A village on the edge of Romney Marsh, Appledore overlooks the historic Royal Military Canal, built in 1804 as a measure against French invasion. The village used to be on the banks of the Rother, but the river changed course. An earlier waterway is the 13th century Rhee Wall, built to carry away silt from the marshes. The village church is 13th century.
Appledore,
Kent,
England
A market town in central Kent, Ashford was likely settled in the late 9th century. It was incorporated as a town in 1423. Ashford was the home of Jack Cade, leader of the uprising known as Cade's Rebellion. The church is largely 13th century, with 15th century additions. The local museum beside the church was built as a grammar school in 1638. There are few other older buildings left, with the exception of some half-timbered cottages near the church.
Ashford,
Kent,
England
Aylesford is a large village on the River Medway, accessed via a medieval five-arched bridge. There has been settlement here since Neolithic times, as evidenced by the long barrows of Kits Coty to the north of the village. Aylesford seems to have attracted famous battles throughout British history; Hengest the Jute fought the British leader Vortigern here in 455 AD, King Alfred defeated the Danes in 893 AD, and Edmund Ironside did likewise in 1016. And the royals kept coming; William the Conqueror took Aylesford manor for himself. The parish church of St Peter and St Paul dates to the Norman period. Nearby is Aylesford Priory, a restored medieval monastic house of Carmelite friars that dates to 1242.
Aylesford,
Kent,
England
The village of Barfreston was a stopover place during the Middle Ages for pilgrims visiting the shrine of St Thomas a Becket in Canterbury. Today, this once important place is little more than a peaceful hamlet set in quite attractive wooded lanes and fields. There is a very nice village pub, but the primary reason to visit Barfreston is to see the church of St Nicholas, a 12th century gem that is a wonderful example of Norman architecture. The church has richly carved mouldings and doorways. Above the south door is a carving thought to be the first representation of Thomas a Becket following his death. A unique feature of Barfreston church is that the church bell is hung, not from a bellcote, but from the branches of a yew tree just outside the church.
Barfreston,
Kent,
England
A lovely Wealden village near Tenterden, with a long, broad village green where cricket is played in the summer. There are two excellent pubs, the Bull Inn and the Duke of Wellington, located near the large village green, which is lined with attractive half-timbered houses. At the top of the green is the parish church of St George. On the outskirts of Benenden lies Benenden girls school, begun in 1924, using the buildings of Hemsted House, a historic house built by the first Lord Cranbrook in 1857, on the foundations of a much, much older house.
Benenden,
Kent,
England
A village famous as the birthplace of the Biddenden Maids, a pair of siamese twins who were joined at the hip and shoulder. Marie and Eliza Chulkhurst were born in Biddenden in 1100 and lived here to a respectable age (for that era) of 34. When they died they left 18 acres of land, the income from which was to provide an annual dole of bread and wine to the poor of the parish.
Biddenden,
Kent,
England
Attraction Type:
Village Heritage Highlight: The 12th century Siamese twins called the Biddenden Maids are still remembered in the town sign, and the dole they established is still distributed annually Heritage Rating:? Location: The village of Biddenden is located on the A262, 5 miles east of Cranbrook
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A seaside town on the Isle of Thanet, in northeastern Kent, Broadstairs was settled as early as the Roman occupation. The village was initially a fishing port, but later became prosperous a centre of shipbuilding. The 16th century York Gate was part of defences erected to protect the shipyards at Broadstairs. The town has strong connections with author Charles Dickens, who was a regular visitor, and there is an annual Dickens festival. You can still see the wishing well on Harbour Street that was used by 18th century smugglers to hide their illegal goods from customs officers. Rising above the harbour is the bulk of Bleak House, renamed because its owner believed it to be the one used by Dickens in his tale of the same name.
Broadstairs,
Kent,
England
One of the most historic of English cities, Canterbury is famous for its medieval cathedral. There was a settlement here before the Roman invasion, but it was the arrival of St Augustine in 597 AD that was the signal for Canterbury's growth. Augustine built a cathedral within the city walls, and a new monastery outside the walls. The ruins of St Augustine's Abbey can still be seen today.
Canterbury,
Kent,
England
A small village of attractive cottages and the remains of an 11th century palace used by the Archbishops of Canterbury. Charing was a stopover place on the major pilgrim trail to the shrine of Thomas a Becket at Canterbury. The village has a wealth of historic buildings, and these are outlined in a Village Trail leaflet put out by the Charing and District Local History Society, and available at a number of local outlets. In addition, there is a village tourist map detailing many of these historic buildings.
An historic port town on the Medway River in eastern Kent, Chatham grew up around a naval dockyard. The dockyard were established by Elizabeth I in 1568, and can still be visited. A number of historic vessels are on display. Over the years a number of forts were built to protect the docks, including Upnor Castle, Fort Amherst, and Fort Pitt. Charles Dickens lived in Chatham as a child, and featured it in several of his books.
Chatham,
Kent,
England
Open plan sitting/dining room with wooden floor and wood burning stove. Modern fitted kitchen. Spacious conservatory. First floor: Double bedroom. Bathroom/WC with separate shower cubicle. … more >> Sleeps 5
Commanding a stunning cliff top position, the St Margaretﾒs Bay Hotel is situated the St Margaretﾒs Bay Holiday Park and is just a short distance from the port of Dover. The hotelﾒs location is ideal for guests seeking comfortable accommodation before travelling to France via the Eurotunnel, or for holiday … more >>
Holiday Inn Express Dartford Bridge is located in Kent with marvellous coast and countryside on the doorstep waiting to be discovered, whilst being adjacent to junction 1a of the London Orbital. This fully air-conditioned and recently refurbished hotel has been designed for the price conscious traveller with 126 contemporary designed … more >>
