Things To Do

Canterbury Cathedral is an absolute must see for any visitor to Kent. It is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and is quite simply a magnificent building of awesome proportions. Historically it is of great significance being the site of the original establishment of the Church in England by St Augustine and since Henry VIIIs break with Rome, is also the headquarters of the Anglican Church. The murder of Archbishop Thomas a Becket in 1170 placed the Cathedral firmly on the Pilgrims Trail, as described by Chaucer in his Canterbury Tales. For a different perspective on the city, take a guided river tour and enjoy the natural beauty of this historic city.

Finchcock's Musical Museum is well worth visiting. It is located in a handsome Georgian Manor House set in beautiful grounds, including a re-creation of an Eighteenth Century Pleasure Garden. There is fine collection of keyboard instruments to admire and many opportunities to enjoy music played on them.

Take a nostalgic steam train ride from Tenterden to Bodiam through the lovely Kent countryside and look out for wild boar in the woods! There are many themed events from Thomas the Tank Engine to 1940s war time memories and a Pullman dining car that serves cream teas and celebratory dinners.

The first vineyard in Kent is at Biddenden while Chapel Down Vineyard at Tenterden has won numerous awards and was honoured to supply fine wines for the wedding reception of Prince William to Catherine Middleton. Driving, cycling or walking through the countryside you are always aware of the abundance of fruit with so many orchards bearing cherries, apples and pears.

Leeds Castle is frequently described as the most beautiful castle in England if not the world. It sits in its own lake surrounded by glorious gardens incorporating a golf course and a "Go Ape" tree top adventure. There is always a schedule of enticing events at Leeds with fireworks, concerts, jousting and food fairs throughout the year.

Eating and drinking in Kent is a real treat as there is so much delicious local produce. Coveted Michelin stars have been awarded to The West House in Biddenden, Apicius in Cranbrook, Read's in Faversham and The Sportsman in Seasalter.

The Rare Breeds Centre is great fun for children who want to make friends with a variety of farm animals while Wingham Wildlife Park offers opportunities to encounter more exotic creatures like lemurs and wallabies. Even wilder are the beasts at Howletts where gorillas, elephants and tigers are bred as part of the Aspinall Foundation's Conservation Project.

Kent's other Cathedral may not be as awe-inspiring as Canterbury but it is nevertheless an impressive building and Rochester is an interesting town to visit, especially during the Dickens Festival when you are liable to bump into Magwitch and other colourful characters. Miss Havisham was inspired by a visit to Restoration House described as "the finest pre-Civil War town house" in Britain. One of the best preserved Norman Castles guards the River Medway and is open daily.

Shepherd Neame has been brewing beer in Faversham for over 300 years, producing a variety of cask and bottled beers using Kentish hops. With approximately 200 pubs scattered throughout Kent, there are ample opportunities to sample the local brew and many of the pubs also provide excellent food. Ask your homeowner or check the information pack in your holiday home to find a recommended pub in your area, some are renowned for their picturesque locations and some for their lively historic associations.

The gardens of Kent represent one of the most compelling reasons for visiting the county. Romantic gardens like Sissinghurst, planted by the poet Vita Sackville West, and Scotney Castle, with its deliberately ruined fairytale castle, are amongst many National Trust properties located in the region. The largest collection of conifers in Europe can be found at Bedgebury Pinetum, which also boasts the tallest tree in Kent and an adventurous swing through the tree tops with \'Go Ape\'. Another fine collection of trees and plants can be discovered at Riverhill Himalayan Gardens, which is being splendidly restored and includes many outdoor activities for children. One of the most unusual plant collections is The World Garden at Lullingstone Castle where Tom Hart-Dyke created a unique garden inspired by his captivity in Central America where he was hunting rare orchids.

John Harris has setup a fantastic website with hundreds of walks throughout the beautiful Kent countryside. Their walk descriptions are available free of charge and they have information on group walks. Hundreds of FREE walks to download, details of all the books, maps and walking clubs in the county.