10 Great Reasons To Visit East Kent
As the weather warms up and we plan to get out and about more, Index Digital takes a look at the wonderful places to go and things to see in this corner of the Garden of England.
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Margate Old Town
You will find a gem of a place to visit at Margate Old Town with its independent shops, cafes, restaurants and galleries. Step away from the beachfront and harbour and enter cobbled streets where you can immerse yourself in the works of local artists in places such as Pie Factory Margate which has a changing programme of exhibitions throughout the year, or The Eclectic Gallery showcasing local artists' original paintings, jewellery, photography and ceramics. Next, pop along to The Old Kent Market, a former cinema refurbished into a community hub, which has something for everyone where you can buy freshly baked bread, enjoy cuisines from around the world, see art and visit the UK's smallest pub The Little Prince. You can also find out a little bit about the history of this seaside town at Margate Museum. Then if you need to take a break and enjoy a coffee or refuel with a bite to eat there are a variety of independent cafes and restaurants to choose from.
Whitstable Harbour
Whitstable Harbour is a charming working marina with a yacht club set in the unique and quirky fishing town. There are restaurants and a crafts market to be explored plus outlets where you can buy fresh fish. Harbour Market Whitstable is “an open-air showcase of locally-created, British-made, premium and hand-crafted goods and fine art”. With something for everyone, there you can enjoy the “paintings, drawings, prints and photography of artists settled alongside skilled craftspeople, who feature an eclectic roster of distinctive goods, including jewellery, wrought iron work, ceramics, textiles and furniture” and if you get peckish there are micro eateries serving a variety of food. The town is famous for it's Oyster Festival held annually in July and you can try them for yourself at the local restaurants and pubs or take some home from the fresh fish market at the harbour. The town also has farmer’s markets where most food is organic and all stalls are local from a 30-mile radius of the town.
The Goods Shed, Canterbury
The Goods Shed in Canterbury is a farmer’s market, food hall and restaurant all rolled into one. The farmer’s market has been showcasing local produce and fine foods from a variety of independent suppliers since 2002, and includes a vegetable stall, butchers and fishmongers, plus wines from independent importers as well as British bottled beers. You can also grab a bite to eat there from rustic pies and gourmet sandwiches to cocktails and small plates, and they say you can enjoy the flavours and atmosphere of The Goods Shed in a laid-back market setting. So you can browse the market, try some of their delicious fares and then take some tasty treats home with you! For a more formal dining affair, the restaurant offers a “compact, seasonal menu which constantly changes, using the best local ingredients the market has to offer", with dishes prepared and cooked from the open kitchen, or outside on the grill and you have the choice of eating in the naturally-lit restaurant overlooking the market, or in the rambling garden.
Canterbury Cathedral and City Centre
It may seem obvious, but Canterbury Cathedral really is a must on your exploration of East Kent. Here you can discover the precincts, gardens, and 1,400 years of history at England’s first Cathedral with their tours. The Inside Story tour will tell you the history of the cathedral as you get to marvel at its architecture and glorious spaces, while they also have a Through the Stained Glass Window Tour where you can discover the stories of the oldest stained glass windows in the world as well as those of the 20th century windows. Stepping out into the city itself there is so much to discover – independent shops, cafes and restaurants with the backdrop of beautiful historic architecture. There is something for everyone in the city – for the latest in high street trends head to Whitefriars, then for something a little different there’s the King’s Mile (with its famous leaning building), the foodie quarter is in St Dunstan’s, the Castle Quarter houses the city’s own brewery, The Foundry, and the eclectic Cathedral Quarter is filled with independent shops from art and gifts to clothes and vinyl. Plus don’t forget to visit Westgate Gardens where you can take part in a spot of punting on the river!
Maritime Heritage
East Kent is rich in maritime heritage with lots of attractions to visit. Put on your list Deal Museum, where it’s ground floor celebrates the town’s maritime history offering the chance to find out about smuggling in the 18th century, see the many incarnations of the pier and its collection of life jackets of national importance. At Ramsgate Maritime Museum, you will find four galleries of exhibits telling the maritime history of the area with permanent displays on the development of the harbour, navigation, fishing, lifeboats and shipwrecks, plus the Gallery Room, which is now an exhibition space with ever-changing displays and events. They also say “the museum building is an exhibit in its own right, being the product of some of the most eminent civil engineers and architects of the early 19th century”.
You can also head to Dover Museum & Bronze Age Boat Gallery where you will learn about the town’s history from the Stone Age to the Saxons and see six scale models of the growing town and port since Medieval times surrounded by cases of the best of the museum’s collections. The remains of a prehistoric wooden boat thought to be some 3,500 years old were discovered in Dover in 1992 and the gallery tells the story of this important find and its implications for understanding the Bronze Age. And don’t miss out on the chance to visit The Historic Dockyard Chatham where you can return to the ‘Age of Sail’ when the Dockyard built mighty ships that mastered the world’s oceans. Test your sea legs on HMS Ocelot, a Cold War Submarine; explore HMS Cavalier, a Second World War Destroyer and walk the deck of HMS Gannet. Plus you can watch the Master Ropemakers at work and explore the new Ropery gallery.
The White Cliffs of Dover & Capel-le-Ferne
The White Cliffs of Dover is an iconic landmark, with spectacular views overlooking the English Channel. Key points of interest here are the South Foreland Lighthouse, the Fan Bay Deep Shelter – a network of tunnels created in 1941-41 to provide soldiers with accommodation – and its Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Special Area of Conservation with its cattle and Exmoor ponies. There is also a play area for the kids and when you need a well-earned rest head to the café with its stunning views of the docks and sea. For walkers, head to the Saxon Shore Way which runs along the clifftops for the length of the site owned by the National Trust. While in the area, head to Capel-le-Ferne, perched atop the cliffs, where more walking opportunities lie with stunning views. Make a visit to the Battle of Britain Memorial where The National Memorial to the Few is dedicated to the heroic and selfless deeds of the men who won the Battle of Britain, where you will find the central statue as the focal point of the site which also has a visitor centre and memorial wall.
Folkestone Harbour Arm
Enjoy a world-class view from Folkestone as you take a walk down the promenade of the restored harbour arm. It reopened as a public visitor attraction in 2016 with just six food and drink businesses and now has more than 60 independent businesses making it a centre for food, drink and entertainment in Kent. At Folkestone Harbour Arm you will find The Goods Yard, a more sheltered space home to the Harbour Screen with its programme of film and sports, and an eclectic mix of Food and Drink businesses, plus there is also ‘Beachside’ – a relaxed, oasis-like environment, home to two businesses serving directly onto the beach. This year their Harbourside venture aims to offers a new quayside dining experience where upcycled shipping containers will offer indoor seating meaning it can be a year-round attraction. As if you needed another reason to visit, there is also now a 12-hole adventure golf course and café set right into the beach for visitors to enjoy.
Dungeness
Formed largely of a shingle beach, Dungeness has become a photographer’s paradise for its desolate and beautiful landscape and wonderful sunsets – but there is much more there for visitors to enjoy. Go for a walk along the vast beach which is Britain’s only desert, spend some time spotting the variety of birds found there, head to the Old Lighthouse and take in the unique views from the Grade II listed building, pop along to the nearby artists’ studios and galleries or make a pilgrimage to Derek Jarman’s garden at Prospect Cottage. To see more of the surrounding area you can hop on the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway from its station in Dungeness. While you are in the town make a visit to RSPB Dungeness with its variety of habitats to explore – star species to keep an eye out for include bittern, little ringer plover, marsh harrier and the bearded tit at this migration hotspot. And being a fishing town, don’t miss the opportunity to try out the delightful seafood on offer.
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Ramsgate Harbour
Another reason to visit East Kent is the cosmopolitan Ramsgate Harbour, a historic waterfront with a number of attractions for all ages. Take a seat in one of the al fresco cafes and relax in this waterside location, or hop on a boat and take a trip around the harbour. For wildlife lovers there’s the opportunity to visit the seals, or you can always try a spot of fishing. And once you have worked up an appetite there are a variety of restaurants and bars to choose from. The only Royal Harbour in the country, it celebrated 200 years of its title in 2021 and it is a stunning setting to see the boats and yachts at this working port and marina. You can also take an audio tour of the harbour from the lighthouse and then have a well earned break at the Royal Harbour Brasserie where the tour ends.
Vineyards & Breweries
England can be very proud of its wine and beer industry’s growing reputation and East Kent is home to some vineyards and breweries well worth a visit. Simpsons Wine Estate, in Canterbury, sits in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and was established in Elham Valley in 2014 – when they planted the first 10 hectares of Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir. Over 2016-2017 they then went on to plant a further 20 hectares. Each vine on the estate has been planted and nurtured by them on this vineyard which is perfectly situated on the slopes of the North Downs of Kent. Head there for one of their wine tastings sessions, a tour and tasting or a sunset session. The original Gusbourne Estate in Appledore dates back to 1410 but it was in 2004 that Andrew Weeber took over the estate with a vision “to create English sparkling wines that would stand up alongside the very finest offerings from across the globe”. Gusbourne Estate offer a variety of tours and special events and even the chance to picnic in the estate.
For beer lovers, there is Faversham brewery Shepherd Neame, where you can book an award-winning tour of the site to learn about the ancient art of brewing at Britain’s oldest brewery. You will be able to see “brewing and fermentation vessels; taste natural mineral water from the brewery’s well; try some malted barley and smell locally-grown Kentish hops”. The head to the Visitor Centre for a tutored tasting of Shepherd Neame’s Kentish ales and speciality lagers. Brewing award-winning beers in a state-of-the-art brewing facility and bringing you the very best premium craft beers and ciders is the Curious Brewery in Ashford, where you can book a tour to find out its history, story and what goes into making the award-winning beers and ciders. Or head to their Curious Taproom & Restaurant – situated above the brewery is a beautiful first-floor 120-seater restaurant that has a looking glass over the brewery so you can feast your eyes where all of the hard work takes place. Brewery tours are also available at Ramsgate Brewery which also holds special events such as the Easter Beer Festival on Friday 7th & Saturday 8th April, alternatively the Brewery Taproom is also available for private hire.
Dates for the diary
31st March – 2nd April: Medway Food & Drink Festival 2023
A new foodie festival will be cooking up a storm in Medway this Easter! Street foods, bars of distinction, al fresco dining, live music, children's entertainment, select grocery food & craft all served up with big helpings of humour, colour and character for a fun-packed weekend. It is taking place from Friday, 31st March to Sunday, 2nd April, at one of Medway’s most picturesque locations, Rochester Castle gardens.
• Visit https://www.zoomevents.co.uk/medway-food-drink-festival/
7th-16th July: Deal Music & Arts Festival
This group brings together music and arts lovers from far and wide to enjoy concerts and other events from world-class artists in an eclectic selection of special and frequently intimate venues and historic settings. Deal Music & Arts’ annual summer festival is recognised as a landmark amongst English arts festivals and it is a treasured East Kent institution.
• Visit https://dealmusicandarts.com/about/
21st October – 4th November: Canterbury Festival
Canterbury Festival will return from 21st October to 4th November 2023 for a two-week extravaganza of music, performance, talks, family events, science and more in the heart of Kent. Canterbury Festival activities also take place throughout the year including the Fesival Chamber Orchestra at Canterbury Cathedral Lodge on 19th March and Canterbury Choral Society perform Brahms: Requiem on Saturday 17th June, in Canterbury Cathedral.
• Visit https://canterburyfestival.co.uk
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