DAYSOUT
Blue Plaque Journeys cont ...
of Edith Appleton , nurse at the front line of World War I and impactful diarist of her time .
Further back along the coast and with a magnificent view of Deal ’ s glistening seafront is the country house of British surgeon and pioneer of antiseptic surgery , Joseph Lister , where his blue plaque is placed in remembrance for his outstanding medical advances that changed the course of history .
dealheritage . org . uk
MAKE A DAY OF IT :
Visit : Historical adventure at Walmer Castle , fresh sea air strolls along Deal Pier , sustainable shopping at Mrs Lang . Eat & Drink : Afternoon tea treats at The Lane , local produce creations at 81 Beach Street , Japanese-inspired eats at The Blue Pelican .
WEST MALLING
This medieval market town is yet another Kentish hotspot that has recently grown its collection of plaques through the endeavours of the community . Brought to life by resident Peter Cosier and led by the Malling Action Partnership working with Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council and Visit Kent , West Malling ’ s blue plaques can be discovered through a QR code ‘ Blue Plaque Trail ’ that ’ s been created for pleasant strolls around these remarkable sites .
Step back in time with a visit to St Mary ’ s Abbey on Swan Street , where the plaques of Gundulf , the Bishop of Rochester in 1077 , skilled architect and founder of the abbey , and Aretas Akers , who was born at St Mary ’ s in 1851 and later become a well-known political figure , proudly display West Mallings ’ transformation since its early findings .
Nestled throughout the town ’ s modernised high street stands the former school house which has educated the children of West Malling for over 300 years . The building today is decorated with the plaque of Frances Tress who , although little is known about him , is highly-regarded for his generous donations to the school in 1623 .
Nearby , fans of the iconic rock band formed in 1960 , The Beatles , will be delighted to visit the former town newsagents also on West Malling ’ s high street , where in 1967 the band filmed the start of the Magical Mystery Tour film , and where Ringo Starr can be seen going into the shop and purchasing tickets .
visitkent . co . uk / malling-blue-plaques
MAKE A DAY OF IT :
Visit : Peaceful explorations at St Leonard ’ s Tower , arty workshops at The Drawing Rooms , relish a woodland wander at Manor Park Country Park . Eat & Drink : Refreshing tipples at The Farm House , contemporary dishes at The Swan , an award-winning dining experience at Bowleys at The Plough .
CHATHAM & DARTFORD
Not to be missed when heading further up the county is The Historic Dockyard Chatham , one of the world ’ s most well-preserved dockyards of the Royal Navy that is now a top visitor attraction for family fun , maritime heritage and
enthralling artefacts . Highlighting its history and honouring its black heroes , the dockyard , in partnership with Medway African and Caribbean Association ( MACA ), and the Nubian Jak memorial trust , unveiled the plaque of Chatham Cuffay , who , after fleeing slavery and emigrating to Medway in 1772 , worked at Chatham Dockyard , and his son William Cuffay , born in 1788 , who was a chartist and a tailor .
A short drive from Chatham and boasting some of the most-well known devotions is the urban city of Dartford . Head towards the railway station to platform 2 and uncover the memory of renowned British rock band The Rolling Stones in the very spot where Mick Jagger and Keith Richards met on 17 October 1961 - a fitting commemoration of the very beginning of one of the most successful bands of all time .
Rounding off your adventure , moments away from the station is the buzzing high street where a plaque for pivotal English novelist Jane Austen , noted for her many Kent connections , is placed in commemoration of her stay at the former inn , The Bull and George , while visiting her brother .
dartford . gov . uk
MAKE A DAY OF IT :
Visit : Educational family days at The Historic Dockyard Chatham , immersive reenactments at Fort Amherst , marvellous productions at Orchard West Theatre . Eat & Drink : Global influenced dining at The Pumproom at Copper Rivet Distillery , a relaxing dine and stay at Rowhill Grange , waterfront drinks at Ship & Trades .
36 • www . insidekent . co . uk