Historic towns and villages in Kent

Chiddingstone is a wonderfully attractive village, home of Chiddingstone Castle, a 17th-century house. Remarkably, over 2/3 of the buildings in Chiddingstone are over 200 years old. That may explain why the National Trust purchased the entire village to preserve its heritage value. Only the church and castle are not owned by the Trust.
Chiddingstone, Kent, England

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Heritage Highlight: The country house of Chiddingstone Castle

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An attractive village near Canterbury, Chilham is based around a square hemmed by half-timbered buildings. The wealth of historic architecture in Chilham makes it one of the most visited places in Kent.
Chilham, Kent, England

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Heritage Highlight: Fantastic collection of beautiful historic buildings, including two castles, one a Norman keep, the other a lovely Jacobean mansion.

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The village of Cobham lies just south of the old Roman road known as Watling Street. It was mentioned by Charles Dickens in The Pickwick Papers. The Leather Bottle Inn has a collection of Dickensian memorabilia and the church has a notable collection of medieval brasses.
Cobham, Kent, England

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Cranbrook is a small market town in Kent, home to the largest working windmill in England. The town's name comes from Old English for a marsh inhabited by cranes. It stands on the edge of the High Weald AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty).
Cranbrook, Kent, England

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Heritage Highlight: St Dunstan's church, the 'Cathedral of the weald'

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A town in the north-west corner of Kent, Dartford was established by the Romans at a ford across the River Darent, and the town name comes from 'Darent ford'. Dartford grew in prosperity during the Middle Ages, due to its location on the main pilgrim route to Canterbury.
Dartford, Kent, England

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Deal was settled as early as the first Roman invasion by Julius Caesar in 55 BC. It was mentioned in the Domesday Book, but Deal really began to prosper when it became part of the Cinque Ports association of important south coast towns and ports.
Deal, Kent, England

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Heritage Highlight: Deal and Walmer Castles

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Dover has been an important port since Roman times when Julius Caesar chose this spot to land his invasion forces. The most famous landmark associated with Dover are the famous 'White Cliffs', one of the most easily recognisable of British icons. But there is more to Dover than the cliffs.
Dover, Kent, England

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Edenbridge is a pretty market town on the River Eden, on the border of Kent and Surrey. The name comes from Old English meaning Eadhelm's Bridge. The town grew up along the route of an old Roman road between London and Lewes.
Edenbridge, Kent, England

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Heritage Highlight: St Peter and St Paul's church, 12th century

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Folkestone is a resort town in south-east Kent, known today for the Channel Tunnel, but formerly a popular seaside destination for holidaymakers. The older part of town is a lovely mix of Georgian buildings, cobbled streets, and a long, sweeping promenade along the seafront.
Folkestone, Kent, England

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Heritage Highlight: St Eanswythe relics in the church of Saint Mary and St Eanswythe

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Fordwich is a pretty town on the River Stour, two miles from central Canterbury. Fordwich was once the port for its larger neighbour, but today it is a quiet place, known for its timber-framed town hall.
Fordwich, Kent, England

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Heritage Highlight: Timber-framed town hall

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