Kent

Kent is England's oldest county and known as the Garden of England.  With a mild climate, it is a beautiful county of countryside and woodland, village and vineyard, orchards and oasthouses.  It also has a spectacular and diverse coastline to explore, including the internationally famous White Cliffs.  The nearby seaside town of Deal is quaint and very charming, there's Canterbury to visit with its famous cathedral, and Historic Chatham Dockyard.  Then there is the Thanet coastline with many sandy beaches, and Whitstable, famous for oysters.  Sandwich is not far away with the well known Royal St George's Golf Course, and further round the coast southbound is Rye, with charming little streets and shops. 

If you sigh wistfully at the sight and sound of steam trains, look no further than the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway - Kent's mainline in miniature.  There are countryside tours, cycle routes including the Crab and Winkle Way, and movie trails to go on, plus plentiful walks, nature reserves, richly planted gardens and coastal path routes to explore.  Not forgetting the proximity of the Continent - so ideal for day trippers!  There's loads of history to discover, too - from Romans to World War Two. 

Photos of yellow field, Castle, breakwater and Samphire Hoe courtesy of DDC

Dover and surrounding area

The Cinque Port of Dover has long been regarded as the gateway to England, but it is so much more than that.  From its fine promenade and pier, to its spectacular castle on the clifftop dominating the skyline and keeping watch over the town, there is much to see and do.  For history buffs, the fascinating Battle of Britain Museum is only a short drive away, and Dover Castle is a must to explore for both adults and children - you can tour the Secret Wartime Tunnels and see the Command Centre where Sir Winston Churchill viewed the Battle of Britain.  Visit www.whitecliffscountry.org for details of other interest places to visit, also www.visitkent.co.uk

For walkers and ramblers, this area has everything.  Each season offers its own beauty in the surrounding countryside and coastline, from wild Spring flowers in acres of bluebell woods, fields of buttercups in summer plus many rare chalkland plants, while Autumn is abundant with typical hedgerow berries and fabulous colours.  Winter is particularly beautiful, and after a bracing walk you can return to the cottage where we will have lit the wood burning stove.  For ramblers, there's the stunning North Downs Way, Saxon Shore Way and numerous coastal paths to explore.  Why not discover James Bond country and walk the Goldfinger or Moonraker trail.

For a more relaxing pastime, why not go rock pooling and fossil hunting - it's not just children who can spend endless time searching for shy sea creatures!  There are also numerous birds to spot and even the occasional dolphin.  At the nearby Warren beach there is a lovely seal which seems to be in permanent residence!  Visit Samphire Hoe, a nature reserve created from the spoils of the Channel Tunnel, now a habitat rich in wild flowers and birds.  Also nearby are the chalk hills of Lydden Downs, and you should spt orchids, the exquisite harebell, and the iridescent Adonis Blue butterfly.  For animal lovers and children there are the zoo parks of Howletts and Port Lympne to visit, or you can go horseriding nearby.

But you only need to step outside the door, to be in outstanding natural beauty.  Foxes do, indeed, cross.