leisure &
tourism 220
The Hop Farm at the
Kentish Oast Village
Set in 400 acres of unspoilt Kent
countryside, this once working Hop
Farm is one of KentŐs most popular
tourist attractions. Exhibitions
include hop picking in Kent, Shire
horse Dray displays and impressive
wartime tanks and vehicles. If youŐre
looking for more usual business
facilities, the oast houses within
the Hop Farm provide a unique and
unusual venue for all corporate
functions, whilst the surrounding
400 acres of land are perfect for
team building and activity days.
The Hop Farm at the
Kentish Oast Village
Paddock Wood,
Tonbridge, Kent TN12 6PY
Tel: 01622 872 068
The Historic
Dockyard Chatham
The closure of HM Naval Base
Chatham in 1984 left behind a
400 acre site containing the most
important concentration of historic
naval architecture anywhere in the
world. Set in an 80-acre estate with
stunning historic architecture,
historic ships and museum galleries
it is an ideal venue for business
meetings and conferences with
a range of options from the
Commissioners House to the
HMS Cavalier.
Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust
The Old Surgery,
The Historic Dockyard,
Chatham,
Kent ME4 4TZ
Tel: 01634 823800
Top Attractions
Pictures courtesy of Kent Tourism Alliance
leisure &
tourism
221
tourist destination. Although the
castleŐs origins date back to the Iron
Age, visitors are also attracted to
the more recent history of the castle
in its secret wartime tunnels leading
to the underground hospital and
command centre that was used
for the Dunkirk evacuation in 1941.
Dover Castle
Castle Hill, Dover CT16 1HU
Tel: 01304 211067
Seal Colony, Ramsgate
From Ramsgate harbour, tours
to Goodwin Sands give visitors the
chance to observe seals in their
natural habitat, this seal colony
just off the coast of Thanet has
been called one of KentŐs best kept
secrets. Other boat trips are also
offered by local operators, including
a 60 minute excursion around the
lighthouses, cliffs and smugglers
coves of the local coastline and
evening cruises around Ramsgate.
For more information on visiting
KentŐs attractions see
www.visitkent.co.uk
Leeds Castle
Leeds Castle, set on two islands on
the River Len in the heart of Kent,
has been home to royalty, lords and
ladies for over 1000 years. Its
beautiful grounds are home to black
swans, peacocks and internationally
renowned aviaries. The gardens
offer continuous colour throughout
the year. From a mass of spring
bulbs and wild flowers in the wood
garden, through fragrant herbs and
roses in the quintessentially English
Culpeper garden, to late flowering
borders in the drought-resistant
Mediterranean garden.
Leeds Castle
Maidstone, Kent ME17 1PL
Tel: 01622 765 400
Dover Castle
No fortress in England boasts a
longer history than Dover Castle.
Commanding the shortest sea
crossing between England and the
continent, the site has served as a
vital strategic centre since Roman
times and is now a popular Kent
Picture courtesy Picture courtesy of Kent County Council ourtesy of Kent Tourism Alliance
Leeds Castle
Dover Castle
Broadstairs
leisure &
tourism 222
Biddenden Vineyards
Biddenden Vineyards is KentŐs
oldest family owned vineyard and
the countyŐs largest producer of
traditional ciders. Ten varieties of
grapes produce White, Red, Rose
and Quality Sparkling Wine and
traditional Kentish Ciders have also
been made here for over 20 years
together with farm pressed apple
juices. Situated close to the Channel
ports, the Vineyards also make an
ideal stopping point when travelling
to or from the continent. Visitors
are welcome throughout the year.
Biddenden Vineyards
Gribble Bridge Lane,
Biddenden, Kent TN27 8DF
Tel: 01580 291726
Canterbury Cathedral
The CathedralŐs history goes back
to 597AD when St Augustine, sent
by Pope Gregory the Great as a
missionary, established his seat
in Canterbury. In 1170 Archbishop
Thomas Becket was murdered in
the Cathedral and ever since, the
Cathedral has attracted thousands
of pilgrims and tourists alike; it
remains one of the most visited
places in the country.
For more information about
the history of the cathedral see
www.canterbury-cathedral.org.uk
Picture courtesy of Kent Tourism Alliance
Biddenden Vineyards