There are many places to visit in Kent City. These include Hever Castle, Knole House, Royal Tunbridge Wells, and Faversham. If you are looking for a day trip, there are a few great places to go. In addition to the historic sites, there are plenty of museums and shopping malls in the area.
Hever Castle
The 13th century fortress of Hever Castle is one of the places to see in Kent City. The castle was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, the second wife of Henry VIII and mother of Elizabeth I. It was the scene of many dramatic events. The castle includes a medieval council chamber that dates back to the 13th century. It also has timber-framed Tudor additions that were added by the Boleyn family. The interior of the castle features stunning furnishings and displays of Tudor portraits.
Visitors can also visit the Anne Boleyn room and view the portrait of Anne that is carved into the bed in the 15th century. The portrait is signed by Anne’s father. There is also an audio guide in the Long Gallery, which will reveal the real personalities of the people depicted. The Astor Suite is another room that is worth checking out. It displays the history of the castle as a part of its recent history. You can also find paintings of the Astor family and Edwardian memorabilia. William Waldorf Astor enlarged the castle, added a lake, and created beautiful gardens.
The grounds of Hever Castle are beautiful, and the castle has been the site of several on-screen productions. Visitors can even take part in a knightly show! The show takes place daily and runs for an hour. During this time, you can also enjoy a picnic on the grounds of the castle.
Knole House
Knole House is a magnificent estate that is more than 600 years old. This former residence of the Royal family was passed on to the Sackville family, who restored the fortune of the family under the reign of Charles II. Today, the estate is run by the National Trust. It contains several different parts, including the main house, which is a must-see.
Knole House is situated in Knole Park, the only deer park from medieval times. The grounds are beautiful and open for public viewing. There are guided tours offered throughout the year. You may also want to stop by the Knole House Cafe. You can enjoy a cup of coffee and a pastry while you enjoy your visit to this historic property.
Knole House was the home of author Vita Sackville-West. She was an early gardener and a prize-winning poet. Virginia Woolf visited Knole in 1928 and used the estate as the setting for her novel Orlando. The novel explores the limitations imposed on women by male-dominated society.
Faversham
Faversham is a lively market town that sits on the banks of a navigable creek. It has an interesting history and has plenty to offer visitors. Visitors will find a rich maritime heritage and ancient history in the area. The creek was once full of sailing barges, and today, you will find pleasure boats and even a cruising club.
The town is close to other towns such as Whitstable and Herne Bay. The Chatham Main Line links all three towns, and there are trains that run to Canterbury, Margate, and Broadstairs. From Faversham, the journey to Canterbury or Dover is less than an hour.
If you have the time and energy, you should take a stroll along Faversham’s high street. Its century-old houses and gardens are adorned with blooming flowers. The town is peaceful and has lovely plaques on its houses and walls. A one-hour walk through the town will give you an idea of how many historic sites it has. Faversham has also held a market for over 900 years, which makes it a prime place to visit if you are in the area.
Just a short drive away from Faversham is the Brogdale Collections, which boasts hundreds of different kinds of fruit. The orchards are especially picturesque in spring, but there are also large pick-your-own events in the autumn. The Brogdale Collections also has a music playground and an onsite deli.
Whitstable
Whitstable is a popular holiday destination for tourists from all over the world. The town has plenty to offer visitors looking to see a coastal town. The town centre has many quirky parts, including narrow alleys leading to the sea. One such alley, ‘Squeeze Gut Alley,’ was once known as ‘Granny Bell’s Alley’ but was given its new name as a result of its narrowness. It’s worth visiting the Whitstable Oyster Company’s Fish Restaurant, which has a wide range of seafood dishes available.
You can also take a bike ride around Whitstable. There is a cycle route suitable for bikers of all levels, and there are several outlets nearby to hire bikes. Boat trips are also available, including a trip to the historic Red Sand Maunsell sea forts, which were used during World War II as sea defences.
The town is known for its seafood and oysters, and the Whitstable Oyster Festival is a popular event every July. Hundreds of people come to the town for the festival. There are activities for children, including making an oyster shell structure. The festival also features a crab catching contest, with prizes for the biggest, ugliest and prettiest crabs. Children can also try their hand at crabbing, which is another popular activity in Whitstable.
Broadstairs
Broadstairs is a coastal town located on the Isle of Thanet, in east Kent, about 80 miles east of London. It is part of the Broadstairs and St Peter’s civil parish. As of 2011, the population was approximately 25,000. The town has a vibrant arts and cultural scene.
If you want to go out and see the local scenery, you can visit the Scenic Cultural Coastal Drive. The drive is beautiful, and you can see a number of species of wildlife. You’ll also find picturesque ponds and traditional orchards. This scenic area is a perfect place to enjoy a walk or a bike ride.
The town of Broadstairs has two beautiful beaches. Viking Bay is the most popular and has beach huts and is gloriously sandy. Joss Bay is a surfer’s haven, and Botany Bay is home to fascinating chalk stacks. Once a smugglers’ haven, Botany Bay is now a popular place for fossil hunting. All of the beaches have plenty of places to drink and eat.
Broadstairs is a picturesque seaside town that offers a wide variety of activities for visitors of all ages. It is a great place to take children as well as adults. You can also visit the Wingham Wildlife Park, which is one of the best dinosaur parks in the country. If you’re visiting during the summer, you’ll want to book a room at one of the many hotels in the area. The Royal Albion Hotel, situated right on the seafront, is a wonderful option for families looking for a great place to stay.
The Scenic Cultural Coastal Drive
If you enjoy the outdoors, you’ll love Kent’s Scenic Cultural Coastal Drive. The drive features a variety of wildlife, traditional orchards, and picturesque ponds. It also boasts some of the highest points in the Southeast. The drive is a great place to enjoy scenic walks. While you’re in the area, make sure to check out the town’s beautiful gardens.
The drive stretches from Dover to Thanet and through historic towns and cultural regeneration. Along the way, you’ll pass Tudor castles and medieval Sandwich. You’ll discover why this area is known as the ‘Kentish Riviera.’ The area boasts multiple blue flag beaches and a unique microclimate. The scenic drive also passes through Dickens country in Broadstairs, as well as Turner Contemporary art gallery in Margate.
The historic Hever Castle, a former country house, is a popular Kent attraction. In the 1930s, the artist Vita Sackville-West designed the gardens around the castle. She hailed it as a “refuge for beauty.” It is listed on the Historic England register of historic parks and gardens.
