T he beautiful county of Kent is affectionately known as the 'Garden of England' due to the region's many farms, orchards, gardens and captivating countryside.
Its coastline is the UK's longest at 350 miles and almost a tenth of its land is given over to conservation sites.
In this county you will find everything from spa towns to pretty, former fishing villages, and a landscape that varies from the High Weald to the White Cliffs of Dover.
The beautiful city of Canterbury has not changed a great deal since medieval times and its lovely cathedral is one of the oldest and most famous Christian structures in England. There are a number of museums and historic sites around the city, including the ruins of the abbey founded by St Augustine, and St Martins which is the oldest parish church in England still in use. And then there is the Canterbury Tales attraction – a recreation of Chaucer's stories from the medieval England of his time.
The coastal towns of Whitstable, Herne Bay and Margate are all great locations for a fun-filled family day out beside the sea. The latter resort, for instance, has all the charm of a traditional British seaside resort, with deck chairs, donkey rides, candy floss and fish and chips.
If a bracing walk is more to your liking, head three miles east of Herne Bay to Reculver Country Park. The park is open all year round and the information centre there houses a display of the wildlife, geology, history and coastal engineering of the area.
Further east is the historical town of Sandwich. It is full of quaintly wonky medieval buildings, some of which are more than 600 years old. Sandwich has an historic town trail, and information boards explain how a particular street would have looked in the past. This charming town is a real museum piece.
Many of us drive through Kent on our way to the Channel ferries, but those who bother to take time out to explore this beautiful county will not be disappointed.

South Quay Fish Market
This Whitstable fish market is open for business seven days a week. Compared with a supermarket fish counter, you have a much wider choice of locally caught fish and the market's owners are committed to the principle of sustainable fish stocks.
Tel 01227 771245

Dine at the George and Dragon
This is an attractive, heavily beamed, period pub and restaurant with plenty of character, located in Sandwich just over a mile from the Royal St Georges golf course, so it makes a popular pre- or post-round stopover.
Tel 01304 613106 Web www.georgeanddragon-sandwich.co.uk

Go seal spotting on the River Stour
Take a boat trip from Sandwich, along the River Stour. There are a number of cruise options: mini cruises go as far as Fordwich, while longer cruises head down river towards the sea. There is an abundance of wildlife to see en route and there's a very good chance that you'll spot some seals along the way.
Tel 07958 376183

What's NEW
The Salutation Gardens
The beautiful gardens at The Salutation period house have recently undergone major restoration and re-planting. The house was built by Sir Edwin Lutyens, in 1911, for the Farrer family as a weekend retreat. It remains a private home but the grounds and gardens are open for the public to enjoy.
Tel 01304 619919 Web www.the-salutation.com

Kentish Butterflies Study Day
Steve Weeks, from the Kent Wildlife Trust, has a personal interest in butterflies and aims to teach us more about downland species of butterfly, and their food plants. The study day is at Tyland Barn, Sandling, on 1 June and costs £25.
Tel 01622 662012. Web www.kentwildlifetrust.com

Secret Snail
Travel tips and local info

Parking Update
Motorhome-friendly carparks

What's On
Local shows and events

Discount pitches
Money off coupon for selected parks