Photo by flickr user Supermac1961
Kent really does have everything – it’s no wonder the conquerors wanted to settle here. With its historic towns, wild coastline and flourishing countryside, the Garden of England is a truly magnificent spectacle all year round, whether it’s looking over the rolling Weald countryside, peppered with orchards and oast houses, or taking in the sea air at Whitstable, strolling its unspoilt high street lined with independent shops and tucking into world-famous oysters.
For foodies, Kent certainly has its place on the map, with a high concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants and pubs, from the unpretentious Sportsman at Seasalter to the old-fashioned grandeur of Reads Restaurant with Rooms. Well known for the Shepherd Neame brewery in Faversham, Kent has plenty of quality pubs with their historic charm preserved and award-winning ales to keep any enthusiast happy. For wine drinkers, the low Weald is the place to be with the superb Chapel Down and Biddenden vineyards on the doorstep.
After all that eating, there’s plenty on offer in terms of outdoor pursuits, from a leisurely ramble around the numerous areas of outstanding natural beauty, wildlife reserves and heritage properties, such as Sissinghurst and Hever Castle, to more energetic activities like cycling the Viking coastal trail, kite surfing in Margate or playing 18 holes on one of the country’s best golf courses – Royal St George’s Golf Club in Sandwich. It’s not just the Vikings who took a liking to Kent; the county has been the backdrop for many great literary masterpieces such as Dickens’ David Copperfield and Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, as wells as inspiration for artists such as Tracey Emin and JMW Turner – now celebrated in the Turner Contemporary gallery in Margate.
When looking for somewhere to rest your head after all that excitement the possibilities are endless, but it’s the quaint B&Bs that shine through. From a wind-swept captain’s house on the Kentish coastline to a three-storey former fire station, there’s a style to suit everyone, whether it’s shabby-chic vintage or cutting edge contemporary. By far one of England’s loveliest and most varied counties, it’s easy to become addicted to exploring the nooks and crannies of this cultural hotspot.
Written by Charlotte Luxford
