Kent is very accessible by car from the UK and it’s well connected to London and the south via the M25, M2, M20 and M26. You’ll find many car hire options across the county and there are excellent rail links, with key stations in many cities and towns including Canterbury, Ashurst, Cowden, Hayes, Shoreham and Gillingham. A direct train service runs from London to Kent in less than 40 minutes. From mainland Europe, you can take the Eurostar direct to Ashford International Station or a ferry to Dover. Both domestic and international airlines fly into London Gatwick and Heathrow, the closest airports to Kent.

Kent, the heart of England, is renowned for its thriving agriculture and delicious local food options. From Whitstable oysters to Romney Marsh lamb to Dover sole, Kent’s diverse cuisine is a foodie’s paradise. Kent is also famous for the magnificent Canterbury Cathedral, which has been the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury since the early days of England’s conversion to Christianity. Elsewhere, you’ll find brick-built oast houses with round or square towers used for drying hops, which are part of the classic Kent landscape.

Everyone’s heard of the White Cliffs of Dover, home to Britain’s iconic port and a fascinating military history. Today, it’s a beautiful place to discover wildlife, see the UK’s oldest surviving lighthouse and take scenic cliff walks overlooking the English Channel. Canterbury Cathedral is a treasure trove of English history and it’s a great starting point for exploring Canterbury. It forms part of the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Site alongside St Martin’s Church (the oldest church in England) and St Augustine’s Abbey, which played a key part in Britain’s religious history. The Kent Downs is a recognised AONB. Its historical ruins and remains – from Neolithic megalithic monuments to Iron Age hill-forts – are some of the most visited Kent attractions. Highlights also include the Tudor houses of Chilham, the scenic Perry Woods and the Samphire Hoe nature reserve.

History enthusiasts should explore Kent’s well-preserved castles. Leeds Castle, surrounded by a large moat, offers a golf course and Southeast England’s longest zipline within its 500-acre estate. Hever Castle, Anne Boleyn’s childhood home, features Tudor portraits and prayer books signed by Boleyn. Dover Castle houses WWII tunnels under the famous white cliffs, offering insight into life on the home front. Ramsgate’s tunnels are also worth a visit. The 18th-century Chatham Historic Dockyard provides a glimpse into the age of sail and is the filming location for Call the Midwife, Canterbury’s iconic Cathedral is the spiritual home of the Church of England and the site where Thomas Becket was martyred in 1170. For shoppers, the Pantiles in Royal Tunbridge Wells features boutique stores, while Margate has trendy homeware shops and coffee spots, which have emerged since the Turner Contemporary art gallery opened in 2011.

There’s somewhere for all budgets and tastes in Kent, from suites in manor houses and nights in historic castles to beachfront bolt holes and hip hideaways in artistic enclaves. In fields and farmland, and on Romney Marsh, you’ll find campsites, glamping sites and shepherd’s huts offering remote accommodation to those who really want to get away from it all, while the center of Kent and the area around Royal Tunbridge Wells is home to some of the county’s most impressive spa hotels and stately homes, for those who prefer a little luxury from their stays. Both Leeds Castle and Hever Castle offer comprehensive accommodation options too.