Places to visit in Kent

One of the best places to visit in Kent, Chartwell was Winston Churchill’s family home away from Downing Street – the house is full of the family’s beloved personal belongings. Be sure to check out Lady Churchill’s rose garden, the walled working kitchen garden and the famous painting studio, to see Churchill’s own works of art on display.

Nourish yourself at Kingdom, a 9,500ft wood and glass club house set in 13 acres of tranquil Kent countryside. Created from trees salvaged after the Great Storm of 1987, Kingdom features a cafe, food trucks (on selected days) and a new restaurant. Enjoy 360-degree views of woodland and pasture while you load up on an all-day cooked breakfast or a vegetable-laden dish.

One of the most famous castles in Kent, Hever Castle was once home to the Boleyn family. It features a double moat, a stunning collection of 1/12 scale miniature houses and a Yew Maze dating to the Edwardian era. You can learn about the efforts to restore the house and grounds to its former glory by British-American philanthropist William Waldorf Astor.

If you’re looking for ideas where to stay in Kent, there’s the promise of a cosy night’s sleep with stargazing and sunrises to look forward to at this luxury glampsite at Luna Domes in Edenbridge. These geodesic glamping domes provide all the soft comforts of a home away from home, but combining it sympathetically with its natural surroundings – did we mention that one of the domes comes with its own hot tub?

Dine out in historic style at the King Henry VIII pub, a short drive back north outside Hever Castle. Lovingly restored back to its original Tudor style, it’s complete with authentic chimney stacks and dark timber beams. In winter, a roaring fire keeps you warm as you tuck into hearty pub grub. Cheers!

Start your day in Rochester with breakfast at the popular Deaf Cat cafe in Rochester, which is named after the eponymous feline owned by author Charles Dickens. Sip on expertly brewed coffee (or teas and fresh juices), munch on a freshly made panini and admire the eclectic collection of coffee pots gathered from around the world.

We recommend visiting the ruins of Rochester Castle first, where you can enjoy sweeping views of the River Medway from the battlements. Next, head to Restoration House, which featured as the home of Miss Haversham in Dickens’ novel Great Expectations – it also hosted Charles II on the eve of the Restoration (hence the name). Be sure to check out the High Street where independent shops and more eateries await.

Call The Midwife fans will recognise this corner of Medway as the outdoors filming location for the show, especially the dockside scenes, to serve as London’s East End. The official walking tour takes approximately 90 minutes – you can also follow it up with a tour of The Historic Dockyard to discover Chatham’s crucial role in UK maritime history.

The Pumproom Restaurant at Copper Rivet Distillery is a great place to wind down - its menu features a mouth-watering collection of dishes inspired by different countries, which you can enjoy inside the pumphouse or al fresco on the terrace, overlooking the River Medway. Before you leave – be sure to pick up a bottle of Copper Rivet gin – all brewed on site.

A runner-up in VisitEngland’s 2024 Awards For Excellence, Kits Coty Glamping in Aylesford offers a peaceful retreat after a busy day of sightseeing. Their firm “no noise” ethos ensures a tranquil stay in nature; choose from their Moroccan bell tent, a festival tent or their cosy wooden cabins. Relax in the shower cabin which features complimentary toiletries, two luxury wet rooms with under floor heating, showers, and toilets.

Fuel up for your day ahead with a hearty breakfast at Farm and Harper in Whitstable’s town centre. The seasonal menu features cooked breakfasts (including vegan options), cinnamon brioche toast and even bacon with banana bread. It’s a popular spot with locals and visitors alike.

One of the filming for TV’s Whitstable Pearl, Tankerton Slopes provides a bracing walk along the shingle and past the picturesque wooden beach huts. You’ll pass by the Old Neptune pub, which doubles up in the show as the Pearson’s Arms, which featured prominently in the first two series. At low tide, you can walk “The Street”, a 750m shingle strip and look back to the beach for some spectacular photos – make sure to consider the tide times, as they can come in quickly.

Whitstable is also known for its boutique shopping - High Street and Harbour Street are among the best places to visit in Kent to pick up an interesting gift. Easy to spot with their Victorian buildings, the two adjoining streets feature traditional shops, contemporary boutiques, art galleries, and food. You can pick up handcrafted jewellery, quirky home décor and designer clothing and even local seafood to take home and cook. Which brings us to….

Wondering where to stay by the sea? Lean into the nautical theme at one of the town’s quaint fisherman’s huts, just a few metres from the shoreline. Located near the former home of Hammer horror legend Peter Cushing, these 150 year-old wooden buildings are operated by Hotel Continental and come fully finished, down to the crisp white linen. You’ll be drifting off to sleep to the sounds of swishing waves and the creak of old fishing boats in no time.

Located a short distance away is the landmark Royal Native Oyster Stores restaurant, which sources its world-famous bivalves directly from oyster beds nearby. Start with a plate of oysters served in every conceivable way (with black truffle butter, anybody?) and follow up with freshly sourced fish and seafood for a cosy evening to remember.

Break up your journey to the south coast with a cooked breakfast at The Tadpole outside of Canterbury. Popular with dog walkers, ramblers and visitors, this cosy tearoom sources its ingredients locally, and have teamed up with a local baker to provide cakes and breads. A bonus: it’s very good value for money.

There’s something distinctly otherworldly about Dungeness. It might have something to do with the strange combination of nuclear power stations, battered fishermen’s huts, lighthouses, the ‘acoustic mirrors’, concrete oddities and the largest expanse of shingle in Europe. Check out Prospect Cottage too – the former home of artist, filmmaker, gay rights activist and gardener Derek Jarman, it’s one of the best places to visit in Kent for LGBTQ+ pilgrims.

Dial up the spooky factor with a visit to St Leonard’s Church in Rythe, which since 1090 has housed the largest and best-preserved collection of ancient human skulls and bones in Britain. The ossuary is in the crypt below, where hundreds of skulls line shelves and is open from May to December each year.

If you’re looking for the arty side of Kent, then check out Folkestone’s Creative Quarter which features a fine range of shops, artist studios and live entertainment venues. The cobbled Old High Street winds its way through town and features independent shops, galleries and eateries. The Quarterhouse regularly hosts events from workshops and shows to festivals, films and talks.

Enjoy stunning views over the harbour at Rocksalt while dining on fresh fish caught from local boats and meat sourced from farms surrounding the nearby marshes and pastures.  If you’re looking to extend your and wondering where to stay, you can sleep in one of the restaurants’ four luxury rooms – just make sure you book in advance as they’re popular.