| Widely known as the Garden of England, the | | | | Herne Bay and Whitstable famous for its oysters. |
| fertile soil in Kent provides just the right conditions | | | | Further west are the Medway towns steeped in |
| for plants and fruit to flourish, hence the county's | | | | history and rich in maritime heritage. To the east |
| fame for orchards, hops and vineyards. Some of | | | | of Canterbury is Dover, known throughout the |
| its Oast Houses have been converted to provide | | | | world for its White Cliffs. Dover's proximity to |
| distinctive Kent cottages for rental to | | | | mainland Europe and large natural harbour has |
| holidaymakers; with their conical roofs and angled | | | | meant the town has always played an important |
| cowls they were originally built to dry hops for | | | | role in the nation's defence with Dover Castle |
| brewing beer. You can take a tour of the | | | | atop the cliffs. The significance of Kent to the |
| brewery of Britain's oldest brewer, Shepherd | | | | defence of the country is clear from the |
| Neame in Faversham. Kent is leading the way in | | | | Confederation of the Cinque Ports (from the |
| the renaissance of English wines with tours and | | | | French meaning 'Five Ports') formed around 1050. |
| tastings at Chapel Down Winery, Tenterden, and | | | | By this arrangement five coastal towns (four of |
| Lamberhurst Vineyard, near Tunbridge Wells. You | | | | which are in Kent) - Sandwich, Dover, Hythe and |
| can also see how apples are turned into Kentish | | | | New Romney (the other being Hastings) - agreed |
| cider, as well as apple juice at Biddenden | | | | to provide the king with men and ships in return |
| Vineyards and Cider Works, also near Tenterden. | | | | for special privileges. From your cottage Kent, the |
| Kent is home to a major centre of Christianity in | | | | Cinque Ports and vestiges of their defences make |
| Canterbury Cathedral, now a World Heritage Site. | | | | an ideal themed day out. |
| A great place of pilgrimage, most famously | | | | To the south of Canterbury is the haunting |
| recounted in Chaucer's Canterbury Tale, the | | | | Romney Marsh, a low-lying area, once under the |
| cathedral is a magnificent medieval structure with | | | | sea and now grazed by sheep to produce sought |
| some of the finest stained-glass windows in the | | | | after salt marsh lamb. This is an extraordinary |
| country. | | | | part of England with a rich history. The area has |
| With the sea on three sides, Kent has strong | | | | always had to defend itself against the elements, |
| maritime links. To the north lies the traditional | | | | as well as against foreign invaders. |
| seaside resort of Margate, the more sedate | | | | |