Historic towns and villages in Kent

A busy town with a history that dates back to at least the 10th century. In the 11th century, Gillingham was the site of an archbishop's palace, built by Odo, Bishop of Bayeux and half-brother of William the Conqueror, and for centuries it has been strongly linked to the naval dockyards at nearby Chatham and to navigation on the River Medway.
Gillingham, Kent, England

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Heritage Highlight: St Mary Magdalene church

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A small village near Chilham, Godmersham has associations with author Jane Austen, who visited here often when her brother Edward owned Godmersham Park. The 12th-century parish church has the earliest known bas-relief carving of St Thomas a Becket.
Godmersham, Kent, England

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Heritage Highlight: Jane Austen connections to Godmersham Park

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The attractive town of Goudhurst stands high on a ridge, offering wonderful views over the Kentish Weald. Even better are the views from the top of the tower of St Mary's church, where, it is said, you can see over 40 other church towers, and even spy the skyscrapers of London. The earliest historical records for the town date to 1095, shortly after the Norman Conquest. 
Goudhurst, Kent, England

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Gravesend is a large town on the bank of the River Thames. It was at Gravesend that the native American princess Pocahontas died on her way back to America in 1617. She was buried at the parish church of St George in Gravesend. The exact location of her grave is unknown, but a statue of her stands in the churchyard.
Gravesend, Kent, England

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Heritage Highlight: 14th century Milton Chantry

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Groombridge is a medium-sized village near Tunbridge Wells, with a lovely triangular green and attractive red-brick cottages. Just outside Groombridge village is Groombridge House and Garden, a heritage garden surrounding a 17th-century moated manor house.
Groombridge, Kent, England

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Heritage Highlight: Groombridge House and Gardens

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A very attractive village near Tunbridge Wells in mid-Kent. Hawkhurst is famous (or infamous) for the group of smugglers known as the Hawkhurst Gang. The Gang operated a smuggling ring across the south east of England from 1735-1749. The Oak and Ivy Inn in Hawkhurst was the headquarters of the gang, who were only defeated after a pitched battle with the local militia. Three miles distant is the moated medieval castle at Bodiam.
Hawkhurst, Kent, England

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Heritage Highlight: Dunk's School and Almshouses, 1723

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Herne Bay is a Victorian seaside resort town on the Kent coast. Highlights include the Seaside Museum, where you can learn about Herne Bay's heyday as a seaside resort, and Reculver, two medieval church towers rising from the ruins of a Roman fort.
Herne Bay, Kent, England

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Heritage Highlight: The Clock Tower, 1837

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A historic market town on the edge of the Romney Marshes, Hythe was one of the Ancient Cinque Ports, though it is now well inland of the shore due to silting of its old harbour. Two castles once defended the port, but little now remains of Saltwood and Lympne Castles.
Hythe, Kent, England

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Heritage Highlight: St Leonard's church medieval ossuary

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The name Ightham is probably most familiar to readers who have heard of the historic moated manor house called Ightham Mote, but that manor is several miles south of the pretty village of Ightham. Though the village lies close to Sevenoaks, it is set in quiet countryside, and presents an idyllic outlook, with a number of historic houses about a small green, and a half-timbered pub.
Ightham, Kent, England

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Heritage Highlight: The parish church of St Peter boasts wonderful medieval and Jacobean tombs

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Lamberhurst is a lovely village of half-timbered and red brick buildings. Just a few miles away are the remains of medieval Bayham Abbey, while even closer is Scotney Castle, with beautiful gardens around the ruins of a medieval moated castle.
Lamberhurst, Kent, England

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Heritage Highlight: 17th century Court Lodge

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