Things to Do in Kent: Historical Attractions and Heritage Sites
As the oldest county in England, Kent offers a remarkable wealth of historical attractions spanning nearly two millennia of British history. From magnificent castles and cathedrals to ancient Roman ruins and atmospheric medieval towns, the 'Garden of England' provides visitors with an unparalleled opportunity to immerse themselves in the nation's heritage. This comprehensive guide explores Kent's most significant historical sites, helping history enthusiasts plan the perfect heritage-focused visit to this remarkable corner of southeastern England.
Magnificent Castles and Fortifications
Kent's strategic position as the gateway to England has made it home to some of the country's most impressive defensive structures, from Norman strongholds to Tudor artillery forts.
Dover Castle: Britain's Gateway Fortress
Often described as the 'Key to England', Dover Castle stands as one of Europe's most impressive medieval fortifications. The site's defensive significance stretches back to the Iron Age, but it was Henry II who built the magnificent great tower in the 1180s. The castle's military importance continued through the centuries, with its secret wartime tunnels playing a crucial role during the evacuation of Dunkirk in World War II.
Visitors can explore the lavishly furnished great tower, walk the ancient battlements with spectacular views across the Channel to France, and delve into the atmospheric medieval tunnels and WWII underground hospital. The Roman lighthouse (Pharos) on the castle grounds is one of the oldest surviving Roman structures in Britain.
Leeds Castle: The Loveliest Castle in the World
Set on two islands in a magnificent lake, Leeds Castle has been called 'the loveliest castle in the world' and has a history spanning over 900 years. Originally a Norman stronghold, it became a royal palace for Edward I and his queen in the 13th century. Later, it served as a residence for six of England's medieval queens and was a palace for Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon.
Today's visitors can explore the castle's luxurious interiors, stroll through beautifully landscaped gardens, navigate the yew maze, and discover the unique Dog Collar Museum. The castle hosts regular historical events and falconry displays that bring its rich heritage to life.
Deal Castle: Tudor Artillery Fort
One of the finest Tudor artillery castles in England, Deal Castle was built by Henry VIII as part of his coastal defence programme against invasion from Catholic Europe. Its distinctive rose-shaped design, with six round bastions surrounding a central keep, was specifically engineered to withstand and deliver artillery fire.
Visitors can explore the entire castle, from the storerooms and living quarters to the gun platforms and officer's quarters. The audio tour provides fascinating insights into Tudor military engineering and the castle's strategic importance in protecting England's coastline.
Magnificent Cathedrals and Religious Sites
Kent's religious heritage is among the richest in England, with Canterbury serving as the spiritual heart of Anglican Christianity since the 6th century.
Canterbury Cathedral: Mother Church of Anglicanism
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Canterbury Cathedral stands as the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion and the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Founded in 597 AD by St Augustine, the cathedral's history was forever changed in 1170 when Archbishop Thomas Becket was murdered in the northwest transept, making it one of medieval Europe's most important pilgrimage destinations.
Visitors can marvel at the magnificent medieval architecture, including the soaring central tower, the spectacular stained glass windows (some dating from the 12th century), and the site of Becket's martyrdom. The cathedral precincts include the peaceful Chapter House, cloisters, and herb garden.
Rochester Cathedral: England's Second Oldest Cathedral
Founded in 604 AD, Rochester Cathedral is the second oldest cathedral in England after Canterbury. The present building dates largely from the 12th and 13th centuries and features some of the finest Norman architecture in the country, including an impressive west front and ornately carved doorway.
Highlights include the magnificent 13th-century quire with its remarkable medieval choir stalls, the chapter library with its collection of rare books, and the peaceful cloister garden. The cathedral's association with Charles Dickens, who featured Rochester in many of his novels, adds another layer of historical interest.
St Augustine's Abbey, Canterbury
Part of Canterbury's UNESCO World Heritage Site, St Augustine's Abbey was founded in 598 AD as a burial place for the Anglo-Saxon kings of Kent and early Archbishops of Canterbury. Although now in ruins, this important monastic site was once one of the richest and most important religious houses in England.
The museum displays artefacts found during excavations, and the audio tour brings to life the site's significance in the history of early Christianity in England. The atmospheric ruins provide a tangible link to England's conversion to Christianity and early monastic life.
Roman Heritage Sites
Kent witnessed nearly 400 years of Roman occupation, leaving a rich archaeological legacy across the county.
Richborough Roman Fort and Amphitheatre
Often referred to as the 'gateway to Roman Britain', Richborough marks the site where the Romans first landed in 43 AD. This impressive archaeological site charts the entire history of Roman occupation in Britain, from the initial invasion to their departure in the 5th century.
Visitors can explore the massive defensive walls of the later Saxon Shore fort, see the remains of the monumental triumphal arch built to commemorate the conquest of Britain, and discover artefacts in the site's museum. The earthworks of a Roman amphitheatre can also be seen just outside the main fort.
Lullingstone Roman Villa
One of Britain's finest Roman villas, Lullingstone provides a fascinating glimpse into the luxury and sophistication of rural Roman life. Occupied from the 1st to the 5th century AD, the villa features spectacular mosaics, rare wall paintings, and an intriguing house-church with unique Christian symbols that represent some of the earliest evidence of Christianity in Roman Britain.
The excellent museum displays everyday objects found during excavations, including jewellery, tools, and pottery. Interactive exhibits and reconstructions help visitors understand how the villa would have functioned and what life was like for its inhabitants.
The Roman Lighthouse (Pharos) at Dover
Standing within the grounds of Dover Castle, the Roman Pharos is one of only three surviving Roman lighthouses in the world. Built in the 2nd century AD, this remarkable octagonal structure once guided Roman ships into the ancient port of Dubris (Dover). At 13 metres tall, it represents approximately half of its original height.
Located beside the Anglo-Saxon church of St Mary-in-Castro, the lighthouse offers visitors a rare opportunity to see functional Roman maritime engineering that has survived for nearly two millennia.
Historic Towns and Villages
Kent's historic towns and villages offer visitors the chance to step back in time and experience centuries of architectural and cultural heritage.
Canterbury: Medieval Pilgrimage City
Beyond its famous cathedral, Canterbury offers a wealth of historical experiences. The city's medieval street plan remains largely intact, with narrow lanes and historic buildings creating an atmospheric backdrop for exploration. The Canterbury Tales attraction brings Chaucer's famous pilgrims to life, while the Roman Museum displays artefacts from Durovernum Cantiacorum (Roman Canterbury) including spectacular mosaics preserved in situ.
The city walls, originally Roman but rebuilt in medieval times, can still be walked in sections, providing excellent views over the historic centre. The 14th-century Westgate Towers, England's largest surviving medieval gateway, now houses a museum about the city's defensive history.
Sandwich: Preserved Medieval Cinque Port
Once one of England's most important ports, Sandwich is now a beautifully preserved medieval town with more listed buildings per capita than any other town in England. As one of the original Cinque Ports, it played a crucial role in medieval England's naval defences and trade networks.
Visitors can walk the nearly complete medieval town walls, explore winding streets lined with historic timber-framed buildings, and visit the 16th-century Guildhall with its courtroom and interactive museum. The medieval churches of St Clement's, St Peter's, and St Mary's each offer unique architectural features and historical connections.
Faversham: England's Oldest Market Town
Recorded in the Domesday Book and home to over 400 listed buildings, Faversham claims to be England's oldest market town with a charter dating from 1080. The town's prosperity was built on its important position on the maritime trade route from London to the Continent, and later through its brewing heritage.
Historical attractions include the remarkably preserved medieval street plan, the 14th-century Guildhall, the Chart Gunpowder Mills (the oldest of their kind in the world), and the spectacular parish church of St Mary of Charity with its unique painted column. The Fleur de Lis Heritage Centre houses fascinating exhibitions on local history.
Industrial and Maritime Heritage
Kent's position as a maritime county and its later industrial developments have left a fascinating legacy of historical sites relating to shipping, defence, and manufacture.
The Historic Dockyard Chatham
For over 400 years, Chatham Dockyard built, repaired and maintained ships for the Royal Navy, including famous vessels like HMS Victory. Now preserved as a living museum, this 80-acre site offers one of the most complete dockyard experiences from the Age of Sail anywhere in the world.
Visitors can explore three historic warships, the Victorian Ropery (still producing rope using traditional methods), historic buildings, and comprehensive exhibitions on shipbuilding and naval history. The Dockyard's covered slips are among the oldest naval industrial buildings in Britain and represent a remarkable engineering achievement.
Kent & East Sussex Railway
This beautifully preserved rural light railway offers visitors the chance to experience rail travel as it was in the golden age of steam. The line, which originally opened in 1900, runs for 10.5 miles between Tenterden and Bodiam through some of the most picturesque countryside in the Garden of England.
The railway features historic stations, a collection of vintage steam and diesel locomotives, and period carriages. The Colonel Stephens Railway Museum at Tenterden station explores the history of light railways in Britain and the remarkable career of Colonel Holman Fred Stephens, who built the line.
Maidstone Museum & Bentlif Art Gallery
Housed in the historic Elizabethan mansion of Chillington Manor, Maidstone Museum contains a fascinating collection relating to Kent's industrial and agricultural heritage. Visitors can explore exhibits on Kent's papermaking industry (once among the most important in England), brewing heritage, and agricultural developments.
The museum also houses significant archaeological collections spanning prehistoric Kent to the Anglo-Saxon period, local history galleries, and an internationally important collection of Japanese art and antiquities donated by local collector Julius Brenchley.
Prehistoric and Archaeological Sites
Kent's landscape is dotted with remarkable monuments and sites that provide tangible connections to the county's distant past.
Kit's Coty House and Little Kit's Coty
These Neolithic chambered tombs, dating from around 4000 BC, represent some of the most impressive prehistoric monuments in Kent. Kit's Coty House consists of three upright sarsen stones supporting a massive capstone, forming what was originally the entrance to a long-vanished burial mound.
Nearby, Little Kit's Coty (also known as the Countless Stones) comprises the scattered remains of another Neolithic chamber tomb. Together, these sites provide a remarkable glimpse into the funerary practices and monumental architecture of Kent's earliest farmers.
Oldbury Hill Iron Age Fort
One of the largest and most impressive Iron Age hill forts in southeast England, Oldbury Hill covers over 120 acres and dates from around 100 BC. The massive earthworks, with banks and ditches up to 12 feet high in places, demonstrate the engineering capabilities of Kent's pre-Roman inhabitants.
Today, the site lies within ancient woodland managed by the National Trust. Walking trails allow visitors to explore the extensive defensive perimeter while informative panels explain the fort's historical significance and what archaeology has revealed about its Iron Age inhabitants.
Planning Your Historical Visit to Kent
With such a wealth of historical attractions spanning millennia, planning a heritage-focused visit to Kent requires some strategic thinking. The county's excellent transport links make it relatively easy to explore, but the sheer number of significant sites means prioritisation is essential.
Canterbury makes an excellent base for exploring east Kent's historical treasures, including Richborough Roman Fort, Dover Castle, and the Cinque Port towns. For west Kent attractions like Hever Castle, Knole, and Ightham Mote, Tunbridge Wells offers convenient accommodation options. Maidstone provides good access to central Kent sites including Leeds Castle, Kit's Coty, and The Historic Dockyard Chatham.
Many visitors find that focusing on specific historical periods or themes helps create a more coherent experience. For example, a Roman-focused itinerary might include Richborough Fort, Canterbury Roman Museum, and Lullingstone Villa, while medieval enthusiasts could concentrate on Canterbury Cathedral, Dover Castle, and Rochester.
The English Heritage and National Trust properties in Kent offer excellent visitor facilities, including cafés, shops, and regular events that bring history to life. Many sites host historical re-enactments, particularly during summer months and bank holidays, providing unique opportunities to experience the sights, sounds, and even tastes of the past.
Whether you're drawn to majestic castles, ancient ruins, picturesque medieval towns, or industrial heritage, Kent's historical attractions offer something for every interest. As England's oldest county and its traditional gateway to Europe, Kent truly deserves its reputation as one of Britain's most historically significant regions.
For more detailed information on specific historical periods in Kent, explore our dedicated sections on Roman Kent, Anglo-Saxon Heritage, Medieval Canterbury, and Tudor Kent.