Explore James Bond's Kent

Follow James Bond across Kent for an exhilarating adventure! Author Ian Fleming had a holiday home here and when he wrote ‘the spy story to end all spy stories' he drew inspiration locally - even the 007 tag came from the number of the London to Dover coach, now a National Express service. Plus the latest Bond girl, Gemma Arterton, was born in Kent. Track down locations behind some of the most famous Bond novels and films: it's your licence to thrill.
 

Quantum of Success

Daniel Craig resumes the title role for Quantum of Solace, which is set to become even bigger than the smash hit Casino Royale, not least because Gravesend-born beauty Gemma Arterton is the newest Bond girl. Arterton fended off 1,500 other Bond girl hopefuls to get the role of MI6 Agent Fields.

The name is Fleming. Ian Fleming

Ian Lancaster Fleming (1908-64), writer, journalist, naval intelligence commander, spy and traveller, was also a bon viveur and sportsman - and he loved to escape to Kent to indulge his passions. He had a weekend and holiday home in St Margaret's Bay, and died in Canterbury in 1964.


From the 1930s, Fleming liked nothing more than to spend weekends playing golf at Royal St George's while staying at the now-demolished Guilford Hotel, Sandwich Bay. The club became Royal St Mark's in Goldfinger.

The Duck Inn at Pett Bottom, was one of Fleming's favourite ‘locals' - you can find his preferred seat, marked with a plaque, in the picturesque gardens.
 

The Moonraker and Goldfinger Routes

The two famous car journeys to East Kent from London, one in the 4 1/2 litre superchargerd Bentley in Moonraker, the other in the Aston Martin DB III in Goldfinger, form a circular tour which you can follow yourself on your very own 007 short break! Download the itinerary here.