Kent

The Garden of England – a title supposedly given by King Henry VIII after enjoying a bowl of finest Kentish cherries. Kent is much loved for its castles and gardens and rolling countryside, dominated by the North Downs, marching on to the White Cliffs of Dover. Along them, Pilgrims’ Way leads to the stunningly beautiful Canterbury Cathedral, the spiritual home of the Church of England.

Below them is the gloriously fertile Weald with its rich agricultural heritage, reflected in its architecture. Magnificent and moated, Leeds heads the plethora of Kent’s castles and fortified manor houses. Hever Castle was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII’s second wife. The stunning gardens of Sissinghurst, Penshurst Place and Groombridge Place are just three elements of the garden lover’s ‘heaven’ that is Kent.

The great Victorian novelist, Charles Dickens, had many connections with Kent, in particular, Chatham, Rochester and Broadstairs. Kent’s contribution to Britain’s naval past is remembered at the fascinating Chatham Historic Dockyard with 400 years of history. The great historian and wartime leader, Sir Winston Churchill, made his home at Chartwell – now a National Trust property. And finally, Kent is home to England’s oldest church – St Martin’s, Canterbury, the oldest school – King’s School, Canterbury and the oldest brewery – Shepherd Neame, at Faversham.

Transport-wise, Dover, Folkestone, and the Euro Tunnel are all within the area, and Gatwick and Heathrow airports are less than an hour’s drive from Kent.