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With such stunning surroundings in Kent and so many incredible places to visit, it is hard to decide on the best place to start. Here is our list of our top six favourite view points. If you go in search of them, don't forget to take your camera!
Where is Kent?
Kent is a county on the South East of England, bordering Greater London, East Sussex, Surrey and Essex. It’s also got a coastline, facing France across the strait of Dover. Top attractions include the historic Canterbury Cathedral, beautiful Leeds Castle and, of course, the iconic White Cliffs of Dover.
Thanks to its great accessibility from London and the rest of the UK, Kent is a popular choice for holidaymakers in search of rest, relaxation and a little sea air! This is in no small part due to Kent’s beautiful scenery and landscapes, which in turn set the stage for some simply stunning views. Starting with…
White Cliffs of Dover
The famous White Cliffs of Dover are instantly recognisable as a famous landmark of the British coastline. These high chalk cliffs are part of the North Downs ridge and look out over the Strait of Dover to France. A section of the huge, ghostly white cliffs is owned by the National Trust, and walking along the top provides some spectacularly striking scenery.
Where are the White Cliffs of Dover?
Langdon Cliffs, Upper Road, Dover, Kent, CT16 1HJ
The White Cliffs of Dover are found on the Kent coastline, at the point where Great Britain is closest to France and continental Europe.
The site is easily reached by road through Dover (look for the brown National Trust signs, which will lead you to a car park entrance a little beyond Dover Castle). It is also possible to walk to the cliffs from the town centre, Dover Priory train station and the Port of Dover, while cyclists can take advantage of National Cycle Route 1, which passes right through the National Trust car park and visitor centre.
White Cliffs of Dover Parking
The National Trust Car Park (CT15 5NA) is one of the best places to park during a visit to the Cliffs. It’s open between 7am and 7pm, and parking is free for National Trust members. For non-members, prices start at £5 per car, per day.
However, thanks to the popularity of the White Cliffs of Dover, you might find that the car park gets full quickly – especially during weekends and school holidays. It it therefore recommended to arrive early in the day to secure a space. For alternative parking, it is possible to park in Dover itself and walk up to the site. You can find a list of council car parks here. Despite being a rather long, uphill walk, it has beautiful views and is particularly pleasant during the summer.
White Cliffs of Dover walking routes
It’s impossible to visit the White Cliffs of Dover without enjoying a walk. Walkers will experience a serene coastal route, full of beautiful views, plenty of wildlife and a real sense of history. Whether it’s a bright summertime stroll or a bracing winter morning, you’re bound to enjoy the fantastic atmosphere of the cliffs.
There are plenty of walking trails and routes across the clifftop, including an accessible footpath to a viewing point from the car park. Dogs are also welcome and will enjoy the wide-open spaces and sea air that the site offers. For more information on enjoyable walks at the White Cliffs, take a look on the National Trust website.
In the evening, as the sun is setting, walk along from the beach and look out over the stone pier of Margate Harbour Arm. You'll be able to enjoy the fantastic orange glow of a beautiful sunset stretching across the horizon, with the stark outline of the lighthouse silhouetted against it.
Where is Margate Harbour?
Harbour Arm, Margate CT9 1AP
Margate has excellent transport links, with both motorway and rail connections from London and further afield making it easy to reach from across the UK. For those staying at Sibton Park, it’s less than an hour’s drive down the A257. Once you’re in town, you’ll find Margate easy to explore on foot and by bus – the way to the harbour is well signposted. Or why not pick up a free visitor map at the Thanet Visitor Information Centre?
What can you see at Margate Harbour?
Built in the early 19th Century, Margate’s stone pier provides a lovely view back at the seafront. From the end of the walk, you can also see the lighthouse, which was rebuilt in 1955, and a unique brass sculpture of ‘Mrs Booth’ – a woman made from shells created by Ann Carrington. As well as both of these, Margate Arm has a selection of pubs, bars and cafes and the Margate Harbour Arm Gallery.
Margate Harbour parking
The nearest car park to the harbour is Margate Arm Car Park (CT9 1JD), which is privately run. However, there is also council parking available on Market Street (CT9 1EU), only around a 10-minute walk away. Find more information about parking in Margate here.
In the heart of Canterbury’s historic centre, and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site is the stunning Canterbury Cathedral; one of the oldest in England, and a dominating feature of the skyline. It is an important destination for pilgrims and the magnificent building is a combination of medieval architecture, stained glass and fine furnishings. It is beautiful both inside and out, with some sections dating back to the 12th century.
Where is Canterbury Cathedral?
11 The Precincts, Canterbury CT1 2EH
Canterbury Cathedral is easy to reach by car, bus, train and foot. The city itself is simple to find, with both the M20 and M2 linking it to the rest of the UK. Meanwhile, the train from London takes less than an hour. Once you’ve arrived in town, there are plenty of routes to the Cathedral itself, including cycle paths, regular buses and some lovely walks through the historic streets.
Canterbury Cathedral car parking
There is a very limited amount of parking available at the Cathedral itself, and it can only be used on request by Cathedral guests. However, there is a good selection of car parks available within walking distance, more information on which can be found here.
There is also an efficient park and ride scheme, where buses run every 7-8 minutes from the edge of town right into the city centre.
Canterbury Cathedral Stained Glass
We can’t talk about Canterbury Cathedral without mentioning its exquisite stained glass. There’s over 1,200 square metres of it in the Cathedral, including one of England’s largest examples of medieval glasswork. The richly coloured, painstakingly crafted panes are simply breathtaking and depict fantastic stories and events from across the centuries – it’s well worth taking the time to stop and admire their beauty.
This little cove has a good stretch of golden sand and looks out across the blue waters to the east. It boasts some of the best sea caves in the country, etched into the white rock, and is nice and secluded. The bay is overlooked by Kingsgate castle which sits perched atop a cliff.
Where is Kingsgate Bay?
Kingsgate Bay, Whiteness Road, Broadstairs, CT10 3QH
Kingsgate Bay is close to the popular seaside town of Broadstairs, nestled on the Kent coast. Access to this charming sandy cove is only by steep steps from the cliff, which does mean that the beach is quieter than many of its neighbours and makes it a lovely spot to enjoy the scenery!
Kingsgate Bay Car Parking
Due to the limited number of spaces, parking near Kingsgate can be difficult. The closest place to park is the Captain Digby Pub, which charges £10 per vehicle for the day. Alternatively, nearby Joss Bay has a large car park and is only a short walk (15 minutes) from the beach.
Kingsgate Bay Caves & Castle
The castle sits on the cliffs above the bay. Built by Lord Holland, a British politician, in the 1760s, it was actually originally intended as a stable block for the nearby Holland House. Since then, it has worked as a private house, a hotel and now has been broken into private properties. Despite this, it still cuts a dramatic figure overlooking the water.
Kingsgate Bay is also known for its caves, which are some of the best in the area and, some say, the country. Some are natural, while others are man-made, carved into the cliff faces for stashing contraband. They’re great to explore, and make it easy to imagine a time when smugglers and pirates were common visitors to the Kentish coast.
Leeds Castle
Leeds Castle, in some form or another, has stood in position on an island in the lake of the River Len since the 12th century. This magnificent building now mostly dates back to the 1800s. Its extensive, beautiful grounds stretch back onto main land but the castle itself, on its little jut of land, protrudes out and is almost entirely surrounded by the huge moat. When viewed from across the lake at the north end, the castle looks as though it is rising straight from the waters.
Where is Leeds Castle?
Broomfield, Maidstone ME17 1PD
Leeds Castle can be found just 7 miles to the east of Maidstone. If travelling by car, take junction 8 off the M20 motorway. The route is clearly signposted with brown and white tourist signs – if using a sat nav, be sure to follow these to ensure you reach the correct entrance, and use the postcode above.
Leeds Castle can also be reached be train, with the nearest stations being Bearstead and Hollingbourne. Bearstead station also has a shuttle bus to and from the castle between April and September.
What can you do at Leeds Castle?
Leeds Castle has plenty for all the family to enjoy during your visit. Starting with the castle itself, which is fascinating to explore and full of original artefacts, expert information and beautiful details. Once you’ve had your fill, you can also enjoy adventure golf, a selection of playgrounds, a maze and grotto and the beautiful grounds and gardens. It’s easy to see how you can while away a whole day discovering everything Leeds Castle has to offer! For more information, make sure to have a look at the Leeds Castle website.
This National Trust-owned part of the countryside is good for walks, with great views to admire. If you make your way to Octavia Hill's well via the way marked route, you can enjoy the incredible scenery stretching out before you from the designated viewpoint. Here there is amazing scenery out across the Weald of Kent and down to the Ashdown Forest far in the distance.
Where is Toys Hill?
Brasted Chart, Kent, TN16 1QG
Toys Hill is easily reached by taking the A25 to Brasted and turning into Chart Lane. From here you can follow the brown signs to Toys Hill car park, which is just past the Fox & Hounds pub. If you like getting out on two wheels, the hill is a popular destination for cyclists and is linked to several bike routes, as well as footpaths.
Toys Hill Car Park
Toys Hill has a free National Trust car park, which can be found close to the pub. However, this does fill up early in the day during busy seasons, so you can find some alternative car parks here.
Toys Hill Walks
There is a lovely selection of walks available to visitors to Toys Hill, all of which start at the National Trust car park and are clearly marked. There are three main routes, all with different colour way-markers: green (1.75 miles), red (3 miles) and orange (half a mile). There are also bridlepaths, way-marked blue, and a black route, which is accessible for wheelchairs and buggies.
In addition, leaflets and self-guided trail maps are available from Chartwell, Ightham Mote, Knole and the Fox and Hounds pub, for those who would like to explore the less-frequented routes.
Find out how you can stay in our fantastic Kentish manor house in the heart of this incredible landscape by following the link below.