Gourmet Garden Trails of Kent

Kent

With its sweeping coastline and rolling countryside, Kent has long been a favourite spot for lovers of spectacular cuisine and beautiful gardens, but don’t just take our word for it, discover the Garden of England for yourself.

Kent is home to some of the finest vineyards in the country - a glass or two is the perfect way to round off a day exploring

With 350 miles of coastline seafood lovers are in for a treat - a Whitstable oyster is a must!

They don't call it the Garden of England for nothing - come and explore some of the glorious gardens and grounds in the pretty county

Itineraries in Kent

Our planned itineraries are the easiest way to discover exciting attractions and places to stay. Explore itineraries by theme, and choose which places that fit your budget or length of stay...

Browse all itineraries

Featured attractions

From guided tours of gardens, to five star dining and unique spots to rest your head, choose from our selection of days out and places to stay, and start planning your adventure.

Browse all attractions Browse all accommodation
Gardens

Hever Castle & Gardens

Discover magnificent award-winning gardens set in 125 acres of glorious grounds at Hever Castle. Dating back to the 13th century, the romantic double-moated Castle was once the childhood home of Anne Boleyn.

Experience

Wine Tours of Kent

Wine Tours of Kent offers tours and visits across some of Kent's finest vineyards and wine producers

Restaurant

Macknade Ashford

Macknade Ashford is open every day and guests can shop from an extensive range of fresh produce, groceries, wine & cheese or enjoy dishes and drinks in the restaurant.

Experience

Shepherd Neame Brewery

Discover the secrets of Britain’s oldest brewer, take a tour of the historic brewery, learn about the ancient art of brewing & taste Kentish ales & lagers.

About Kent

When it comes to gourmet, Kent’s landscape is renowned for Whitstable oysters fresh from the coast, Romney Marsh lamb, delicious strawberries, fresh asparagus and Kent cobnuts. What’s more you’ll find all of this fantastic fayre in its three Michelin starred restaurants, farmers’ markets and gastropubs across the county.

For the perfect accompaniment to Kent’s gastronomic delights, we recommend the locally produced beer, fresh from Kent’s breweries, where you can tour and taste to your heart’s content. Or why not tour one of Kent’s many vineyards? Boasting one of the most exciting wine regions in the world, Kent’s Wine Garden of England produces an exceptional range of award-winning wines, so be sure to tour the vineyards and raise a glass to their produce.

Curious about Kent’s gardens? The Garden of England title is a clue as to what’s in store on a tour of this glorious region. Kent has long been the home of statesmen and royalty, boasting castles and estates from the likes of Leeds Castle, to Sissinghurst Castle and, much like the historic houses they surround, the gardens are a must-see. Take a tour and discover vibrant woodland in autumn, crisp, frosted landscapes in winter, beautiful cherry blossom in spring and heavenly rose gardens come summer. 

Getting here and around

Kent is one of most easily accessible counties in England, having the quickest and most direct links to the European continent. You can access Kent, arriving by:

  • Eurotunnel linking Calais in France to Folkestone in Kent, with the crossing taking just 30 minutes
  • P&O Ferries - offering a beautiful arrival taking in the White Cliffs to Dover, taking just 90 minutes from Calais

Getting around in Kent is simple and stress free. Being on the border with London means that it’s very easy to get from the capital and throughout Kent when you are here.

  • With Southeastern trains, you can reach UNESCO World Heritage site Canterbury in 55 minutes, or Ashford in the centre of Kent within 38 minutes from London. Once in the county, there are countless train stations dotted around to explore each corner - from Margate to Sevenoaks
  • By car, you can get to Maidstone in 1 hour 10 minutes by road from central London  Once in Kent, there are major M roads that cross the county, connecting the major centres and countless beautiful A and B roads and of course the small village lanes that offer rural, remote beauty

Don't think this region is right for you?
There's plenty of other destinations to explore!...

See all destinations