Holiday rentals in Kent

Kent has a lot going on, from its rich pasture and rolling chalk downs to arty seaside towns and arguably the most famous white cliffs in the world. This southeastern county is also full of history, evinced in the cathedrals of Canterbury and Rochester, and the medieval streets of Cinque Port towns like Sandwich and Dover, and the Tudor splendour of Hever, Leeds, and Dover Castles (Henry VIII spent much time and money here). The conical roofs of its oasthouses are another traditional sight, responsible for drying the hops used to create some of England’s most beloved ales.

Nowadays you’ll also find award-winning vineyards side by side with the orchards that earned this region the nickname the Garden of England. On the coast, quiet fishing villages like Whitstable, famed for its oysters, are interspersed with livelier resort towns such as Ramsgate and Broadstairs, while Margate has become a destination not just for its family attractions but its contemporary art scene.

Kent’s floral beauty lights up the countryside from early spring, from the moment the bluebells come out and carpet its woodlands. It’s a lovely time to stay in one of the area’s holiday cottages and witness the county’s May Day celebrations. It’s also not as busy as the summer, when the attractions and beaches begin to draw big crowds. June to September bring the warmest temperatures and inspire a number of major music festivals across the region. Whitstable’s colourful Oyster Festival is held in July, and autumn brings its own celebrations of local produce, with a number of food, beer, and real ale festivals across the county. Come winter, Advent and Christmas services at Canterbury Cathedral are a major tradition, as is the Boxing Day Dip in the sea at Folkestone and Dover.

Deal

Considered one of the best places to live in Kent, Deal is a quirky maze of streets packed with fishermen’s cottages and Georgian townhouses fronted by a pretty seafront. Two neighbouring castles — Deal and Walmer — reflect its long history as a fortress town, while its promenade and pier bear the hallmarks of 1950s Britain.

Dungeness

Different from everything else in Kent — and, arguably the rest of England — this marshy headland is utterly mesmerising. Its lighthouse and decommissioned power station add to the surreal surroundings, as does Prospect Cottage, a quirky cottage and wild garden owned by a famous local filmmaker.

Tunbridge Wells

This spa town was particularly popular with the Georgians, and it’s still a smart place to shop, eat, and relax. It has its own steam train, which runs along the Spa Valley Railway. It’s also a great starting point to explore the High Weald, the scenic area of woods and ancient farmland that surrounds it.