Must Visit Kent 2022 | Page 48

WEST KENT

Fill your lungs with a deep breath of fresh air , feel your mind still in the lush countryside and wide open spaces of West Kent and sink into the tranquillity , calm and history of this beautiful part of the Garden of England .

OPEN SPACE AND ROLLING HILLS The region ’ s rolling hills are dotted with towns rich in heraldry and nostalgia such as Tenterden , Royal Tunbridge Wells , Sevenoaks and Tonbridge all waiting to be discovered . The beautiful area is ripe with tasty and local produce too , including some of England ’ s most vibrant vineyards , all delicately tied by romantic villages and must-see heritage sites .
VIBRANT VINEYARDS AND WONDERFUL WINERIES The West Kent region is famous for its award-winning sparkling wine , so why not take a tour of one of the many beautiful vineyards . The Wine Garden of England is home to numerous excellent wineries across Kent but head to Chapel Down , Hush Heath Estate and Gusbourne Estate which are all in easy reach and offer fascinating tours and tastings , alfresco terrace dining and stunning scenery .
JOURNEY AROUND HEROIC HISTORY AND CAPTIVATING CASTLES At the heart of the Garden of England lies Kent ’ s county town , Maidstone , home to captivating Leeds Castle . Take a stroll round its opulent rooms to reveal the fascinating stories of six English queens .
Enchantingly beautiful , 13thcentury Hever Castle lies in Edenbridge boasting glorious gardens , two romantic moats and luxurious accommodation . Nearby , discover picture-perfect Sissinghurst Castle and Gardens , and take a stroll around years of fascinating English history at Tonbridge Castle .
FABULOUSLY FRESH AND LOVINGLY LOCAL With a huge range of fresh , homegrown produce , eating local has never tasted so good . Be spoilt for choice with a local and seasonal menu at The West House in Biddenden , delicious traditional dining at The Milk House in Sissinghurst , gastropub excellence in the awardwinning Goudhurst Inn or fine dining at Chapel Down ’ s on-site restaurant at The Swan . Britain ’ s oldest brewer Shepherd Neame also has a huge range of excellent pubs and accommodation across the region including the characterful Five Bells near Sevenoaks and the homely Foresters Arms in Tonbridge .
DISCOVER THE TOWNS The quaint spa town of Royal Tunbridge Wells offers a quintessentially Kentish town at its best and is perfect for an afternoon browsing the chic independent shops of the colonnaded Pantiles and High Street . In Maidstone , head to Maidstone Museum which is home to the excellent Ancient Lives exhibition , delving into the lives of the Egyptians and Greeks . Sail along The River Medway on The Kentish Lady before docking and heading to picturesque Tenterden - a
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