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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.

Things to do in Kent

Fresh oysters, stand-up comedy and live music, right beside the beach. Is there a more perfect summer scene?

Tuck into Whitstable Oyster Festival

VisitBritain/Rod Edwards

Plate of shucked oysters with a slice of lemon on table
Whitstable Oyster Festival

Decorated with an incredible 4.6 million shells, this spectacular underground hideaway has to be seen to be believed.

Explore The Shell Grotto

rockin.goodtimes

Shell Grotto
The Shell Grotto

This cutting-edge modern gallery sits right on Margate’s beach, featuring famous artists and new talents alike.

Discover the Turner Contemporary

James Newton

Two people looking out of a large window, Turner Contemporary
Turner Contemporary

With its jousting tournaments, secret wartime tunnels and Medieval palace, Dover Castle brings Britain's history to life.

Learn more about Dover Castle

billie_the_kid_071

Dover Castle
Dover Castle

Hidden underground, this maze of tunnels is one of Britain’s best-kept secrets – and now, it’s yours to explore...

Venture into Chislehurst Caves
Awaiting image
Chislehurst Caves

Fresh oysters, stand-up comedy and live music, right beside the beach. Is there a more perfect summer scene?

Tuck into Whitstable Oyster Festival

VisitBritain/Rod Edwards

Plate of shucked oysters with a slice of lemon on table
Whitstable Oyster Festival

Decorated with an incredible 4.6 million shells, this spectacular underground hideaway has to be seen to be believed.

Explore The Shell Grotto

rockin.goodtimes

Shell Grotto
The Shell Grotto

This cutting-edge modern gallery sits right on Margate’s beach, featuring famous artists and new talents alike.

Discover the Turner Contemporary

James Newton

Two people looking out of a large window, Turner Contemporary
Turner Contemporary

With its jousting tournaments, secret wartime tunnels and Medieval palace, Dover Castle brings Britain's history to life.

Learn more about Dover Castle

billie_the_kid_071

Dover Castle
Dover Castle

Hidden underground, this maze of tunnels is one of Britain’s best-kept secrets – and now, it’s yours to explore...

Venture into Chislehurst Caves
Awaiting image
Chislehurst Caves

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

A quirky seaside city filled with diverse cuisine, vintage shopping and adrenaline fuelled adventure.

British Airways i360

Brighton

Female yoga class taking place on the viewing platform of British Airways i360 Viewing Tower

An unmissable destination for travellers, London is a melting pot of history, culture and green spaces.

VisitBritain/Hazel Parreno

Picadilly Circus underground station

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