Kent (oasthouses, white cliffs and three posh towns)
Kent is known as ‘the garden of England’ due to its abundance of fruit orchards and vineyards. Just 20 miles from the French coast, it’s also home to ancient oast houses used to dry hops.
Inland you’ll find the affluent town of Tunbridge Wells (known for its healing spa water). Not to be confused with nearby Tonbridge.
If out walking, follow the Countryside Code to keep all creatures safe (learn how to upright an overturned sheep). Keep dogs away from steep banks, mushrooms, cliffs and toxic plants/trees.
At the coast, keep dogs away from nesting birds and sand dunes. Read how to keep dogs safe by the seaside. Check beach bans before travel.
The ancient city of Canterbury
This was featured in the book Pilgrim’s Progress and today many people follow the pilgrim’s tour. Nice for religious trips!
The white cliffs of Dover
These cliffs sometimes go green due to vegetation. They overlook the English channel and are home to lots of birds and wildlife. Of course they are associated with singer Vera Lynn, her song about peace not war.
England’s least-cloned town
Whitstable has more indie shops than anywhere in England. There’s a lot to learn. Other not-cloned towns are Hebden Bridge (Yorkshire) and Totnes (Devon).
The most cloned cities are apparently Cambridge and Exeter (where all the high streets have the same shops, you would not know where you were).
The Kent Downs
This is a stunning National Landscape, popular with walkers. And unlike the Lake District, you are less likely to get drenched from head to foot in a downpour. Even if it rains, the sunshine coast tends to dry things out pretty quickly.
Three posh towns!
Royal Tunbridge Wells is home to the Pantiles and lots of nice architecture.
Nearby Tonbridge has a pretty castle. And Sevenoaks is a posh place too, home to many of England’s top independent schools.
