Kent is lined with some of the most historical, vibrant and diverse coastlines in the UK, from award-winning ‘Blue Flag’ beaches and countless nature reserves to bustling seaside towns and the infamous White Cliffs of Dover. Commencing with the unique marshland, packed with wildlife in the South working up through the sandy dunes of Camber and Greatstone to the White Cliffs and Port of Dover in the East and finally around the towns of Ramsgate, Margate, Whitstable and Chatham dotted along the Northerly stretch of the coastline.
In times gone by the Kent coast is highlighted again and again the history books, being the main portal to the European continent for millennia – hosting the backdrop of many fearsome battles and being one of England’s main landmarks for traders and visitors from all over the world. Wherever you are along the coast you will never be too far from one of the magnificent castles that imprint themselves into the landscape whether it be Dover, Lympne, Walmer or Deal these immense structures still feature heavily in the local geography and give a glimpse of the extravagant palatial residences and defenses of our ancestors.
There are a large amount of attractions scattered around the coastal areas of Kent and you can experience the local lifestyle well in the seaside towns. Deal has a great market (every Wednesday) same as Whitstable (every 2nd and 4th Saturday of each Month) selling fresh produce from the locale. A little further inland are two world famous animal parks as a part of The Aspinal Foundation, Port Lympne (Lympne) and Howletts (just outside of Canterbury) where you can see real animal conservation projects in action. They provide a great day out for the family and help support a great cause in protecting endangered species from around the globe.
A step over the border is the beautiful town of Rye in East Sussex with its ancient cobbled streets and landmarks winding their way up into the citadel which dominates the skyline for miles.
Also located in the ‘Coastal Kent’ area is the ancient city of Canterbury which has a great range of shopping, restaurants and culture – including the Marlowe Theatre and the stunning medieval Cathedral as the centerpiece of this vibrant small city. Hythe is also great for eating out and has a great boutique high street for those who like their shopping, the Chocolate Deli is a must for chocaholics!
The best beaches in the area are Bottany Bay in Broadstairs as well as Camber Sands and Winchelsea Beach on the Southern coastline. Some of the best wildlife can be found in the Romney Marshes which has been mostly protected for it’s diverse population of plant and animal species as well as being hoarded in history. The famous church of Thomas Becket can be found isolated the marsh and is a very unique place to explore.
Traveling to this area of Kent, is made extremely accessible by the links to Europe and London. The Eurostar provides services which run from London stopping off en-route through Kent before continuing onto Paris, Bruxelles and Lille. In the opposite direction, high-speed trains from many stations across the county can take you into central London in no time at all. Ferries going in and out of Dover or the Eurotunnel in Folkestone can be a great and very cheap option of transporting the whole family and the car over the channel to France. Kent also has excellent access, not only to the rest of the UK and the continent, but also to the rest of the world with the major London airports within easy reach, a fantastic well placed location where you can explore a different side to England.