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Kent

A guide to Kent

Kent has it all – beautiful unspoilt countryside, nearly 350 km of serene coastline, pretty villages and bustling towns and cities.

Kent, is often called the “Garden of England”, and it has combination of beautiful countryside, historic towns and stunning coastline without sacrificing any connectivity to London. Stretching from the edge of the capital to the English Channel, the county has long been one of the South East's most desirable places to live, attracting families, professionals, commuters, and second-home owners looking for more space, more character and a better quality of life.

Whether you’re looking for picturesque villages, thriving market towns, vibrant coastal communities or sought-after commuter locations, Kent really does have something for everyone.

From traditional fisherman’s cottages and classic terraced houses to family homes with extensive grounds and stunning, super-modern seafront properties and barn conversions there’s something for everyone in Kent. Commuter towns such as Sevenoaks are especially popular with working professionals for their convenient access to London.

Local schools

If you’re thinking about relocating to Kent with your family, the county has no shortage of great schools on offer. With a mix of highly regarded state, grammar, and independent schools, there’s something for every family. Notable schools include The King's School Canterbury, Tonbridge School, Sevenoaks School, Benenden School, St Edmund's School Canterbury, and Kent College. The county's grammar school system remains a significant factor for relocating to the area with children.

Who calls Kent home?

Kent is home to residents of all different ages and lifestyles and it’s diverse mix of residents really adds to the appeal of the area. While families love the combination of schools, countryside, and larger homes, professionals value the excellent transport links and proximity to London. The area is also particularly popular with down sizers or those later in life, who are looking for a coastal or rural lifestyle without sacrificing access to the nation’s capital.

Lifestyle

Shopping

Kent has no shortage of great shopping. From independent boutiques and artisan retailers to major shopping centres and designer outlets there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Historic towns such as Canterbury, Tunbridge Wells, and Sevenoaks are known for their beautiful high streets and specialist shops, while Bluewater provides one of the UK's largest retail destinations.

Eating and drinking

Kent's access to farmland, coastline and vineyards provide an abundance of high-quality local produce, which is showcased in restaurants, gastropubs, cafés and farm shops throughout the region. Fresh seafood, award-winning wines and seasonal ingredients feature often on menus, while traditional country pubs remain at the heart of many local communities for anyone looking for a hearty English meal.

Things to do

There’s always something to do for residents of Kent. Locals can explore historic castles and gardens, enjoy sailing and water sports along the coast, walk through the Kent Downs or visit charming market towns and seaside resorts. Golf, cycling, horse riding, and countryside walks are all popular, while the county's cultural calendar includes food festivals, music events and arts programmes to keep everyone in the family busy throughout the year.

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Travel

Trains

Trains from traditional commuter town and village stations go into various different stations in South East London and provide excellent access to the West End and the City in as little as 33 minutes from Sevenoaks. Train links to the rest of the country largely involve a change in London. Kent is increasingly well known for High Speed One, the Eurostar line to the continent which carries commuter services as well as direct services to Lille, Brussels and Paris. Canterbury is now readily commutable, in 56 minutes, and Ashford is just 37 minutes from St Pancras.

Roads and other transport

Kent is well connected to multiple motorways making road travel very convenient. With both the M20 and the M2 linking London and the M25 to the channel ports, via Maidstone it’s simple to get around the county by car.

Eurostar services, the Channel Tunnel, and ferry routes from Dover all provide convenient access to mainland Europe, while Gatwick, Heathrow, and London City airports are within easy reach of many parts of the county.

Strutt & Parker in Kent

Canterbury

2 St. Margaret's StreetCanterbury, CT1 2SL

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