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Must Visit Kent - one of Lonely Planet's Best Regions

Have you heard? Kent’s Heritage Coast has made it into the Lonely Planet Best in Travel 2022 list, making our little corner of the world officially the 4^th best region to visit…in the world. With that kind of international recognition and as the ONLY UK destination to make it onto the hitlist, we’re declaring 2022 a must visit year for Kent!

With brand new experiences, fab festivals, accommodation to Instagram about and a whole host of beautiful landscapes to discover, let us tell you, this IS the year you really, really #MustVisitKent. Find out what Lonely Planet loved about our county and how you can discover Kent's Heritage Coast for yourself.

Remember to check before you travel with the latest guidelines and advice from our friends at Southeastern.

Dive in and take a look at some of our must-sees, must-stays and must-visits and learn all about our little corner of the world.

Need more inspiration? From family friendly accommodation, to autumn breaks and summer plans, we've got it covered.

Dover Castle (3)

Green Spacers Must Visit

Kent’s Heritage Coast has dazzled Lonely Planet with its Area of Outstanding Natural Beaty, stunning sandy beaches, those chalk cliffs and a pretty inspiring creative scene. We know you’ve heard of our clifftop castles, our historic manors and more, but did you also know about our local food and drink? Trust us, there’s a lot to surprise and delight in Kent, so be sure to make it your must-visit this year.

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City Escapers Must Visit

We’re shouting it from the clifftops – Kent is one of the best destinations in the WORLD according to the experts. Lonely Planet declared Kent’s Heritage Coast the 4th best region to visit for 2022 (the only UK destination to make it on the hotlist) so we’re declaring this year the year you really, really MUST visit Kent. What are you waiting for?

Walmer Castle (1)

Families Must Visit

Kent’s Heritage Coast is the 4th best region to visit in 2022, according to leading travel afficionados, Lonely Planet. That’s a fact. What’s more Kent is the only UK region to feature in this year’s Best in Travel list, which makes this year a must visit year to take a family trip to Kent.

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Locals Must Visit

Locals, feel proud; you live in the 4th best region in the world, according to the experts! Yep, Lonely Planet has declared our very own county a must visit in their Best in Travel 2022 list. And as we’re the only UK destination to make it to the list, we don’t mind telling you we’re feeling pretty smug. Fancy joining us?

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Must Visit Medway

Soaked in history, heritage and boasting a lively festivals calendar that swings throughout the year, Medway is a culture vulture’s dream destination. The home of Charles Dickens, Medway has long inspired creatives, so it comes as no surprise that it continues to host some of the county’s best fests and cultural delights. Set in North Kent, getting here couldn’t be easier, with train links from the capital making it the perfect destination on any Kent getaway, while Medway’s newly opened stretch along The England Coast Path links Kent’s Heritage Coast to London for intrepid walker.

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Must Visit Ashford

When it comes to a great base to explore Kent’s Heritage Coast, it doesn’t get much easier than Ashford. Set in the heart of the Kent countryside, but with high-speed rail links that can whisk you out of the capital in under 40 minutes, it’s a perfect jumping off point when visiting our glorious county. What’s more, with acres of vineyards, picturesque villages and not one, but two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it’s safe to say this corner of West Kent has a lot to boast about.

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Must Visit English Heritage

Right in the heart of Kent’s Heritage Coast stands three of our county’s most iconic castles, Walmer, Deal and Dover. These castles have stood guard on the coast for centuries, and in the case of Dover Castle, stand right at the top of the White Cliffs that have been immortalised in song, literature and history. So, is it any wonder these three astonishing English Heritage fortresses have made it to our list of Kent’s must visits? Plan your break and start planning which of these icons is on your family’s hitlist (we recommend all three).

White Boat

Must Visit The Historic Dockyard Chatham

A visit to Kent’s Heritage Coast has got to include learning about the area’s sea-faring heritage and there’s no better place to learn all about that than the Historic Dockyard Chatham. In fact, you can follow Kent’s heritage coast all the way from Folkestone and Dover round to this historic Kent gem. A family friendly dream, a visit here is made for the whole crew- granny and gramps too, taking in everything from BIG wartime ships and a heritage railway to the Dockyard’s starring role on-screen! Ready to be transported through the age of sail? Read on.

Stagecoach

Must Visit Stagecoach Open Top Bus

All aboard! There’s nothing like the wind in your hair and a breath of sea air on the Kent coast. We’ve got to say one of the best ways to tour our blue flag beaches and the pretty coastal towns of Broadstairs and Ramsgate, is the Stagecoach Open Top Bus. Running from spring and through summer, route 69 is an absolute must on any family visit to Kent, so what are you waiting for? Take a look at some of our tips for making the most of your tour.

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Must Visit Kent by train with Southeastern

When it comes to getting around our beautiful county, we LOVE planning days out and breaks that are accessible by train. And really, what’s not to love? No traffic to contend with, no parking, no stresses of the road and the joys of being able to pair some of that famous Kentish produce with those famous Kent tipples. Better yet, as Kent’s Heritage Coast has been lauded by travel experts Lonely Planet for its sustainable travel options, train travel is the perfect way to ditch the car and do your bit for the environment. Ready to plan your traffic-free trip? Jump aboard and let our friends at Southeastern take the strain.

Pj S2018 Deal

Must Visit White Cliffs Country

Resting at the very heart of Kent’s Heritage Coast which travel afficionados Lonely Planet declared the fourth best region in the world to visit, White Cliffs Country is an absolutely must visit. The combination of landscapes, food and drink and history, not to mention the many things to see and do in its towns of Dover, Deal and Sandwich make it a perfect base to pitch up and discover what Lonely Planet loves about our beautiful county.

Whitstable Bay Has Teamed Up With Catman For Its New Campaign

Must Visit Whitstable Bay with Shepherd Neame

Whitstable – a coastal haven, a foodie’s paradise, a creative hub, and the ultimate inspiration behind nearby Shepherd Neame’s award-winning Whitstable Bay beer range. Crafted by creativity, this locally brewed tipple is delicious sipped anywhere, but trust us when we say it’s sensational when paired with the sound of the waves, the smell of sea air, and a freshly shucked Whitstable oyster. So, allow us to share some of our favourite spots and top tips to enjoy that taste of coastal creativity for yourself.

For even more inspiration, take a read of our Must Visit Kent publication, which is available online here.

For families, we’ve got your school holidays plans sorted, accommodation made for that getaway with grandparents and plans for coastal escapes. We’ve even got the perfect breaks for tricky teens, with adrenalin-fuelled adventures, including paddle-boarding, giant inflatable water parks and high-wire escapades.

Green space-seekers and cultural cravers, you must be here for our rolling landscapes and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Or is it our local food and drink? Maybe our literary links and phenomenal galleries and sculptures? Whichever it is, we’ve got you covered.

While for those looking for that escape from the city, we’ve got wide open spaces, cobbled streets, vineyard views and accommodation worth travelling for. We’re sharing the top must-visit locations (there’s that phrase again), and places to discover what Lonely Planet fell head over heels for.

And locals, we’re not forgetting you. You’ve got weekends to fill and family and friends to entertain. We’re sharing the must-see spots to take them, the best of the fests and accommodation that may even tempt you off for a little weekend away.