Historic BuildingsKent

When William the Conquerer came to England in 1066 he brought with him the concept of the castle. He and his men of which there were 12,000 at most, needed rapidly to make themselves secure amongst a potentially hostile population of one and a half million, and simply…

Chiddingstone Castle, a squire's home with Tudor roots, hidden in lovely unspoiled Wealden countryside yet only 35 miles from London, was once the seat of the Streatfeilds, and has retained an intimate, timeless appeal through all changes. Chiddingstone Castle is open to the public during the summer…

Deal Castle has stood since the 16th century when it was built by Henry VIII to defend our shores from the threat of invasion. Its huge low‐lying bastions were cleverly built in the shape of a Tudor Rose not to look pretty, but so that the curves…

Today, you can experience life as it was lived by the 700 personnel based here in the worst days of the World War II. Relive the drama as a wounded pilot is taken into the underground hospital to fight for his life and see the Command Centre…

Lullingstone Castle. One of England's oldest family estates. Set within 120 acres of beautiful Kent countryside, Lullingstone Castle is one of England's oldest family estates, dating back to the time of Domesday. The present manor house and gate house, which overlook a stunning 15 acre…

The great keep of Rochester Castle towers over the River Medway and by its side, an inseparable twin, the magnificent cathedral shares and dominates the skyline.Rochester Castle is known as one of the best preserved and finest examples of Norman architecture in England. Its great keep, square, massive…

One of the world's most celebrated gardens, the creation of Vita Sackville‐West and her husband Sir Harold NicolsonDeveloped around the surviving parts of an Elizabethan mansion with a central red‐brick prospect tower, a series of small enclosed compartments, intimate in scale and romantic in atmosphere and including the…

This attractive, turreted castle is set in a picturesque village area that is backed by rolling, wooded hills. The castle is fronted by a water bastion jutting out into the River Medway.Upnor Castle was originally built in 1559 as a gun fort on the orders of Queen Elizabeth…

The spirit of Napoleon's nemesis and the victor of Waterloo still lives on at this former coastal artillery fort. The 'Iron Duke' preferred unsophisticated furnishings and the campaign‐bed on which he slept with its original horsehair mattress and bedding remains on display as a testament…

The half‐timbered house, built in the early 16th century when Smallhythe was a thriving shipbuilding yard, was the home of the Victorian actress Ellen Terry from 1899 to 1928 and contains her fascinating theatre collection. The cottage grounds include her rose garden, orchard, nuttery, a wonderful display of…

Please note that the house and gardens are now closed to the public until further notice due to a change in ownership.SQUERRYES COURT is a beautiful 17th century manor house which has been the Warde family home since 1731. It is surrounded by 20 acres of attractive and…

Explore the Secret Wartime Tunnel hidden deep beneath Dover Castle. Tour the underground hospital and military Command Centre where the evacuation of Dunkirk was planned and let sight, sound and smells recreate the atmosphere of the castle's war years. See also the 1216 Siege experience, The…

One of the first stone castles to be built by the Normans, the moat and remains of the curtain wall and hall can still be seen. The remains of buildings inside the walls date from the second half of the 12th century.…

13th Centruy castle, childhood home of Anne Boleyn. Set in award winning gardens, yew and water mazes. Miniature model houses exhibition. Restaurants, shops, and special events.‐ Wheelchair access partial‐ Groups accepted‐ Picnic area‐ Coach parking‐ Kentish fare‐ Refreshments‐ Parking on‐site‐ Dogs on leads onlyOpen daily…

Martello towers, sometimes known simply as Martellos, are small defensive forts that were built across the British Empire during the 19th century, from the time of the Napoleonic Wars onwards.They stand up to 40 feet 12m high with two floors and typically had a garrison of one officer…

An imposing 12th‐century landmark, twin towers and the walls of a Roman fort. Reculver Roman Fort was the first of a series of forts built to protect the south east coast. Although half the fort has now been washed away by the sea the walls survive.…

A Roman fort was built in the 3rd century AD at Richborough. Inside the fort is a large cross of masonry resting on a deep foundation which formerly supported a large monument faced with marble and adorned with bronze statues erected A.D. 80‐90, probably commemorating the conquest of…

St Leonard's Tower is one of the most impressive buildings in Kent, built by Bishop Gundolf, who also built Rochester Cathedral and the White Tower of London.The tower stands almost to its original height and takes its name from a chapel dedicated to St Leonard that once stood…

Set in the heart of Kent, England, The Friars ‐ Aylesford Priory ‐ is an ancient religious house of the Order of Carmelites dating back to the 13th Century. Over the centuries and now today The Friars has become for thousands of visitors and friends.When the friars returned…

The ruins of a house of 'white' canons, first founded in C.1208, are now set in an 18th‐century landscape. Rooms in the Georgian Dower House are also open to the public.…

Brenchley Gardens ‐ Amusement Park in Maidstone, Kent. Contact venue on telephone number 01622752508 for opening times, entrance costs, and attractionsrides available at this park.…

Bought by Sir Winston for its magnificent views over the Weald of Kent to Sussex, Chartwell was his home and the place from which he drew inspiration from 1924 until the end of his life. The rooms and gardens remain much as they were when he lived…

Cobtree Manor Park ‐ Amusement Park in Aylesford, Kent. Contact venue on telephone number 01622718728 for opening times, entrance costs, and attractionsrides available at this park.…

The house is primarily the creation of two men: John Boyd, the owner, and his architect Robert Taylor. It reflects a preoccupation with the Golden Age of antiquity and is full of the symbolism of classical mythology. It is a revival of Italian villa design from the area…

This is one of many artillery towers that formed part of a chain of strongholds across the Kent coast to resist Napoleon. Please call 01304 211067 for opening times. .…

Hall place is a magnificent tudor mansion built c1537 for Sir John Champneys, Lord Mayor of London. The house stands amid extensive award winning gardens and grounds on the bank of the River Cray in Bexley, Kent. Over 200,000 visitors enjoy these gardens every year. The Hall stands…

Nestling in a sunken valley and dating from 1320, the house has features spanning many centuries. These include the Great Hall, Old Chapel, crypt, Tudor chapel with painted ceiling, drawing room with Jacobean fireplace, frieze and 18th‐century wallpaper, and billiards room. The recently opened South West Quarter includes…

Knole's fascinating historic links with kings, queens and the nobility, as well as its literary connections with Vita Sackville‐West and Virginia Woolf, make this one of the most intriguing houses in England. Thirteen superb state rooms are laid out much the same as they were in the 18th…

As part of our work of hospitality we welcome the public to view the ancient monastic buildings and beautiful gardens. In these guided tours visitors are given an explanation of the historic background to this ancient site.Those who come to the abbey for historic tours of the ancient…

Set in the rural Weald of Kent surrounded by picturesque countryside and ancient parkland, Penshurst Place and Gardens has changed little over the centuries. This mediaeval masterpiece has been the seat of the Sidney family since 1552 and retains the warmth and character of a much‐loved family home.…

A visit to The Canterbury Tales, one of Kent's most popular attractions, with its stunning reconstruction of 14th century England, is just like stepping into the Middle Ages. Inside the historic building of St. Margaret's Church you can step back over 500 years to join Geoffrey Chaucer (England's…

Guided tours Our experienced guides will take you on a lamp lit tour, during which you will hear of the Druids, Romans and Saxons. Visitors also see the tunnels made famous as a shelter during the World War 2 when the Caves became the largest air raid shelter…

The Parks were started by John Aspinall more than 40 years ago to conserve and breed rare and endangered wild animals with the intention of returning them to safe areas in their natural habitat. /pp/ppThe animals are looked after in our two parks that cover over 450 acres…