IN ASSOCIATION WITH
KENTSTAYCATION
KENT ’ S HERITAGE COAST CONT .
© Visit Kent
Dover Castle itself was also paid tribute to in Lonely Planet ’ s accreditation of Kent ’ s Heritage Coast , with the publication singling it out as a ‘ historical highlight ’ of the region . Perhaps one of the best preserved and most iconic of all English fortresses , Dover Castle can be seen for miles around and overlooks the surrounding town , countryside and ocean from its mighty throne-like position . Visit the castle from a much closer distance and delve into its intriguing , dramatic past that tells tales of knights , kings , queens and of battles fought , lost and won , plus much more of the castle and area ’ s rich historical tapestry . On Thursday 10th March , English Heritage Members can join expert historians on a walking tour of the castle with exclusive after-hours access and hear fascinating stories as they move between buildings which include Constable ' s Tower and Debtors Prison .
Nick Johannsen FLI , director of the Kent Downs Area Of Natural Beauty Unit said the organisation was “ honoured that Kent is flying the flag for sustainable tourism in the UK .” Johannsen also called the recognition , “ a real testament to the beauty of our landscape and a reminder of how important it is to tread lightly as we enjoy the countryside and coastline .” Although it must of course be done with a careful step , exploring Kent ’ s Heritage Coast will undoubtedly leave visitors in awe of just how breathtaking it ’ s natural beauty and magnificent scenery truly is .
A prime and perfect example of Kent ’ s Heritage Coast ’ s glorious landscape is Samphire Hoe ( www . samphirehoe . com ), which also showcases the county ’ s commitment to the preservation of wildlife and biodiversity . Created by Eurotunnel and managed with The White Cliffs County Partnership in 1997 , the time of the construction of the Channel Tunnel , Samphire Hoe is now a vast and extraordinary nature reserve home to a plethora of flora and fauna and one of the few places where one can truly appreciate the dramatic scenes of the White Cliffs . In line with plans to establish itself as a Global Geopark , Kent ’ s Heritage Coast has created a crosschannel collaboration with regions in France to protect shared nature and heritage such as Samphire Hoe , which will allow the coast to be recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site .
Sitting neatly between the two Kent Heritage Coastal towns of Folkestone and Dover is the village of Capel-Le-Ferne . Visitors to Capel-Le-Ferne can learn about the importance of Kent and its coastline in Britain ’ s WW2 victory at the Battle of Britain Memorial , a monument dedicated to aircrew who flew in this heroic battle . Venture further west and another dedication to nature and natural beauty can be found in the form of Folkestone ’ s East Cliff and Warren Country Park , a reserve formed by landslides and protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest .
Lonely Planet ’ s accolade to the Heritage Coast comes at a particularly pertinent time as the county ' s tourism and hospitality sector , worth a huge £ 4.1 billion to the local economy pre-pandemic , works to rebuild a vibrant and resilient industry for the future . Visit Kent , the county ’ s official destination management organisation , will shortly be launching a partnership with AccessAble to continue to improve accessibility across the county . This , along with plans to launch a sustainability pledge encouraging consumers to make small changes whilst visiting the destination , are two examples of the ongoing commitment from Kent ’ s tourism and hospitality industry to ensure that visitors receive a welcoming , inclusive , and enjoyable experience , whilst ensuring that travellers have a positive impact for the future . The Kent Downs AONB will soon launch new bookable sustainable rural tourism experiences and itineraries on their website for visitors to explore wellbeing in nature , delicious food and drink , outdoor adventures , transformative pilgrimage , relaxing tranquillity , family fun , and everything in between – all of which Kent ’ s Heritage Coast has in abundance .
In partnership with Kent Staycation and Visit Kent .
For more inspirational ideas for things to do in Kent , visit www . visitkent . co . uk .
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