Kent Downs Travel Guide

Trek Zone

National park

Facts and practical information

Nestled in the southeastern corner of England, the Kent Downs is a picturesque nature preserve that offers visitors a respite from the hustle and bustle of city life. With its stunning landscapes and rich biodiversity, this region is a haven for nature enthusiasts and those seeking tranquility.

The Kent Downs is known for its rolling hills, verdant meadows, and quaint villages that seem frozen in time. As you explore the area, you'll be greeted by charming countryside views that seem to stretch on forever. The iconic white cliffs of Dover, which have become synonymous with the region, provide a dramatic backdrop that is truly awe-inspiring.

For outdoor enthusiasts, the Kent Downs offers a wealth of activities to enjoy. Hiking trails crisscross the landscape, taking you through ancient woodlands, wildflower-filled meadows, and hidden valleys. The North Downs Way, a long-distance footpath that traverses the region, offers breathtaking views and the chance to spot rare wildlife along the way.

In addition to its natural beauty, the Kent Downs is also steeped in history. The area is dotted with historic sites and landmarks that tell the story of its past. Visit the imposing Dover Castle, which dates back to the 12th century and played a crucial role in defending England against invasions. Wander through the charming village of Chilham, with its well-preserved medieval architecture and quaint streets.

Food lovers will delight in the culinary offerings of the Kent Downs. The region is renowned for its local produce, including the world-famous Kentish apples and cherries. Explore the picturesque vineyards and breweries that dot the landscape, and indulge in a tasting of the finest wines and ales that the region has to offer.

Alternative names: Elevation: 381 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 51°14'16"N, 0°43'39"E

Location

EnglandUnited Kingdom

ContactAdd

Social media

Add

Kent Downs Top Attractions

Kent Downs Attractions - What to See and Explore

Kent Downs offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Chevening, Swingfield Preceptory, Oldbury Camp, Shorne and Ashenbank Woods. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Park
Chevening
Chevening House is a large country house in the parish of Chevening in Kent, in south east England. Built between 1617 and 1630 to a design reputedly by Inigo Jones and greatly extended after 1717, it is a Grade I listed building. The surrounding gardens, pleasure grounds and park are listed Grade II*.
Monastery
Swingfield Preceptory
Swingfield Preceptory was a priory about 5 miles north of Folkestone, Kent on the south coast of England.
Archaeological site
Oldbury Camp
Oldbury Camp is the largest Iron Age hill fort in south-eastern England. It was built in the 1st century BC by Celtic British tribes on a hilltop west of Ightham, Kent, in a strategic location overlooking routes through the Kentish Weald.

Forest • Shorne
Shorne and Ashenbank Woods
Shorne and Ashenbank Woods is a 197.4-hectare biological Site of Special Scientific Interest between Rochester and Gravesend in Kent. Part of it is Shorne Wood Country Park.
Windmill
Charing Windmill
Charing Windmill is a Grade II listed house converted smock mill on Charing Hill in Kent in southeast England. It is sometimes known as Field Mill, but that name was also used by a watermill in Charing.
Park
Dryhill Nature Reserve
Dryhill is an 11.7-hectare geological Site of Special Scientific Interest on the western outskirts of Sevenoaks in Kent. It is a Geological Conservation Review site, and an area of 9.5 hectares is a Local Nature...
Forest
Alkham
Alkham, Lydden and Swingfield Woods is a 228.3-hectare biological Site of Special Scientific Interest north-west of Dover in Kent. Alkham Valley Woods is a Nature Conservation Review site, Grade I. This site is composed of several steeply sloping woods on chalk soil, together with an area of chalk grassland.
Archaeological site
Blue Bell Hill
Blue Bell Hill is a chalk hill between Maidstone and Rochester in the English county of Kent. It overlooks the River Medway and is part of the North Downs. Settlements on the hill include the Walderslade suburb of Chatham and the villages of Blue Bell Hill and Kit's Coty.
Hill
Cheriton Hill
Cheriton Hill is a hill overlooking the English Channel near Folkestone in the south-east corner of Kent, England. The relatively low-lying hill is covered with farmland, villages, narrow lanes, and footpaths.
Park
Fackenden Down
Fackenden Down is a 14-hectare nature reserve north of Sevenoaks in Kent. It is managed by the Kent Wildlife Trust.
Park
Jumping Downs
Jumping Downs is a 5.7-hectare Local Nature Reserve near Aylesham, between Canterbury and Dover in Kent. It is owned by the Jumping Downs Trust and managed by the Trust and the Kentish Stour Community Partnership.
Park
Brockhill Country Park
Brockhill Country Park is in Saltwood, near Hythe in Kent, England. The park was a former estate with landscaped gardens and has subsequently been sub-divided. The house now forms the main building for a performing arts college, whilst the gardens and lake now form part of the country park.
Church
Saint Christopher's Church
Saint Christopher's Church is a mediaeval Grade II listed church in Boughton Lees near Ashford, Kent, part of the Church of England. The building was originally a mediaeval hall house. It was later a barn and the village school. In the 1950s, it was adopted as a chapel of ease.
Hill
The Roughs
The Roughs are an escarpment of the North Downs above Romney Marsh in Kent, on the south coast of England.
Park
Polhill Bank
Polhill Bank is a 4-hectare nature reserve south of Shoreham, which is north of Sevenoaks in Kent. It is managed by Kent Wildlife Trust. It is in Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This chalk grassland site is on a south-east slope.
Archaeological site
Jacket's Field Long Barrow
Jacket's Field Long Barrow is an unchambered long barrow located near to the village of Boughton Aluph in the south-eastern English county of Kent. It was probably constructed in the fourth millennium BCE, during Britain's Early Neolithic period.
Park
Spong Wood
Spong Wood is a 18-hectare nature reserve west of Stelling Minnis in Kent. It is managed by Kent Wildlife Trust. Common trees in this coppiced wood include sweet chestnut, oak, hornbeam and hazel. Orchids can be found on the high slopes and ramsons lower down. There is access by footpaths to its western corner.
51°18'10"N • 0°35'14"E
Kent Showground
The Kent Showground, formerly known as the Kent County Showground is an area of land in Detling, Kent, England, north of the county town of Maidstone.
Park
Sladden Wood
Sladden Wood is a 7-hectare nature reserve north of Alkham in Kent. It is managed by the Kent Wildlife Trust. The main trees in this wood are hornbeam, field maple and hazel, and there are ground flora such as green hellebore and yellow archangel. There is access by a footpath from Alkham.

Day trips

Kent Downs – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Kent Downs, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Canterbury Cathedral (Canterbury), Leeds Castle (Maidstone), Bodiam Castle (Robertsbridge).

15 milesE
Norman-era building with ornate windows
Canterbury Cathedral, Canterbury
Canterbury Cathedral, a beacon of English history and spirituality, stands in the heart of the medieval city of Canterbury, England. This majestic cathedral is the mother church of the worldwide Anglican Communion and the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury, a...
4.3 miW
Historic landmark with a moat and maze
Leeds Castle, Maidstone
Leeds Castle, often referred to as "the loveliest castle in the world," is a quintessential historical attraction nestled in the charming countryside of Maidstone, Kent, in England. This impressive stone fortress, surrounded by a picturesque moat and set within acres...
18 milesSW
Forts and castles, Historical place
Bodiam Castle, Robertsbridge
Bodiam Castle stands as an archetypal medieval fortress surrounded by a broad, serene moat in the heart of East Sussex, near the village of Robertsbridge, United Kingdom. This 14th-century castle, built in 1385 by Sir Edward Dalyngrigge, a former knight of Edward III...
11 milesSW
Park, Garden, Historical place
Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Cranbrook
Nestled in the quaint town of Cranbrook in the United Kingdom, Sissinghurst Castle Garden is a horticultural masterpiece that beckons garden enthusiasts and tourists alike. This renowned garden in England is celebrated for its romantic design, vibrant floral displays...
14 milesNW
Norman edifice with a 14th-century door
Rochester Cathedral, Gillingham
Rochester Cathedral, a beacon of English heritage and a testament to architectural grandeur, stands proudly in the heart of Rochester, England. This magnificent cathedral, which dates back to 604 AD, is not just the second oldest in England but also an enduring symbol...