Smallhythe Place, Smallhythe

Located in the glorious Weald of Kent, this small 16th-century cottage was the home of the greatly admired Victorian actress, Ellen Terry. Explore this pretty, half-timbered building and discover her fascinating theatrical collection. In the garden stands the thatched Barn Theatre.

Great Dixter House & Gardens, Northiam

Between Hawkhurst and Rye, Great Dixter was for many years the much-loved home of the renowned gardener and writer Christopher Lloyd who spent many years helping to establish one of the most exciting, colourful and constantly changing gardens of modern times. One of Great Dixter’s most striking features is the magnificent Great Hall, the largest surviving timber-framed hall in the country.

Bateman's, Burwash

Built of sandstone in 1634, Bateman’s at Burwash, just across the border in East Sussex, was where Rudyard Kipling found peace and contentment. In his book-lined study, Kipling bashed away on his faithful Good Companion typewriter. On show in the grounds is his 1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I.

Scotney Castle, Lamberhurst

A picturesque 14th-century moated castle, a Victorian country house and a lovely garden, all set in a beautiful wooded estate. The castle makes a glorious backdrop and there are over 770 acres of woodland and parkland to explore.

Penshurst Place & Gardens

A family home for more than six hundred years, Penshurst Place includes Henry VIII as a former resident, and these days it belongs to Viscount De L’Isle. The Baron’s Hall dates from 1341, with the adjoining State Rooms packed with tapestries, portraits, armour, porcelain and furniture. The historic formal gardens are a fantastic and rare example of Elizabethan garden design, with eleven acres of walled and yew-hedged ‘rooms’.

Tonbridge Castle, Tonbridge

Tucked beside the River Medway, this 11th-century castle is Kent's best example of a motte-and-bailey. The impressive gatehouse dates from the 13th century and the castle is surrounded by landscaped gardens.

Ightham Mote, Ightham

This stunning moated manor house, built in the 14th century, is surely one of the most delightful houses in the country. Its half-timbered façade rises from the waters, and other highlights include the picturesque courtyard, Great Hall, painted Tudor ceiling, and Grade I-listed dog kennel. The house is surrounded by lovely gardens, an orchard, water features, lakes and woodland walks.

Bodiam Castle, Bodiam

One of the most famous and evocative castles in Britain, moated Bodiam was built in 1385, as both a defence and comfortable home. The exterior is virtually complete and the ramparts rise dramatically out of the moat.

Dover Castle, Dover

Originally an Iron Age fort and housing one of the best-preserved Roman lighthouses in Europe, this magnificent Norman castle spans 2000 years of history. It allows visitors to experience medieval court life and explore the secret tunnels from the second world war. The setting on top of the White Cliffs is completely irresistible.

Chartwell, Westerham

The former home of Sir Winston Churchill is filled with reminders of the great statesman, from his hat and uniforms to gifts presented by Stalin and Roosevelt. An exhibition gives you an insight into his life at Chartwell and you can view his studio and stroll through the gardens, which have glorious views across the Weald.

Kit's Coty, Aylesford

Kit’s Coty House and Little Kit’s Coty House are the remains of two megalithic 'dolmen' burial chambers. The larger – Kit's Coty – has three uprights and a massive capstone, while Little Kit's Coty (also known as the Countless Stones) is now a jumble of sarsens. Great views across the North Downs and Medway Valley make them well worth a visit.

High Rocks, Tunbridge Wells

Once a Neolithic settlement and an Iron Age Fort and now a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest due to the sandstone weathering, these are the highest cliffs in the Weald. The rocks are linked by a series of bridges (look out for the Devil’s Oak, Giant Toad and the Fairy Glen). High Rocks is also a place for the experienced rock climber, with a high proportion of routes at 5c or above.

Rochester Castle

This great Norman castle is one of the largest and best-preserved in England with walls 100 feet high and 12 feet thick. Inside, the fine great hall with gallery is a must visit and a climb to the battlements is rewarded with superb views over the city of Rochester.

Rochester Cathedral

Rochester Cathedral is England's second oldest, founded by Bishop Justus. The present building dates back to the work of the French monk Bishop Gundulf in 1083. Savour the glorious Norman architecture of the nave and one of the finest Romanesque facades in England.

Bayham Abbey, Lamberhurst

Situated in the picturesque wooded valley of the River Teise, this impressive abbey was built in the 13th century by Premonstratensian monks from France. In the 18th century the remaining ruins that survived the Reformation were landscaped to provide a romantic view from Bayham Old Abbey House.

Down House, Downe

Down House is the former home of the English naturalist Charles Darwin and his family. It was in this house and garden that Darwin worked on his theory of evolution by natural selection, which he had conceived in London before moving to the village of Downe in Kent.

Sissinghurst Castle Garden

Just along the road from Sissinghurst village and best reached on foot through orchards and bluebell woods, Sissinghurst’s wonderful garden is the enduring legacy of Vita Sackville-West and her husband Harold Nicolson who laboured long and hard to complete this horticultural work of art. There’s a lot to see, including Vita’s tower writing room and nearby lakes and woodland.

Pashley Manor Gardens, Ticehurst

Romantic English landscaping and planting framed by lovely old trees, fountains and ponds, with the unusual Grade I-Listed, timber-framed Tudor/Georgian manor house as a backdrop. Don’t miss the special Tulip, Rose and Dahlia events during the summer. Lovely cafe with terrace seating and good food.

Godinton House & Gardens, Hothfield

One of the most important and fascinating houses in Kent, Godinton House at Ashford boasts an illustrious history dating back to the medieval period. The gardens are especially striking and idiosyncratic. Included here are a newly designed Rose Garden and the Walled Garden with its greenhouses and delphinium collection.

Chagall Windows, Tudeley Church

The Chagall windows at Tudeley were commissioned by Sir Henry and Lady d'Avigdor-Goldsmid in memory of their daughter Sarah who died in 1963 at the tragically early age of 21, in a sailing accident off Rye. Sarah d'Avigdor-Goldsmid and her mother had visited the 1961 Louvre exhibition of Chagall's work.

Reculver Towers & Roman Fort

The Roman Regulbium was one the forts built during the 3rd century to defend the Saxon Shore. The fort was in good condition until the 18th century, when erosion of the cliffs on which it stands caused part of the walls to collapse into the sea below. During the 12th century the Normans extended the 7th century church built on the site, building the west front and two huge towers which can be seen today.

Fairfield Church, Romney Marsh

In a truly magical spot, set in a field and surrounded by water courses and sheep, the isolated church of St Thomas a Becket dates from the 13th century. Stepping inside is like going back in time as the Georgian interior has changed little for over 200 years.

Emmetts Garden, Brasted

Charming Emmetts Garden is an Edwardian estate that was owned by Frederic Lubbock, becoming both a plantsman's passion and a much-loved family home. It's a stunning hillside garden, with bluebells in the spring and fine autumn colours, plus magnificent views over Bough Beech Reservoir and the Weald.

Richborough Castle

Now landlocked amid East Kent marshes, this impressive Roman fort once stood on the coast, the bridgehead from which the Romans launched their invasion in AD43. Today the remains of the massive fortified wall and defensive ditches convey a vivid impression of the power of the Roman empire.

Belmont House & Garden, Faversham

Belmont is small estate secluded away on the North Downs, with a fine 18th-century house and beautiful formal gardens (meet the Head Gardener tours). The house is filled with mementoes of the Harris family history - they played a leading role in the development of the British Empire in the 18th and 19th Centuries.

Mount Ephraim Gardens, Faversham

Mount Ephraim Gardens is set in ten glorious acres of stunning Edwardian terraced gardens against a backdrop of the beautiful Kent countryside. Expect to see a lake, water garden, arboretum, unusual topiary, rose terraces and a grass maze. Tea Rooms serving lunches and afternoon teas.

Lullingstone Roman Villa

The villa dates back to AD100 and was developed for its wealthy owners to reach peak luxury. Discover Roman life within the ruins of this affluent home.

Battle of Britain Memorial, Folkestone

Interactive audio-visual displays, historic film and audio recordings and replica fighters illustrate how Churchill's 'Few', the men who fought in the Battle of Britain, kept this country safe from invasion in 1940. Stunning location on top of the White Cliffs of Dover.

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