KENTSTAYCATION
Boating Breaks cont...
OVERLOOKING THE HARBOUR
Kent’ s position as the closest county to mainland Europe has meant that across centuries, trading hubs and cross-channel travel have been dependent on the county’ s accessible harbours. Across Kent, there are 19 harbours to explore, with some offering stays that immerse you in a relaxing setting where you can take in Kent’ s extensive maritime history.
Starting in the historic riverside town of Chatham, situated on the edge of the river Medway, the river runs through the town leading to the Chatham Maritime Marina( mdlmarinas. co. uk). The marina was built following the closure of the Royal Naval Dockyard in 1984, which had run for over 400 years.
A portion still survives and is preserved in The Historic Dockyard Chatham( thedockyard. co. uk). The site hosts a wealth of naval history, from the 16th-century military facility to the nowheritage site and museum. Discover three main warships, in particular the HMS Cavalier, a famous World War II C-class destroyer known for holding the unofficial speed record for the Royal Navy destroyer, alongside current tours of the Call the Midwife set, with the official location tour running until Saturday 31 October.
Heading across to the marina, the harbour’ s first-class services, with an established leisure and retail development, offer an array of attractions and on-the-water entertainment. Make your way to the Ships and Trades Pub & Hotel( shipandtradeschatham. co. uk); positioned on the edge of the marina, the waterfront location offers scenic harbour views. At the hotel, head to the dockside bar and restaurant where each dish is crafted by Shepherd Neame chefs and where you can enjoy haddock and chips, steak burgers, homemade sandwiches and locally caught fish from Whitstable.
At the end of the day, retire to one of the bespoke en-suite bedrooms. Boasting marina views and private waterfront balconies, each room is designed for a relaxing stay, bringing modern comforts and maritime history together for a serene harbour-side experience.
Moving across the county, head to Ramsgate Royal Harbour( ramsgateroyalharbour. co. uk), which is recognised as the only Royal Harbour in the UK since the late 19th century. The fishing settlement has evolved over the centuries; once serving as a major embarkation point for British troops during the Napoleonic Wars, it was also the main assembly point for Operation Dynamo, the evacuation of Dunkirk during World War II.
Heading along the seafront, you can explore the famous Ramsgate Tunnels( ramsgatetunnels. org) where you will descend into a world of living history. Discover the 150-year-old Victorian railway tunnel from 1863 and purpose-built air raid precaution tunnels, where thousands once took shelter during World War II.
Complete your historical stay at the Royal Harbour Hotel( royalharbourhotel. co. uk), which has far-reaching views across the harbour and out to the English Channel. Choose from panoramic suites, offering balconies that span the width of the townhouse hotel, with an en-suite shower room and a large double bed. Alternatively, for a shorter stay, why not relax in one of the cosy doubles overlooking the harbour, so you can feel close to Kent’ s maritime history?
ON THE WATER
THE BOATHOUSE
On the water, stays have continued to grow in popularity, offering the perfect blend of pure relaxation; time to turn off your phone and bring nature that little bit closer. For a short getaway or a week spent by the waterside, lake and river stays will always exceed expectations, offering a much-needed wellness retreat.
Starting off with a unique riverboat experience, Lady Florence is a picturesque Kent boathouse set on the River Medway in Maidstone. From the boat, you can see the nearby Allington Castle, a privately owned medieval fortress. Heading inside, the accommodation offers a modern, family-friendly escape, with room to sleep up to four people, a fully equipped self-catering kitchen and a bathroom with a fullsized shower. Enjoy spending time on the private terrace, looking out across the river as fellow boat dwellers meander past for an authentic on-the-water experience.
Heading across the county to Biddenden, discover a hidden gem nestled in the countryside. The Boathouse( plushhuts. co. uk) offers the perfect couple’ s escape; set on a lake, The Boathouse has panoramic windows with access to a glass-fronted wraparound veranda offering far-stretching views of the Weald of Kent, as well as a private hot tub and patio equipped with a BBQ and comfortable seating area.
The living area has an open-plan kitchen and sitting room, moving into a spacious bedroom with a double bed and French doors leading to the hot tub and patio area. While you’ re there, walks from The Boathouse offer the chance to see a common kingfisher resting by the water’ s edge or wild fallow and roe deer hiding in the wild undergrowth.
For those seeking pure relaxation, the luxury floating lodges on St Andrews Lakes( standrewslakes. co. uk) offer a collection of secluded lodges perched on the water. Surrounded by lush forests and clear blue waters, these lodges range from intimate two-person cabins to five-person lodges, ideal for couples and family staycations.
On the water, each lodge features private decking and a hot tub overlooking the lake, where you can enjoy an abundance of native wildlife to observe and easy access to watersport activities available on the lake. Heading inside, there is a spacious living area and panoramic windows, allowing you to savour the picturesque views from every angle of your water-led staycation. www. insidekent. co. uk • 75