Visit Kent wants to show visitors all the amazing things you can do on a short break in Kent

DECLARED the fourth best region in the world to visit by global travel authorit y Lonely Planet, Kent’s Heritage Coast should definitely be on your list of places to visit this year. Being the only place in the UK to have earned a spot on the Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2022 - Top 10 Regions list, it’s about time for a staycation.

Here’s a whistle-stop tour of the best places in Kent from Visit Kent to help you plan your own list of places to v isit in the count y.

The historic cit y of Canterbur y is a must see with Canterbur y Cathedral’s beautiful architecture, rich histor y, and massive cultural influence - over one million people step through the doors of the oldest cathedral in the UK ever y year.

You can learn all about Canterbur y through walking tours, where you’ll discover the mysteries of a cit y draped in history. From educational museums and bountiful gardens to wildlife reser ves and river tours, the cit y is sure to impress.

Head on up to Whitstable to get in some coastal culture. Enjoy some fresh oysters in the town dubbed the Pearl of Kent before going for a stroll along the pebbly beach. Grab a coffee at one of the independent cafes on the high street, or even browse some of the quirky shops the town has to offer.

Right in the corner of East Kent, is a spectacular hub of revitalised culture. The Turner Contemporary in Margate is one of the UK’s leading contemporar y art galleries and lays the foundation of the region’s art scene. As does Dreamland, which is home to live music, pop-up installations, eclectic street food, and plent y more.

If you’re looking for a more traditional seaside escape, then Dover is the place to go. White Cliffs Countr y awaits with its breath-taking chalk y cliffs and fantastic flora and fauna (keep an eye out for the bluebirds!). And for some classic English heritage, Dover Castle has got you covered – built in the 12th centur y, it’s the perfect place for the histor y buffs in the family.

If you’re still in the mood for some more castle exploring, a 30-minute bus ride will get you to Walmer Castle, where you can go inside the

Duke of Wellington’s bedroom, wander the award-winning eight acres of gardens, and take in all the wonderful architecture.

Folkestone has so much to explore, whether it’s the wilderness in Dungeness, the cobbled streets of

Folkestone’s Creative Quarter, or even a safari in the award-winning Port Lympne Reserve. A must-visit in Folkestone is the Battle of Britain Memorial, a monument to the aircrew who flew in the Battle of Britain.

Be sure to see the Martello Towers in Hythe, built to defend the coast during the Napoleonic war! -

Catch the train from London and in under an hour and you’ll be in Ashford, Kent’s perfect blend between town and countr yside. From historic v illages to designer outlets, there’s so much to explore. At the top of our list are Ashford’s family-owned Biddenden Vineyards. Running from 1969, they know a thing or two about wine, so why not go along for a self-guided tour, followed by a sample of their excellent range?

To discover more of the Kentish countr yside, Tenterden - known as the ‘Jewel of the Weald’ - is home to the steam trains of the Kent and East Sussex Railway.

Once again, only one hour from London is the historic spa town of Tunbridge Wells, away from the hustle and bustle of cit y life. Amble the countr y lanes or delve even deeper into relaxation at the luxur y four-star Spa Hotel.

For you literar y lovers out there, the town of Tonbridge has links to Jane Austen and plent y of histor y, such as the magnificent Tonbridge Castle. You can ride over to Penshurst Place on the woodland cycle route where children and families can enjoy all kinds of activities, including a maze maize.

For more family activities, The Hop Farm in Tonbridge offers a great day out. Bring the little ones along and enjoy an interactive museum, a soft play area, and a wonderful animal farm.

Head up to the 12th-century Leeds Castle in Maidstone for a deeper look into Kent’s heritage. Take in all the rich histor y of the castle and, while you’re there, the thrill seekers of the family can enjoy an adrenaline-fuelled adventure at Go Ape.

Beyond the walls of Leeds Castle are grand hotels, countr y clubs, museums and art galleries in abundance, and the Maidstone Museum and Bentlif Art Galler y is home to a 2700-year-old Eg yptian mummy, Ta-Kush.

Just 20 minutes from London with Southeastern and you can find yourself in Sevenoaks. Be sure to check out Knole, one of the countr y’s most impressive stately homes.

This 500-year-old National Trust property once housed the Tudor dynasty and is now open to visitors to explore 15 of its 400 rooms.

The magnificent Hever Castle adds even more to Sevenoaks’ grand histor y and is open daily to visitors. Go back in time as you enter the childhood home of Anne Boleyn and see just how the Tudors lived as you wander the halls of the 13th-centur y-built castle.

Biggin Hill Memorial Museum can also be found in Sevenoaks and is the perfect place to get clued up on Kent’s role in the Second World War.

In North Kent, you’ll find the Historic Dockyard Chatham in Medway, where you can learn all about the Age of Sail and what life was like on the Victorian dock yard.

You can also find Rochester Cathedral in Medway, a place of worship since 604AD. With regular events there, you can always find something for you and the family to enjoy. For something a bit more relaxing, take a Jetstream tour down the beautiful Medway River.

For a bit more maritime merriment, Swale Marina is the perfect place to visit to see the different yachts and, for the wildlife watchers out there, to spot various species of birds and seals.

To discover the stor y behind Pocahontas, take your trip to Gravesend where you’ll find a statue of the Native American woman at her burial place in St George’s church. While there, you can also visit the Sri Guru Nanak temple, a Sikh Gurdwara that is open to visitors and well worth a visit for its beautiful architecture and religious significance.

While in North Kent, you’ll have to pop over to Faversham to visit the home of Britain’s oldest brewer, Shepherd Neame. With more than 300 pubs across the Southeast, they’re the experts in the field – and you can enjoy a tour around the brewer y to discover just what makes them so great.

Cross the bridge to the Isle of Sheppey to see Elmley National Nature Reserve, you can spend the day enjoying beautiful views and the great outdoors. You can even visit world-renowned fossil beds and take a fossil home with you.

Memories are just waiting to be made here in Kent, so what’s stopping you? Visit Kent and see all that it has to offer.