West Kent
West Kent Holiday Cottages… See West Kent Attractions…
Although Kent is filled with stunning countryside and gardens all over, this is where the name ‘The Garden of England’ really stems from. This Wealden area of Kent is renowned for it’s rolling hills and beautiful scenes of English countryside. To the North there are the historic towns of Chatham with its dockyard and Rochester with its cathedral.
Winding down the river Medway past the medieval priory at Ayelsford into Maidstone, to the west is Sevenoaks set in the grandeur of Knole House. On the southerly border is the beautiful Royal Tunbridge Wells, famed for it’s shopping and spa’s.
The Weald of Kent boasts a lavish history of stately country houses, castles and gardens respected worldwide. It is also the home ground of Charles Dickens where you may recognise many familiar sights featured in his works. The stunning Hever Castle is history preserved with it’s enchanting moated fortress and award winning gardens, once home to Anne Boleyn. Other beautiful historical sights in this area include the gardens and castle at Sissinghurst and also Scotney.
Music festivals and events are regularly held at the Hop Farm near Tonbridge which also provides a whole range of activities for all ages. Bedgebury Pinetum is a beautiful day out and a chance to get up close with nature, for those into their conifer’s it boasts the most complete collection of conifer species in the world!
Nearby to the forests at Bedgebury is Bewl Water which is the largest lake in South East England, they have a range of activities whether it be fishing, sailing, kayaking – it is also a great place to cycle or walk giving some beautiful sights in a peaceful setting. Some of the best shopping can be found in the Royal Tunbridge Wells whether it be the quaint, boutiquey Pantiles or the Westfield shopping mall. Blue Water Shopping centre is also located in the far north-west part of the county offering a vast range of designer labels and amenities.
Eating out in the West of Kent you are treated with a great choice of fine dining – the Michelin starred Apicius in Cranbrook focusses on sourcing the best local ingredients to create well balanced dishes and La Zia Maria in Goudhurst is a great authentic Italian. Also close by is the Biddenden Vineyards which offer tastings and tours throughout the year and The West House (another Michelin star holder) which serves a beautifully crafted menu of contemporary dishes.
Traveling to and from West Kent couldn’t be much faster for getting into central London with direct train services running from most major stations and from 15 minutes with the new High Speed trains running from Ebbsfleet International which also provides Eurostar services into Europe. The area is ideal for access to the Olympic village without having to drive into the city with regular services to the Stratford area running on an extremely frequest basis.Driving is also very quick and easy to reach all of the destinations in London and also to the rest of Kent giving you good access to or from the continent via boat or Eurotunnel. Major airports including London Gatwick and London Heathrow are also extremely easy to reach either with public transport or with a vehicle. Whether you are just stopping over or taking your family holiday – Kent is a great and easy place to explore England and beyond!
