Must Visit Kent 2022 | Page 28

NORTH KENT

Spark your curiosity as you discover some of Kent ’ s best-kept secrets and hidden gems in the north of the county . Full of surprises at every turn , it ’ s an exciting time to explore the area in a completely new light . North Kent is home to the towns of Rochester , Chatham , Faversham , Gillingham , Gravesend and the coastal towns of the Isle of Sheppey , which all continue to surprise and delight visitors . Rich in river heritage , steeped in history and abundant with incredible local produce , the area is ripe for the taking …

HISTORIC SIGHTS Head to The Historic Dockyard Chatham for dramatic exhibits including a Victorian sloop and a Cold War submarine . In Gillingham , the compelling Royal Engineers Museum reveals an absorbing heritage and Fort Amherst is Britain ’ s largest Napoleonic fortress .
Walk through the pages of history at Rochester Cathedral , a church that has been celebrating Christian worship since 604 AD . With its breathtaking architecture , beautifully refurbished crypt and stunning library collection , it ’ s not to be missed . Nearby Gravesend has links with the far-flung shores of America as the burial place of the iconic Pocahontas . Visit her final resting place and let her statue tell you the true story of her journey from Virginia to Gravesend .
North Kent is also perfect for exploring the literary connections of Charles Dickens , with Gad ’ s Hill Place in Higham once being his place of residence , the buildings of Rochester often making their way into his novels and The Leather Bottle in Cobham having been one of his favourite watering holes .
Faversham boasts an impressive reputation for fine food and excellent local produce and is well worth a trip to tantalise those taste buds . Nearby , Gravesend ’ s Borough Market is the perfect stop off for everything from crafts to street food and sensational seasonal events .
Head to Faversham ’ s Macknade Fine Foods , a leading food hall for everything from craft beers to exotic fruit and fresh bread to local wines . Make sure you stop for brunch or lunch at the excellent onsite café and check out the hundreds of delicious cheeses at the delicatessen . Also in Faversham is the Brogdale Collections , home of the National Fruit Collection and set in 150 acres of Kentish farmland . Take an expert guided tour of the bountiful orchards , or join in with the fruit picking .
North Kent leaves you spoiled for choice with an excellent range of restaurants , bars and gastro pubs . Head to local brewery Shepherd Neame ’ s The Sun Inn ( or any one of Shepherd Neame ’ s delightful pubs for that matter ) where centuries of stories await . Looking for something a little different ? Micropub , The Admiral ’ s Arm in Queenborough on the Isle of Sheppey offers the perfect taste of tradition and history .
BEAUTIFUL BEACHES A little-known secret , North Kent is home to many Blue-Flag awardwinning beaches on the beautiful Isle of Sheppey . Dubbed Kent ’ s ‘ Treasure Island ’, the Isle of Sheppey offers adventure , escape and unspoilt serene beaches just waiting to be discovered . Head to Leysdown Beach for family friendly sands and traditional seaside amusements or grab an ice cream
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