Last updated: 30 July 2023
Our Weekend Road Trip Series continues with a weekend road trip to Kent. Located at the very South East corner of the English coast, Kent is known as the Garden of England. Historically strong, Kent has seen many a battle whilst defending the English coastline against mainly conquerors from the Continent. Easily reached from London by car, we ventured off for a weekend road trip.
There’s a lot to see and do in Kent so we suggest picking several key destinations from the list below, then head back out for another weekend to see more of what Kent has to offer.
New to the series? Find the road trip series introduction here
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What to see in Kent
Leeds Castle
Exclusive and eye-poppingly lavish. Easily described as old European grandeur, ignore the name, Leeds Castle is much more than just a castle. This former fortress was converted into a family home and party pad where royalty and movie stars came to stay and play.
The last official owner was high-society hostess Lady Baillie. She converted it into the place de rigueur as she entertained royalty alongside world leaders like JFK and Hollywood stars such as Errol Flynn and Douglas Fairbanks.
Historically it’s been an important residence. The first stone castle was built here in 1119. That’s 669 years before Capt Cook landed in Australia! Leeds Castle has been home to six of England’s medieval queens and it’s most famous resident, King Henry VIII, used it as a palace with and his first wife Catherine of Aragon. That is, before he divorced her for Anne Boleyn.
More recently, the estate is open to tourists but still plays an important role in world events. In 1978 Leeds Castle played host to preparations for the Camp David Accords and in 2004 Northern Ireland peace talks here held here.
It’s more than just a castle with an impressive hedge maze, onsite museums, falconry displays and plenty of playgrounds for children. Seasonal events such as fireworks displays and orchestra on the green are also common.
Entry fee of £24.50/£16.50 (adult/child) is a tad prohibitive. The only consolation is that the tickets are valid for 12 months, allowing repeat visits for a whole year from the date of issue.
Bayham Old Abbey
Located on the Kent/Sussex border lay the ruins of a 13th sandstone church and 14th-century gatehouse.
The freshly mowed grounds were designed by famous landscape gardener Humphry Repton. Take an audio guide and transport yourself back to Medieval England.
The property is run by English Heritage. Members enter for free otherwise entry is £4.90/£2.90 (adult/child).
Whitstable, Kent
A quintessential fishing town, heaving in summer as crowds descend on the single beach and pebbly foreshore. Fishing boats bob aimlessly in the harbour as crowds form around the larger cafes and shucking huts to eat the acclaimed Whitstable oysters for which the town is famous.
Decades old dilapidated oyster huts line the foreshore mixed in with those that were reborn into bespoke art galleries or trendy cafes with mismatched crockery.
Visiting Whitstable in Winter
Visiting in winter you’ll be greeted with a crisp sea air that hits your face with a salty infused gust.
Outside July & August when the town is at capacity, the streets of the town centre are quiet and parking is a plenty, as locals go about their daily routine. Life is simple and quiet, where traditional country pubs serve a hot roast and ales on limited hours, but offer this old world charm that helps you easily forget you’re just 2 hours from London.
With a hot beverage in hand to warm my frosty fingers, we bravely set forth for the beach. It’s not a warm day, the winds are so strong it blows off the hood of my coat sending icy shivers down my spine. I grit my teeth and wished it was summer. I’ve been deceived. It’s barely a beach. Shoes are required as the tide brought in rocks that crunch under your feet as you head for the water.
Nearby Whitstable lies the Maunsell sea forts. Constructed in 1942 for purpose of providing anti-aircraft fire within the Thames Estuary area. If you can acquire a boat for a closer look, you can still see parts of the ladders that were used by the men posted there.
Canterbury, Kent
There’s plenty to do and see in Canterbury. It’s possible to spend an entire weekend here.
One can’t hear the word Canterbury without thinking of Geoffrey Chaucer’s magnum opus, The Canterbury Tales. A collection of stories that speak of a group of pilgrims as they travel on a journey from Southwark to the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral.
Entry into Canterbury Cathedral will set you back a hefty £10.50/£7 (adult/child) unless you’re attending a service. Guided tours are available at specific times however this is not included in your entry fee and will set you back another £5.
St. Augustine’s Abbey, an important and often overlooked place marking the rebirth of Christianity in southern England. £5.40/£3.20 (adult/child) – run by English Heritage so members get in for free.
Take a stroll through the busy high street to be able to appreciate a quiet oasis along the River Stour. Where you’ll likely hear nothing but songbird, running waters of the river or whirr from boating enthusiasts. For those seeking a bit more adventure should consider taking a punt boat along the river, or a walking tour through the cobblestone streets.
Historians should explore Westgate Towers is England’s oldest surviving Medieval gate, delve into the Roman town beneath your feet at the underground Roman museum, or traverse the Canterbury Norman Castle.
Margate
With the opening of the Turner Contemporary gallery in 2011, combined with the cobbled streets and boutique shops, this east coast resort town has a rejuvenated artistic appeal.
Many locals and Londoners were saddened to see the close of the ancient amusement park Dreamland in 2005, however it’s recently reopened after a re-development.
If the sun’s shining, take the opportunity to walk to the end of the Harbour Arm, or if you’re feeling brave, attempt to conquer part or all of the 50km Viking Coastal Trail by bicycle.
Dover
The White Cliffs of Dover should be on your hit list for any visit to Kent. The port between England and France, a passage way for ships and the Cliffs were a recognisable symbol for many soldiers returning to England after finding in the wars, Dover has had a tumultuous history.
Dover was an active defensive post during centuries of wars including WWI and WWII, a trip to Dover will take you the best part of the day.
If White Cliffs is already on your list, then don’t miss the nearby medieval Dover Castle with it’s secret wartime tunnel tours. The sizeable entry fee of £18.00/£10.80 (adult/child) can be a bit off-putting, but your entry fee will cover all exhibits and tours into the war-time tunnels. Overall if you stay for the best part of the day, you will certainly get your moneys worth.
Rochester
With a main street lined with festive bunting, this bustling town centre is full of vintage clothing shops, cafes and pubs. Visitors to Rochester can easily spend a day zig-zagging up and down the street. However, this historic town was once a favourite of Charles Dickens, who based many of his novels on the area. The town features two prominent and notable sites which dominated the medieval skyline, both worth a few hours of your time.
The impressive Rochester Cathedral is the country’s second oldest, built in 604AD. A site of pilgrimage in the 13th century, it’s still a popular place for pilgrims today. Observe the Pilgrim Steps worn by the many thousands of medieval pilgrims. Surprisingly, entry is free and audio guides available.
Rochester Castle situated across the street from it’s town twin the Cathedral, this castle sits a top of the towns highest point. One of the best preserved and also one of the tallest in the country, it provides visitors with a birds eye view over the town and surrounding countryside.
Be sure to grab an audio guide and meander around the towering square Keep. The grounds are free to enter and are a quaint place for a picnic on a sunny day. The Castle is run by English Heritage and as such, entry is free for members
Rye – East Sussex
This historic town is lined with picturesque lanes and features some lovely old Tudor buildings. While not technically in the county of Kent, it’s worth a visit if you’re in the area.
Tea houses, coffee shops line the narrow cobblestone streets. The roads leading to Rye have a tendency to get rather congested so ditch the car and admire the architecture on foot to soak up the atmosphere. Be sure to make your way to Mermaid Street to appreciate the architecture. Don’t miss the Mermaid Inn. It’s an old smugglers’ inn which is rich in history rebuilt in 1420!
Need more ideas for things to do during your short break in Kent? We have another post which covers 13 awesome ideas for a day out in Kent which you might find helpful in planning your weekend away.
Where to stay in Kent?
Accommodation in Canterbury caters for all tastes and budgets. There are plenty of bespoke Tudor style B&Bs and guest houses, a YHA in farm-stays just out of town or cottages in or on the fringes of the North Downs. Tea rooms and cafes are a plenty in Kent. Think china cups, loose leaf tea and freshly home made scones all wrapped up in a country feel.
If you’re seeking some inspiration for possible Airbnb rentals for a short break in Kent then you’re in luck, we have a dedicated post on the best holiday cottages on Airbnb in Kent that might be of interest.
What and Where to Eat in Kent?
Maynards, Fruit picking
This family run farm has been operating since 1952, and is located on the Kent Sussex border. Open to the public, you’re able to pick your own fruit from about one third of the the 22 ha fruit farm. The other two thirds are farmed for sale in supermarkets and other outlets.
A great experience for adults and children alike to pick straight from the tree or vine while helping a small regional business at the same time. Value for money and goodwill. There’s no entry fee, you just pay for what you pick.
Insider tip: Check their website to see what’s in season.
Travel tip: Visiting in summer? Pack an esky/cooler bag to keep your produce at its freshest.
The Essentials | London to Kent
- Distance: With a landmass of 3,736sq/km it’s hard to pin time and distance to your trip. The most southern point of Kent nearest London is Dartford, heading south to Royal Tunbridge Wells and as far east as Dover. That’s a lot of ground to cover in just weekend.
- We suggest picking several key destinations from the above list, then heading back out for another weekend to see more of what Kent has to offer.
- Driving time: Direct it’s about 1.5 hours however heavily dependent on traffic in & out of London.
- Driving conditions: Depending on the route you take, once you make it to the M25 it’s motorway the majority of the way. Scenic routes are available should you want to take the coastal road from Whitstable around the coast to Ramsgate and Dover where you’ll see more of the Kent country life.
What a great article, I really enjoyed reading this!
Rye is one of my favourite places in Kent, not too far from where I am located in Tunbridge Wells so we often venture down there at weekends.
I didn’t actually know about Bayham Old Abbey, it looks amazing! Thanks for letting us know about it, we will definitely be paying the place a visit.
Many thanks for the great article.
Regards,
Steve
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. If you have a car, there’s lots of little hidden gems like Bayham scattered throughout the countryside. We stayed near Tunbridge Wells and realised there’s still a lot more to see than we were able to include in this post. It seems we need more trips to Kent!