Top 10 reasons to visit Kent

By Rebecca Younger

Its unbeatable coast

Believe it or not, Kent has more Blue Flag beaches than anywhere else in the UK; from the wonderful white sands of Botany Bay and fabulous surf at Joss Bay in Broadstairs to the shingle shores in Folkestone – it’s a first-class destination for a family holiday.

Explore one of Kent’s lovely beaches

Its hops

More than 2,000 acres of land is dedicated to growing hops in Kent and the county is also home to the UK’s oldest brewer. Understandably, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to cosy pubs and good ale – curl up in front of a fire with a cask in winter or bask on the beach with a pint in the summer.

Its shopping

McArthurGlen’s Ashford Designer Outlet is Kent’s premier shopping destination. Situated in the heart of Kent and located just five-minutes walk from Ashford International train station, the centre is dog friendly and has more than 70 brands which include: Abercrombie & Fitch, Adidas, Jack Wills, Bose, Calvin Klein, Fossil, Fred Perry, Gap, Guess, Jaeger, Kurt Geiger, Lacoste, Lindt, Links of London, Molton Brown, Mint Velvet, Nike, Phase Eight, Ted Baker, True Religion, The Body Shop, Tommy Hilfiger, AllSaints, Kids Around and Radley all at up to 60% off the RRP all year round.

Its food

Not only is Kent home to a plethora of top restaurants, you’ll also find local farmers’ markets in abundance with at least one on every day of the week should you prefer to whip up a feast yourself. The county is also known for its cobnuts, which have had a bit of a resurgence in recent years.

Its gardens

Around 85 per cent of Kent’s landscape is classed as green space so it’s little wonder the county is referred to as the Garden of England. From the Victorian walled garden at Quex to the rose gardens at Hever and the many orchards and hop gardens in-between, there’s a secret garden to uncover around every corner.

Its castles

From the war-time secrets of Dover Castle to jousting knights at Hever, Kent has some of the most spectacular medieval castles in the country. Its most famous is undoubtedly Leeds Castle, near Maidstone, which rises from the still waters of its moat and is surrounded by 500 acres of parkland and gardens.

Its history

From the story of how Tunbridge Wells became Royal to maritime adventures at Chatham’s Historic Dockyard and medieval misadventures at Canterbury Tales, Kent is steeped in history.

Its music scene

Kent is renowned for its music; from the folk scene in Broadstairs to the family-friendly Alfresco Festival and the fantastic live music venue Tunbridge Wells Forum. Alfresco is a new festival which takes place at Hop Farm designed for all the family, with plenty of activities to keep young ones busy, as well as wonderful stage designs and exotic arenas to provide safe spaces to dance the days and nights away.

Discover the history of Dover Castle

Its rivers and waterways

The River Medway has long been recognised as one of Britain’s most important for leisure activities and has a fascinating and illustrious maritime heritage.

Its great connections

Not only can you reach the capital by train in as little as 38 minutes from Kent but you can reach Paris, Brussels and Marseille by Eurostar direct from Ashford and Ebsfleet stations. Meanwhile a network of picturesque walking and cycle routes makes getting around the county itself a breeze.

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