Discover Kent

With its stunning stretch of serene coastline, quintessential castles steeped in ancient history, pretty villages, lively towns and some of England’s finest gardens, this is Dream Escape's very best picks when visiting Kent.

The Garden of England, as Kent is frequently called, is just a hop and a skip away from London, yet it is a county of contrasts, with some of the finest country experiences possible. Dream Escape can curate a sublime selection of experiences, encompassing Kent's ancient castles, magnificent houses and seriously gorgeous gardens. The vineyards suggested are also home to some of the finest award-winning wines from the area, so do not miss sampling a world-class tipple when you visit.

Sailing off Kent Coast

CHARTWELL HOUSE AND GARDEN

The magnificent and imposing home of the late Sir Winston Churchill who led Britain to victory in WWII was purchased in 1922. Churchill occupied the house until his death in 1965. Churchill’s granddaughter, Celia Sandys, remembers her time at Chartwell. “It was simply wonderful spending time with my grandpa there, as that was when he was at his most relaxed. And I adored going on holiday with him to the South of France. We were even invited by Artistotle [billionaire shipowner Aristotle Onassis] and his wife to spend time with them on their super yacht, the Christina O”. Dream Escape can arrange an exclusive meeting with Sandys for those with serious interest.

PENSHURST PLACE

A stately historic home dating back to the Tudor dynasty, Penshurst Place has a rich medieval history and unique Elizabethan gardens. Once the hunting lodge of King Henry VIII, it was given to Anne of Cleves, who outlived all his other wives in her divorce settlement. HenryVIII’s son Edward VI gifted it to the Sidney family who are still in occupation and live there to this day.

HEVER CASTLE

Sticking to the Tudor theme, a few miles west swing by Hever Castle, a highly romantic double-moated fairy tale stronghold straight out of picture books. It was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn who frequently returned during her courtship to Henry VIII. Enjoy a delightful visit through the intimate castle and magnificent grounds. Witness jousting tournaments and other historic recreations.

LEEDS CASTLE

Built on islands in a lake formed by the River Len, Leeds Castle dates back to 857. It was the residence of famous kings, including Henry VIII and Edward I, and home to Henry’s first wife, Catherine of Aragon. New displays date back to the glamorous 1930s, when the Anglo- American heiress Lady Olive Baillie owned the castle. Lady Olive Baillie was responsible for the restoration of the castle, and highlights include how the castle prepared for house party weekends, which were peopled by foreign royalty and Hollywood stars of the day. Discover the grounds and don’t miss out on the challenge of the unique maze.

Leeds Castle

DOWN HOUSE

Take a science lesson at Down House, home to Charles Darwin and family. It was here that Darwin worked on his theory of evolution by natural selection. Explore the house and see how he lived with his family and then take a tour of the gardens, Darwin’s outdoor laboratory.

GREAT GARDENS

Sissinghurst Castle Garden is synonymous with the successful writer, poet and gardener, Vita Sackville-West, who lived here and created the garden in the 1930s along with her husband, the writer and diplomat Harold Nicolson. They transformed the gardens and brought them to international fame with their variety of plants, shrubs and trees and well-thought out design. The white garden is a real highlight. It was here that Vita conducted her passionate love affair with fellow Bloomsbury Group writer Virginia Woolf.

Twin your visit with the glorious gardens at Great Dixter, which make for a great day out together. Although strictly in East Sussex, the combination is sublime. Where Sissinghurst is quite regimental and structured, Great Dixter is more full-blown and sassy. It is truly sensational and the sunken garden with the pond is pure heaven. Both have fine places to graze and get refreshed.

KNOLE

One of England’s finest country houses began life as an archbishop’s palace and dates back to the mid-15th century. Set within a 1,000-acre walled deer park, the house features a collection of 17th-century royal Stuart furniture and many fine paintings by the likes of Van Eyck and Gainsborough. There is also a Bloomsbury Group theme here as the house is the childhood home of Vita Sackville-West, who bitterly resented not inheriting the property. It was here that she began her love affair with Virginia Woolf. Woolf used Knole as the backdrop to her groundbreaking novel, Orlando. Orlando is frequently seen as a love letter from Virginia to Vita, and the original manuscript is here. Don’t miss the Gatehouse Tower, the bohemian home to Vita’s cousin Eddy Sackville-West, another member of the Bloomsbury Group, who also defied convention at the time in terms of his sexuality.

VINEYARDS

With its south-facing chalky soil making for excellent wine growing, it is no surprise that there are more than 50 vineyards in Kent. Dream Escape has selected the very best.

Chapel Down, near the lovely market town of Tenterden was arguably the first vineyard to put English wines on the map: It has wonderful wines and is beautifully laid out for exploring. Don't miss the winetasting, obviously, and superb dining at its restaurant, The Swan, a friendly fine-dining experience serving lunch daily and dinner Thursday through Saturday.

Chapel Down Vineyard

If you like the fare on offer at The Swan, the couple who run it also have The Beacon in Tunbridge Wells. This historic home and gardens offer The Hearth Restaurant for fine dining and The Garden Bar for a more relaxed affair. A short tree-lined walk away from the pretty village of Shoreham, The Mount Vineyard estate is the family home and business of Simon and Sally Greenwood, who bought the place in 2011. Private wine tours, tastings, a shop and the Courtyard restaurant as well as bar options offer something special for every Dream Escape guest.

The Hush Heath Estate Balfour Winery, near Marden, has been home to three generations of the Balfour-Lynn family. But it wasn’t until Richard and Leslie purchased an additional 400 acres of farmland and planted them with grapes to produce a pink sparkling wine, which would be equivalent to their favourite Champagne, Billecart Salmon Rosé that things took off. Launched in 2004, Balfour Brut Rosé quickly won accolades such as Gold in the International Wine Challenge. It was the only English wine to be served at the London 2012 Olympics. Expert-led tours and wine tastings include six of the Balfour wines.

GOLF

Kent offers many exclusive award-winning golf courses where enthusiasts can tee off. All are private members' clubs, but Dream Escape can arrange entry and tee times. The best include Royal St Georges, near Sandwich and the Royal Cinq Ports just north of Deal. Both sit adjacent to the coastline, offering fine views across the channel to France. Chart Hills in Bibbenden is the only IMG Prestige Nick-Faldo-designed course in Europe. The London Golf Club, near Brands Hatch racing circuit is Jack-Nicklaus-designed and known for its fast, undulating freeways across two championship courses.

WHERE TO STAY:

THE PIG AT BRIDGE PLACE

The Pig at Bridge Place combines luxury and style with a distinctly rock ‘n’ roll velvety vibe. This Grade-II-listed historic Jacobean pile is situated in 10 acres of parkland, about three miles from Canterbury. Expect plush panelled rooms, locally sourced produce, exquisite cuisine and you won’t be disappointed.

The PIG at Bridge Place

HEVER CASTLE

Live like royalty and hole up at Hever Castle in one of the fabulous five-star en-suite bedrooms situated in the Anne Boleyn and Astor Wings. This is B&B at the very top end. Suitable for guests of up to eight, Medley Court, part of the Astor Wing, is a self-catering property on a grand scale, dating from 1903, which is Tudor-inspired, and Dream Escape can make exclusive arrangements.

BATTEL HALL AT LEEDS CASTLE

For another exquisite historic stay, Battel Hall at Leeds Castle dates back to the 14th century and features five deluxe ensuite bedrooms along with access to a gorgeous drawing room, oak-panelled dining room and library. There is further accommodation in several other historic properties on the estate, all of which afford full use of the grounds.

Find out more

Louise Murray, Head of Product “There is something for everyone in Kent. From the beautiful gardens to the fun-filled days spent at the castles, it is a county with so much to offer. The rising popularity in English wines gives another perfect reason to escape the city for the day and head out to the picturesque vineyards.”

→ louise@dreamescape.co.uk

WORDS | IAN MCCURRACH