All Kent Accommodation

Canterbury Cathedral in Kent's cultural capital city Canterbury
Museum of Kent Life Maidstone
Margate Main Sands Beach, one of the many blue flag beaches around the Kent Thanet Coast
Historic Dockyard Chatham on the Medway
Walking trails along the White Cliffs of Dover, Kent Channel Coast
Stunning Leeds Castle nr Maidstone Kent
Sissinghurst Gardens in the Kent Weald
The Pantiles, Royal Tunbridge Wells Kent
Golden Sands at Viking Bay Beach Broadstairs Thanet Coast

Kent Tourist Information

Affectionately known as the 'Garden of England', Kent's famous gardens including Sissinghurst Castle Gardens are world renowned. Kent offers numerous historic locations and attractions including Canterbury's cathedral and St Augustine Abbey ruins, Rochester and Dover Castle, Chatham's historic dockyard, Royal Tunbridge Wells' stunning Georgian Pantiles walkway and Chalybeate Springs and historic cinque port Sandwich. Long a gateway into England, always at the frontline of defence and with close links to royalty and London, Kent has many spectacular castles including most popular Leeds Castle near Maidstone and Hever Castle in the South West Corner, historic home of Anne Boleyn.

The birth of English Literature can be traced to Kent and Geoffrey Chaucer's famous work 'The Canterbury Tales'. Charles Dickens fans will also want to head to Kent. Whilst much of Dickensian London is no more, key Dickens locations and sights, many of which feature in his novels, still remain in Kent. Particular Kent locations with Charles Dickens links include the Medway towns Chatham and Rochester and Broadstairs on the Thanet Coast.

The best of Kent's stunning choice of Blue Flag sandy beaches are around the far east Thanet Coast with seaside hotspots Margate and Broadstairs particularly popular with families. Kent is also famous for its beer and hopping, made apparent by the iconic Kent Oast cone houses around the county.

A choice of agricultural museums explore Kent's hopping history and you can take a tour of the Shepherd Neame brewery at Faversham. Events, farmers markets, organic and local produce and festivals all feature heavily on Kent's calendar with big events like the Canterbury International Festival and the Kent County Show attracting huge crowds. Two significant rural areas feature in the area - the Kent High Weald to the west around Tunbridge Wells and the North Kent Downs pushing up from the dramatic white chalky cliffs at Dover and Folkestone through the heart of the county. Almost a quarter of Kent is covered by the North Downs and one of the best ways to explore this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is via the 153 mile North Downs Way.

Dover is a mere 21 miles from Calais and the European mainland and a choice of routes are available into Kent for international visitors including Eurotunnel, Dover and Ramsgate Ferries and Eurostar Trains which stop at Ashford and Ebbsfleet in Kent. Kent International Airport near Ramsgate is also seeing expansion and Kent is within easy reach of Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted Airports.

Featured Kent Accommodation

Freedom Holiday Homes - Kent Channel Coast

A superb selection of self catering holiday accommodation in Deal, Hythe and Sandwich Bay areas. Rated between 3 and 4 Stars by Visit Britain. Sleeps 2-9.

£195 to £1096 Per week (seasonal)

Canterbury City Centre & Around Canterbury

Canterbury is one of England's most historic cities with ancient links to the journey of St Augustine and the birth of Christianity in Britain. Easily explored on foot, Kent's cultural and historic capital Canterbury boasts a host of historic sights, some of which such as St Augustine's Abbey is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Canterbury Cathedral is the international centre of the Anglican Church and dominates the city centre. A tour inside to view the Cathedral's awe inspiring gothic nave and the spot marking where Becket's tomb once was is not to be missed.

Walk through Westgate Towers, Canterbury's historic great gate where thousands of pilgrims have trod on their way to the cathedral and note Canterbury's numerous historic buildings including poor priest houses, ancient inns and hospitals and the ruins of Canterbury Castle, St Augustine's Abbey and St Martin's Church as you tour this friendly and accessible English city. Canterbury is a city linked also with the birth of English Literature and Geoffrey Chaucer's great work - The Canterbury Tales. The Cathedral will be a mecca for Chaucer fans and the Canterbury Tales attraction in the city centre is a superb family attraction and excellent introduction to Chaucer for children.

Canterbury's further appeal is its exciting arts scene culminating in the annual Canterbury International Festival. The city contains a choice of art galleries, theatres and museums including the Roman Museum exploring Canterbury's Roman history. A shopper's paradise too, Canterbury is a centre for organic and local produce and home to the famous Goods Shed covered market alongside excellent specialist and arts and crafts shopping around the Kings Mile, Cathedral and Westgate.

Around Canterbury to the north sits the ancient Blean Woodlands and to the east find Canterbury vineyards and stunning gardens at Goodnestone Park near Staple and Wingham. To the south sit the Canterbury Kent Downs and some of the most striking landscapes and ancient woodlands of the Downs. Historic villages such as Wye with its twice monthly farmers market make perfect bases for access into the Downs and onto the North Downs Way.

Thanet & North Kent Coast

The North Kent Coast and Thanet contains some of Kent's most popular and exciting attractions. The Medway towns of Rochester and Chatham offer numerous attractions including Chatham's historic dockyard and Rochester's castle, cathedral and Charles Dickens links. To the north of Rochester sits the Hoo Peninsula, a haven for waterbirds and home to two RSPB nature reserves.

The Swale area boasts Kent's best known beer brewer, Shepherd Neame in historic market town Faversham and brewery tours are available. Whitstable offers a superb choice of arts and crafts shopping and is famed for its annual summer oyster festival and arts scene. Herne Bay is popular with families and has a delightful long beach promenade with pavilion, pier and seal watching boat trips.

The best of Kent's beaches are in East Kent around the Thanet Coast. Many are glorious sandy sheltered blue flag beaches including Margate Main Sands. Alongside Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate are both Kent family holiday hotspots with a wide selection of watersports available. Ramsgate's stunning harbour and marina plays host to an annual regatta and recently hosted the international waterskiing championships.

The North Kent Coast and Thanet are at the heart of Kent's Charles Dickens trail with highlights including Dickens House in Broadstairs, Restoration House in Rochester and Dickens' home Gads Hill Place in Higham. Both Rochester and Broadstairs host annual Charles Dickens Festivals and for the perfect introduction to Dickens for children head to Chatham's spectacular Dickens World attraction.

Kent Channel Coast

The Kent Channel Coast's history has always been connected to defence. Dover is a mere 21 miles from Calais and the European mainland and has a long history in the frontline of defence from the period of the Cinque Ports through to the 20th Century and two World Wars. Dover Castle ranks as one of Europe's most famous fortresses and an attraction not to be missed in the region inclusive of a tour of the Secret Wartime tunnels underneath the Dover Castle site. The stretch of coast from South Foreland along the White Cliffs of Dover to Folkestone and Samphire Hoe, where the North Downs meets the sea, is one of the UK's heritage coastlines. Here the chalk cliffs reach upto 300 feet in places and you can walk this dramatic and iconic stretch of coast via the Saxon Shore Way.

Before the age of steam the historic Cinque Ports including Sandwich, Deal, Romney, Hythe and Dover were at the frontline of defence and major ports. Both Deal and Walmer Castles were built to defend these important ports. Martello towers are also a significant feature along the coastline and Sandwich particularly is rich in historic buildings including the Guildhall which hint and its Cinque port past. Dover Ferry Port today is one of the busiest passenger ferry ports in the UK served by a choice of ferry companies. Folkestone is where to board the fast 35 minute channel crossing with car - Eurotunnel. A host of wildlife awaits in the stunning Romney Marsh area which boasts numerous walking and cycling trails. Head to the Romney Marsh Visitor Centre at New Romney and the RSPB centre at Dungeness to find out more.

West Kent

West Kent contains the stunning High Weald countryside around Tunbridge Wells and Cranbrook and Kent Downs countryside around Sevenoaks and Westerham. Nestled between the Kent Downs and Weald in the west sits the low lying Eden Valley. This region of Kent is where you'll find some of the county's most famous gardens, historic castles and houses, vineyards and outstanding golf courses. Main historic centre Royal Tunbridge Wells is famed for its stunning Georgian architecture particularly the Pantiles walkway and for its spa heritage - the Chalybeate Spring still produces its therapeutic waters.

Sevenoaks is perfectly placed for exploring the Downs and the Weald and has a number of famous homes nearby including the Sackville family home Knole and Chartwell at Westerham, historic home of Winston Churchill. In the heart of the Kent Weald Cranbrook is a charming location with museum, restaurants, specialist shopping and easy access to the famous Sissinghurst Kent Garden and Kent vineyards at Biddenden. Enjoy summer jousting events at Hever Castle, historic home of Anne Boleyn and stunning Kent Gardens at Scotney, Penshurst and Groombridge. This is one of the National Trust's busiest areas. Many famous gardens and houses are National Trust owned, including Sissinghurst, Chartwell and Knole, so it's well worth considering joining the National Trust if you're touring the region. To the North West sits Dartford and Gravesend, gateways into Kent and London. Take boat trips along the Thames from Gravesend into the heart of London and visit Dartford's acclaimed museum to find out more about the famous Swanscombe skull, the oldest human remains uncovered in Europe, found just outside Dartford. The mammoth Bluewater Shopping Centre, Europe's largest retail outlet, sits just outside Dartford.

Mid Kent

The Mid-Kent area contains two of Kent's main centres - Ashford and Maidstone. Ashford is a major link across the channel via Ashford International Eurostar. The town centre however retains its market town roots and is a delight with a selection of historic buildings including the 15th century St Mary's Parish and a choice of specialist shops, charming pubs and restaurants. Centrally placed, Ashford makes the perfect base from which to explore the Kent Weald and Downs and Dover and the Channel Coast. Kent's administrative centre Maidstone also retains numerous historic buildings including the 14th century Archbishop's Palace. Find one of Kent's best art galleries in Maidstone - the Bentlif Gallery alongside a choice of superb specialist arts and craft shopping and arts venues around historic Bank Street and the Tourist Information Centre. Often referred to as one of Kent's most beautiful attractions, Leeds Castle sits to the south east of Maidstone easily accessed off the main M20 motorway.

Start your exploration into Kent's rural and agricultural history, including the county's famous hops production and beer brewing at the Museum of Kent Life just outside Maidstone. Kent's main rural events venue the Kent County Showground is also situated near the town. North of Ashford the Kent Downs offers a choice of outdoor attractions and activities including the North Downs Way National Trail, Kent Gardens and the Agricultural Museum at Brook. Push south of Ashford to the 'Jewel of the Weald' Tenterden for some of the best antiques and specialist shopping in Kent. Tenterden is also home to one of the stops on the Kent & East Sussex Heritage Railway - a journey not to be missed to take in the best of the Sussex and Kent Weald.

Featured Kent Accommodation

Freedom Holiday Homes - Kent Channel Coast

A superb selection of self catering holiday accommodation in Deal, Hythe and Sandwich Bay areas. Rated between 3 and 4 Stars by Visit Britain. Sleeps 2-9.

£195 to £1096 Per week (seasonal)