KENTSTAYCATION
KENT ’ S SPOOKIEST
SLEEPOVERS
FROM ANCIENT CRYPTS FULL OF BONES TO ROMAN TOWERS THAT SEEM TO WAIL IN THE WIND , KENT COMES SWATHED IN A RICH AND REVERBERATING PAST THAT ’ S SWARMED IN STORIES , MYTHS AND LEGENDS JUST WAITING TO BE DISCOVERED .
© Steve Hartridge Photography
ROCHESTER
Whether these spine-tingling tales of Kent are fact or simply folklore , they have cemented themselves firmly in the present , shaping some of the county ’ s most enthralling places to visit . With Halloween falling at the end of the month , there ’ s no better time to explore them than when the veil between this world and the next is at its thinnest . Whether you ’ re a believer in the supernatural , a devout sceptic , or somewhere in the middle , these places and the tales they conceal are undeniably thrilling , capturing our curiosity no matter what our beliefs might be . Alongside this sense of the surreal , we also seek sanctuary in October . Places in which we can find comfort and warmth amidst the mystery of our county are crucial . Crackling fireplaces , hearty meals and cosy cups of tea are undoubtedly essential this autumn , with a little added intrigue thrown in for good measure .
One of Kent ’ s most ancient and magnificent structures is Canterbury Cathedral . With building commencing around 597 AD , the cathedral is responsible for many of the city ’ s ghosts and stories . One such spectral character is said to be the ghost of St Thomas á Becket himself , who was martyred in 1170 by two knights . His death is the reason for thousands of pilgrims , right up to present day visiting the city , and the spot where he was murdered is still marked with a large welded cross made from two swords hanging above it . His ghost is said to wander through the cathedral cloisters and nearby Sun Street . Sitting outside the cathedral grounds was once the site of a pump that dripped water coloured a reddish-brown , which was said to be the blood of this ancient saint . Today , pilgrims to Canterbury ’ s visits can be played out much like those in the famous tales written by Chaucer . Enjoy a drink in The Shakespeare , a Shepherd Neame pub full of its own quirky intrigue , with narrow doorways , creaking floorboards , flickering candles and fine Kentish ale - just as the pilgrims would have done hundreds of years ago .
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