Out & About Guide

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Walking in Kent

Kent has more than 4,200 miles (6,700km) of countryside and coastal paths. Chalk cliffs, downland, marshes, beaches – there’s something for everyone. Miles of footpaths and a variety of waymarked long-distance routes (Weald Way; North Downs Way; Sussex Border Path) make the area ideal for walkers. Ashdown Forest provides 2,500 acres of open heathland criss-crossed with pathways and bridleways.

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Rye Harbour Nature Reserve

Explore the seashore, saltmarsh, shingle and gravel pits of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, just across the county border in East Sussex, via a network of level footpaths and discover a wealth of birdlife - four hides offer the chance to see summer and winter migrants at close quarters. Great Visitor Centre and cafe (dogs welcome) overlooking the wetlands.

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Ashdown Forest

This is Winnie-the-Pooh country where you can rekindle cherished memories of AA Milne’s wonderful stories from childhood. Ashdown Forest, the real-life setting for Winnie-the-Pooh, represents the largest area of uncultivated land in south-east England, covering about 20 square miles.

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Ham Street Woods Nature Reserve, Ashford

Ham Street Woods National Nature Reserve is a spectacular ancient woodland and the perfect place to take relaxing, tranquil woodland walks. The woods are home to rare moths and butterflies, breeding birds, including rare ones such as the nightingale and hawfinch; and also to 2 protected species: the great crested newt and the dormouse. There are 3 way-marked trails (varying between 2.5 and 5 kilometres) through the reserve.

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Great Comp Gardens, St Mary's Platt

A wonderfully quirky seven-acre garden with beautiful and rare plants surrounding a 17th-century manor house, Great Comp is a bit of a hidden gem. You’ll find an Italian garden, romantic ruins and enchanting woodland walks. In spring, there are magnolias, azaleas and rhododendrons, under-planted with large drifts of hellebores and bulbs, while summer brings one of the most comprehensive collections of salvias in Europe.

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Great Maytham Hall Garden, Rolvenden

Situated at Rolvenden, Great Maytham Hall’s wonderful garden can be viewed on Wednesday afternoons in spring and summer and the visit is well worth it. Great Maytham is where the writer Frances Hodgson Burnett lived around the turn of the century. Her time here inspired the classic tale The Secret Garden and the setting continues to evoke the magic of her writing.

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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.

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Wye Downs Nature Reserve

An area of uncultivated chalk downland and woodlands - an especially good site for orchids, including bee, pyramidal, fly, fragrant, spider, burnt and musk orchids. The Devils Kneading Trough is a valley formed by ice some 10,000 years ago and this natural formation is a highlight of North Downs. Views of the English Channel can be seen on clear days.

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Dungeness RSPB Reserve

This coastal reserve comprises 2106 acres of shingle beach and flooded pits. It is a good place to watch breeding terns, gulls and other water birds, plus the reserve is famous for seasonal migrating birds, including many rarities. Excellent visitor centre and waymarked trails dotted with bird hides.

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Oare Marshes Nature Reserve, Faversham

The landscape of the marshes facing the Swale estuary may appear desolate to some, but others love the empty horizons as they walk the flood wall (Saxon Shore Way) and birdwatchers can enjoy the bird-rich Oare Marshes Nature Reserve, noted for winter waders, duck and geese on the wetlands.

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South Foreland Heritage Coast, Dover

The Saxon Shore Way across breezy open country from the renowned White Cliffs of Dover, an iconic and much-loved landmark, to St Margaret's at Cliff offers spectacular walking. Langdon Cliff offers uninterrupted views of bustling Dover Harbour. Walk up to South Foreland Lighhouse (NT), completed in 1843 and open at certain times of the year.

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Hole Park Gardens, Rolvenden

Hole Park has been owned by the Barham family for the past four generations and is set in over 200 acres of superb classic parkland. The colourful gardens enjoy far-reaching views over the hills, woods and fields of the picturesque Kentish Weald. Popular in spring for the wonderful carpet of bluebells, as well as daffodils, camellias, wisteria and magnolia.

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Stodmarsh Nature Reserve

Hidden away in the peaceful Stour Valley, Stodmarsh Nature Reserve covers a square mile of internationally important reed beds, fens, ditches, wet grassland and open water, which provide one of England's most diverse wetland habitats for breeding and wintering birds, invertebrates and rare plants.

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Samphire Hoe, Dover

Set below the famous white cliffs, England's newest piece of land, made from the spoil of the Channel Tunnel, has quickly become one of the world's rarest habitats, and is home to over 200 rare wildflowers and a wide variety of wildlife. Also, discover the spectacular landscapes of the White Cliffs and stunning views over the English Channel.

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Back to Kent Out & About Guide

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Walking in Kent

Rye Harbour Nature Reserve

Ashdown Forest

Ham Street Woods Nature Reserve, Ashford

Great Comp Gardens, St Mary's Platt

Great Maytham Hall Garden, Rolvenden

Godinton House & Gardens, Hothfield

Wye Downs Nature Reserve

Dungeness RSPB Reserve

Oare Marshes Nature Reserve, Faversham

South Foreland Heritage Coast, Dover

Hole Park Gardens, Rolvenden

Stodmarsh Nature Reserve

Samphire Hoe, Dover