'''Kent''' [http://www.kenttourism.co.uk/] is the most south-eastern county of South-East England. Popularly known as the "Garden of England".

Cities

Cities

  • Canterbury
  • Rochester
  • Towns

  • Maidstone - the administrative capital
  • <!-- administrative capital top, rest alphabetic -->
  • Ashford
  • Bethersden
  • Broadstairs
  • Canterbury
  • Chatham - one of the Medway Towns
  • Deal
  • Dover
  • Folkestone
  • Gravesend
  • Hythe
  • Margate
  • Pluckley
  • Rochester - one of the Medway Towns
  • Sandwich
  • Sevenoaks
  • Sittingbourne
  • Tonbridge
  • Tunbridge Wells
  • Whitstable
  • Villages

  • Biddenden
  • Tenterden
  • Elham
  • Otford
  • Walmer
  • Wye
  • Understand

    Kent was originally one of the kingdoms of the Jutes, although its name derives from one of the Celtic tribes of Britain, the Cantiaci. As the closest part of England to the continent of Europe (it is just 12 miles from Dover to Calais), it has historically been the focal point for invasion attempts, and is traditionally the major embarkation point for travel to mainland Europe.

    Due to the extensive agriculture, orchards and hop farms, Kent is known as the "Garden of England", a fact reflected in the new car registration plates - the letter representing Kent is "G" for "Garden" rather than "K" for "Kent".

    Get in

    By plane

  • '''Kent International Airport''' [http://www.kia-m.com/], located at Manston, is serviced by flights from numerous European airports.
  • '''Gatwick International Airport''' is half an hour's drive from Kent's western borders. It is linked by a 30 minute rail journey to Tonbridge.
  • '''Lydd Airport''' flights to France
  • By train

    Kent has an extensive rail network, with lines running all along the coast and up through all the major towns and into London. The London terminus stations into which Kent rail services operate are Victoria, Charing Cross, Cannon Street, Waterloo East, London Bridge and Blackfriars.

    The Eurostar runs from Ashford to Paris and the rest of France, Belgium and The Netherlands.

    By car

    From Junction 5 of the M25 the A21 leads to Hastings via Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells.

    The M20 leads from the M25 to Dover and Folkestone via Maidstone and Ashford.

    By boat

    Get around

    By bus

    [http://www.arrivabus.co.uk/ Arriva] (throughout) and [http://www.stagecoachbus.com/eastkent/ Stagecoach] (mainly east Kent) operate in this area.

    See

  • '''Dover Castle''' in Dover.
  • The '''White Cliffs of Dover''' - spectacular chalk cliffs over which was fought the Battle of Britain in Dover.
  • '''Scotney Castle''' [http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-scotneycastlegarden] near Tunbridge Wells.
  • '''Hever Castle''' near Sevenoaks- where Henry VIII spent his honeymoon(s).
  • '''Leeds Castle''' near Maidstone - built in 1119 and held by six medieval queens.
  • '''Cathedrals''' at Canterbury and Rochester.
  • '''[http://www.kesr.org.uk/ Kent & East Sussex Railway]''' Operates between Tenterden and Bodiam in east Sussex, passing through some very attractive countryside in the process.
  • '''The Historic Dockyard''' in Chatham.
  • Eat

  • '''The New Inn''', Canterbury Road, Etchinghill, Folkestone. +44 (0) 1303 862026. The closest pub to the '''Channel Tunnel''' (at either '''jnc 11''' or '''jnc 12''' on the '''M20'''). A 16th century coaching inn, village pub and highly popular restaurant. Fantastic reputation for fine cuisine, open seven days a week for lunches and evening meals. Terrific food, real ale, oak beams & cosy atmosphere. [http://www.new-inn.info/ The New Inn website]
  • Drink

  • Kent-based '''Shepherd Neame''' is the oldest brewing company in Britain.
  • Kent also produces '''wine''', with the vineyards in Tenterden and Lamberhurst probably the most well-established producers.
  • Stay safe

    Kent is a generally safe area and you are very unlikely to experience any trouble during your visit.

    Get out

  • East Sussex lies to the west, and Surrey and London to the north. France, The Netherlands and Belgium are just a short hop over the channel.