Kent: Coastal Trails, Castles and Heritage

Kent encompasses a striking variety of landscapes: the county has 350 miles of coastline with sandy and shingle beaches, chalk downland and marshes. Inland, hop gardens, oast houses, orchards and farms are part of its rural character. The Kent Downs National Landscape stretches from the Surrey border to the cliffs of Dover. Its chalk ridge, chalk grassland, scrub communities and broadleaf woodlands are important for wildlife. You can choose between coastal scenery, protected chalk hills and rural landscapes, without these experiences being confined to a single place.

Walking and cycling routes

For a shorter route, the Crab and Winkle Way links Canterbury and Whitstable over 7.6 miles. The route is known for wide-ranging views and ancient woodland, and is suitable for cycling. A longer walk follows the North Downs Way, a 153-mile long-distance trail from Farnham to Dover. Its southern route passes through the Kent Downs towards Folkestone, before the routes meet again in Dover. The different route lengths help you tailor your walk to the time you have available, without assuming a particular walking time.

The King Charles III England Coast Path runs through Kent's rolling hills and chalk cliffs, including the White Cliffs of Dover. Around 105 kilometres of the path in Kent have no livestock gates. Local sections can change seasonally, so check route conditions before setting out on a longer walk. This coastal route offers a contrast to the inland trails: here, cliffs and coastal scenery take centre stage, while the North Downs Way features chalk hills and heads towards Dover.

Nature experiences in Dungeness

At the RSPB Dungeness nature reserve, the flat, circular Discovery Trail combines a nature walk with a route suitable for pushchairs. You can watch ducks and geese on the ponds. To get there, bus routes 511, 511A and 511B run from Ashford via Lydd and stop at the entrance to the nature reserve on request. From there, it is a one-mile walk to the visitor centre. The buses do not run on Sundays, so check the service before travelling.

Castles, history and architecture

Canterbury Cathedral was founded by St Augustine in AD 597, is a major pilgrimage destination and forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In Rochester, the Norman keep, still 113 feet tall, gives a tangible sense of the architecture: it was built around 1127. Rochester Castle is considered one of the best-preserved and most important examples of Norman architecture in England, and withstood a long siege by King John in 1215.

Dover Castle also combines visible architectural history with a later military role. Its attractions bring to life the most dramatic moments of its 2,000-year history. During the Second World War, the command centre for naval operations in the English Channel was located in tunnels beneath the castle; the evacuation of Dunkirk was directed from there in May and June 1940. Hever Castle offers a different historical perspective: the castle, surrounded by two moats, dates from the 14th century and was once the childhood home of Anne Boleyn. The visitor gardens cover a 125-acre site.

Gardens, museums and special places

At Leeds Castle, gardens and 500 acres of parkland are complemented by self-guided walks and opportunities to spot wildlife. The maze is made up of 2,400 yew trees; viewed from the centre, its layout partly resembles a crown. Visitor experiences also include free-flying displays featuring hawks, falcons and owls. Display times may vary, so check the schedule if you plan to include one. National Cycle Routes 17 and 177 provide cycling access to the castle; check route conditions before setting out.

Chatham Historic Dockyard brings together ships, galleries and craftsmanship: visitors have access to three historic ships and interactive museum galleries. The site contains more than 100 buildings and structures, including 47 Scheduled Ancient Monuments. In the Ropewalk, you can watch master ropemakers use centuries-old techniques and explore the Ropery gallery. In Margate, Turner Contemporary makes an architectural and artistic impression: designed by David Chipperfield, the gallery is in the town centre and overlooks the main beach. It is inspired by the life and work of J. M. W. Turner; Margate's skies and light had a major influence on his art.

Coast, oysters and local traditions

Whitstable's oyster beds have supplied the town with oysters since Roman times. The Whitstable Oyster Festival continues this tradition, celebrating with music and oysters every July. Check the dates and programme for the year of your trip. The Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway offers another way to combine a coastal visit with an outing: the 15-inch-gauge railway runs for 13½ miles from Hythe to Dungeness. Four intermediate stations are within walking distance of a beach. Its route and role as a tourist attraction shape the local character; the timetable is a practical complement to the walking and coastal experiences described here.

Discover more destinations: Waldershare, Crockenhill, Kingsnorth, New Ash Green, Greatstone, Kingsdown, Staple, Stelling Minnis, High Halden, Horsmonden, Tudeley, Sissinghurst, Hartley, Westgate-On-Sea, Herne Bay, Broad Street, West Peckham, Rolvenden, Sheerness, Aylesford, Sevenoaks Weald, Southborough, Halstead, Waltham, Ash, Whitfield, Marden, Mersham, Lympne, Hoath, Smeeth, Bilsington, Ulcombe, West Farleigh, Brookland, Wootton, Lower Halstow, Minster, Hawkhurst, Brenchley, Tilmanstone, Leaveland, Chevening, Ringwould, Hunton, Stone, Dymchurch, Womenswold, Tunbridge Wells, Ramsgate, Pluckley, Littlebourne, Ivychurch, Headcorn, Harrietsham, Hadlow, Gravesend, Folkestone, Edenbridge, Dover, Dartford, Boughton Aulph, Bapchild, Alkham, Frittenden, Sandhurst, Elham, Chilham, Paddock Wood, Sturry, Speldhurst, Five Oak Green, Worth, Benenden, Newenden, Egerton, Romney Marsh, Broad Oak Brede, Biddenden, Camber, Wittersham, Wye, Wrotham, Wingham, New Romney, Sittingbourne, Sevenoaks, Broadstairs, Smarden, Cranbrook, Woodchurch, Lydd-On-Sea, Hawkinge, Staplehurst, Tenterden, Warehorne, Whitstable, Woodnesborough, Deal, Lenham, Littlestone-On-Sea, Maidstone, Otham, Sandwich, Goudhurst, Hythe, Lamberhurst, Kings Hill, Snodland, Newington, Cliffs End, Upchurch, West Kingsdown, Langley, Swanley, Farningham, Eynsford, Hempstead, Bredgar, Shadoxhurst, Walmer, Eastry, Doddington, Chartham, Bridge, East Farleigh, Eythorne, Lydd, Sandgate, Throwley Forstal, Plaxtol, Shoreham, Northfleet, Longfield, Penshurst, Wateringbury, Teynham, Ide Hill, Greenhithe, East Brabourne, Willesborough, Westerham, Tonbridge, Saint Margaretʼs At Cliffe, Sutton Valence, Hamstreet, Kennington, Aylesham, Boughton Monchelsea, Stone in Oxney, Linton, Newchurch, Coxheath, Wickhambreaux, Vigo Village, Romney Marsh, Barham, Shepherdswell, Seasalter, Yalding, Queenborough, Saint Michaels, Swingfield, Bearsted, Chestfield, Ashford, Bethersden, Aldington, Nonington, Lyminge, Matfield, Blean, West Malling, Birchington, Charing, Elmsted, Petham, Coldred

For the regional travel overview: South East England.