The Best Cities, Towns & Villages in Kent

Canterbury captivates with medieval charm and lively culture. Explore the stunning cathedral, wander cobbled streets of timber-framed houses, and enjoy riverside gardens. With history, shops and cosy pubs, this Kent city offers a timeless appeal.

Broadstairs charms with sandy bays, cliff-top walks and a picturesque old town. Known as “the Jewel in Thanet”, it’s steeped in Dickensian history, with a lively food scene, beach huts, and sweeping sea views perfect for a classic seaside escape.

Folkestone blends seaside charm with a creative edge. Its Harbour Arm, sandy beach and cliff-top walks meet a vibrant Creative Quarter of galleries and cafes, while the Leas promenade and views of the Channel make it a lively yet relaxed coastal escape.

Dover, famed for its White Cliffs, is a historic port town with dramatic coastal views. Highlights include Dover Castle, wartime tunnels and the busy harbour, while the surrounding chalk landscapes and coastal paths offer stunning walks and scenery.

Margate blends vintage seaside fun with modern culture. Its sandy beach, retro amusements and Turner Contemporary gallery draw crowds, while the Old Town offers indie shops, cafes and art spaces, making it a vibrant mix of tradition and creativity.

Whitstable is a lively seaside town on the north Kent coast, known for its harbour, oysters and creative scene. It offers a shingle beach, coastal walks, independent shops and direct rail links to London.

Deal is a charming seaside town with a pebble beach, historic pier and winding streets of Georgian houses. Its castles, independent shops and cafes give it a relaxed feel, while coastal walks and sea views make it a perfect Kentish escape.

Hythe, on Kent’s south coast, is a historic Cinque Port with a pebble beach, canal walks and charming high street. Highlights include the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway, Saltwood Castle views, and easy access to the scenic Kent Downs and coast.

Chatham is steeped in naval heritage. The Historic Dockyard showcases warships and maritime history, while the town offers theatres, shopping and links to nearby Rochester’s castle and cathedral, blending culture with waterfront character.

Dungeness is a shingle headland with wide skies, unique wildlife and stark beauty. Known for its lighthouses, nature reserve and quirky cottages, it’s also home to the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway and a dramatic, otherworldly coastal landscape.

Maidstone, the heart of Kent, combines riverside walks, shopping and culture with countryside charm. Explore Leeds Castle, museums, parks and nearby vineyards, making it a perfect base for history, nature and relaxed town life.

New Romney, once a Cinque Port, is now a quaint market town near the coast. With historic churches, cosy pubs and links to the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway, it’s a charming gateway to Romney Marsh’s big skies, wildlife and unique landscapes.

Ramsgate is a lively harbour town with a sandy beach, royal marina and stunning Georgian architecture. Its bustling waterfront, coastal walks and café culture blend with rich maritime history, making it a vibrant spot on Kent’s Isle of Thanet.

Rochester, on the River Medway, is rich in history with its Norman castle, grand cathedral and Dickens connections. Its cobbled High Street, lined with independent shops and cafes, adds charm, while festivals and river views make it a cultural gem in Kent

Romney Marsh is a vast, flat landscape of big skies, grazing sheep and winding waterways. Dotted with medieval churches and picturesque villages, it’s a place of tranquillity and wildlife, offering unique walks, cycling and a timeless rural atmosphere.

Sandwich, one of the best-preserved medieval towns in England, features timber-framed houses, narrow lanes and historic quayside. With its ancient churches, cosy inns and nearby Sandwich Bay, it’s a charming blend of heritage, riverside views and coastal

Sevenoaks, set amid the Kent Downs, blends a bustling market town with countryside charm. Highlights include Knole Park with its roaming deer, historic houses and nearby gardens, while its shops, cafes and links to London make it both lively and scenic.

Royal Tunbridge Wells is a spa town in west Kent, known for its elegant Georgian architecture, The Pantiles and cultural scene. It offers strong rail links to London, green spaces and access to the High Weald countryside.

Ashford is a thriving Kent town with excellent rail links. It combines modern shopping at Ashford Designer Outlet with nearby countryside, vineyards and gardens, making it a convenient base for exploring both the county and beyond.

Herne Bay is a classic seaside town with a long shingle beach, colourful beach huts and a historic pier. Its seafront promenade, coastal cycle paths and proximity to the Reculver Towers make it a laid-back spot for sea air, heritage and coastal walks.

Tenterden is a small market town in the Kent Weald, known for its wide High Street, historic buildings and rural setting. Surrounded by rolling countryside, it offers independent shops, pubs and access to the Kent & East Sussex Railway.

Westerham is a small historic town in west Kent, set at the edge of the North Downs. Known for its traditional High Street, links to Winston Churchill and nearby countryside, it offers walks, pubs and a village feel.

Gravesend, on the Thames, mixes maritime heritage with riverside views. Known for its Pocahontas link and historic town pier, it also offers forts, gardens and multicultural flair, plus fast links to London and Kent’s countryside.

Sittingbourne is a market town in north Kent with strong transport links to London and the coast. It blends retail and industry with nearby countryside, historic Milton Creek and easy access to the North Kent Marshes.

Tonbridge is a historic town in west Kent, centred on its Norman castle and the River Medway. It offers strong rail links to London, riverside walks, schools and easy access to the Kent countryside.

Dartford, on the edge of London, mixes history and modern life. Known for its medieval church, parks and The Orchard Theatre, it also offers shopping at Bluewater nearby and riverside walks, making it a lively gateway between city and Kent countryside.

Sheerness is a coastal town on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent, shaped by its historic dockyard and working port. It offers a shingle beach, seafront walks, maritime heritage and direct rail connections to London.