Home to historic towns, wild coastlines and beautiful countryside, Kent is a magnificent place to discover. A hugely popular UK destination, Kent offers a broad range of accommodation options, from imposing country house hotels to cosy city B&Bs. Whether you’re a keen golfer, an intrigued foodie, a couple in search of a romantic rural escape or a family ready to unwind by the seaside, our pick of the best places to stay in Kent promises something superb.
Some of our Kent collections:
Culture and history enthusiasts will find Kent packed with delights. Explore Canterbury, Sandwich and Royal Tunbridge Wells for wonderful architecture, galleries, museums, lively eateries and great independent boutiques, or step back into the past at impressive Hever Castle. In addition to the county’s fascinating Viking history, Kent has also served as the backdrop to several literary masterpieces — including Dickens’ David Copperfield and Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales — and inspired the likes of Tracey Emin and JMW Turner, whose work is celebrated at the Turner Contemporary Gallery in Margate.
If it’s flowers and foliage that you’re after, the Garden of England won’t disappoint. Highlights include Sissinghurst Castle Garden, amongst a number of National Trust properties and wildlife reserves. Ramble around an area of outstanding natural beauty, cycle the Viking coastal trail, or play 18 holes at Royal St George’s Golf Club in Sandwich, widely regarded as one of the top courses in the country.
Kent also has its fair share of quality gastro pubs — some of which boast characterful rooms upstairs -- which pride themselves on serving fabulous fare and award-winning ales. The Shepherd Neame brewery in Faversham is a must-visit for lovers of a good tipple, whilst the low Weald is the place to be for wine drinkers, with the wonderful Chapel Down and Biddenden vineyards offering private tours and tastings.
For a timeless seaside holiday, look to base yourself in Ramsgate, trendy Margate — also great for kitesurfing — or charming Whitstable, the perfect place to tuck into world-famous oysters before ambling along the lovely high street in search of trinkets and treasures.
As the gateway to France, with ferries from Dover and the Channel Tunnel at Folkestone, Kent is also an excellent place to stop for a couple of nights before heading off on a European adventure. The best places to stay in Kent are characterful and historic — whether hidden in a renovated fire station, a pretty cottage or a beautiful red-brick manor house. If you’re after a luxurious rural hideaway, a cool city break or a taste of the salty sea air, Kent has it all.