KENTSTAYCATION
KENT ’ S HERITAGE COAST :
A Top Ten Region to Visit in 2022
BY OLIVIA RICCINI
CLAIMING 350 MILES OF BRITAIN ’ S MEANDERING COASTLINE , KENT IS HOME TO AN ARRAY OF DIVERSE BEACHES , TOWNS , CLIFFS AND MARSHES THAT SIT UPON THIS INTRIGUING AND ECLECTIC STRETCH OF LAND LIKE JEWELS IN A CROWN . MAKING UP THE MIDDLE PART OF THIS STRETCHING COASTLINE IS KENT ’ S HERITAGE COAST , WHICH INCLUDES THE STUNNING SHORELINES OF FOLKESTONE AND DOVER , THE UK ’ S ONLY DESTINATION TO FEATURE ON LONELY PLANET ’ S ILLUSTRIOUS ROUND-UP FOR TRAVEL IN THE NEW YEAR AHEAD .
Whether a tourist , traveller , geography buff , or none of the above , you will have no doubt heard of global travel authority Lonely Planet , the world ’ s most relied upon , trusted and revered travellers ’ guide to the earth . Fresh for 2022 , Lonely Planet have released their highly anticipated and esteemed list of the world ’ s best regions to visit , ‘ Best in Travel 2022 ’, which unveils the guide ’ s top ten countries , cities and regions to take a trip to in the new year . Sitting proudly at number four on the ‘ Top Ten Regions List ’, is Kent ’ s Heritage Coast .
Best in Travel 2022 is Lonely Planet ’ s 17th annual collection of the world ’ s most intriguing , beautiful and unique destinations , tipping adventure lovers with must-have travel experiences for the year ahead . Received from Lonely Planet ’ s vast community of staff , writers , and publishing partners , before being whittled down by a panel of travel experts , 2022 ’ s nominations include magnificent ‘ wonder of the world ’ style places . Kent ’ s Heritage Coast comes in at fourth place , after Iceland ’ s piercing blue waterfalls and seascapes of Westfjords ; the USA ’ s vast , sprawling green mountains of West Virginia ; and China ’ s tropical , temple-studded Xishuangbanna , which is rich in folklore , exotic plants and rare wildlife . Each destination having been chosen for its topicality , unique experiences , ‘ wow ’ factor , and ongoing commitment to sustainable tourism practices .
Kent ’ s Heritage Coast , part of the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty ( AONB ), was praised for its commitment to sustainable tourism initiatives , combined with the regeneration of the historic town of Dover and Creative Folkestone . Another reason for its placement in the list is down to plans to establish Kent ’ s Heritage Coast as a UNESCO Global Geopark , a geographic area upon which the art of combining conservation with sustainable development while involving local communities is practiced .
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