Kent
Why we love Kent
From retro rollercoasters to seafood festivals and cutting edge art galleries, the ‘Garden of England’ is meant for discovery.
Just a short hop from London takes you to Margate, home of the Turner Contemporary gallery and Dreamland theme park. Tuck into delicious oysters in Whitstable or try bohemian Ramsgate for a weekend away. Relax among the candy-coloured beach huts of Broadstairs, or bring the past to life in the surrounds of Dover Castle, Leeds Castle or Canterbury Cathedral. Alternatively, sample sparkling wines on vineyard tours or explore Kent’s Heritage Coast — voted one of the world’s top regions to visit by Lonely Planet.
Whitstable Oyster Festival
Discover this festival in Whitstable in July, which ranks among the best for foodies. Taste Whitstable’s world-famous oysters, and be sure to wander its beach, browse its pastel-painted shops and check out the thriving arts scene while you’re here.
Find out more about the Whitstable Oyster Festival
Dreamland
Visit Margate’s refurbished seaside amusement park, home to a Grade II listed, wooden rollercoaster. There’s a packed events calendar too, which includes the Margate Pride festival.
Learn more about Dreamland
Shell Grotto
Buried under the streets of Margate, discover this mysterious collection of more than four million shells, tightly packed into the walls of underground passageways.
Find out more about the Shell Grotto
Kent
Explore England’s south-eastern county, affectionately known as the ‘Garden of England’, and get a taste for English sparkling wine on a tour of one of more than 50 vineyards.
Discover history at Leeds Castle, Dover Castle and the UNESCO World Heritage Canterbury Cathedral, or admire the stunning gardens of Hever Castle or Sissinghurst.
Immerse yourself in culture at Margate’s Turner Contemporary Gallery, enjoy the fun of the fair at Dreamland Margate or explore the maze of tunnels at Chislehurst Caves.
Wander in the charming seaside town of Whitstable, famous for its Oyster Festival, or along the sandy beaches at Broadstairs.
Fun fact
Fun fact
Discovered in 1835, the walls of Margate’s mysterious Shell Grotto are decorated with an incredible 4.6 million shells, although the exact origins of this underground hideaway are unknown.
Did you know?
Did you know?
- England’s Creative Coast is a set of cultural adventures, spanning 870 miles (1,400km) along the shores of Kent, Essex and East and West Sussex.
- Kent’s distinctive white-topped oast houses, some dating back to the 16th century, were used for drying hops as part of beer production and play an important role in the county’s heritage.
- Novelist Charles Dickens lived in Kent – the town of Rochester celebrates the great writer’s life with two annual festivals.
- The medieval market town of Faversham is home to Britain’s oldest brewery, Shepherd Neame, established in 1698.
Things to do in Kent
Featured things to do
Explore Kent’s vineyards
Enjoy a tour and tasting in the lush surroundings of one of Kent’s wineries or vineyards, renowned for their still and sparkling wines.
Feel the love at Margate Pride Festival
Join in a celebration of love with this programme of summer events, including a festival in Dreamland, followed by a parade and an incredible town-wide after party.
Soak up some culture at Canterbury Festival
Dive into a two-week extravaganza of the arts. Expect an eclectic mix of opera, folk, jazz and classical, alongside circus, theatre, cabaret and visual arts.
Catch an exhibition at Turner Contemporary
This cutting-edge gallery on Margate beach was one of the driving forces behind the town’s vibrant regeneration. It hosts an ever-changing line-up of exhibitions and workshops that embody the town's creative spirit.
Places to stay in Kent
Margate
Home to the Turner Contemporary, Dreamland and the surreal Shell Grotto, this seaside town is packed with experiences, plus plenty of eateries to get your teeth into.
Canterbury
The walled city of Canterbury is more like a relaxed town. Explore the 11th-century Canterbury cathedral, as well as its many bars and restaurants.
Sandwich
With its chalk cliffs and beautiful winding streets, the port of Sandwich features medieval gems and a riverboat service along the River Stour, perfect for taking in the Kent countryside.
Explore nearby
Getting to Kent
Kent’s closest airports are two of the UK’s biggest international hubs, London Gatwick and London Heathrow. The journey time from both takes up to two hours by car or train, depending on which part of Kent you need to reach.
Kent is well connected to London by rail, with Southeastern offering services from London Bridge, Charing Cross, London Waterloo East, and Victoria. From London St Pancras International, the High Speed One train reaches Kent in less than 40 minutes.
Getting around
A vast network of roads, paths and train lines run across the county, making travel easy and leaving you with plenty of time to experience Kent’s cities, coast and countryside.
By bus
Buses serve routes across Kent. Check out Arriva and Stagecoach for the most frequently run services.
By train
Most train services in Kent are operated by Southeastern, with the exception of local trains which are operated by Southern. You can use National Rail Enquiries for tickets and route planners.
By bike
Kent is a cyclist’s paradise. From bike tours, such as the heritage-led Col’s Kent Bike Tours, to the newly-opened Cantii Way or a host of other trails, cycling is a great way to experience what Kent has to offer.
Want to know more?
Want to know more?
Planning a business event in Kent?
Planning a business event in Kent?
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