More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Travel guide publisher Lonely Planet is well-known for picking out the hidden gems of far-reaching communities - everywhere from south east Asia to the United States.
Today the company has released an Ultimate United Kingdom Travelist, ranking the top 500 experiences in the country.
Margate's Shell Grotto and Canterbury Cathedral are just two of the 14 Kent spots featured in the guide, with the full list below.
Scroll down to hear from Canterbury councillor Neil Baker, speaking about Whitstable Oyster Festival
14. Taking the fast train to Margate
378th overall
The home of the UK's oldest rollercoaster at Dreamland funfair and the Turner Contemporary, Margate is far more than a beach - although its sandy plains are of course, a redeeming feature.
Quirky cafes and vintage clothes shops are nestled between traditional white-tiled chip shops and retro ice-cream parlours.
The Tom Thumb theatre is one of the smallest in the world with the Winter Gardens having The Beatles and Kaiser Chiefs among the alumni.
The harbour arm, Margate Museum and the Shell Grotto, which also features in the top 14, can also be added to the long list of things to do in this seaside town.
13. Shell Grotto, Margate
339th overall
Winding passages lined with 4.6 million shells, this is one of Margate's hidden gems.
The grotto is said to have been discovered in 1835 when a James Newlove lowered his young son into a hole in the ground while digging a pond. When the boy resurfaced he said he could see hundreds of shells embedded in walls.
The creator of this adorned cave still remains a mystery, with pagans or a secret cult among suggestions.
Mr Newlove opened the grotto to the public in 1838, and it now welcomes visitors throughout the year.
12. Bedgebury Pinetum
331th overall
Set across 320 acres, Bedgebury Pinetum is home to 12,000 trees, and is one of the largest collection of conifers in the world.
Species include the coast redwood, which can grow to 300ft or taller.
Cycle tracks weave through the forest, with a Go Ape adventure trail in the tree tops above.
Various events including live music concerts are held on the open plains hidden among the trees.
11. The Sportsman pub, Seasalter, Whitstable
330th overall
This Michelin star pub-restaurant has a multitude of accolades, recognised for its refined menu and striking coastal setting.
Oysters being what Whitstable is famous for, it's no surprise this shelled delicacy is one of the favourites among guests.
Braised turbot fillet with a mussel and bacon tartare, and smoked, maple-cured pork loin with chorizo sauce also feature on the award-winning menu.
Run by brothers Philip and self-taught chef Stephen Harris, it has become a popular haunt for celebrities in recent years, with booking needed to be made several months before a visit.
"10. Knole Park, Sevenoaks
263th overall
Wild deer roam free in the vast 600-year-old Knole estate in Sevenoaks.
In the centre of the grounds lies Knole country house, originally built as an Archbishop’s palace, which has been passed from royalty to the Sackville family, who still live here today.
With the 1,000 acre grounds governed by the National Trust, entry is £5 per car and there is a tea room on site offering tea, cakes and other light refreshments.
9. Sissinghurst Castle Garden
250th overall
Another National Trust site, Sissinghurst Castle Garden has had an interesting history.
It started life as a Saxon pig farm, spent time as a prison in the 1700s and was also a woman's land army base.
Poet and writer Vita Sackville-West began transforming the gardens in the 1930s, which is now divided into a segments, each with its own theme.
The old castle buildings can be explored, including the tower which offers a view across the grounds.
8. Churchill's Chartwell home, Westerham
247th overall
The Westerham home of Sir Winston Churchill, Chartwell is filled with pictures, books and mementoes of his extraordinary political career through the midst of a world war.
Lakes, a rose garden and a playhouse built for his youngest daughter lie within the grounds of the large manor house, with rooms left much as they were when Churchill resided here.
Beyond the gardens, there is an expanse of woodland with looped trails and natural play areas, which can also be explored.
7. Canterbury Cathedral
208th overall
Mother church of the worldwide Anglican Communion and base for the Archbishop of Canterbury, this World Heritage remains one of the most visited places in the country.
Pilgrims have made their way to Canterbury Cathedral since the Middle Ages, as famously cited in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales.
It has been a place of worship for more than 1,400 years.
A pivotal moment in the cathedral's history was the murder of archbishop Thomas Becket in 1170.
6. The medieval town of Sandwich
182nd overall
The medieval town of Sandwich is both picturesque and crammed full of history.
Regular boat tours run on the River Stour, alongside a windmill, nature reserves and churches.
There are plenty of country pubs and tea rooms to frequent after a gentle stroll around the quaint streets or a spot of fishing at Stonar Lake.
5. Dover Castle
174th overall
Dover Castle has stood on Kent’s iconic White Cliffs commanding the gateway to the realm for nine centuries.
At its heart stands the magnificent Great Tower, built by King Henry II.
You can explore the secret wartime tunnels underneath the stone floors - a hiding place during World War Two - or take a tour of the underground hospital, complete with original equipment.
4. Leeds Castle, Maidstone
119th overall
Famously referred to as "the loveliest castle in the world", Leeds Castle was once part of Henry VIII's huge estate, used mainly while he was married to his first wife, Catherine of Aragon.
A moat surrounds the medieval castle with punting trips running throughout the summer.
The restaurant overlooks the Maidstone castle, with several other cafes dotted within the grounds.
Modern additions to the site include Go Ape treetop assort course, Segway tours, a golf course and glamping pitches.
Peacocks can be seen strutting around the 500 acres of grasslands, as well as swans and ducks.
Events run at the castle all year round including a popular firework display and classical music concert.
3. Take the mini steam train to Dungeness
110th overall
The Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway (RHDR) has run steam and diesel locomotives since 1927.
The 13.5 mile track starts at Cinque Port in Hythe, with the last station being national nature reserve, Dungeness.
Dungeness is rather unique with its nuclear power stations, battered fisherman huts, lighthouses, and large concrete ‘acoustic mirrors’, intended to provide early warning of incoming enemy aeroplanes.
Marketing manager at RHDR, Jade Ashton said: "We’re very proud our railway has been listed in the new Lonely Planet guide.
"I think it’s the mix of modern and heritage which makes the RHDR truly unique and so popular among all."
The railway has 11 mini steam trains, which Jade says are "a child's perfect introduction to steam railways".
2. Broadstairs
95th overall
Broadstairs has seven sandy beaches including Botany Bay offering children's rides and beach huts, and Joss Bay with its surf school.
The town was one of Charles Dickens' favourite holiday spots, a short distance from his home in Medway, and Dickens House Museum displays many of the novelists possessions.
Broadstairs seafront boasts Morelli's ice cream parlour, established in 1932.
It still retains its vintage decor, complete with a soda fountain, jukebox and pink leather seats.
1. Whitstable Oyster Festival
92nd overall
Started in the 1980s by a group of volunteers in the back of a pub, the Whitstable Oyster Festival has continued to grow ever since.
Thousands turned up to the festival last month, celebrations kicking off with the landing of the oysters – which saw three men in traditional fishing garb haul oysters ashore.
An oyster parade through the streets, tug of war and the world famous oyster eating competition are other notable highlights.
Nev Hatton won this year, gulping down six of them plus half a pint of beer in less than 10 seconds.
Whitstable Oyster Company announced record sales of almost 40,000 Whitstable rock oysters over the weekend.
