Kent
Why we love Kent
From ice-cream parlours to seafood festivals and towns that are on the map for cutting-edge food and art, the ‘Garden of England’ is meant for discovery. Just a short hop from London takes you to Margate – home to the Turner Contemporary gallery and Dreamland theme park.
Tuck into delicious oysters and other seafood in Whitstable or try bohemian Ramsgate for a weekend away. Relax among the candy-coloured beach huts of Broadstairs, or bring the past alive 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 in 2022 by Lonely Planet.
Whitstable Oyster Festival
Discover this July-based festival in Whitstable, which ranks among the best for those looking for a little foodie escapism. Wander its beach and its pastel-painted shops and take in the thriving arts scene when you’re here.
Find out more about the Whitstable Oyster Festival
Dreamland
Visit Margate’s seaside amusement park, home to a Grade II listed scenic wooden rollercoaster. There’s a packed events calendar too, including 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
Things to do in Kent
Featured things to do
Explore Kent’s vineyards
Enjoy a tour and tasting surrounded by fresh growth at one of Kent’s many wineries and vineyards, renowned for producing still and sparkling wines.
Margate Pride Festival
Join in a celebration of LGBTQI+ with this programme of summer events including a festival in Dreamland, followed by a parade and an incredible town-wide after party.
Canterbury Festival
Discover a two-week extravaganza of the arts – expect an eclectic mash of opera, folk, jazz and classical, alongside circus, theatre, cabaret and visual arts.
Copper Rivet Distillery
Take a warming tour around Pumphouse No. 5, an impressive red brick Victorian home that looks over the River Medway and experience the entire distillation process from grain to glass.
Places to stay in Kent
Margate
Home to the Turner Contemporary, Dreamland and the surreal Shell Grotto, this seaside town is packed with experiences and 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 - great for taking in the Kent countryside.
Explore nearby
Getting to Kent
One of the easiest modes of transport is by rail. Kent has one of the densest rail networks of any county in Britain, including connections to Europe via the Eurotunnel. By air, the nearest airports to Kent are London Gatwick and London Heathrow, with the journey time from both hubs taking less than two hours by road or rail.
Getting around
A vast network of roads, trails, paths and train lines run from town-to-town across the county, leaving you with more time to experience Kent’s 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, it’s a great way to get out into nature and experience the best of what the county has to offer.
Want to know more?
Check out Visit Kent for top insider tips and travel inspiration