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Kent has a rightful claim to the name Garden of England. The region boasts of a rich landscape of rolling hills and spectacular coastline. It’s also bursting with fertile orchards, lush farmlands, and well-tended country estates. Amidst its stunning natural beauty, you will find historic sites, from medieval castles to idyllic villages to the imposing Canterbury Cathedral. Here is our guide to help you plan unforgettable days out in Kent.
- Enjoy the Cricket
Kent’s affair with cricket goes a long way back. Founded in 1842, the Canterbury Cricket Week is one of the most popular cricket festivals in the world. The festival involves a series of home matches usually held during the first week of August at the St. Lawrence Ground in Canterbury.
This year, Kent will be celebrating its 169th cricket week. The cricket week may also include a number of other events such as a beer festival, arts and crafts activities, face painting and performances by live bands. So if you’re a big fan of cricket, attending the Cricket Week would be perfect! You may even want to go see Kent play a 2020 match in 2020!
2. Visit Blenheim Palace and Canterbury Cathedral
Kent boasts of several remarkable sights, but none among them can rival the majesty of the Blenheim Palace. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, the Blenheim Palace lays claim to 300 years’ worth of history. Taking this quintessentially English tour will certainly bring a luxury feel to your day out. Its vibrant past is tangible in its gilded staterooms and pleasure gardens, not to mention the assortment of invaluable portraits and tapestries. While in Kent, make sure you also visit the majestic Canterbury Cathedral. Aside from admiring its awe-inspiring architectural beauty, you can also explore and learn about its profound history and significance as a religious symbol.
3. Explore the Lashenden Air Warfare Museum in Ashford
Whether you are fascinated by warplanes or mystified by the science of aviation, this unique and interactive museum is perfect for you. For a minimum donation of only £2, you can tour the main hangar, which exhibits a variety of aircraft, engines, and combat relics.
Most of the collections at the Lashenden Air Warfare Museum are from World War 2, but it also has pieces from World War 1, the Korean wars, Vietnam wars, and the Gulf wars. The museum also showcases prisoners of war artefacts from the Royal Air Forces Prisoners of War Association. For those who wish to relax, the museum has a café, bar, restaurant, and a picnic area on the airfield.
4. Discover Hever Castle in Edenbridge
Famous for being the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, Hever Castle’s intriguing history is equalled only by its undeniable beauty. The castle has a stunning interior of panelled rooms that houses elegant furniture, priceless tapestries, and valuable antiques. Its grounds are likewise a delight to explore with its award-winning gardens, statues, fountains, mazes, and a giant topiary chess set. There’s also an English Rose Garden that has 4000 rose bushes and a loggia overlooking a 38-acre artificial lake. Hever Castle has plenty of things for the kids to enjoy. Your little ones can play at the Tudor Towers Adventure Playground and explore its towers, fireman’s poles, and the Acorn Dell, with its willow structure and giant sandpit. During the warmer months, visitors can take pleasure in a variety of fun activities, from witnessing jousting tournaments. You can also take part in the archery tournament or hire a boat on the lake to see the Japanese Tea House Folly.
