Are you questioning what are the most productive issues to do in Kent? Kent is a county stuffed with villages that seem like they belong on a postcard. However its cities are temporarily turning into nice puts to break out from town, from the cool streets of Margate to the previous middle of Canterbury.
Kent is thought of as the “Lawn of England”, with its stunning nation-state and coast, world-famous sights, and scrumptious food and drinks. The White Cliffs of Dover, Leeds Fortress, Hever Fortress, Canterbury Cathedral, The Ancient Dockyards Chatham, Dreamland Margate, and Port Lympne Lodge & Reserve are simply one of the most superb puts which can be ready to be found out.
It’s no wonder that the meals scene right here is among the most enjoyable in the United Kingdom because it provides a lot of the rustic with fruit, hops, and different meals. Other folks come from everywhere the arena to take a look at the most productive fashionable British meals within the town’s eating places and pubs.
They’re additionally recognized for his or her award-winning glowing wine, so why no longer take a excursion of one among Kent’s many vineyards to take a look at some English wine or seek advice from Britain’s oldest brewery, Shepherd Neame, to take a look at some just right British beer? And because they’ve Michelin-star eating places, gastropubs, meals fairs, and farmers’ markets, you received’t cross hungry whilst you seek advice from!
However there’s extra to it than simply consuming and ingesting. Kent has the oldest rollercoaster in the United Kingdom, a seashell-covered grotto, stunning seashores, and a world-class artwork gallery. Its winding nation roads are amusing to discover, and those that come right here through educate, on foot, or through motorcycle can even in finding so much to love. Learn on to determine what the most productive issues to do in Kent are.
Highest Issues to Do in Kent, UK
1. Canterbury Cathedral
After I went to Kent for the primary time, I’ll by no means omit it. The very first thing that I did used to be seek advice from Canterbury Cathedral, the place I went on a guided excursion.
The Canterbury Cathedral in England is each the oldest and most vital Christian web page within the nation. Its foundations had been laid through Saint Augustine within the yr 597 CE. This magnificent construction is the mummy cathedral of the Anglican religion, sometimes called the Church of England. Its development took greater than 340 years, and it’s these days probably the most visited cathedrals in all of Europe.
The Canterbury Cathedral, which is now indexed at the UNESCO International Heritage Websites checklist, is highest skilled as a part of a guided excursion. Your timed front, which will also be reserved upfront, will grant you get right of entry to to very important options such because the Nice Cloister, the Bankruptcy Area, and the Twelfth-century choir this is embellished with statues of six previous English kings.
You’re going to additionally be capable of seek advice from the site within the Northwest Transept the place Archbishop Thomas Becket used to be assassinated on the behest of King Henry II within the yr 1170.
Even supposing maximum cathedral excursions most effective closing for roughly an hour, you’re welcome to spend considerably extra time at the grounds. If you wish to get some just right footage of the construction with out numerous folks in them, you must make reservations for the earliest imaginable admission time as a result of it might probably get very crowded.
On Burgate Side road, you’ll discover a memento and present store that visitors can seek advice from even with out paying the doorway charge to the cathedral.
within the different heritage websites? Take a look at The Checklist of Shocking UNESCO International Heritage Websites in the United Kingdom
2. Leeds Fortress
The Leeds Fortress is but any other citadel that has made it onto my checklist. It’s one of these elementary part of Kent that I will be able to’t depart it out of the dialog! For various causes, Leeds Fortress is one among my very favorites, however on the best of the checklist is the truth that it has an unbelievable picturesque high quality and makes for some stunningly stunning pictures regardless of the time of yr.
It may be discovered about 11 kilometers (about 7 miles) to the east of the county the town of Maidstone. Because the ninth century, it used to be not unusual wisdom that this location as soon as housed a citadel. Even supposing maximum of what you spot lately used to be built in more moderen instances throughout all 3 islands, the Gloriette, which is its oldest segment, used to be constructed within the yr 1280.
The magnificent Leeds Fortress will also be discovered on two islands in the midst of a lake this is nourished through the River Len. It seems like one thing out of an image e-book with its majestic medieval construction, pretty formal gardens, a maze, and an underground grotto, all of which can be set within the parkland that encompasses 500 acres.
As it used to be house to 6 other medieval queens over the process its 900-year historical past, it’s regularly known as the “Fortress of Queens, Queen of Castles.”
You might want to simply lose monitor of time wandering round and investigating the more than a few portions of the web page. The land, the educate, and the boat all give a contribution to the enjoy (and enable you to get round), whilst the maze supplies an entertaining and difficult impediment path.
The Knights’ Stronghold and the Squires’ Courtyard are simply two of the various youngsters’s play spaces positioned at the premises. Different choices come with the Squires’ Courtyard. If you are interested in birds or different varieties of flora and fauna, the wooded spaces and massive lakes that encompass the citadel are house to various chook species.
The enjoy of visiting Leeds Fortress is rounded out through a couple of ordinary additions as nicely. The yearly Leeds Fortress Live performance has been a spotlight of the birthday celebration ever since it all started within the Eighties. This enormous tournament, which takes position all over the day, involves a head within the night time with a efficiency of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, which is accompanied through fireworks and cannon hearth.
3. Bodiam Fortress
Bodiam Fortress, which dates again to the 14th century and is positioned within the middle of a ancient panorama, is among the maximum picturesque and romantic historic monuments in Britain. It options battlements, spiral staircases, and a portcullis.
You’ll be able to relive your formative years recollections and let your creativeness run wild in puts like a tower that used to be as soon as used as a lookout, a tower that used to be as soon as home windows wherein arrows had been loosed, and ruins that had been as soon as traversed through knights.
The outside of the reputedly unaltered medieval construction is encircled through a considerable moat. An extraordinary instance of its sort, the spectacular gatehouse is house to the unique picket portcullis that used to be put in at the citadel. It’s imaginable to get a way of what existence used to be like throughout the citadel from the ruins that stay within the courtyard.
Within the days of the center ages, when this citadel used to be a spoil surrounded through a moat, it used to be an emblem of status and performed host to top society. These days, it sits inside the Rother valley. The court docket is the most important surviving construction, each as a work of structure and as a illustration of a medieval atmosphere.
4. Hever Fortress
Hever Fortress will also be discovered all of the approach from one finish of Kent to the opposite, proper up towards the western boundary of the county. It’s imaginable that Hever Fortress is probably the most picturesque location in all of Kent. This medieval castle, which is positioned as regards to London, is among the maximum photogenic castles within the house and is no doubt value an afternoon commute.
Christoph Matthias Siebenborn, CC BY 3.0, by the use of Wikimedia Commons
Hever Fortress, a surprising belongings surrounded through a moat, used to be Anne Boleyn’s formative years house, so guests must be ready for a wealth of Tudor historical past! Since then, notable people comparable to William Waldorf Astor have owned it. Exploring the other rooms and seeing how they had been embellished displays each the tastes of the former house owners and the models that had been in style on the time.
On the other hand, the gardens at Hever Fortress are the spotlight of any commute to the citadel. This location is house to one of the most most pretty gardens that may be present in Kent.
Have a great time attempting to not get misplaced within the yew maze, looking at jousting tournaments all over the nice and cozy summer season months, rowing at the breathtakingly stunning lake, taking in a efficiency on the out of doors theater, or navigating the water jets within the water maze.
The points of interest of the lake are captivating, and the gardeners listed below are professional in addition to dedicated to their paintings. Taking the entirety into account, Hever Fortress is undoubtedly probably the most surprising vacationer locations in all of Kent.
Whitstable is house to a thriving and authentic arts tradition, and it sort of feels as despite the fact that round each and every bend within the highway lies a brand new and fascinating appeal to find. Along with that, walking alongside the beachfront and taking a look at the entire seaside huts is a lovely technique to spend a while.
You must put Whitstable to your checklist of items to do in the United Kingdom.
5. White Cliffs of Dover
There aren’t many portions of the English beach which can be in a position to rouse the similar emotions because the noted White Cliffs of Dover. Those world-famous white chalk cliffs, which stretch for 8 miles, will also be explored in various alternative ways.
Immanuel Giel, CC BY-SA 3.0 , by the use of Wikimedia Commons
You’ll be able to discover them from the air through flying in a heritage Spitfire (which can set you again a gorgeous penny); from the water through using a cross-channel ferry, cruise send, or vacationer boat (which can take a little time); or through climbing alongside a well-maintained path community above the cliffs (which can be a breeze).
The latter choice is undoubtedly probably the most cost-effective and handy, and it involves paying a seek advice from to the Gateway to the White Cliffs Customer Heart, which is positioned atop the cliffs and provides breathtaking perspectives over the Port of Dover. Earlier than venturing out to discover the cliffs, you must first spend a while at this Nationwide Believe web page.
You’re going to discover a wealth of knowledge that can be of use to you in regards to the unique geology of the area, in addition to its fauna and vegetation.
Take a commute there for a brisk stroll alongside the cliffs, and whilst you’re there, stay a watch out for the Exmoor ponies which can be used to stay the grass beneath keep watch over. When you’re there, you’ll additionally discover the deserted tunnels from International Battle II which can be hidden inside the cliffs, don a difficult hat, and be informed concerning the clinical discoveries that had been made on the Victorian lighthouse.
As well as, for those who cross to Dover Fortress, you’ll seek advice from the precise location the place the primary aircraft to fly around the English Channel touched down. A memorial fabricated from concrete within the form of an aircraft stands there to mark the spot.
6. Ancient Dockyard of Chatham
The Ancient Dockyard in Chatham is where to move if you have an interest in maritime historical past as a result of it is going to assist you to totally immerse your self within the matter. However I don’t suppose it’s only for people who find themselves within the sea. There’s a large number of issues to do and spot on this house.
The Ancient Dockyard Chatham, which has a historical past courting again 400 years, has been the most important part of the British military’s protection in each and every war, together with the dispute over the Falkland Islands.
On the Dockyard, guests can take part in all kinds of thrilling actions, comparable to an interactive strolling cinema, hands-on shows of the main trades, and a excursion of HMS Namur, the send this is submerged underneath the ground.
Your consideration is drawn to a few ships, each and every of which is somewhat distinct: a submarine from the Chilly Battle (HMS Ocelot), a destroyer from International Battle II (HMS Cavalier), and a Victorian sloop. On each and every of them, you’ll wander round and get the sensation of being transported again in time.
Don’t go up the chance to peer the full-scale reproduction of HMS Victory, the send that served as Lord Nelson’s flagship all over the Struggle of Trafalgar and a logo of British naval would possibly.
Then again, there’s something in retailer for the ones of you who’re enthusiasts of Name the Midwife and the Dockyard. Filming for the tv collection, in addition to different scenes, came about at this location. It is possible for you to to view the sights, and you’ll even take part in a guided journey.
7. Whitstable
Stunning Whitstable is a small fishing the town that also is positioned at the coast, however visiting there’s a wholly other enjoy than visiting Dreamland.
A commute to the seashore lodge of Whitstable is a lovely day commute from London. When you experience consuming shellfish through the water, that is the best vacation spot on your subsequent holiday. On this location, you’re going to in finding a few of the hottest seafood to be had for intake. The oysters produced on this the town have helped make it the world over famend.
Each summer season, the city of Whitstable hosts a pageant this is referred to as the Whitstable Oyster Pageant. When you experience seafood and are in search of a amusing tournament to wait, this may well be the only for you. As a result of this, Whitstable is constantly ranked as probably the most best summer season locations for day journeys from London.
On the other hand, Whitstable could also be a gorgeous vacation spot to seek advice from at different instances of the yr. The seaside is a superb position to bask within the solar, and the top boulevard is covered with old fashioned retail outlets, scrumptious eating places, and comfy espresso retail outlets.
As a result of there’s a educate station in Whitstable that has direct hyperlinks to the capital of the UK, this is among the highest puts to visit the seaside as regards to London if you wish to go back and forth through rail.
8. Chislehurst Caves
Chislehurst Caves are an archeological web page that may be discovered about 30 meters beneath the outside of Kent’s northwestern nook. Get ready to return in time and be informed concerning the individuals who lived all over the Ice Age, together with the Druids, Romans, and Saxons. Your historical past starts with the Ice Age.
The caves served as a munitions depot all over International Battle I and International Battle II, after which later become an underground town that equipped quilt for roughly 15,000 folks all over air raids.
All through the closing century, they’ve additionally been the environment for concert events, a church, or even some mushroom cultivation. You’ll want to enroll in a excursion, which departs as soon as each and every hour, and also you’ll be given an oil lamp that can assist you in finding your approach round in the dead of night. That is the one technique to get a glimpse inside of.
The participants of the Labyrinthe LARPing Membership, who use the caves frequently for his or her video games, might also placed on a display for guests, however this will depend on the day you select to move.
It’s now a well-liked vacation spot for vacationers and a sought-after filming location for in style tv displays like “Physician Who.”
9. Giant Cat Sanctuary
The Giant Cat Sanctuary is a superb asset that Kent possesses, and town should be very happy with this truth. This charitable group is making implausible strides towards retaining herbal assets everywhere the arena. The Giant Cat Diaries at the BBC will have presented you to the idea that.
You received’t be capable of wander into the Sanctuary on every other day but even so Open Days. On the other hand, I will not tension sufficient how necessary it’s so that you can time table an enjoy at this location so to have one thing that may depart you speechless. They no longer most effective supply very good images workshops but additionally unforgettable in a single day safari adventures.
10. Margate
Over the process the closing ten years, Margate has emerged as a motive force at the back of Kent’s seashore renaissance. This infrequently run-down however all the time pleasant coastal the town is house to old-school arcades, very good indie cafés, and offbeat cultural sights which can be designed to draw vacationers down for day journeys or extra prolonged remains. As soon as patronizingly decried as down-at-heel, this the town used to be as soon as described as being “down on the heel.”
Individuals who sought after to break out from the pressures of town have lengthy made Margate their holiday spot of selection. Its refined Victorian glamour made it a well-liked vacation spot for vacationers lengthy earlier than town’s contemporary resurgence, and TS Eliot used to be partial to where. JMW Turner additionally painted a few of his noted seascapes right here. It’s the ideally suited location for an afternoon commute, irrespective of the season, as it may be reached through educate in simply 90 mins from St. Pancras.
My primary advice for issues to do in Margate is to make your technique to the newly renovated amusement park Dreamland. The amusement park referred to as Margate Dreamland first opened its gates within the yr 1870.
There was a speedy migration of London’s overflow inhabitants to Margate, which has ended in an building up within the selection of peculiar occasions being held there. Dreamland is among the highest puts to search out such incredible occasions.
This venue is positioned at the water’s edge and offers antique amusement park rides, a curler disco, a chosen play house for kids beneath the age of 8, and a number of eats and beverages. As well as, there are common occasions held right here, which is able to vary from massive gigs and membership nights to flea markets, circus displays, and numerous different issues.
Don’t fail to spot the chance to experience the ‘Scenic Railway, which is a picket rollercoaster and likewise the oldest in the United Kingdom.
11. Canterbury Roman Museum
The Canterbury Roman Museum is the one Roman museum in Kent and provides a captivating and kid-friendly glance into existence in Roman Britain. The museum is positioned in Canterbury. Visitors have the ability to be informed concerning the historical past of Canterbury, take a walk in the course of the marketplace, and seek for hidden treasures as they go back and forth again in time and in the course of the streets of Roman Canterbury.
The historical past of the Canterbury Roman Museum started on an afternoon within the yr 1868 that in the beginning look gave the impression to be relatively peculiar. Employees who had been excavating trenches for a brand new drainage machine reached a intensity of 8 toes beneath the road stage once they made an sudden discovery: a Roman flooring mosaic that have been remarkably nicely preserved.
Transferring ahead in time to the instant aftermath of the 2d International Battle, excavations started underneath the cellars of retail outlets that had been levelled through bombing, and but any other astonishing in finding used to be made.
Archaeologists unearthed a radiant flooring heating machine, wall art work, and a mosaic hall that used to be completely breathtaking. The ground mosaic have been changed through the ruins of an expansive, and without a doubt very pricey, Roman townhouse, which intended that the web page used to be now not simply an remoted flooring mosaic.
Over the process time, a museum used to be established with the intention to area the ruins and make sure the preservation of what’s now identified as probably the most most effective final in situ Roman pavement mosaics in the UK and a Scheduled Historical Monument.
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The whole lot Zany Trip Weblog exploring the United Kingdom and past. Sharing go back and forth guides, guidelines, historical past and tradition. Our go back and forth media logo is based through go back and forth and lodge trade knowledgeable – Ryazan Tristram, a Twin Citizen (British – Filipina) primarily based in Birmingham, UK. The whole lot Zany is a credible and award-winning go back and forth weblog. Our paintings and contributions were featured in Huffington Put up, CNBC, Discovery Channel, GMA, Readers Digest, and Lonely Planet. Our missions are to construct an excellent go back and forth group and useful resource of go back and forth guidelines, visas and go back and forth guides for travellers. Sign up for us as we go back and forth round the United Kingdom and past with a challenge to percentage the most productive of the arena.