Kent

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For other places with the same name, see Kent (disambiguation).

Kent [1] is the most south-eastern county of South-East England. Popularly known as the "Garden of England".

[edit] Cities

Map of Kent
Map of Kent

[edit] Cities

[edit] Towns

[edit] Villages

[edit] Understand

Kent was originally one of the kingdoms of the Jutes, although its name derives from one of the Celtic tribes of Britain, the Cantiaci. As the closest part of England to the continent of Europe (it is just 12 miles from Dover to Calais), it has historically been the focal point for invasion attempts, and is traditionally the major embarkation point for travel to mainland Europe.

Due to the extensive agriculture, orchards and hop farms, Kent is known as the "Garden of England", a fact reflected in the new car registration plates - the letter representing Kent is "G" for "Garden" rather than "K" for "Kent".

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

  • Kent International Airport [2], located at Manston, is serviced by flights from numerous European airports.
  • Gatwick International Airport is less than an hour's drive from Kent's western borders. It is linked by a 30 minute rail journey to Tonbridge.
  • Lydd Airport flights to France

[edit] By train

Kent has an extensive rail network, with lines running all along the coast and up through all the major towns and into London. The London terminus stations into which Kent rail services operate are Victoria, Charing Cross, Cannon Street, Waterloo East, London Bridge and Blackfriars.

The Eurostar runs from Ashford to Paris and the rest of France, Belgium and The Netherlands.

[edit] By car

From Junction 5 of the M25 the A21 leads to Hastings via Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells.

The M20 leads from the M25 to Dover and Folkestone via Maidstone and Ashford.

[edit] By boat

[edit] Get around

[edit] By bus

Arriva (throughout) and Stagecoach (mainly east Kent) operate in this area.

[edit][add listing] See

  • Dover Castle
  • The White Cliffs of Dover - spectacular chalk cliffs over which was fought the Battle of Britain in Dover
  • Scotney Castle
  • Hever Castle - where Henry VIII spent his honeymoon(s)
  • Leeds Castle - built in 1119 and held by six medieval queens
  • The Cinque Ports
  • Bedgebury Pinetum - a beautifully landscaped country park with a large selection of native and exotic plants and trees
  • Sissinghurst Castle Gardens - home of writer Vita Sackville-West
  • Kent & East Sussex Railway Operates between Tenterden and Bodiam in east Sussex, passing through some very attractive countryside in the process.

[edit][add listing] Eat

The New Inn, Canterbury Road, Etchinghill, Folkestone. +44 (0) 1303 862026. The closest pub to the Channel Tunnel (at either jnc 11 or jnc 12 on the M20). A 16th century coaching inn, village pub and highly popular restaurant. Fantastic reputation for fine cuisine, open seven days a week for lunches and evening meals. Terrific food, real ale, oak beams & cosy atmosphere. The New Inn website

[edit][add listing] Drink

  • Kent-based Shepherd Neame is the oldest brewing company in Britain.
  • Kent also produces wine, with the vineyards in Tenterden and Lamberhurst probably the most well-established producers.

[edit] Stay safe

Kent is a generally safe area and you are very unlikely to experience any trouble during your visit. Avoid obvious dangerous situations such as walking around very late at night on your own.

[edit] Get out

  • East Sussex lies to the west, and Surrey and London to the north. France, The Netherlands and Belgium are just a short hop over the channel.

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