DAYSOUT
FAST TRACK TO KENT
Southeastern Days Out
It can be said that the beauty of rail travel lies not only in the journey itself but also in its unrivalled versatility. A trip can be a leisurely experience or a prompt, no-fuss escape, depending on the occasion.
This brings us to the modernised world of rail travel: Southeastern Railway( southeasternrailway. co. uk). Offering direct journeys, short wait times and easy access to almost every corner of the county, its three key routes running through Kent make exploring effortless. Whether you’ re in search of a seaside escape or a historical adventure, Southeastern Railway has you covered.
Did you know?
Southeastern’ s High Speed 1( HS1) is the UK’ s fastest domestic train service. The aptly named Javelin travels directly from St. Pancras International to Ashford International in just 38 minutes; quick indeed!
Sevenoaks to Dover
Fancy a trip uncovering Kent’ s history? Set off on the South Eastern Main Line, beginning in the historic town of Sevenoaks. En route to the station, stop by Buntastic for a speciality coffee and one of its fresh cinnamon buns- the perfect way to start the morning( buntasticsevenoaks).
Once aboard, settle into your seat, charge your devices and enjoy the built-in air conditioning, not to be taken for granted after this summer’ s heatwave! For those picture-worthy moments, the carriage’ s large windows offer stretching views across Kent’ s countryside, passing open farmland near Tonbridge, the bustling platforms of Kent’ s busiest station Ashford International and glimpses of Folkestone Central’ s suburban scene before arriving at Dover Priory.
Stepping off the platform, visitors will find themselves on the eastern end of the South Eastern Main Line. From the station, a steady 20-minute walk uphill leads to the iconic Dover Castle( english-heritage. org. uk), standing proudly above the worldfamous White Cliffs of Dover. Recognised as England’ s mightiest castle, Dover Castle has guarded The Channel coastline for centuries.
Wander through formidable walls, built from Kentish ragstone and Folkestone greensand, before uncovering stories stretching from Roman Britain and the Second World War. Beneath the fortress, a labyrinth of wartime tunnels waits to be explored, bringing centuries of history to life with interactive displays and guided tours.
Did you know?
The South Eastern Main Line has 17 stops across Kent, including Sevenoaks, Headcorn and Folkestone West, and finishes at Dover Priory.
Chatham to Margate
Start the day in Chatham, a bustling market town on the edge of the River Medway, where centuries of history are never too far away. Before stepping aboard the Chatham Main Line, make time to visit one of its must-see attractions, Fort Amherst( fortamherst. com).
Recognised as Britain’ s biggest and arguably best Napoleonic fort, a quick stop-off will immerse visitors in a maze of underground defensive tunnels. Step back in time and discover what life was like for Napoleonic soldiers while learning about the fort’ s role in defending the Medway during both the First and Second World Wars.
After your historical discovery, make your way to Chatham station and hop aboard the train. A sleek interior and a journey of just 58 minutes, the route follows Kent’ s north coast, passing by the cobbled streets of Faversham before offering glimpses of the North Sea as it travels through Whitstable and Herne Bay, arriving at the vibrant seaside town of Margate.
Stepping out of Margate station, you’ re greeted by salty sea air and a traditional seaside atmosphere. Margate Main Sands stretches out before you and sitting beside the beach is the striking Turner Contemporary( turnercontemporary. org), where modern architecture provides a dramatic contrast to the town’ s historic charm. Its minimalist design and opaque glass exterior catch the ever-changing coastal light, creating shimmering reflections that shift throughout the day.
Inside, discover bright, open galleries showcasing a rotating programme of exhibitions. Visitors can also take part in the Open Drawing Studio, where both experienced artists and beginners are invited to explore the joy of drawing through workshops and drop-in sessions.
After your creative session, it’ s safe to say Margate isn’ t short of great places to eat. A leisurely 15-minute walk through the historic Old Town and High Street leads to The Good Egg( thegoodegg. co), where Middle Eastern-inspired dishes take centre stage. From generously filled sandwiches to vibrant green shakshouka brimming with spiced lentils, spinach and garlic yogurt, it’ s the perfect way to round off a creativity inspired day out by rail.
Did you know?
The Chatham Main Line runs through such a narrow rock cutting between Chatham and Fort Pitt Tunnel that the station’ s original buildings were constructed on the road bridge above the tracks, rather than alongside the railway.
SOUTHEASTERN’ S JAVELIN
www. insidekent. co. uk • 49