Kent Downs

Are you Down(s) for Kent?

The Kent Downs, a large and beautiful area full of nature and quaint villages. Perfect for family vacations or if you want some peace and quiet around you. It is nationally protected and also known as the Garden of England because of the hop gardens, blooming orchards, and the growing industry of local produce.

The Kent Downs are located next to London and borders Essex at the Thames Estuary and Surrey, East Sussex, the Strait of Dover and the English Channel. Besides amazing nature you can discover, you can visit several beautiful and endearing villages such as: Canterbury, Chilham, Biddenden, Dover and so many others.

Canterbury is a city and is located only one hour away from London with the train. It is a perfect place to go with children. The charming city has so many activities, for example: the Howletts Wild Animal Park, Westgate gardens, Roman museum, Canterbury Cathedral and various others to find out. Due to Canterbury's medieval buildings, it is like you went back in time. For dining and refreshments, there are award-winning restaurants such as 'The Good Shed' and there are also lovely coffee shops and other restaurants with amazing reviews.
If you love sports, consider visiting the Spitfire Ground St. Lawrence. It is the most iconic and traditional cricket ground of England. One of the most famous features of the cricket ground is the huge lime tree, although it's been replaced with a younger and smaller version, because the old one died, sadly enough. Animal lovers can go walking with goats on Hawes Farm! They also offer camping and glamping if you're in for a bit more adventure!

Chilham, a quaint village with a maximum of 1000 people, is located beside the Stour river. Chilham offers some very endearing B&B's and hotels and due to the quiet atmosphere, you can totally relax and walk through the lovely and hilly landscapes of the Kent Downs, an Area of Natural Beauty (AONB). The village is centered around a marketspace with on one side the castle of Chilham and on the other a church. And if you want to drink something, you can choose between two pubs, Woolpack and White Horse. The last one opened in the 16th century!

Biddenden is a typical English village for the wine lovers, offering several vineyards and wineries. You can book a vineyard walk and a wine tasting to complete your visit. A good place to do this is the Hush Heath Estate. If wine isn't your thing, Biddenden also offers delicious ciders and apple juice! You can get a taste of the amazing cheese, jam, honey and other local products of Kent.

A few miles from the village you can find Sissinghurst Castle Garden, a breathtaking garden. The paths lead you to peaceful lakes and you walk past flowers, which are charming at their peak bloom. You will discover a castle tower that gives you a brilliant bird's-eye view of the landscape.

Dover is situated on the coast side of Kent and it is a very important port city. In Dover you can visit the Dover castle, the White Cliffs of Dover , which are utterly beautiful, and Fan Bay Deep Shelter. The Fan Bay Deep Shelter is a series of tunnels that were built in the second World War. To visit it you have to follow a guided tour and they will tell you what the purpose was and much more interesting things. Dover also offers many other fun places you can explore.

The Kent Downs are truly a magical place to visit with the natural beauty and the historical elements you can discover. With a history for over a 1000 years, it offers a very special and unforgettable experience. Perfect to go for long walks and visit quaint, picturesque villages, and to find relaxation. And if you feel like visiting London for a day, you can easily go by train or car. There is so much to explore, perfect for people who love nature and historical places.