Top Things to do in Kent
Top Hotels in Kent
- 1. One Warwick Park Hotel
- 2. Best Western Plus Burlington Hotel
- 3. Crescent Turner Hotel
- 4. DoubleTree by Hilton Dartford Bridge
- 5. Hythe Imperial Hotel
- 6. Best Western Plus Dover Marina Hotel & Spa
- 7. Chandos Premier Folkestone Channel Tunnel Hotel
- 8. The Falstaff Hotel, Canterbury
- 9. Howfield Manor Hotel
- 10. Canterbury Cathedral Lodge
Things to do in Kent, England: The Best Historic Sites
Discover the best top things to do in Kent, United Kingdom including Fan Bay Deep Shelter, Allington Castle, Dover Castle, Knole - National Trust, Scotney Castle Garden, Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Leeds Castle, St. Augustine's Abbey, Smallhythe Place, Crypt of St. Leonard.
Restaurants in Kent
1. Fan Bay Deep Shelter
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 234 reviews
The tunnels were constructed in 1940/41 as accommodation for the gun battery above. Today this network of abandoned tunnels is virtually all that remains of these long forgotten defences. You can take a journey into the past on a guided tour of the tunnels with one of our expert volunteers, peering into the darkness and back in time into different world, hidden within the cliffs.
Reviewed By faulkner300917 - Huntly, United Kingdom
Went to fan bay shelter yesterday.. lovely walk along the cliff top,with stunning views. The guide was informative and use humour and great passion when explaining the shelters use and conditions of living in it as a solider. My only criticism ( and it more a personal preference) as it's only been open 3 seasons, it could be developed more. I'd have like to see a part of the shelter set up like it was then with bunks and soldiers items to help me feel what it would be like to live down there... maybe a recording of noise that could add to the ambience. I'm NTS card holder but thought £10 was reasonable. To top my visit coming out of the shelter a spit fire was over head.... Ace!!!
2. Allington Castle
3. Dover Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,108 reviews
The most iconic of all English fortresses commanding the gateway to the realm for nine centuries. Climb the Great Tower, meet the characters and immerse yourself in vivid medieval interiors. Then delve deep within Dover's White Cliffs to witness the drama in the Secret Wartime Tunnels. Roam through centuries of history at Dover Castle, from the Romans to the 20th century, in an action-packed day out.
Reviewed By TEK1904 - St Ives, United Kingdom
We have just returned from an absolutely phenomenal weekend staying in the grounds of Dover Castle. From the tunnel tours to the Great Tower steeped in history, to the views across the English Channel and the access to the grounds before and after hours we were totally blown away and awestruck. A special mention to all the staff throughout our stay who were friendly, informative, helpful, enthusiastic and passionate about such an incredible place . Not forgetting Lesley the housekeeper who ensured our stay was spot on. An absolute credit to English heritage and Dover Castle. We will most definitely be returning. Highly recommend.
4. Knole - National Trust
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,167 reviews
Reviewed By abouts2017
We visited knole house recently and found it a very pleasant day out, it's a large national trust house with the usual items to see inside paintings furniture ect, the grounds are very extensive and the deer tame , on the day we visited it was very warm which made it all the more beautiful.
5. Scotney Castle Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,575 reviews
Reviewed By preglad - New York, United States
For awhile, I'd thought that Washington D.C's free museums (which would take a fortnight to engage) was the singular behemoth and clearly most profound source of vast cultural, artistic and informational largesse to be found anywhere in the world. Now I feel otherwise. There's nothing akin to the National Trust, and combining it with English Heritage (they do share eight sites), one can spend a lifetime intimately and joyously engaged in its wonders. Taking Scotney Castle and its gardens as a magnificent - if somewhat less familiar - example of its splendid offerings- is like being a child at the shore digging in his or her toes for a wondrous moment. All extraneous motion ceases in yet another examination of a unique brightly colored and fantastically shaped shell ambling about on a remote perfectly pristine Carribean or South seas beach. There's simply no pail big enough to hold one example of each kind of miracle, no legs or life long enough to engage al the options. Scotney stretches our credulity in terms of the notion of Castle, though the inclusion of a mote easily complicates the issue. Is it not more an estate beyond certain aspects of historical choice and exterior trappings? It seems far too warm and cozy to be completely comfortable as either in any case. And then there's the garden. What a wonderful competitive counterpoint or complement. Take your pick. The price of admission is worth either context in itself. In our last two lengthy UK trips alone, totaling almost four months, we've saved almost $5000 on an investment of $500 with annual memberships to both the National Trust and English Heritage. If I could bring home but a few simple treasures to savor at home in New York, they'd include a great scone or two, some wondrous clotted cream and jam to go along and all the inclusions of those two amazing organizations: The National Trust and English Heritage.
6. Sissinghurst Castle Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,619 reviews
Owned and maintained by the National Trust, this famous 20th-century garden is actually a series of ten smaller "garden rooms," each uniquely different from the others.
Reviewed By ChrisandMick60 - Montaren-et-Saint-Mediers, France
the people where we were staying recommended here and we are glad that we went. The gardens were really beautiful, well looked after and being the 1st of June a mass of colour. The views from the top of the tower are worth the climb, just be a bit careful of the bees at the top. The guides do warn you before you go up. Not sure what some of the complaints were about the car park, it was fine as far as we were concerned. The same goes for the guides, as usual for NT properties very friendly and helpful. It was not possible to visit the cottage because the family are always in residence for June. As an alternative a room containing family medals and a portrait of Harold's father is open to view during June but, not at other times.
7. Leeds Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,860 reviews
Considered one of the most romantic castles in England, this historic site was originally the stately home of the Saxon royal family during the reign of Ethelbert IV in 856-860.
Reviewed By aw1955 - London, United Kingdom
Absolutely lovely all round, the staff are very polite friendly and knowledgeable, the gardens and grounds are beautiful, the castle is very interesting there's a visual display showing how it was and how it changed over the years, the falconry/bird show is very good then you can go face to face with the birds behind the maze, the children's play areas look good but we did not have kids with us so didn't go inside them, boat ride and train ride ok, less mobile folk will love the land train from car park to near the castle.
8. St. Augustine's Abbey
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 495 reviews
Reviewed By L8885QLandyp - Bognor Regis, United Kingdom
Having visited Canterbury Cathedral the previous day, our visit to St Augustine's didn't disappoint and improved our understanding of the historical events which took place in Canterbury. The site was much larger than expected, with a museum and plenty of information boards as we walked round the ruins. We were able to download an audio guide via a QR Code reader on our smartphone, which provided further information.
9. Smallhythe Place
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 278 reviews
Reviewed By heleng460
Small Hythe place is a wonderful property once owned by the actress Ellen Terry. It’s full of history and the staff were full of interesting facts. Had a lovely tea room in the barn at the back of the main house.
10. Crypt of St. Leonard
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 228 reviews
Medieval church with an extraordinary "ossuary" (the largest and best-preserved collection of ancient human skulls and bones in Britain). The bones are in a room built as part of the 13th-century extensions to the church. The room is sometimes known as the "crypt" but it is above-ground and can be visited from Easter to the end of September. The church is a wonderful example of how English parish churches have grown and changed through history, with a a variety of architectural styles and features. There are some remarkable medieval "pilgrim graffiti" in the church, too. The church is open during daylight hours every day.
Reviewed By debsc6784 - Hythe, United Kingdom
Me and a friend found this place while we were out exploring Hythe on a walk, fascinating little church with a lot of interesting history to it, the skulls are definitely worth a visit! Lovely that this little piece of history is tucked away in Hythe.
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