Places to Visit
General Links | Heritage | Gardens | Family Attractions | Vineyards
Kent is dubbed the "Garden of England" not just because of it's productive agricultural industry, but because of the beautiful countryside which you are never far from. Hops have always been a big industry in Kent, and subsequently Kent is famous for its beer. There are many of the former hop-drying oast houses in the village of Hadlow, which was a large part of the West Kent brewing industry.
During the Norman Invasion, Kent was one of the few areas which was not defeated by William the conqueror due to the excellent defence system of castles and forts. The Bayeux Tapestry is believed to have been made in Kent, and William marched through Kent on his way to London. For a taste of the Norman Invasion, a visit to the castles and forts which are still standing is a must.
General Links
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The beautiful south is closer than you think. Your official guide to South East England. www.visitsoutheastengland.co.uk |
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| A Guide to Tonbridge. The Heart of Kent is your guide to accommodation, places to visit and events in and around Ashford, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Tenterden, Tonbridge, Cranbrook and Royal Tunbridge Wells.
www.visitheartofkent.com |
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Kent is steeped in history and heritage and is also rightly renowned throughout the world as the Garden of England. Our extensive coastline boasts an enviable array of blue flag award winning beaches and thrilling watersports activities. www.visitkent.co.uk |
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| Tunbridge Wells - Attracting visitors for 400 years...
www.visittunbridgewells.com |
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Heritage
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Tonbridge boasts Kent's best example of a Motte-and-Bailey Gatehouse, and its mighty gatehouse is among the finest in England. www.tonbridgecastle.org |
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| Set in the rural Weald of Kent surrounded by picturesque countryside and ancient parkland, Penshurst Place and Gardens has changed little over the centuries. This mediaeval masterpiece has been the seat of the Sidney family since 1552 and retains the warmth and character of a much-loved family home.
www.penshurstplace.com |
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Set in 500 acres of beautiful parkland, a visit to Leeds Castle in the garden of England is full of discovery. Open all year round, its special blend of heritage and history, glorious gardens, attractions, programme of events, and licensed restaurant make it the perfect choice for a day out. www.leeds-castle.com |
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| Historic Hever Castle and Gardens with its enchanting double-moated castle and 125 acres of spectacular gardens to explore, offers the visitor plenty to discover and enjoy.
www.hevercastle.co.uk |
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The home of Sir Winston Churchill from 1922 until his death, Chartwell is still much as he left it, the rooms strongly evoking his career and wide interests. They include museum rooms with medals, uniforms, photographs and gifts from all over the world. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/chartwell |
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| Where else, away from the hustle and crowds of London, could you hope to find such a tranquil and exciting treasure as Chiddingstone Castle? A unique and unspoilt castle in Kent.
www.chiddingstonecastle.org.uk |
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Set in 500 acres of beautiful parkland, a visit to Leeds Castle in the garden of England is full of discovery. Open all year round, its special blend of heritage and history, glorious gardens, attractions, programme of events, and licensed restaurant make it the perfect choice for a day out. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/knole |
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| Bayham Abbey makes a fascinating day out on the Kent Sussex border. The impressive ruins include much of the 13th to 15th-century church, the chapter house, and a picturesque 14th-century gatehouse.
www.english-heritage.org.uk/bayhamabbey |
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Nestling in a sunken valley, Ightham Mote, dating from 1320 with important later additions and alterations, is a rare example of a moated medieval manor house. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ighthammote |
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| Finchcocks is a fine Georgian manor set in a beautiful garden, surrounded by parkland. It now houses a celebrated collection of over 100 historical keyboard instruments, of which more than forty are in full working order. It makes a wonderful day out for all the family.
www.finchcocks.co.uk |
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Gardens
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Scotney is not one but two houses. At the top of the hill is the new house, designed by Anthony Salvin in Elizabethan style and built in 1837 for Edward Hussey III, who took the 'Picturesque' style as his inspiration. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/scotneycastlegarden |
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| Groombridge Place Gardens & The Enchanted Forest - magic and mystery, history and intrigue, romance and peace at these beautiful award winning gardens - providing an unusual combination of a traditional heritage garden with the excitement, challenge and fun of the ancient woodland - appealing to young and old alike.
www.groombridge.co.uk |
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This internationally renowned garden was developed by Vita Sackville-West and Sir Harold Nicolson around the surviving parts of an Elizabethan mansion. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sissinghurstcastlegarden |
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| In Brenchley, near Tonbridge in Kent, Marle Place is a peaceful, privately owned Wealden garden, ten acres of formal planting and many more acres of woodland and orchard.
www.marleplace.co.uk |
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Charming Emmetts – an Edwardian estate owned by Frederick Lubbock – was a plantsman's passion and a much-loved family home. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/emmettsgarden |
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| Set in the heart of the Garden of England and surrounding a 17th century house, Great Comp Garden is the delightful creation of Roderick and Joy Cameron since moving to Great Comp in 1957.
www.greatcompgarden.co.uk |
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A quintessentially English Garden, located in South East England, surrounding a private Grade I listed timber-framed house, dating from 1550 and enlarged in 1720. www.pashleymanorgardens.com |
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| Downderry is a sensual experience always worth a visit. Set in the peaceful beauty of an old walled garden, Downderry is home to the National Plant Collections of Lavender and Rosemary in Kent. But we are more than custodians of these astonishing plants.
www.downderry-nursery.co.uk |
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Bedgebury Pinetum has the finest collection of conifers in the world providing enjoyment to visitors who come to appreciate the beauty and tranquillity of this unique attraction, which nestles quietly among lakes and valleys in the Kent countryside. www.bedgeburypinetum.org.uk |
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Family Attractions
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Our Award Winning World of Activities is packed full of new features, rides and undercover wonders to entertain and fuel imaginations – come and enjoy one of life’s biggest adventures.
For a fun filled great value family day out, immerse yourself in many activities during your visit, there really is something for everyone. www.thehopfarm.co.uk |
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| The South East's largest lake, set within the tranquil beauty of the Wealden countryside. Visitor centre, gift shop, refreshments and family restaurant with good disabled access. Passenger boat, cycle hire, woodland playground, round water track, plus watersports including trout fishing, sailing, windsurfing, rowing and canoeing.
www.bewlwater.co.uk |
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Tonbridge boasts it's own leisure centre with an indoor and outdoor pool as well as a fully equipped health suite to relax and work-out in. Tonbridge Indoor and Outdoor Pool is open to the public all year round and offers very reasonable rates of a swim or use of it's health suite. www.tonbridgepool.co.uk |
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| The Spa Valley Railway runs for 3½ miles through the picturesque Kentish Weald countryside between the town of Royal Tunbridge Wells and the village of Groombridge, stopping off in between at High Rocks. Come and visit us and enjoy the delights of travelling behind a steam train, through Kent and Sussex.
www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk |
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Poult Wood has earned the enviable reputation of providing the quality of golf and standard of facilities that are on a par with any private course - except Poult Wood is a public course open to everyone. www.poultwoodgolf.co.uk |
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| Brands Hatch Motor Racing Circuit - Race cars, Superbikes, Rally cars, Caterham 7s, driving days, trackdays, off-road driving - events for all the family.
www.brandshatch.co.uk |
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Vineyards
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The vineyards were established by the Barnes family in 1969. Starting at of an acre the vineyards has now reached 22 acres with nine varieties of grapes grown. Set on a gentle south facing slope in a shallow sheltered valley, ideal conditions for vines. www.biddendenvineyards.com |
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| Visit picturesque Tenterden Vineyard in the heart of the Kent countryside only 15 minutes south of Royal Tunbridge Wells. The Vineyard Shop is stocked full of the award winning 'Chapel Down', 'Curious Grape' and the new 'Lamberhurst Estate' wines together with a large range of local cheese, ham, pickles, chutneys and preserves. Free tastings of both wine and some of our food lines are offered all year round.
www.englishwinesgroup.com |
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