Sandwich Town  

  • The Town Trail circuits the old town, with part of the route following the former town walls and ramparts. An easy 45-minute stroll.
  • Central Sandwich embraces a range of individual shops, pubs, cafes and restaurants, the river and its quay, hundreds of listed medieval buildings, Salutation House & Gardens and seal spotting trips by river bus.

Sandwich Bay 

  • Miles of unspoiled shingle and sand beach, nature reserves, Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory (with public bird hide and visitor workshops) and three top golf courses: Royal St George's Golf Club, Princes Golf Club and Cinque Ports Golf Club.
  • The bay may be reached either on foot or by toll road.

Sandwich surrounds  

  • At Richborough are the ruins of the fort used by the Romans to launch their invasion of Britain. It is easily walkable from Primrose Cottage.
  • Worth is a pretty nearby village with quaint old houses and a duck pond.
  • Much of the hinterland is drained Dutch style and criss-crossed by ditches and channels.
  • Three long distance footpaths pass through Sandwich: the Stour Valley Walk, Saxon Shore Way and the England Coast Path.

Canterbury 

  • A world-famous cathedral city with historic buildings, town walls, ruined castle, abbey, street market, river with boat trips, museums, eateries, the excellent Marlowe Theatre and a variety of independent shops and chain stores.
  • Go direct by bus, train or car.

Broadstairs area 

  • Broadstairs is a popular resort with an attractive little harbour. Cliff-top restaurants overlook the sands of Viking Bay.
  • A series of beautiful sandy beaches lie between Broadstairs and Margate, our favourites being Joss Bay, Kingsgate and Botany Bay. 

Deal & Walmer 

  • What to see? The pier, Deal Castle, Walmer Castle, a long promenade, fishing boats, Middle Street conservation zone, Astor Community Theatre, Timeball Tower, eating places, interesting niche shops and a Saturday bric-a-brac market.

Ramsgate 

  • Forgive the scruffy town centre and admire Ramsgate's jewels: its Regency terraces and Royal Harbour. Other places of interest include a big sandy beach, fish and chips, harbourside cafes, Pugin's Grange, the Granville Theatre and the Ramsgate Tunnnels.
  • Near Ramsgate is Manston, with its Spitfire & Hurricane Memorial and Museum (free entry).

Margate 

  • This traditional and faded seaside town has recently enjoyed regeneration of its old quarter, stimulated by the arrival of the Turner Contemporary Gallery and the restoration of Dreamland as a retro theme park. As a result, lots of interesting vintage shops, cafes and other small businesses - not to mention theatres, Shell Grotto and a huge beach - now make it a worthwhile visit. 
  • Avoid Mondays, when most shops are closed.

Kingsdown and St Margaret's Bay 

  • Kingsdown is a lesser known but picturesque village just south of Deal and Walmer. Its large shingle beach is fringed by cliffs. The Zetland Arms pub/restaurant sits right on the beach (booking essential in high season).
  • Further towards Dover is St Margaret's at Cliffe, a seaside village with a spectacular setting. Highlights include the Pines Gardens and the cliff-top walk to South Foreland lighthouse and Dover. The Coastguard pub/restaurant enjoys a shoreside setting. 

Goodnestone  

  • Goodnestone is an enchanting old village set between Sandwich and Canterbury. It is recommended for its wooded walks, a welcoming pub with beer garden and Goodnestone Park Gardens. 
  • Goodnestone Park is an 18th century stately home with grounds boasting a walled garden, woods, formal terracing, an arboretum and a cafe. Jane Austen was once a regular visitor to the house. 

Quex Park

  • Quex Park, near Birchington, is home to landscaped gardens and the Cotton-Powell museum. The highlight for some visitors will be the peaceful walled Victorian garden. For others it will be the sad but impressive taxidermy collection, gathered on an ancestor's African and Asian expeditions.

Pegwell Bay 

  • The shoreline between Sandwich and Ramsgate forms the Kent Wildlife Trust's Sandwich and Pegwell Bay national nature reserve. You will find a mixture of marshy and grassy land plus beach, which support a variety of bird life. 
  • Pegwell is where the Vikings first landed, as did St Augustine, who brought Christianity to Britain.  
  • The Belle Vue Tavern in Pegwell village offers panoramic views over the sea.

 

Other places 

  • Dover has an impressive castle (which includes the Secret Wartime Tunnels) plus, of course, the iconic white cliffs, museums and ferries to France.
  • Fordwich was Canterbury's port in the Middle Ages and the landing site for Caen stone to build the cathedral. The ancient Town Hall is worth seeing and there are also two nice riverside pubs. Photo: top left.
  • Whitstable is a trendy seaside town noted for its oysters, harbour with fish market, and a selection of independent shops.
  • The Kent Downs are designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Lovely rolling chalk land lies within the Dover/Ashford/Canterbury triangle. Noted beauty spots are the Devil's Kneading Trough (top right), Elham Valley and the village of Wye. 
  • Reculver, on the North Kent coast, is the site of a ruined Roman fort and later Saxon monastery. Photo: bottom left.
  • Zoo parks: Howlett's Zoo, Port Lympne Safari Park and Wingham Wildlife Park.
  • Folkestone (bottom right) is another town undergoing regeneration. See the artist's quarter, harbour and sandy beach.