Main city in East Kent is Canterbury, with its great cathedral, mother church to the worldwide Anglican faith. Founded in the sixth century by St Augustine, it was the site of Thomas a Becket’s murder in the 12th century. Much of the old walled city remains, despite wartime bomb damage. Best hotel is the Abode (formerly The County) near the Cathedral. The former Roman road, now the A2, leads to Dover, Britain’s biggest passenger port. Nearby we have two of the best Hotels in Kent, the White Cliffs. Not to be overlooked at Alkham, near Dover, is the boutique Hotel in Kent: The Marquis at Alkham, really a restaurant with Rooms, but with a growing reputation for haute cuisine. Dover Castle has been a stronghold since Roman times. A tour of the dungeons and secret chambers is part of the popular White Cliffs Experience tour.
Nearby Sandwich is a town of medieval narrow streets. Royal St Georges is a nearby championship golf course. The Bell Hotel stands guard at its entrance. The region is a little depressed since the recent closure of the Pfizer chemical plant nearby. Between Ashford, near which is one of our favourite Hotels in Kent, Eastwell Manor, and Folkestone is the start of the Channel Tunnel. Ashford has many chain hotels, of which one of the best conference Hotels in Kent is the Ashford International, with pool, gym and extensive parking. Folkestone has the Hotel Relish (bed & breakfast only) and the Sandgate on the coast road, both family owned Hotels in Kent. Its town centre has been renovated and boasts many restored Regency terraces and squares. Howletts Zoo is near Hythe, westof Folkestone. Between Hythe and
Dungeness runs the 14-mile Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch railway - the world’s smallest public railway. On the coast at Littlestone lies one of the most charming and most culinary excellent Hotels in Kent Romney Bay House.