DAYSOUT
CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL
LITERALLY LITERATURE
KENT : EUROPE ’ S GATEWAY ; A HISTORIC CROSSROADS WHERE FASCINATING TALES UNFOLD AND WHERE COUNTLESS TRAVELLERS WHO CONQUERED ITS BORDERS SPRANG FORTH AND INSPIRED SOME OF THE WORLD ’ S BELOVED FICTION , POETRY AND PLAYS .
Kent ’ s jagged cliffs , sweeping beaches , vast countryside , enigmatic marshlands and age-old towns have all served as a canvas for some of the world ’ s most imaginative minds over the centuries . Amidst intriguing characters and real-life stories , they crafted a splendid legacy that not only continues to inspire future generations but also captures Kent in a bewitching glow forever on paper . In The Garden of England , reality and the magic of imagination seamlessly intertwine , painting Kent in enchanting tableaus for all to behold through the power of words .
So like any story , let ’ s start at the beginning . In the year 1170 , the stone walls of Canterbury Cathedral bore witness to the martyrdom of Archbishop Thomas á Becket , who was then declared a saint . In the aftermath , his shrine emerged as a spiritual mecca , drawing Christian pilgrims from every corner of the globe for centuries to come . Inspired by the echoes of these pilgrimages , it was Geoffrey Chaucer , a literary luminary of the Middle Ages , who composed his magnum opus - the renowned Canterbury Tales .
Fast forward to the year 2024 , and Canterbury beckons with an invitation for modern-day pilgrims . For those eager to tread in the same footsteps as Chaucer ’ s characters and witness the ancient monuments that once captivated his medieval counterparts , the journey has evolved into a more luxurious and stylish experience . In this contemporary era , Canterbury Cathedral Lodge stands as the quintessential choice for city centre accommodations . Here , the awe-inspiring cathedral is not just a sight in the distance , it really is on your doorstep .
Basking in the presence of yet another majestic cathedral , Rochester unfolds as a town that played muse to one of Britain ’ s most treasured literary luminaries : Charles Dickens . It was in Medway , amidst the shadows of its historic structures , that Dickens ’ most formative years took root , and it is this very place that breathed life into some of his most indelible characters and settings . Delving into the intricate tapestry of Dickens ’ life and literary creations becomes an immersive experience at The Making of Mr Dickens - a permanent exhibition within The Guildhall Museum in Rochester .
As well as the bustling streets of Victorian Rochester , the eerie quietness of the Romney Marsh was also to set Dickens ’ imagination alight . The opening scenes of Great Expectations describes them as : “ A dark flat wilderness , intersected with dykes and mounds and gates , with scattered cattle feeding on it . The low leaden line of the river and the distant savage lair from which the wind was rushing , the sea .” This unearthly scene can be visited to this very day , the churchyard at Cooling thought to be the meeting place of Pip and convict Magwitch . To really absorb the magic of the marsh , stay at Romney Marsh Shepherds Huts under wide open starry skies and creeping marsh mists , cosy and warm in the comfort of a luxury space with all the modern amenities you could need .
Another illustrious figure of British literature that found inspiration from Kent ’ s breathtaking landscapes was Jane Austen . Captivated by the grandeur of Kent ’ s countryside , she immortalised her visits to family and friends in the county ’ s spectacular stately homes within the pages of several novels . A particular gem among these grand houses is Goodnestone Park ,
33 www . insidekent . co . uk •