When Julius Caesar landed in Britain almost 2000 years ago, he would have found a land of lush green
countryside, wooded hillsides, pretty rivers, the occasional castle, interspersed with scattered villages
and farms. He would have gazed in awe at towering white cliffs, before coming ashore in what we now
know as the county of Kent, a few miles north of present day Dover.                                     .

Today, all those things still exist in ‘the Garden of England’, as Kent is fondly referred to. The welcome,
however, will be much friendlier than it was for the invading Roman Army.                                       .

Kent stretches from London to the coast, in the extreme south east of England, and has the longest
coastline of any English county. It includes the famous White Cliffs of Dover, with its towering Norman
Castle commanding the views across the English Channel. Sit for a while on a clear day and watch the
endless confusion of ferries interweaving with the ships plying the Channel, as they cross to the French
coast just 22 miles away on the horizon.                                            .

But don’t let the rest of Canterbury’s city centre pass you by.
A stroll through the Medieval Buttermarket, or along the Tudor
buildings and quaint shops of Palace Street, is well worth the
effort.

In the High Street, try a traditional English cream tea in the 15th
century Old Weavers House, and look out on the Ducking Stool
used to determine the guilt of witches in days of old. Those
accused were said to be strapped to the chair then held under
water for some minutes. If they didn’t drown, it must be because
they used witchcraft… so they were hauled off to be burnt at
the stake!                                               .

As the gateway to England, and the closest link to Europe, Kent has
seen more than its fair share of conflict over the centuries. From
Iron Age hill forts to 20th Century defences, this frontline county
has around 150 castles listed spanning four millennia.               .

Leeds Castle, near Maidstone, is quoted as ‘The Loveliest Castle in
the World’. Of course that’s a matter of personal choice, but
certainly its idyllic location on an island in a serene lake, and
surrounded by beautiful parkland, is close to perfection. Visit in
the springtime to see thousands of daffodils fill the park, and
the woodland walks that boast a carpet of bluebells. Check out
their spectacular open air concert season too, when the castle

Dover Castle itself is amongst the most impressive in
Britain. Its huge grey walls have stood for 900 years,
glaring down at anyone foolish enough to contemplate
attacking them. Climb to the top of the towers for a
stunning panoramic view, and then descend to the
cold, eerie, dungeons, where ghosts are said to roam.
In recent years the secret wartime tunnels have been
opened to the public. Miles of passageways cut deep
into the chalk cliffs, some dating back as far as
Napoleonic times, housed an underground hospital and
secret command centre during World War Two.
Guided tours will take you on a journey following the
story of an injured airman, as he progresses through

If you follow the Roman road from Dover towards London, it leads you to the gates of Canterbury. The
majestic tower of the Cathedral can be seen long before you approach the historic city walls. And it’s
the Cathedral which still draws locals, tourists, and pilgrims, in their thousands to stand on the spot
where Archbishop Beckett was murdered, to visit the tomb of the Black Prince, or simply marvel at the
breathtaking architecture of England’s mother church.                             .

More understated, but no less beautiful, is Hever Castle, near Tonbridge. This is the childhood home of
Anne Boleyn, the second wife of Henry VIII, and mother of the future Queen Elizabeth I. It was Henry’s
desire to marry Ann that caused the rift with Rome, that led to the formation of the Church of England.
You can still tour the inside of the castle, see Anne’s bedroom, and follow the story of her marriage
and subsequent execution. Visit on a nice day, and enjoy the beautiful Italian gardens, the maze, and
(for the healthy) an eleven mile walk around the lake.                                                     .

If you’re travelling under your own steam, Kent is a county which demands exploring. The tourist traps
are excellent, and well worth the time, but so are the wealth of small villages and rolling countryside

Take a drive through the ‘Weald’ – the high hilly area in the south west
of the county. Everywhere you will find thatched cottages, half-
timbered houses, and the traditional white ‘ship-lapped’ cottages
common in this region. Look out for the trademark round oast houses,

And that really could be the motto for Kent as a whole. A first class place to visit, that doesn’t cost
any more than those which shout a lot, but actually offer little. Here you have 4000 years of history,
superb scenery, and beautiful beaches. Oh, and for those little presents... there is Bluewater, the
largest shopping centre in Europe. And all within an hour of London. If you’re thinking of visiting Kent,
either for a holiday, or just as a stopover on your way to cross the channel, check out the excellent
‘Kentguide.net’ site, which has everything you’ll need, including accommodation bargains, and all the

Take a wander around villages such as Goudhurst, with its fabulous views from the church tower, and
Yalding with its medieval bridge. Tenterden is a popular stop, with its Victorian parades of shops talking
you back in time – even if the constant bustle of traffic doesn’t. Just off the High Street is the railway
station, where steam trains will take you on a half hour trip to nearby Bodiam Castle. Grab a seat in