Olympic Torch Relay

The Olympic Torch tours Kent and Medway across four days (July 17-20). Wherever you plan to see the torch - take a radio with you - tuned to BBC Radio Kent. Visit Kent has joined up with BBC Radio Kent and together we'll give you the latest news on the Torch Tour. Listen out also to Kent's Greeters bringing you a flavour of Kent's rich history as the Torch winds its way through the County. Kent welcomes the Olympic Torch - with BBC Radio Kent and Visit Kent.

The Olympic torch relay will pass through 34 towns and villages in Kent - more places than any other county in the UK. The torch will arrive in Britain from Greece on the 18th May 2012 and take an 8,000 mile journey across the country before heading into London. This prestigious occasion will mark the beginning of the Olympic Games in London, and highlight Kent as a major destination for visitors. 

The street by street route the Olympic torch relay will take, has been set out. Just click on the towns mentioned below, that are set to receive the torch, for the street by street route and the times it will be going through that area. This is the iconic moment in the build up to the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games, so make sure you don't miss out!   

The first town in Kent to see the torch will be Royal Tunbridge Wells on the 17th July as it comes through neighbouring Sussex. However, it will pass back out to Sussex for a three-day stay, finally coming up from Hastings on July 18th, and travelling up through Rye to Hamstreet, Ashford, Hythe, Sandgate, Folkestone, Samphire Hoe and Dover.

On reaching the iconic Dover town, a whole host of celebrations and events are planned for the torch's overnight stay, before it travels up around Deal, Sholden, Sandwich, Great Stonar, Cliffs End, St Lawrence, Ramsgate, Broadstairs, St Peters, Cliftonville, stopping off at the Turner Contemporary Gallery in Margate.

The next stops for the torch includes Westgate-On-Sea, Birchington-On-Sea, Upstreet, Sturry and the World Heritage site of Canterbury and surrounding areas. Taking in the quintessential Kentish countryside, the torch visits Thannington before passing through the historic market town of Faversham and villages of Challock and Harrietsham, before finishing in Maidstone at the beautiful and enchanting Leeds Castle for another spectacular evening event.

From Maidstone the torch will begin the final stage of it's journey in Kent, by taking in the historic Medway towns of Gillingham, Chatham, Rochester, Higham, and Gravesend, continuing into Borough Green and Seal.

Sevenoaks and Riverhead will be the final stops in Kent for the Olympic torch, as Brands Hatch in Sevenoaks is proudly hosting the impressive cycling events in the Paralympic Games in September next year. This world-class facility that has a significant motor-racing past. 225 of the world's top riders will be battling out for 32 titles during the Paralympic games here, including time-trials, road-races and team relays. It is a priviledge to be chosen as the host for this, and guarantees that Kent will see some spectacular racing during this event.

After Sevenoaks, the Torch will make it's move into the capital via Surrey, and into the opening ceremony at the Olympic Park.

This is a marvelous experience and opportunity for Kent to showcase everything on offer here. The torch will be passing by some of the county's attractions that are widely renowned for their beauty and historic importance, which will only be heightened by the prestigious symbol of the Olympic torch. It is expected that thousands of residents, and visitors from overseas will travel to Kent to catch a glimpse of this monumental occasion for Britain, and indeed, for Kent.

For more information on the Olympic Torch relay, including other stops around the UK, please visit :
http://www.london2012.com/olympic-torch-relay-map

Or for more information visit Kent County Council's 2012 website.