Kent Points of Interest

Time 2020-10-13 18:05:00

Web Name: Kent Points of Interest

WebSite: http://www.kentpoi.co.uk

ID:80878

Keywords:

Points,Kent,Interest,

Description:

Rochester The Romans founded Rochester where Watling Street, their great road from the Channel ports to London, bridged the tidal River Medway. Historically the road has brought travellers to the city, including medieval Canterbury pilgrims and stagecoach passengers.Charles Dickens knew Rochester well, and it appears in many of his books, notably GREAT EXPECTATIONS. There is a Charles Dickens Centre and a Dickens' Festival in May/June. Other festivals include the Chimney Sweeps in May and the Carnival and Regatta in July. Rochester has craft and antique shops, sports and leisure facilities and riverside gardens. Chatham Chatham is one of the Medway towns located within the Medway unitary authority, in North Kent, in South East England.Although the dockyard has long been closed and is now being redeveloped into a business and residential community as well as a museum featuring the famous submarine, HMS Ocelot, major naval buildings remain as the focus for a flourishing tourist industry.Chatham also has military connections; several Army barracks were located here, together with 19th-century forts which provided a defensive shield for the dockyard. Brompton Barracks, located in the town, remains the headquarters of the Corps of Royal Engineers.The town has important road links and the railway and bus stations are the main interchanges for the area. It is the administrative headquarters of Medway unitary authority, as well as its principal shopping centre. Westerham Westerham, the village that became a town, yet despite the commuters it has preserved its history and atmosphere.Lots of historic houses, villages and countryside around here to visit around in this typically Southern England area. Gillingham Gillingham, a village and a parish in Kent. The village stands on the river Medway, 1 1/2 mile NE of Chatham. Edenbridge Walmer Limb Lies adjoining to Deal southward, being probably so called quasi vallum maris, that is, the wall, or fortification made aginst the sea. It was once part of the hundred of Cornilo, but was very early made a branch of the cinque ports, and a member to the port of Sandwich; nevertheless, king Henry VI. on some disputes arising concerning it, again annexed and confirmed it to that jurisdiction, in which it still continues. Sevenoaks Gorgeous stately homes, irresistible gardens, Roman remains and a picturesque landscape.Sevenoaks became part of the modern communications network when one of the earlier turnpikes was opened in the 18th century; the railway was relatively late in reaching it. It has a large commuting population although a nearby defence installation is a large employer of labour. Royal Tunbridge Wells This cheerful former spar town grew up amid the Wealden forests after Lord North discovered its chalybeate spring in 1606. Until that time there were only a few scattered cottages and farms hereabouts, so Tunbridge Wells has no medieval or Tudor buildings. The initial visitors roughed it in cottages, lodged in nearby towns or, like Queen Henrietta Maria, camped out on the common. Building began in 1638 when a grassy promenade, called the Walk, was laid out beside the spring and visitor 'took the waters' in the morning and socialised afterwards. Later, the Walk was paved with square earthenware tiles, giving rise to its present name, The Pantiles.Tunbridge Wells grew haphazardly and informally, and is a very attractive town, its charm arising from the 18th and 19th century elegance including Decimus Burton's Calverley Park and Calverley Park Terrace, and the buildings on Mount Sion and Mount Ephrahim. The common is a superb open space, while the most famous area, The Pantiles, is in effect an 18th century shopping precinct: a raised paved walkway shaded by lime trees, and fronted by shops behind a colonnade, which gives uniformity to otherwise varied architecture. Tonbridge This pretty old town stands at the highest navigable point on the River Medway and, as well as having a Victorian cast-iron bridge across the river, the substantial remains of Tonbridge s Norman Castle can be found on a rise in the town centre. The walls of the castle date from the 12th century, while the shell of the keep, along with the massive gatehouse and drum towers, were built in the early 14th century. Within the castle walls is a mound that is believed to have been the site of an earlier Saxon fort that provides further evidence of the importance of the river crossing. The castle was all but destroyed during the Civil War and, today, the ruins are surrounded by attractive landscaped gardens.While the castle is certainly one of the town s oldest buildings, its most famous institution is Tonbridge School, founded in 1553 by Sir Andrew Judd, Master of the Skinners Company and a former Lord Mayor of London. The school received a charter from Elizabeth I, and on Judd s death the administration was left in trust to the Skinners Company, the Governors to this day. Sittingborne Sittingbourne is an industrial town about eight miles (12.9 km) east of Gillingham in England, beside the Roman Watling Street off a creek in the Swale, a channel separating the Isle of Sheppey from mainland Kent. The town is growing rapidly due to a number of large residential developments, and its train line links to London Victoria and HS1 to St Pancras International, the journey taking about an hour from Sittingbourne railway station. Gravesend Stone Age implements have been found in the area; as has the evidence of an Iron Age settlement at nearby Springhead. Extensive Roman remains have been found nearby, at Vagniacae (Springhead); and Gravesend lies immediately to the north of their road connecting London with the Kent coast now called Watling Street. The Domesday Book recorded mills hythes and fisheries here.In the Fort Gardens is Milton Chantry, Gravesend's earliest existing building of the late 13th century. It was refounded about 1321 on the site of a hospital founded in 1189. At the time it was supported by lands in Essex. Walmer Walmer is a town in the district of Dover, Kent in England: located on the coast, the parish of Walmer is six miles (10 km) north-east of Dover. Largely residential, its coastline and castle attract many visitors. Walmer is closely associated with its adjoining neighbour, the town of Deal - sharing many amenities and services and benefiting from Deal's High Street shopping area.Largely residential, its coastline and castle attract many visitors. Faversham The historic streets head of in all directions from the old Market Place, with the photogenic Guildhall building in the centre.Faversham was granted its first charter in AD 811, and the town centres on Market Square, where a market is still held. Abbey Street is the show street, restored since 1961 as part of a conservation scheme. It is named after the abbey founded by King Stephen in 1147 and destroyed at the Reformation. The houses in Abbey Street are mellowed brick and half-timbered, leading to 17th century warehouses on Standard Quay, built with reused stone and timbers from the abbey.Number 80 is part of the abbey gatehouse, rebuilt in 1538-40 for Thomas Arden, mayor. He was murdered here in 1550 and his tale is told in ARDEN OF FAVERSHAM, a play of 1592. West Street is another rewarding street of half-timbered buildings. The church has a graceful 'flying spire', a well-loved landmark. Ramsgate Lively and vibrant, Ramsgate has a veritable feast of attractions for residents and visitors alike.There are numerous things to do around the harbour including pleasure-boat trips, self-guided town trails, open-top bus rides and tours of Ramsgate Brewery, to name a few. Ramsgate's award-winning beach has recently scooped a Seaside Award in the Resort Beach category. In order to be awarded such an accolade the resort beaches have to meet a series of 29 different criteria including cleanliness, safety and the display of up-to-date information for the public. Dartford This urban settlement is best known today as the home of the Dartford Tunnel, which runs for roughly one mile beneath the River Thames, re-emerging on the Essex bank near West Thurrock. Dartford is a place of some historical significance: it stands on the old London to Dover road at the crossing of the River Darent, which is how it got its name Darent Ford. Maidstone Maidstone has been settled from early times, first with Mesolithic hunter-gathers then by Neolithic farmers tilling the fertile soil of the Medway Valley. Important remains from this period are the Medway megaliths just north of Maidstone. By the time the Romans arrived in AD 43, Maidstone was already a small community; the Romans added villas and other stone buildings, and (probably after building Watling Street) constructed the road lying under the town's Week Street and Stone Street.Kent's county town stands in a countryside of orchards and hopfields on the River Medway, still has a real county town atmosphere, with the High Street leading up from the river, originally a wide market place, but later filled in to create parallel Bank Street. Both streets lead to the town centre with the town hall of 1763 and 1960's multi-storey blocks. Maidstone's oldest buildings are the 14th century Archbishops' Palace, fronting the river, the great church of 1395 and the 15th century Archbishops' stables. Deal Deal is a delightful jumble of narrow lanes which make dog-legs to divert the driving winds from the Channel. It is a 17th to 19th century townscape that, overall, amounts to more than the sum of its individual buildings.These include St Leonard's Church, which is part Norman, but with a cupola maintained by Trinity House as a landmark for shipping, The stately Royal Marine barracks towards Walmer, and three castles built by Henry VIII, namely Deal, Sandown and Walmer. The town is home to the famous Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club.Deal's finest building is the Tudor Deal Castle, commissioned by King Henry VIII and designed with an attractive rose floor plan.The proximity of Deal's shoreline to the notorious Goodwin Sands has made its coastal waters a source of both shelter and danger through the history of sea travel in British waters. Tenterden Tenterden is certainly one of the nicest places in Kent to just amble around the enticing stores. The High Street is a wonderous medley of small and historic whitewashed buildings, that are a joy to explore. Sheerness The Port of Sheerness contains at least one Grade II listed building, the Old Boat House. Built in 1866, it is the first multi-storey iron framed industrial building recorded in the UK. Decorated with ornate ironwork, it features operating rails extending the length of the building, for the movement of stores, much like a modern crane.The dockyard and port at Sheerness today are a significant feature of the Isle of Sheppey's economy, which includes the extensive export/import of motor vehicles, and a large steel works, with extensive railway fixtures. The island is, however, suffering from an economic recession and these industries are not as extensive as they once were. Lydd Lydd reached the height of its prosperity during the 13th century, when it was a corporate member of the Cinque Ports, a "limb" of Romney.As with much of the marsh, the town was a base for smuggling in the 18th and 19th centuries Whitstable In 1830 one of the earliest passenger railway services was opened by the Canterbury and Whitstable Railway Company, and in 1832 the company opened Whitstable harbour and extended the line to enable passage to London from the port. The railway has since closed but the harbour still plays an important role in the town's economy.Whitstable is famous for its oysters, which have been collected in the area since at least Roman times.The town dates back to before the writing of the Domesday Book. Whitstable's distinctive character is popular with tourists, and its maritime heritage is celebrated with the annual oyster festival. Freshly caught shellfish are available throughout the year at several seafood restaurants and pubs in the town. Sandwich Sandwich, East of Canterbury on A257, was founded by the Saxons on the coast at the mouth of the River Stour. Since then the river has silted up and Sandwich is 2 miles inland, with fields and golf courses juxtaposed between it and the sea.The quay offers a convenient parking area and peaceful picnic place, with wooden benches and plenty of grass for laying out rugs along the willow-fringed riverbank. Active youngsters will enjoy the excellent safe playground. Visitors can stroll along the quayside where a range of old boats, including Thames-style barges and houseboats, float quietly up and down with the tide, or take a river-bus trip on the Stour to the small nature reserve of Gazen Salts, and beyond to the Roman ruins of Richborough Castle and the museum which displays finds from the site. Kent Place NamesIf you have wandered through the Kent Downs whether on foot, by horse, bicycle or car will have, at one time or another, pondered over the meaning of place names of towns , villages or hamlets that we normally take for granted in our everyday lives. Places such as Pett Bottom, Bigbury and Bobbing conjure up all manner of intriguing images as to the activities of former inhabitants, while others such as Whatsole Street, Smersole or Hartlip appear completely baffling.Although most place names may appear at first sight to be random elements of words thrown together in no particular order, most are surprisingly easy to decipher with some elementary grounding in Old English. Over the centuries most of the Old English words have themselves corrupted and changed to appear as we know them today. Ashford Set amongst beautiful Darling Buds of May countryside and picturesque villages, a host of beautiful gardens and historic houses, National Trust properties, nostalgic steam railways, award-winning vineyards, windmills and small unique attractions are waiting to be discovered. Head for Ashford Town Centre and County Square Shopping Centre for top high street stores and to the Ashford Designer Outlet for brand names at big discounts. Browse in the many antique, gift and specialist stores in Tenterden.Much more information on the Ashford dedicated page here Plan your visit to KentBy Road: Hythe is on the A259 which gives direct access from the Kent and Sussex coast. Hythe is only 3 miles from the M20 junction 11, which makes it easily accessible from London, the M25, the Channel ports and the Eurotunnel terminal at Folkestone.By Bus: Buses serve Hythe from Ashford, Canterbury, Hastings, Rye, Folkestone and Dover.By Rail: Travel via Ashford to Folkestone Central or the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway.By Coach: Natonal Express service 021 operates daily between London and Hythe. Kent Visitor Information Centres Use Kent Visitor Information Centres to help plan your visit you ll find them in all major towns and cities as well as some larger villages. The Staff are friendly and knowledgeable, and can get all the help you need from local town maps and transport routes to finding the best accommodation for your trip. Many centres stocking a wide range of merchandise from local books, gifts, traditional postcards and souvenirs. Ashford2nd Floor, Ashford Gateway PlusChurch Road, AshfordTN23 1ASTel: 01233 330316 tourism@ashford.gov.ukCanterburyBeaney Art Museum and Library18 High Street, CanterburyCT1 2RATel: 01227 862162 canterburyinformation@canterbury.gov.ukDealLandmark Centre129 High Street, DealCT14 6BBTel: 01304 369576info@deal.gov.ukDoverDover MuseumMarket Square, DoverCT16 1PBTel: 01304 201066tic@doveruk.comEdenbridgeVisitor Information PointEdenbridge Town Council72A High StreetEdenbridge TN8 5ARTel: 01732 865368www.edenvalleykent.orgFavershamFleur de Lis Heritage Centre13 Preston Street, FavershamME13 8NSTel: 01795 534542ticfaversham@btconnect.com Royal Tunbridge WellsUnit 2, The Corn ExchangeThe Pantiles, Tunbridge WellsTN2 5TE Tel: 01892 515675touristinformationcentre@tunbridgewells.gov.ukSandwich (Summer Only)Guildhall, SandwichCT13 9AHTel: 01304 613565tourism@sandwichtowncouncil.gov.ukSwanleyLondon Road, SwanleyBR8 7AETel: 01322 614660touristinfo@swanley.org.ukTenterden2 Manor Row, High Street, TenterdenTN30 6HP0845 8247202tourism@ashford.gov.ukTonbridgeCastle Street, TonbridgeTN9 1BGTel: 01732 770929Tonbridge.castle@tmbc.gov.ukWhitstableThe Whitstable Shop, 34 Harbour Street,Whitstable, CT5 1AJTel: 01227 770060wit.whitstable34@talktalk.net FolkestoneTown Hall1-2 Guildhall StreetFolkestoneKentCT20 1DYTel: 01303 257946tourism@folkestone-tc.gov.ukGravesendTowncentric18a St George s Square, GravesendDA11 0TBTel: 01474 337600info@towncentric.co.ukHerne BayWilliam Street, Herne BayCT6 5NXTel; 01227 378100canterburyinformation@canterbury.gov.ukMaidstoneMaidstone Museum and Bentlif Art GallerySt Faith s Street, MaidstoneME14 1LHTel: 01622 602169tourism@maidstone.gov.ukMargate, Broadstairs, RamsgateThe Droit House, Stone Pier, MargateCT9 1JDTel: 01843 577577visitorinformation@thanet.gov.ukRochester95 High Street, RochesterME1 1LXTel: 01634 338141Visitor.centre@medway.gov.uk Whether you are learning English, or simply want to experience studying in the UK, Kent has a whole host of language schools, colleges, as well as two universities, catering for students of all ages. Exercise your newly-learnt skills by exploring our Garden, with historic castles, beautiful coastlines, rolling hills and countryside and fantastic days out at family attractions. See our suggestions below from some of the top places to learn English and experience Kentish culture at its best: Academy of English StudiesLocation: FolkestoneTel: 01303 210808Email: info@aesfolkestone.co.ukBell International Language CentreLocation: BedgeburyTel: 01233 212333Canterbury Language TrainingLocation: CanterburyTel: 01227 760000Email: office@clt.comCanterbury Christ Church UniversityLocation: CanterburyTel: 01227 767700Website: www.canterbury.ac.uk Chaucer College CanterburyLocation: CanterburyTel: 01227 787800Email: enrolment@chaucercollege.co.ukChaucer College KingsgateLocation: BroadstairsTel: 01843 866444Email: enrolment@chaucercollege.co.uk Churchill House School of English LanguageLocation: RamsgateTel: 01843 586833Email: Welcome@churchillhouse.co.uk Pilgrims English Language CoursesLocation: 4-6 Orange Street, Canterbury, CT1 2JATel: 01227 762111Email: sales@pilgrims.co.ukSchool of English StudiesLocation: FolkestoneEmail: info@ses-folkestone.co.ukSt Peter's School of EnglishLocation: CanterburyTel: +44(0)1227 462016Email: info@stpeters.co.ukStafford House of EnglishLocation: CanterburyTel: 01227 452250Email: soe@staffordhouse.comThanet CollegeLocation: ThanetTel: 01843 605014Email: international@thanet.ac.ukUniversity of Kent Location: CanterburyTel: 01227 764000Email: information@kent.ac.ukWarnborough CollegeLocation: CanterburyTel: 01227 762107Email: info@warnborough.ac.uk Cicero Languages InternationalLocation: Tunbridge Wells and ThanetTel: 01892 547077Concorde International LtdLocation: CanterburyTel: 01227 451035Email: info@concorde-int.comHilderstone CollegeLocation: BroadstairsTel: 01843 869171Email: info@hilderstone.ac.ukInternational School for Creative LearningLocation: FolkestoneTel: +44 (0) 7875 428 482Email: info@creative-english.co.ukKent School of EnglishLocation: BroadstairsTel: 01843 874870Email: enquiries@kentschool.co.ukLondon House School of English LtdLocation: Westgate-on-seaTel: + 44 (0)1843 831 216Email: enquiries@london-house.co.ukMargate Language CentreLocation: MargateTel: 01843 227700Email: info@mlcengland.com Kent Conference BureauLooking for the perfect venue in Kent for your event?Unsure of where to start in terms of planning, short of time or lack of knowledge about the county?Whatever it may be the Kent Conference Bureau is here to make the process hassle free! What does the Kent Conference Bureau do?The official Kent Conference Bureau is a FREE venue finding service to help you locate a suitable venue for your next event in Kent.Currently representing over 65 venues across Kent, covering all areas of the county, the Kent Conference Bureau has all the local knowledge you will need to make your event a success from start to finish.Having established a professional working relationship with all of the Kent venues it represents, the Kent Conference Bureau is able to negotiate the best rates for you.No matter what your event, the bureau offers a wide range of support services to help make it a success.The bureau meets every organisers needs, whether your event is a conference, meeting, training course, team building, Christmas party, wedding or private function. Why choose Kent for your next conference, exhibition or event?You may be asking Why Kent? , well the county has plenty to offer from wide open spaces in our beautiful countryside, where you can indulge your employees in some team building and corporate hospitality activities, to light and airy meeting rooms in venues with green credentials.There is also an abundance of wedding venues across Kent, that the Kent Conference Bureau work closely with, to ensure your special day is exactly how you want it.For events over the festive period take a look at our Christmas parties page for the latest offers and information to help you decide. Travelling to Kent is a breeze!Getting to Kent, the southeast corner of England is easy, with its extensive transport connections including the motorway and national rail networks.Just 30 minutes by train from London, with connections to all London airports and France being a short hop across the Channel.Accessibility to Kent makes it an idyllic destination to visit and is why the Kent Conference Bureau promotes it as a premier conference and event destination in the United Kingdom.Contact detailsTelephone: 01622 602485 (+44 1622 602485) Email info@kentconferencebureau.co.uk Rail Travel - From LondonOne of the easiest modes of Transport is by Rail. Kent has one of the most dense rail networks of any county in the UK, particularly due to its close proximity to London, as well as needing to provide good rail links to locations such as Dover for cross-channel traffic and the Eurostar terminals.Train operating companies Most Train Services in Kent are operated by SouthEastern Trains. See their site for more up to date information on schedules and engineering works. The exceptions are the local trains between Tonbridge and Redhill via Edenbridge and the local trains between Ashford and Hastings (Sussex) via Appledore, which are operated by Southern.Timetables and Fares National Rail Enquiries provide a simple route planner and ticketing system. Seat reservations are not available on South Eastern or Southern trains, except for large groups. Advance ticket purchase can sometimes save you money for longer journeys, but note that cheap fares are generally not available before 9am on weekdays. A ticket called 'PlusBus' available to many towns in Kent. This ticket will add rides on local buses at your destination. There are terms and conditions, so check before you buy.The trainsAll trains in Kent are modern air-conditioned electric multiple-units and are fully disability compliant, with wheelchair bays and suitable toilets. Look for the 'wheelchair' symbol on the train doors. First class travel is available on the main lines, but is not worth the extra cost as all you get is different colourseat! On board refreshment service is limited to a portable 'bar' that passes through the train. It is very expensive, so if you think you might need a drink or snack, buy something from a shop near the station of departure. The cafes and shops on thestations are almost as expensive as the on-board service.Stations All stations in the county are open seven days a week, with a train at least once an hour at even the smallest. Larger towns and cities will have up to six trains to/from London every hour, ten or twelve in peak weekdays rush hours. There are however no trains after about 9pm on December 24th (Christmas Eve, none at all on December 25th (Christmas Day) and virtually none on December 26th (Boxing Day) therefore if planning to travel around those times you may have to think again!Some very small stations are unstaffed at all times and many of the ticket offices at 'medium sized' smaller stations have limited opening hours. If boarding at these places, you can pay your fare on board, without penalty, in cash or with a credit card. Many stations also have ticket machines which also accept cash and credit cards. However if you board elsewhere without a valid ticket, make sure you have a good excuse ready. Most of the larger stations are now gated, so you need to keep your ticket to exit the system.Weekend track maintenance work Train services at weekends are sometimes affected by track maintenance and repair work, with some services diverted and buses used to cover some sections of route. You can get details of upcoming work at the South Eastern railway website.Getting into Kent and getting aroundThere are a number of ways to get around by train, and many visitors will start out at London.From London the main terminals that serve Kent are London St Pancras (High Speed Trains), London Victoria and London Charing Cross (of which this article will focus on). You can also use London Bridge, London Waterloo East, London Cannon Street, and London Blackfriars.London St Pancras is the terminal for the High Speed Train (HST 125mph) service towards the Medway Towns, Ashford, Canterbury, Dover, Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate. This station is adjacent to London King's Cross and a short distance from London Euston, two other important London terminii. High Speed trains into Kent also stop at Stratford, very convenient for travel to and from Essex and East Anglia. Do bear in mind that for certain journeys the time gained using the HST route may be negated by the need to cross London to get to or from St Pancras.Victoria is one of the Kent terminals, and serves the whole county (as well as neighbouring Sussex and Surrey, and the London suburbs). This is the place to start journeys to the Kent Coast (in particular the Isle of Thanet and Dover). There are also services to Ashford (for some international Eurostar Services) and Maidstone, as well as Canterbury. Services to all of these destinations are very regular from Victoria running about every half hour/every hour. Tickets should generally be bought in advance if travelling from London, and Victoria does have ticket barriers in operation most of the time.London Charing Cross is a smaller Kent terminus that offers services to all of the above destinations, as well as other routes, including to Folkestone and Deal on the coast, Tunbridge Wells,Tonbridge, Sevenoaks and Staplehurst in the Weald of Kent, and also Chartham and Wye for the spectacular views of the North Downs. Trains from Charing Cross also call at Waterloo (East), some call at London Bridge while during peak weekday rush hours many trains run to or from London Cannon Street station, in the heart of the 'City'.The trains from London's several terminals criss-cross the county serving a variety of routes and destinations. Screens and announcements on the platforms and in the trains are used to reel off the stopping points and destinations. Some trains divide en route, so do make sure you are in the correct section of the train if you hear such an announcement. Don't be afraid to ask people if you are not sure. Many of those on the train will be regular travellers and can help if there are no staff around.New High Speed trains now running between London and Kent. The new Ebbsfleet International station provides full high speed services to and from London St Pancras station within 20 mins.These new high speed trains also serve Ashford, Dover, Ramsgate, Margate, Canterbury and other stations in the east of the county. A higher fare is payable for journeys on the HST (High Speed Train) between Ashford, Ebbsfleet and London but normal fares apply where these new trains share routes and tracks with the standard service.St Pancras station is a couple of miles to the north of the City and West End of London.This is very useful if connecting for trains arriving at or leaving from St Pancras, King's Cross and Euston. However, travellers to or from certain areas of London (ie the West End and City) will still find it more convenient (and cheaper) to use Victoria or Charing Cross and the 'classic' lines.Intending travellers can get full details from the South Eastern railway website at www.woutheasternrailway.co.uk JOURNEY TIMES:HST - via High Speed Route to St Pancras. Other times are via 'classic' routes to london Victoria/Charing Cross or Cannon Street. Times are the average. Faster trains run on many lines during peak commuter hours.Isle of Thanet (Mar/Ram/Broad): Ihr 25 minutes HST, ~2hours Canterbury: 56 minutes HST, ~1.5hrsAshford Intl: 38 minutes HST, ~1.25hrsTonbridge: ~40mins (no HST)Tunbridge Wells ~50/60 minutes (no HST)Dover: 1 hr 8 minutes HST, ~1hr 50 minutes otherwiseMedway Towns: 40 mins HST, 1 hour otherwise.Maidstone: 1 hour (no HST)Rail Travel Towards London From Country and CoastIf you are visiting London for the day, you can buy a 'Travelcard' ticket, which will combine the train journey to and from London and the ability to use London's local buses and trains to get around once there. Dover- If you are arriving at the port of Dover, then Priory station is a short bus ride away. From here there are regular trains to London as well as to Ramsgate (for Broadstairs and Margate) and Canterbury.Gatwick- The airport is actually not in Kent, but will be included here. There is the Gatwick Express train that runs from London Victoria direct to Gatwick, with journey times taking about 30mins. If travelling from/towards other parts of Kent, use trains to/from Tonbridge (which always now include a change at Redhill).Canterbury and Thanet- Trains run towards London Victoria very regularly from Canterbury East via Faversham. From Ramsgate and Thanet via Canterbury West there are trains to Charing Cross roughly every half hour. There are also occasional trains from C.West to Victoria (see National Rail Enquiries for more details). From Thanet there are services to London Victoria via Herne Bay, Faversham and the North Kent coast. This is the quickest route into London (~1hr45mins).There are also services from Ramsgate regularly to London Charing Cross via Dover and Folkestone.Ashford International and Maidstone- If arriving into Ashford by Eurostar, the domestic station is in the immediate vicinity. Trains from Ashford to London via Tonbridge run about every 30mins and via Maidstone East roughly every hour. Other local services connect Ashford with Folkestone, Dover and Canterbury at least once evey hour.Rush hour! Trains towards London and other major cities and towns in Kent are very busy on weekdays with commuters from start of service around 5am until 9am. In the reverse direction, trains will be full leaving London between about 4pm and 7pm. If leaving from a London terminal, try to arrive 10 - 15 minutes before your train leaves and you will have a reasonable chance of getting a seat. By CARKent has a good network of roads and motorways, however these are often jammed and queues are quite likely at any point of the day. In particular the M20, M2, M26 and M25 can get very busy, especially between 7:30am-10am and 4pm-6:30pm (rush hours).Have a look at this Kent Roadmap to plan your journey accordingly.By BUS/COACHNational Express run regular services to most major towns in Kent from London Victoria Bus Terminal on Buckingham Palace Road, London. The majority of services will end up terminating at either Ramsgate or Dover, but will have lots of stops on the way depending on your route. See their website for more information on Kent schedules, services and prices.Local buses in KentLocal buses around the county are operated by a large number of companies, ranging from the large organisations of Arriva, Metrobus and Stagecoach down to one man and his bus. There is a comprehensive travel website for the region at http://www.travelinesoutheast.org.uk/ within which you can discover all the routes and timetables.The major companies also have their own websites.Most of the county is reasonably well served by bus on weekdays and Saturdays until early evening, However buses after about 7pm and all day on Sundays and holidays are often very limited, so travel on those times/days will need to be carefully planned. There are NO local buses operated on December 25th (Christmas Day) and very few on December 26th (Boxing Day) and New Year's Day, January 1st..The larger companies may issue 'rover' tickets, which generally allow unlimited travel after 9am weekdays, all day Saturday, Sunday and Holidays. However these can usually only be used on that company's own routes. Enquire at the local bus station or bus office or through the company website.By SHIPA few visitors may arrive into Kent on a cruise, or have come from one of the ports in France, Belgium or beyond. SeaFrance, P&O and Speedferries operate cross-channel services in and out of Dover, usually costing around 20- 30. The Port of Dover is very well run, and staff will be able to assist with onward travel into Kent, and directions to the station if required.There are also ferry services to Oostende in Belgium from Ramsgate operated by Transeuropa.By EUROSTAR/CHANNEL TUNNELA very few Eurostar services still currently call at Ashford International en-route to London St. Pancras, but are not as frequent as they used to be. From Ashford, passengers can easily and smoothly connect with the domestic rail services to the rest of Kent. Ebbsfleet Station in North Kent is now also open and accepting Eurostar passengers to/from the Continent. Car parking is available at Ebbsfleet station. To reach Ebbsfleet by rail , change at Dartford, Greenhithe, Swanscombe or Gravesend for a FastTrack bus service to Ebbsfleet. Staff at these stations will be able to direct you to the correct buses. Rather annoyingly, Ebbsfleet station is within half a mile of Northfleet station on the Gravesend - London rail route but there is no walking route between the twoMost Eurostar trains no longer stop at Ashford. Therefore those travelling from or to Ashford, Dover, Folkestone, Canterbury, Margate, Ramsgate etc now have to travel using the High Speed trains some 40 - 50 miles in the wrong direction to reach the Eurostar terminal at Ebbsfleet.EuroTunnel (The Channel Tunnel) operates from just outside Folkestone, and is clearly marked by road from both the M20/M2 and the main routes from Dover to Folkestone. You can board the Channel Tunnel train with your car the journey takes about 35 minutes and runs from Folkestone to Calais, France . It is difficult to reach Eurotunnel from the Rail stations at Folkestone (and Sandling), but is do-able by taxi from either Dover or Folkestone station. (A bus service may operate from the Folkestone stations). The Channel Tunnel and The Channel Tunnel Rail Link are however not the same, which is why it has now been called High-speed 1.By AIRGatwick Airport is the nearest airport to Kent. Roads and rail links are outlined above. There is also Kent International Airport at Manston on the Isle of Thanet which operates some passenger flights during the summer. The nearest rail station is Ramsgate about 3 miles away. Please see the airport website or look at the Broadstairs Travel page for further information. Biddenden If there is such a thing as a 'typical' village, Biddenden is probably what most people would like to think was just that. It began, inauspiciously enough, as one of the many 'dens' or manorial outbacks where the manors of east and north Kent kept their hogs and cut their timber. But it was already affording a degree of personal prosperity to the Chulkhurst family when their daughters, Eliza and Mary, were born in about 1100 and gave the village its abiding fame.The girls were England's first recorded Siamese twins, joined together at shoulder and hip, and they lived together in the fullest possible sense for more than thirty years. When one of them was taken ill and died, the other refused to allow surgeons to separate her from her dead sister, saying that they had come into the world together and would leave it the same way. She died a few hours later.They left land, later to be known as Bread and Cheese lands, income from which was to pay for a dole of bread, cheese and ale (later to be paid in tea) which is still distributed to local pensioners on Easter Monday, together with a commemorative biscuit on which is stamped a representation of the two Maids, who also feature on the very distinctive village sign.The ceremony of distributing the dole was not always a very decorous one. In 1682 the Rector, the Rev Giles Hinton, reported to Archbishop Sancroft, 'even to this time (the custom) is with much disorder and indecency observed.' After that, the bread and cheese (but no more ale) was doled out in the church porch until the end of the 17th century, and then from the old workhouse. Folkestone A Channel port since Saxon times from which the French coast is visible on clear days, with steep narrow steps leading down to the fishing harbour and once ferry terminal, and the expansive Victorian resort, developed after the railway arrived in 1842. A lift of 1885, powered by water pressure, takes visitors down to the Maritime Gardens and Undercliff Road. The beach is much frequented by wind surfers. Nearby is Folkestone Warren, formed by a coastal landslide in 1915. It is known for its rare wild flowers. New building has given Wye something of the character of a small town, although the heart of the place, around the church and the neighbouring old Wye College, is still unmistakably a village.Due west of the village the Downs display perfectly the tufted chalk crown shaped on the hillside by Wye College students in 1902 to commemorate Edward VII's coronation.Historic village at the foot of the Downs with many historic buildings, several restaurants and pubs. A centre for walking, you can see marvellous views across countryside to the coast from Devil s Kneading Trough, a deep coombe nearby. Dymchurch During the 17th and 18th centuries, smuggling was rife all along the south east coast of England. Due to its remote location Romney Marsh and the surrounding areas were amongst the busiest locations for illicit trade. Inspiration from this gave rise to Dymchurch being the setting of the "Doctor Syn" novels, based on smuggling, by Russell Thorndike. Every two years a celebration of the novels is held, usually on August Bank Holiday. A local rumour has it that the books were mostly written within The Ship Inn which was built in the 15th century and is still in use to this day as a local public house, hotel and restaurant but in reality Thorndyke's nephew insists that the novels were written in the author's garage.The other famous place in Dymchurch is The "Dr Syns Guest House" Restaurant. The name was given over 60 years ago to remember the story told, a landmark in Dymchurch.Three Martello towers and Dymchurch Redoubt are located here, all built during the Napoleonic Wars. Martello tower No. 24 is still open to the public. Of the other two, one is now a house and the other is derelict. Cinque Ports - The History The coat of arms of the Cinque Ports is three lions passant guardant conjoined to as many ships hulls and this device is included in the majority of the coats of arms of the towns comprising the Ports and the Limbs.The Cinque Ports date from the time of William the Conqueror, and refer to the five south-eastern ports of Hastings, Sandwich, Dover, Romney and Hythe. Cinque is, of course, the French for five , although when referring to the Cinque Ports it is pronounced sink . These five ports were known as the Head Ports, and were thriving fishing and trading centres. In the thirteenth century, Rye and Winchelsea also became Head Ports and the formal title became The Confederation of the Cinque Ports and the Two Ancient Towns of Rye and Winchelsea .Until the reign of King Henry VIII, England did not have a navy so, to provide a means of defence, the Cinque Ports were required to provide ships and men to the King on demand. The requirement for Dover, Sandwich and Romney to place ships at the King s disposal was recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) and it is likely that the arrangement started in the 10th century. The King first granted a charter to the Confederation in 1260, and by 1278, the men of the Cinque Ports - the Portsmen- were required to supply 57 ships, fully manned, for 15 days a year. In return, they were given numerous concessions, including:Honours at Court a privilege allowing the Cinque Ports to provide and bear canopies over the king and queen on their way to their Coronation. This privilege still exists, although today it is restricted to the Barons of the Cinque Ports attending Coronations and lining the aisle at Westminster Abbey.Courts of Administration and Justice originally granted to allow the Portsmen to govern themselves in local matters, independent of the King s and Ecclesiastical Courts. Now, this is a ceremonial privilege only, restricted to the Court of Shepway, which meets to confirm a new Lord Warden, and the Courts of Brotherhood and Guestling, which are called annually, or as necessary, to discuss the business of the Cinque Ports.Den & Strond this entitled Portsmen to land their ships at Great Yarmouth in the herring season, without paying a fee, to dry their nets and administer justice at the Herring Fair. This much-resented privilege was ended during the reign of Charles II.Infantheff the right to judge wrongdoers taken within the Ports jurisdiction.Outgangtheff the right to pursue wrongdoers outside the Ports area and return them for trial at the Courts of the Confederation.Right of Wreck the right to any vessel, goods or fish washed ashore with the Ports jurisdiction.Right of Withernam this gave Portsmen the right to pursue and enforce payment of debts through their own courts.Head Ports found their obligation difficult to meet and enlisted the assistance of smaller ports, which became known as limb ports. Margate was attached to Dover, along with Folkestone and Faversham. The other limbs were Lydd (attached to Romney), Deal, Walmer, Fordwich and Ramsgate (attached to Sandwich), Seaford and Pevensey (attached to Hastings) and Tenterden (attached to Rye).There is no doubt that the limb ports played their part in the Confederation. In return, they shared some of the privileges of the Head Ports as well as their protection. The importance of the Ports waned in the 14th century, not least because of the ever-changing nature of the Kent and Sussex coastline which left a number of the ports, such as Romney and Winchelsea, landlocked. The final downfall came in the 15th century, with the founding of the Royal Navy, which meant the end of the Ports requirement to provide ships. The Cinque Ports still exist, of course, but are now a part of the ceremony and history of the south-east coast.The office of Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports was established in the 13th century to act as the link between the King and the Ports. Although a royal appointee, the Lord Warden swears an oath to uphold the rights and privileges of the Portsmen. The current Lord Warden is Admiral the Lord Boyce GCB OBE DL, who was sworn in on 12th April 2005. His immediate predecessor was HM Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother and another notable Lord Warden was Sir Winston Churchill, who served from 1941 until his death in 1965. Dover The Romans developed Dover as their main naval base and it continued to be important, becoming a founder member of the Confederation of Cinque Ports founded by Edward I. Slowly the old harbour silted up, and it now lies under the town; a new harbour was built out into the English Channel in the 19th century.Sitting in the Shadow of Dover Castle & the Iconic White Cliffs, is ideal if you want to relax over a cappuccino, enjoy a light lunch, have a fun family meal. Hythe There are plenty of flat areas along the seafront and in Hythe's many green spaces where you can enjoy a leisurely stroll.With its fabulous Festival and Venetian Fete and a winning combination of sea and greenery, sheltered alleys and higher levels, Hythe is picturesque, peaceful, friendly and perfectly placed.Hythe is a fascinating town of interweaving scenes and contrasts. First there is the sea and the shingle beach, behind it swathes of parks and greenery leading to the grand wide canal and country park. The central High Street and heart of the town shelters behind the canal and its surrounding parkland, while the town centre itself masks the hills behind. Alleys from the High Street lead steeply upwards to a higher level of parallel road thats packed with beautiful old houses and cottages.Above these cottages is the highest of the towns three levels, where the magnificent church of St Leonards sits alone, commanding views across the rooftops all around. Theres a friendly, old world atmosphere in the 1940s-style shops, yet Hythe is close to London and near enough to France to do your shopping plus its tailor made for outdoor activities, from sailing and windsurfing to swimming to golf.Much more information on the Hythe dedicated page here Canterbury Canterbury Cathedral in Canterbury, is one of the oldest and most famous Christian structures in England and forms part of a World Heritage Site. It is the cathedral of the Archbishop of Canterbury, leader of the Church of England and symbolic leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion. Its formal title is the Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of Christ at Canterbury.Packed full of history the cathedral architecture is breathtaking. A lovely walk along the River. There is the modern pedestrianised shopping area around the Marlowe Arcade, and the more recent Whitefriars development. Large selection of eating places.Canterbury is a bustling modern city of venerable age, and a place of pilgrimage for the historically minded. It was the capital of the Iron Age kingdom of the Cantii, the name survives in today's city and in the county of Kent, and then an important Roman town. In AD 602, St. Augustine re-dedicated a deserted Roman church within the city wall, creating Christchurch Cathedral, and Canterbury has been the spiritual capital of England ever since. By c1100 it also had a Norman Castle.The cathedral was rebuilt between 1170 and 1175, creating the bulk of the present magnificent Gothic building. The nave was rebuilt again in 1380 and the great tower went up in 1500. The shrine of Thomas a Becket, murdered here in 1170, was particularly sumptuous. For 200 years it was, Rome apart, the most popular shrine in Europe, thronged by pilgrims, most of whom travelled from London, as did Chaucer's famous group of 1388. The shrine declined in the 15th century and in 1538 it was wrecked by Henry VIII's officers.Industry flourished when 16th century Flemish refugees set up a woollen cloth industry, while in the late 17th century Huguenot refugees developed silk weaving. The Weavers' House in the High Street dates from this time, as does St. Dunstan's Street.Devastating bombing in World War 2 destroyed much of the city's heart, but the cathedral survived, as do many timber-framed buildings of the 16th and 17th centuries. Particularly good are Mercery Lane with overhanging buildings and glimpses of the cathedral, and the tiny butter market outside Christchurch Gate of 1517. Post-war clearance has opened up the area around the medieval walls which run along the Roman lines. Canterbury became a university city in 1962 when the University of Kent was built on a hill to the north.Much more information on the Canterbury area page here Margate These days, Margate fizzes with artistic energy. To traditional, holiday-town charms, add a world-class art gallery. To sandy beaches and sparkling bays, add a cool caf culture and tempting retro shops. Margate is in the midst of a cultural renaissance. It's exciting, it's energising and you're invited to take part.The internationally-acclaimed Turner Contemporary leads the creative charge, brilliantly showcasing historical and ultra-modern work. It s already brought together pieces by JMW Turner, so famously inspired by Margate's stunning seascapes, and avant-garde local artist Tracey Emin.Margate's Old Town rejoices in a funky vibe. Here chic eateries, galleries, vintage shops and chilled-out cafes rub shoulders with traditional seaside delights: candyfloss stands; fish and chip shops; seafood stalls. The reinvigorated Harbour Arm is now home to artists' studios, gallery and stylish spots to eat and drink.Much more information on the Margate area page here New Romney New Romney is a small town in Kent, on the edge of Romney Marsh, an area of flat, rich agricultural land reclaimed from the sea. New Romney is one of the original Cinque Ports and was originally a harbour town at the mouth of the River Rother, but is now over a mile from the sea. Many towns on the Romney Marsh have an impressive Norman church in the town centre and New Romney is no exception having St Nicholas Church which once stood on the harbour side. Ships tied up alongside the churchyard until a great storm in 1287 diverted the River Rother away from Romney. The height of the flood waters can still be seen from the stains on the pillars inside. New Romney's high street has several shops, three pubs - The New Inn, The Ship and Cinque Ports Arms, and several notable historic buildings. The Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway opened in 1927. It stretches for nearly 14 miles from Hythe to the lighthouses at Dungeness, through Dymchurch, St Marys Bay and it's base at New Romney. There is a links golf course at nearby Littlestone-on-Sea which has been used several times for the qualifying rounds of The Open Championship. Herne Bay Herne Bay was founded in the early nineteen hundreds and was a popular holiday destination for Londoners. It was during this period that a wealthy London lady gave the town its distinctive 80ft Clock Tower. The first pier was erected in 1832, followed by steamboats in 1834. In World War II the bouncing bomb, was tested off the shore near here. One of the prototype bombs may be seen in the Herne Bay Museum today.Herne Bay's seafront is home to the world's first freestanding purpose-built clock tower, built in 1837; until 1978, the town had the second-longest pier in the United Kingdom. Kent is a land of gardens and orchards, of historic castles and churches, of pretty villages and fine market towns, but above all, it is a land that is inescapably linked to the sea. Its proximity to Europe across the narrow channel means that invaders through the centuries have chosen the Kent coast as a gateway to Britain.You don t have to travel far to find beauty, fun and relaxation. Kent offers a wide choice of accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets.Whether you stay in a town or city centre with attractions on the doorstep, or wish to get away from it all to the coast or in the heart of the countryside, you are sure to receive a warm welcome.Kent is an ideal short break or holiday destination, and is famous for it's quaint cottages, well appointed hotels, Bed and Breakfast for short stays, as well as Caravan and Camping parks.There are 1000's of restaurants in Kent covering all four corners of our gastronomic globe to tempt even the most discerning connoisseur. Whether you want to relax over a cappuccino, enjoy a light lunch, have a fun family meal or indulge in a taste sensation, Kent caters for every occasion.Kent boasts over 1000 square miles of countryside and 350 miles of coastline to explore, plus more historic homes and castles than any other county.Kent is known as 'The Garden of England', due to the large number of hop gardens and orchards in the county.Kent is widely believed to be England's oldest county, and is home to around 17,000 listed buildings.Two of Kent's Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty cover around one third of the entire county.350 miles of coastline to explore, over 1000 square miles of countryside plus more historic homes and castles than any other county. At the southeastern border of England, Kent is only around 21 miles from France. England's oldest county is a wonderful short break and holiday destination, with many Blue Flag beaches, places of interest, and fun things to do.A train journey from London to Kent's coast is just a short trip.Kent has more castles and historic houses than any other county, there are 18 castles alone, from romantic Hever to the fortress of Dover.Deal Castle was one sturdy link in the chain of coastal fortresses built by order of Henry VIII, who feared invasion from France. Further along the coast is Walmer Castle and Gardens, which in more recent years has become the elegant residence of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports. Rising from a lake in 500 acres of glorious parkland, Leeds Castle is the epitome of elegance and a treasure house of furnishings, paintings and antiques dating back centuries.

TAGS:Points Kent Interest 

<<< Thank you for your visit >>>

Hot Websites