by Tom Parker-Bowles: "It's the Kent Restaurant where Chaucer meets chorizo. And... Verily, 'tis a Spanish Treat"

"Another addition to chef Mark Sargeant and Josh De Haan's portfolio of Kentish restaurants with rooms. With a superb Spanish restaurant and tiny tapas bar, its signature quirky style and authentic cuisine works surprisingly well in the bucolic setting..." The Telegraph Rated 9/10 in The Telegraph's Travel Destinations

"The Latest from chef Mark Sargeant, this converted Victorian house opened recently in the village of Wye. Dishes such as quail escabeche and monkfish with saffron and red-pepper rice, teamed with a glass of tinto, have the feel of northern Spain..." The Sunday Times Magazine Featured in The Sunday Times' "Best Restaurants With Rooms"

Get in Touch

01233 812232 info@thewifeofbath.com

Explore the local area

4 Upper Bridge Street, Wye, Kent, TN25 5AF

Visit Us

Wye is less than an hour from St Pancras and just one stop from Ashford for those travelling by train. If you're arriving by road there is free parking behind the restaurant and ample street parking nearby.

Opening Times

Lunch
Wednesday - Saturday Midday - 3pm
Sunday Midday - 3pm

Dinner
Tuesday - Saturday 6:30pm - 9:30pm

Bar
Tuesday 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Wednesday - Saturday Midday - 9:30pm
Sunday Midday - 5pm

Taste of Kent Awards

Vote for us!

Please take a minute to vote for us in the Taste of Kent Awards "Best Kent Restaurant" category - voting closes 02/01/19

vote now