Kent

Education in Kent

If you’re planning to buy a new home in Kent with children in mind, there are plenty of quality schooling options for all ages, with 55 primary schools given an ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted rating and 29 secondary schools receiving the same top rating.

Those looking to pursue higher education have several options, with the University of Kent, Canterbury Christ Church University and the University for the Creative Arts all offering a wide range of course.

Transport links in Kent

Kent benefits from excellent transport links with the M20 and the M2 running through the centre of the county and connecting to the M25 and beyond.

The county is extremely popular with commuters thanks to its fantastic rail links. Journeys from towns such as Sevenoaks, Royal Tonbridge Wells, Maidstone and Rochester take less than an hour to reach the centre of London. Seaside destinations such as Margate, Dover and Folkestone can also all be easily reached by train.

You can also take advantage of having the High Speed One connection on your doorstep, with both Ebbsfleet International and Ashford International providing high-speed trains into Stratford International and St. Pancras International.    

While Kent does not have its own international airport, if you’re looking to venture abroad, Gatwick is easily accessible in neighbouring West Sussex and Heathrow and Stansted are also within reach.

Folkstone and Dover are also renowned for their connections to Europe, with the former home to the channel tunnel crossing to Calais and the later offering ferries to Calais and Dunkirk.

Shopping in Kent

You won’t be short of options when it comes to shopping in Kent. The renowned Bluewater shopping centre offers 330 shops along with 40 cafes, restaurants and bars, while if you’re looking to bag a bargain you can head to Ashford Designer Outlet where you’ll find over 100 designer brands with up to 60% discount.

The county also provides a wide array of independent stores and boutique shopping experiences. At the historic King’s Mile in Canterbury, you’ll find everything from fashion and homeware to designer ceramics and craft breweries. Meanwhile The Pantiles in Royal Tunbridge Wells are home to more than 50 independent businesses set among stunning Georgian architecture.

Entertainment in Kent

Kent is packed full of historic places to visit. Canterbury Cathedral dates back to 597 AD and forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, while Dover Castle offers the chance to explore the lives of our medieval ancestors.

For a more modern cultural experience you can head to Margate seafront where you’ll find the Tuner Contemporary Art Gallery which hosts a broad range of exhibitions and events throughout the year. The seaside town also is also home to Dreamland, a restored 1920s vintage amusement park which has also developed a reputation as a top music venue.

Kent is also famous for its award-winning sparkling wine, so why not consider a tour of one of Kent's many vineyards. There’s no shortage of food options either with everything from Michelin star restaurants to gastro pubs and farmers' markets available.

Exploring the outdoors in Kent

Whether you’re looking for a family day out or a windswept-walk the Kent coastline will have something for you. The iconic white cliffs of Dover offer spectacular scenery while Botany Bay in Broadstairs provides a stunning sandy beach with plenty of rock pools and fossil hunting to keep kids occupied.

With 350 miles of coastline there are plenty of water sports to try your hand at, with sailing available at Herne Bay near Canterbury while down the coast in Folkstone and Dover you can find kayaking, stand up paddleboarding and power boating.

If you prefer to stay on land, there’s a wide array of National Trust properties to explore or you can head out into the Kent Downs Outstanding Area of Natural Beauty on foot, by bike or even on horseback.