Kent is a large county, situated on the tip of southeast England (with a few islands off the coast). The coastal towns of Dover and Folkestone are just a short hop away from France (more on the boat crisis below). There are regular boats from Kent to Calais and Boulogne. Read about the white cliffs of Dover.
Inland we have the affluent spa town of Tunbridge Wells (and neighbouring towns of Tonbridge and leafy Sevenoaks). Inland, the ‘Garden of England’ is known for its fruit orchards and oasthouses.
Kent is also home to the historic city of Canterbury and popular seaside resorts including Broadstairs and Margate (the iconic ‘Jolly Boys Outing’ episode of Only Fools and Horses).
Growing Apples (since ancient times)
Kent is known as the fruit-growing king of England. But modern life has meant heritage apples and pears are at risk, with volunteers helping to bring back local food movements. Support artisan companies that sell organic apple and pears (and juice).
Better than buying from supermarkets, which import 70% of England’s sold apples (most covered in shellac – dead insects – to make them waxy). Read more on how to protect our heritage orchards.
The History of Kent’s Oast Houses
If you live in Kent (or are passing through), you no doubt have spotted one of the many oast houses. What are they, and what is their history? Today many are used for luxury holiday homes, but they had a real purpose, back in the day.
Kent and Sussex used to be the main counties where beer was brewed. Dating back to the 16 century, the oast houses were simply used to dry hops. Imported beers means many of them no longer had a use.
Most oast houses had a few drying floors and kilns, which were fired by wood or charcoal. The hops were dried, then made into bales to send to breweries. You can still many oast houses in other counties, but most of them are here.
Hops need to be dried before they are used in beer, so oast houses would reduce moisture from around 80% to less than 10%.
If you fancy living in an oast house, you’ll likely have to be a millionaire. It’s good the old buildings are being bought (to prevent them being knocked down). But sad that nobody can often tour an oasthouse, as a community museum.
Kent Sand Dunes
Kent is home to some of England’s main sand dunes, which form when sand and seashells blow onto the coast, then get trapped by sea plants, to anchor in the sand. These are home to evening primrose plants, lizards (that leave distinctive tracks on loose sand), digger wasps and burrowing bees (who also leave behind little piles of sand). And endangered natterjack toads.
Keep to main paths when crossing sand dunes (this helps dogs and you from invasive pirri pirri burr attaching to skin, fur, clothes or laces). Keep dogs away from toxic coastal flowers.
Sand dunes often hide bird nests (chicks may be abandoned, if disturbed) and seal pups, hidden by mothers. You’ll find seals in Sussex during breeding season, so keep dogs away and on leads. Read more on how to help our native seals.
England’s Least Cloned Town
On the coast, Whitstable is the least cloned town in England, with more indie shops than anywhere. Nearby is the ancient village of Chiddingstone with Tudor-style houses and post office, owned by the National Trust. Good as it’s protected, bad as you’ll have to pay a fortune to visit for a cup of tea.
If you fancy supporting a local artisan beer, Whitstable Bay is a vegan ale, from England’s oldest brewery (1698), in nearby Faversham, Kent. Started when it was a busy port, so beers were popular with visiting pirates – shiver me timbers!
The (sometimes green) White Cliffs of Dover
The White Cliffs of Dover are one of England’s most iconic landmarks, which you can see nearly all the way to France, from the ferry.
Obviously keep dogs away from cliffs (The National Trust has a useful page of tips to keep dogs, livestock and marine creatures/birds safe nearby, if visiting the area with your pooch).
The cliffs have a place in history due to being used for defence during both World Wars (and they are associated with Dame Vera Lynn, who sang ‘there’ll be bluebirds over the white cliffs of Dover’, a popular tune for the forces’ sweetheart in the 40s).
The cliffs stay white due to natural erosion of fine limestone, and are home to many unique plants and insects (like the pyramidal orchid and chalkhill blue butterfly). When the cliffs are protected from erosion (like at Dover port), plants grow on them, so they are green.
Grazing is carried out naturally by cattle and wild Exmoor ponies. In areas where this would not be safe, local people maintain vegetation instead.
Kent is home to two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Kent Downs (the eastern half of the North Downs) stretch from the white cliffs of Dover, up to the London borough of Bromley. High Weald (1500 square kilometres) covers Kent, Surrey and Sussex.
Three Islands (just off the Kent coast)
Isle of Sheppey lies off the North Kent coast, and includes seaside towns, a harbour and two nature reserves (home to oystercatchers, redshanks, lapwings and marsh harriers. It’s separated from Kent by the Swale (a narrow part of sea). Originally called ‘Sheep Island’ in Saxon times, this is the birthplace of aviation (good or bad, you decide).
Ian Crofton’s book on English islands has an extensive history of this island, which suffered heavy bombing during World War 2, resulting in unexploded bombs being left on the shoreline.
The other two other (uninhabited) islands, which are mostly mudflats, submerged at high tide. Both are now havens for seabirds. You can still see the remains of a shepherd’s house on Burntwick Island (long left with his sheep, due to flooding) and still littered with Victorian glass and pottery.
Deadman’s Island is named, due to the sad remains of 200 men and boys being found, likely dying on ‘floating prisons’ around 200 years ago.