DAYSOUT
Towns with a Twist!
IF YOU’ RE SEARCHING FOR SOMETHING A BIT DIFFERENT TO DO THIS SUMMER, LOOK NO FURTHER … WE’ VE ROUNDED UP KENT’ S QUIRKIEST TOWNS, ATTRACTIONS AND MOST UNUSUAL PLACES FOR YOU TO VISIT AND ENJOY! FROM DESTINATIONS WITH ECCENTRIC HISTORY AND ODD LANDMARKS TO FOLKLORIAN SIGNIFICANCE AND CREATIVE COMMUNITIES, HERE ARE THE LESSER-KNOWN RARITIES TO VISIT ACROSS THE COUNTY THIS MONTH.
DUNGENESS
Dungeness Beach, Dungeness thebeachguide. co. uk
Once known as the UK’ s only desert, Dungeness is a headland on the Kent coast formed mostly of a shingle beach, with a large area of lowlying land that’ s home to some of the county’ s rarest wildlife. Over 600 species of plants can be found within the borders of Dungeness, making up one third of all those found in England, and the landscape is nothing short of striking, with two looming power stations overlooking this desolate stretch of beach that seems to go on for forever.
Just a stone’ s throw from the shoreline, visitors can grab a bite of fish and chips at The Pilot Inn, which was originally constructed in 1633 out of the wrecked timbers of a Spanish ship named The Alfresia. Next to the inn, you’ ll find a sculpture of an airman looking up at the sky, with an information plaque serving as a poignant tribute to the airmen who lost their lives during World War II. Further along the beach, you’ ll also be able to see Prospect Cottage, the former home of artist, filmmaker and gay rights’ activist Derek Jarman( 1942- 1994). From the garden’ s poetic arrangement of plants to the treasures displayed within the cottage’ s walls, you can wander through the same rooms that Jarman’ s creative spirit once did. Between 9:30am-4pm until 7 December, make sure to pre-book a visit.
The Lady in the Woods, Otterden, Maidstone
A nine-foot oak sculpture nestled within the edge of a small Kentish woodland, The Lady in the Woods is shrouded in local mystery. Seemingly pregnant and faceless, with her hands clasped in prayer, it’ s thought that she represents the Christian icon of the Virgin Mary. Visiting The Lady in the Woods is a kind of pilgrimage, which visitors of Otterden’ s Kite Hill Woods in Maidstone can complete by following the public footpaths and passing by an overgrown railway track to reach the statue. According to legend, she was carved by an Eastern European soldier during World War II, though Otterden’ s village noticeboard tells a more believable story: that a student in the 70s came across a fallen oak tree within Kite Hill and tried his hand at woodcarving in the anonymity of the shrouded woodland.
Just a short drive away for those wanting to extend an adventurous day out in nature, Leeds Castle offers its own page in the local history books with plenty for visitors to learn and discover. Steeped in over 900 years of history, Leeds Castle is the perfect location for a historic tour or peaceful stroll through the grounds in the summer sunshine. www. insidekent. co. uk • 63