Roughway Farm sits in the West Kent Countryside at Plaxtol, Tonbridge, a couple
of miles from where l grew up. The farm was purchased by John Cannon after his parents
sold the farmland they worked on belonging to the neighbouring Oxenhoath Estate in West
Peckham. They had farmed this land since the family had migrated to England in the
late 1940s.
John later became President of the Kent Cobnuts Association until his passing in
December 2023. The farm is now run by Giles Cannon with Tom Cannon overseeing the thriving
online business that aims to provide fresh British produce straight to the consumer.
online business that aims to provide fresh British produce straight to the consumer.
One of my favourites is the traditional cobnut. Its a type of hazelnut that is traditionally grown
in Kent. They are harvested in their green state from mid-August right the way through to
in Kent. They are harvested in their green state from mid-August right the way through to
brown shells and husks by mid-October.
At The Club you will find these nuts in some of our dressings, pesto and simply roasted to
complement some of our seasonal dishes. Roughway Farm also produces many soft
and firm fruits from cherries, apricots, damsons and, new for Roughway, the
aprimira. This delicious stone fruit is a cross between an apricot and a mirabelle and is a
combination of both flavours and textures. It’s quite stunning!
As l write this article, we are using roasted cobnuts with our game terrine (celeriac, golden
raisin & cobnut dressing) and our duck liver mousse (broken roasted cobnuts), but look out
for our fennel & cobnut pesto on future menus or purchase directly from the farm, they would
love to see you. Earlier in the year, we created spiced plum jam with plums from Roughway.
Enjoy
Chef
