Kate’s guidebook
Sightseeing
The most iconic building, place of worship for over a thousand years. Come for the singing, the architecture and the sense of peace and beauty.
365 locals recommend
Canterbury Cathedral Archives
11 The PrecinctsThe most iconic building, place of worship for over a thousand years. Come for the singing, the architecture and the sense of peace and beauty.
Fabulous gardens and castle! Not sure why they've photographed a minibus, but there's more to it than that...
25 locals recommend
Sissinghurst
Fabulous gardens and castle! Not sure why they've photographed a minibus, but there's more to it than that...
Great Dixter House & Gardens
Fabulous garden
Faversham
Pretty historic town with a brewery you can visit
England's finest collection of apples and cherries, with exhibitions
13 locals recommend
Brogdale Collections
Brogdale RoadEngland's finest collection of apples and cherries, with exhibitions
Dover Castle
Castle Hill RoadYou can't miss this! Iconic castle.
Leeds Castle
Another unmissable place
Goodnestone Park Gardens
Jane Austen walked in these gardens and stayed here
Joss Bay
Joss Gap RoadSwimming on the Kent coast
Created from spoil dug out of the Channel when the Tunnel went through, this new bit of England is the perfect place to see the White Cliffs from close up, get the sea air into your lungs and hear the roar of the waves against the cliffs. On a windy day, it has to be heard to be believed. Great birdwatching community here, and flowers and plants that have arrived on the space are noted on the entrance boards. Free, but you pay a little for the parking.
13 locals recommend
Samphire Hoe Country Park
Created from spoil dug out of the Channel when the Tunnel went through, this new bit of England is the perfect place to see the White Cliffs from close up, get the sea air into your lungs and hear the roar of the waves against the cliffs. On a windy day, it has to be heard to be believed. Great birdwatching community here, and flowers and plants that have arrived on the space are noted on the entrance boards. Free, but you pay a little for the parking.
Incredible gallery, with an ever-changing range of exhibitions. It's bang next to the sea, so you have an unrivalled view of the North Kent windfarm where our electricity comes from. We do like to grow our own!
352 locals recommend
Turner Contemporary
RendezvousIncredible gallery, with an ever-changing range of exhibitions. It's bang next to the sea, so you have an unrivalled view of the North Kent windfarm where our electricity comes from. We do like to grow our own!
Shell Grotto
33 Grotto HillAmazing!
Some incredible exhibitions, but also the Margate coast is worth a look. There are lots of cafes round about the gallery as well.
352 locals recommend
Turner Contemporary
RendezvousSome incredible exhibitions, but also the Margate coast is worth a look. There are lots of cafes round about the gallery as well.
Dungeness National Nature Reserve
Beautiful and remote, with added power station!
The iconic home of Shepherd Neame, Kent's finest export!
Shepherd Neame is one of our oldest breweries, still under local family ownership.
9 locals recommend
Shepherd Neame Visitor Centre
11 Court StThe iconic home of Shepherd Neame, Kent's finest export!
Shepherd Neame is one of our oldest breweries, still under local family ownership.
Mount Ephraim Gardens
Staple StreetLove a beautiful garden and this one doesn't disappoint.
An amazing place, full of hidden historic treasures, plus birds, butterflies and plants galore...
30 locals recommend
Blean Woods National Nature Reserve
163 Margate RdAn amazing place, full of hidden historic treasures, plus birds, butterflies and plants galore...
Food scene
Here are some of my favourite restaurants, plus places to go to either buy or eat delicious local food. East Kent is incredible, as we have sea on three sides, so lots of lovely coast to explore - if it's sand, it's Whitstable; cliffs, it has to be Dover, and Joss Bay and Broadstairs for swimming. Margate, of course, has the Turner Gallery. You are spoiled for choice!
We love Whitstable! Thriving local fishing port, with a happy atmosphere. Lots of cafes, beaches and things to do.
93 locals recommend
Whitstable Harbour
We love Whitstable! Thriving local fishing port, with a happy atmosphere. Lots of cafes, beaches and things to do.
Deal Pier
Beach StreetAnother bit of Kent coast, highly recommended!
The Goods Shed
Station Road WestDon't miss this!
Locally grown food and amazing apples in season. This is a lovely family-run farm shop, selling everything from home bred apples, fruit and veg to locally sourced meat, bread and cakes. A little further away from the Granary, but well worth the visit. Autumn visitors can enjoy their apple festival weekend too.
16 locals recommend
Perry Court Farm
Canterbury RoadLocally grown food and amazing apples in season. This is a lovely family-run farm shop, selling everything from home bred apples, fruit and veg to locally sourced meat, bread and cakes. A little further away from the Granary, but well worth the visit. Autumn visitors can enjoy their apple festival weekend too.
The Tickled Trout Bar
2 Bridge StFavourite place - great to eat by the river!
Sportsman
Faversham Roadfabulous!
The Granville
Faussett HillMy favourite place to eat
Award-winning food, but you will pay for the privilege! A lot of people prefer the George and Dragon.
23 locals recommend
Fordwich Arms
King StreetAward-winning food, but you will pay for the privilege! A lot of people prefer the George and Dragon.
The Duck Inn
Pett Bottom RoadAlways recommend
Love the Lebanese/Moroccan/Italian combo! An owner-run restaurant with fabulous prices and a lot of choice. For me, it's the Sizzling Chicken - you can hear it all the way from the kitchen.
Olive Grove
12 Best LnLove the Lebanese/Moroccan/Italian combo! An owner-run restaurant with fabulous prices and a lot of choice. For me, it's the Sizzling Chicken - you can hear it all the way from the kitchen.
If you like familiar food, ASK doesn't disappoint. However, what is lovely about this one is that the building is one of the many historic buildings in Canterbury (I remember when it was a doctor's surgery!). The staff are always friendly.
9 locals recommend
ASK Italian
Court StreetIf you like familiar food, ASK doesn't disappoint. However, what is lovely about this one is that the building is one of the many historic buildings in Canterbury (I remember when it was a doctor's surgery!). The staff are always friendly.
Another old favourite. Why is this one special? Because it is bang next to the River Stour, so make sure you get a table by the window, especially in the summer. Another incredible historic building.
14 locals recommend
Pizza Express
4 Best LnAnother old favourite. Why is this one special? Because it is bang next to the River Stour, so make sure you get a table by the window, especially in the summer. Another incredible historic building.
Who doesn't like fabulous hot chocolate, chocolate crepes, a range of delicious cakes and everything you could possibly imagine in chocolate? If you hate chocolate, by all means go elsewhere as this is a chocolate lover's heaven. Tables downstairs are on the pavement - perfect in summer. Tables upstairs have a view of the Cathedral.
7 locals recommend
Eleto Chocolate Cafe
1 Guildhall StWho doesn't like fabulous hot chocolate, chocolate crepes, a range of delicious cakes and everything you could possibly imagine in chocolate? If you hate chocolate, by all means go elsewhere as this is a chocolate lover's heaven. Tables downstairs are on the pavement - perfect in summer. Tables upstairs have a view of the Cathedral.