East Canterbury Accommodation

Kent Vineyards Goodnestone Wingham Staple East Canterbury Kent UK

The East Canterbury area is home to historic villages like Wingham situated on the ancient coast road from London to Roman Fort Richborough - now the A257. A number of Kent attractions are in the area including historic Wingham's St Mary church dating from the 1200s, Wingham Wildlife Park and the Barnsole Vineyard at Staple.

Goodnestone Park and Gardens east of Canterbury is often referred to as Sissinghurst without the crowds and Jane Austen was a frequent visitor to these stunning Kent Gardens. Other attractions within easy reach include the historic East Kent Light Railway, Stodmarsh Nature Reserve, the old cinque port of Sandwich and Sandwich Bay beaches and golf and Canterbury City Centre. Two miles east of Minster off the B29048 sits St Augustine's Cross marking the spot where Augustine is said to have first landed in England in 597AD before pushing on towards Canterbury.

Featured Kent Accommodation

The Three Tuns Inn - Staple

Traditional inn with rooms, specialising in weddings and set amongst the fruit orchards of rural Kent in the picturesque village of Staple, near Canterbury.

£33 to £48 Per person B&B (2 sharing)

Goodnestone Park & Gardens nr Canterbury

Acclaimed as one of Kent's finest gardens, Goodnestone east of Canterbury offers real variety in its choice of gardens and makes for the perfect family day out. Often referred to as 'Sissinghurst without the crowds', Jane Austen was a frequent visitor to Goodnestone.

Gardens include a Walled Garden, Woodland garden, Parterre and Terraces, Arboretum and Gravel Garden. Dating originally from 1704, the house and gardens have changed much over the years. Read Goodnestone's full history via the webguide.

Concerts and special events including fireworks displays run regularly throughout the year.

Main Season is from late March to early October. A nursery, shop and refreshments are all on-site. Most areas in the gardens as accessible to wheelchairs. Tel. 01304 840107.

Wingham, Staple & Canterbury Vineyards

East of Canterbury along the A257 sits the 3 acre site of Barnsole Vineyard, a family run business since 1993. Take free tours and wine tasting sampling some of England's finest wines here. Check their webguide right for details on opening times. Free parking and picnic areas are on-site.

Barnsole Vineyard, Fleming Road, Staple, Canterbury, Kent CT3 1LG. Tel. 01304 812 530.

Wingham Wildlife Park sits mid-way between Canterbury and Sandwich, easily accessed just off the A257. Open all year round, 7 days a week from 10am to 6pm. On-site is a tropical park, pet farm, duck pond, picnic area and outdoor adventure play area. Other animals you can expect to see here include Llamas, Lemurs, Prairie Dogs, Pygmy Goats, Marmoset and Parma Wallabys. An aviary is also on-site plus parrot house, birds of prey and owls, geese and swans. Checkout Wingham Wildlife Park's website right for more details.

Wingham Wildlife Park, Wingham nr Canterbury Kent CT3 1JL. Group Bookings tel. 01227 720836.

East Kent Light Railway

The little East Kent Railway currently runs for 4 miles round trip from Shepherdswell to Eythorne and sits within the context of a project to preserve the last of the Kent Coalfields in the area. The light railway was built between 1911 and 1917 specifically to serve the coal mines in the area. Initial plans were to link it all the way to Richborough port but these never materialised.

The line section from Shepherdswell to Tilmanstone colliery however remained in operation until the miners strike of 1984. The colliery finally closed in 1986 followed by closure of the line in 1987. Volunteers began plans to reopen the line from 1989, and today regular heritage passenger trains are run entirely by volunteers.

Facilities are extensive at both the Shepherdswell and Eythorne stations. Shepherdswell boasts a miniature railway, visitor centre, museum and shop, static buffet carriages, picnic and viewing areas and free car park on-site. Eythorne station also has a free car park, toilets, a renovated selling signal box and tea bar and shop.

For more details on the history of the East Kent Railway and coalfields see the weblink right which also lists prices, regular events and timetable. Events cater particularly well for children and include a Teddies Picnic, 1940s re-enactment, Heritage Bus Rally and Ghost Trains.

Featured Kent Accommodation

The Three Tuns Inn - Staple

Traditional inn with rooms, specialising in weddings and set amongst the fruit orchards of rural Kent in the picturesque village of Staple, near Canterbury.

£33 to £48 Per person B&B (2 sharing)