Kent Travel Tips
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Biddenden
Hold on to your handbag when you visit the Black Horse pub - its mischievous resident ghost likes nothing better than to hide the belongings of staff and customers. The pub, featured in "The Darling Buds Of May", is a great place to spend Hallowe'en night, in the heart of a picturesque village with no less than 16 ghosts. - Carol
Canterbury
Canterbury Cathedral - we were very impressed by the Sung Eucharist at 11am in the Cathedral. Awe-inspiring though the cathedral is at any time, it really becomes sublime when you hear the choir voices soaring up into the vaulted roof - Margaret
Canterbury has been a European pilgrimage site of major importance for over 800 years since the assassination of Archbishop Thomas Becket in 1170. Today it is one of the most beautiful and historic cities in England. The medieval city centre bustles with famous name stores and exclusive boutiques while the picturesque side streets are home to smaller specialist shops, pubs and restaurants.
Canterbury's corner of the county of Kent (the "Garden of England") is rich in charming villages and glorious countryside, which is easy to explore by car, bicycle or public transport - Silas, resident
Capel Le Ferne
A spectacular part of the Kent coast has just lost a frequent visitor. Every week our little family visited and enjoyed a mug of tea and sandwich at the cliff top cafe with the wonderful view of our English channel. We told our friends and families what a great place Capel is and that there's the all important cup of tea and sit down available for tired legs at the cafe. To our dismay, bewilderment and huge sadness we found today having sat down that a key member of our family is no longer allowed to visit. He always had a drink, a sausage and a sit down to watch the world go by but not for no reason we can think of he's banned! He never caused any problem or mess and has been discriminated purely for the fact he has 4 legs and has fur! There was only one sign we could see which is an obvious recent addition and we were treated as leppers despite the business we have brought this place over the years. How very sad. We have no idea of the reasons for this decision, whether petty minded councilors or the owners but they have driven us away and we will not be visiting Capel again and we will tell friends and family to stay away too. - jenny
Cliftonville
Cliftonville is a handsome seaside resort forming the eastern - and at one time more exclusive - part of Margate, with distinguished former visitors including the poet TS Eliot. Indeed, the restored Walpole Bay Hotel aims to recapture that ambience by inviting guests to step back in time to a "bygone era", with an Edwardian restaurant, a 1920s ballroom and a snooker room. Located at the top of the Isle of Thanet and also incorporating the Palm Bay district, Cliftonville is an ideal holiday destination. The sea front is lined with grand houses looking down over gardens to the paved promenade and sandy beach below, and there are some lovely coastal walks as well as great opportunities for cyclists. The Viking Coastal Trail, which passes through Cliftonville, is one of the finest cycling routes in south- east England. With a little bit of something for everyone, Cliftonville has an indoor bowling green, tennis courts, pitch and putt, crazy golf, a main shopping street and the Tom Thumb Theatre - which, true to its name, is one of the tiniest in the country. Families are next door to the traditional amusements of Margate, which also provides for modern water sports and cultural interests. Carol
Deal
Deal carnival is lovely the town turn out to watch and the day before carnival is fireworks on the beach (last week in July - Sarah
Dover
Dominated by its magnificent castle Dover has always been at the frontline of Britains dealings with the continent and remains so today. The famous white cliffs are a few miles out of town. Arnie
Faversham
Faversham is a market town with a fascinating history. The historic Abbey Street holds many fine buildings, including The Guildhall and Fleur de Lis Heritage Centre which houses the Tourist Information Centre. In addition, Faversham also has a lot of independent retail outlets and a large array of eateries and pubs to enjoy. Steph
Pluckley
Hold on to your handbag when you visit the Black Horse pub - its mischievous resident ghost likes nothing better than to hide the belongings of staff and customers. The pub, featured in "The Darling Buds Of May", is a great place to spend Hallowe'en night, in the heart of a picturesque village with no less than 16 ghosts - Carol
Rochester
The High Street is full of Victorian charm, but if you're feeling peckish during the day, the Dickens-themed tea-rooms and restaurants may be crowded. Blink and you could miss the tiny Garden House Café & Deli, serving delicious Italian snacks at bargain prices. - Carol
The George Vaults pub in Rochester High Street has an amazing 13th Century basement bar, which hosts concerts and special events. Touch the stone walls in here and you're touching history! - Carol
Sandwich
I visited The Salutation Gardens, nestled just off the quayside in Sandwich and it's lovely. Inspirational. The Tea Rooms also have delicious cake and what a lovely place to while away the afternoon with a chilled glass of wine! - Jenny
Sissinghurst
You've got to try Sissinghurst Castle farmhouse for B&B. Its sensational, but not listed on your site. (I think its only just opened and I must have been one of the first through the doors). As an American, I get fed up with bad service, over promising, under delivering places in the UK. This is awesome.
www.sissinghurstcastlefarmhouse.com
Sittingbourne
Sittingbourne has a long history as a market town - and was recorded as an important stage post for medieval pilgrims on their way to Canterbury. With a newly pedestrianised area, plentiful parking and a large leisure centre, Sittingbourne is a fun day out for all. Within the Sittingbourne area visitors will find a range of attractions from craft centres to gardens and a number of food outlets to tantalise the taste buds. Population 55,000
Tunbridge Wells
Heritage Open Days 6th-9th September. Its a great time to visit town - Daniel
The best food we have had in years!!!! - This is only the first time I have ever written about food. The best restaurant in Tunbridge Wells, Kitsu Victoria Road, Tunbridge Wells Tel:01892 515510 - Jenny Collins
Westgate on Sea
Westgate-on-Sea is a seaside town in northeast Kent. It borders the larger seaside resort of Margate and is within the local government district of Thanet Borough. The town is notable for once being the location of a Royal Naval Air Service seaplane base which defended the Thames Estuary coastal towns during World War I. The town is the subject of Sir John Betjeman's poem, “Westgate-on-Sea”. There are several hotels and guest houses near the seafront, and the town centre has numerous Victorian canopied shops, a library and the three-screen Carlton Cinema. The Coronation Bandstand was built in 1903 to celebrate the coronation of King Edward VII. In 1925, the bandstand was refurbished and reopened as the 600-seat Westgate Pavilion theatre which is also a venue for discos, yoga, indoor bowls and dance classes. St. James' Church was built in 1872, and St. Saviour's Church in 1885. The town has sandy beaches at both St Mildred's Bay and West Bay. The larger of the beaches is at St Mildred's Bay. The beach is a short distance from tennis courts and a golf putting course. Westgate and Birchington Golf Club is an 18-hole course on the cliff tops between Westgate and Birchington.
Whitstable
Just 7 miles (10km) from the historic cathedral city of Canterbury, lies the delightful harbour town of Whitstable. Known as the 'Pearl of Kent', Whitstable is famous for its oysters which can be sampled at several gourmet restaurants and pubs in the town. Next to the Visitor Information Centre, the Whitstable Museum & Art Gallery has permanent and touring exhibitions, many reflecting the town’s seafaring traditions and links with diving - the world’s first diving helmet was invented in Whitstable.
Willesborough
Willesborough - a suburb of Ashford - is a place of contrasts. Although it's a largely residential area with all the usual urban facilities and amenities within easy reach, it also enjoys a rural atmosphere, with woodlands, wetlands, meadows, fields, gardens and river scenery maintained by local conservation groups working to reintroduce and protect wildlife and plants. South Willesborough Dykes - an area of drained land adjoining the East Stour river - have been declared a Site of Nature Conservation Interest, although there is unease about plans to build houses on the flood plain to the east. The Dykes, along with other natural landscapes, form part of Ashford's Green Corridor. To the north of the suburb, the 100-acre Willesborough Lees is another wildlife haven. Willesborough's most memorable landmark is a windmill. This restored 1869 smock mill, standing on the site of an earlier mill, is open on certain days during the summer, and visitors may be lucky enough to see the sails turning as volunteers make bread flour. The windmill's barn may be hired for special events, and it's also home to the Norman Cycles Club, which celebrates the rare motorcycles, moped and bicycles originally made locally by Norman Cycles.
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