Positioned as Britain’s primary gateway, Kent’s history stretches as far as 3.3 million years ago, when some of the county’s oldest evidence of human tools and weapons have been dated back to. From Julius Caesar’s landing at Deal and the arrival of the Anglo-Saxons in Thanet to Tudor royalty and both World Wars, each era has made its mark on the county.

Today, these chapters of history continue to live on, intertwined with Kent’s landscape and wealth of historic monuments, each serving as a testament to those who have lived here before us and helped make Kent the county it is today. Whether you wish to discover medieval Baronial halls, cathedral spires or secret wartime tunnels, living history continues to inspire; here’s four of the county’s most remarkable landmarks to visit, each keeping Kent’s history very much alive.

Medieval Marvels at Penshurst Place

Penshurst Place (c) Peter Smith Jigsaw

Found in the Weald of Kent, Penshurst Place and Gardens has been home to the Sidney family since 1552, when it was granted to Sir William Sidney by King Henry VIII. Spanning more than 470 years, the family’s remarkable heritage is found throughout the estate and even to this day the present family still resides in a private section of the house.

While the Sidney family’s legacy is extensive, the house itself has an even earlier history. Originally built in 1341 for Sir John de Pulteney, a wealthy merchant from London, one of the estate’s first features to be built was the magnificent Baron’s Hall, a room not to be missed.

Recognised as one of the world’s finest surviving medieval halls, the Baron’s Hall immediately transports visitors back to the 14th-century. Inside, you’ll find the original 60-foot-high sweet chestnut roof and a central iron hearth, making it one of Kent’s most impressive examples of living history, with barely any changes since first being built. 

From the hall, make your way up the ancient curved stone staircase, a marvel in itself, to the state rooms, where you’ll discover the Long Gallery. Built in the 16th century as part of an Elizabethan addition, this impressive gallery stretches across the first floor, its walls lined with an extensive collection of Sidney family portraits, each one preserving the people that once walked these very halls centuries ago.

The Long Gallery has also served as a filming location for historical dramas including Wolf Hall and The Other Boleyn Girl. Filled with both historic and contemporary forms of art, the space brings Penshurst Place’s history that little bit closer to your experience.

The Wartime Tunnels of Dover Castle

Details from the operations room on the Operation Dynamo tour

Looking out across the English Channel, high atop the White Cliffs of Dover sits Dover Castle, often referred to as the ‘Key of England’. The landmark is seen as England’s mightiest castle, having commanded the Strait of Dover for centuries and it continues to stand as one of the most important strongholds in the country.

The castle is intertwined with both ancient and modern history. Its earliest fortifications began in the 11th century under William the Conqueror, who came to secure Dover after his victory at the Battle of Hastings. Although no visible remains of the original fortification survive, the castle we see today was established by Henry II between 1179 and 1189.

Over the course of the decade, Henry II created one of the most advanced castle designs in Europe, combining formidable defensive features with surprisingly comfortable, liveable conditions. More than 840 years later, Dover Castle continues to be seen as a beacon of Kent’s defensive heritage.

Inside the castle, visitors can descend into a labyrinth of secret wartime tunnels. First used during the Napoleonic War, these underground passages later served as a military headquarters and hospital during World War II.

While exploring the tunnels, visitors can embark on an immersive tour that transports them back to 1940. In the darkness of the tunnels, you will discover where Operation Dynamo, the mastermind plan behind the Dunkirk evacuation, was created. Brought to life with archival film footage and special effects, the interactive experience recreates the tension and historical importance of those harrowing days.

Anglican Tales at Canterbury Cathedral

Canterbury Cathedral
Image by: Inja Pavlic

One of the most significant buildings in English history, Canterbury Cathedral forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is regarded as England’s oldest cathedral. Founded by St Augustine, the cathedral was established in 597 AD, laying the foundations for a growing Christian community in England.

Canterbury Cathedral became the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury and is perhaps most closely associated with Thomas Becket. Appointed archbishop in 1162, Becket’s loyalties to the Church over the Crown led to his untimely and brutal death by four knights inside the cathedral on 19 December 1170.

Fortunately, Becket’s death was not in vain; with his shrine elevating the cathedral’s status, it transformed into one of the most important pilgrimage sites in medieval Christendom. Its significance was further immortalised in Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales, where it serves as the pilgrims’ intended final destination, though sadly they never reach it within the poem.

Today, Canterbury Cathedral remains at the heart of the Church of England, serving as the mother church for the Anglican Communion, and with its 1,400 years of history, its preservation continues to attract visitors from across the world. 

Holding to its regular calendar of events, September will include the annual Heritage Open Days, running from Friday 11 to Sunday 20 September, where visitors can take a step back in time while discovering how the cathedral’s history continues to resonate with the present.

Gardens of the World at Lullingstone Castle

©Alan Graham

Regarded as one of England’s oldest family estates, Lullingstone Castle & The World Garden has a history dating back to the Domesday Book of 1086, commissioned by William the Conqueror. At the time, Lullingstone was recorded only as a settlement in Kent and had not one, but three separate owners.

Moving into the 15th century, it was acquired by the Hart Dyke family, with the manor house and gatehouse seen today being built in 1497. Over the centuries, the estate has welcomed royalty, including King Henry VIII and Queen Anne, while continuing to evolve. In the 1930s, it even became home to a silk farm, producing silk for Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation robes and wedding dress.

Now in the trusted hands of its 20th generation, the estate is run by Tom Hart Dyke, whose passion for plants led to the creation of the famous World Garden. Inspired by a trip to Southeast Asia in 2001 in search of an orchid to name after his grandmother, Mary Hart Dyke, his fascination with rare and unusual species grew into a vision to bring plants from around the world together at Lullingstone. 

Today, visitors can explore the world in under 80 minutes, traversing through a sea of rare botanical plants. By welcoming visitors, Tom helps preserve Lullingstone’s extensive heritage, bringing each plant’s story to life and enriching one of the UK’s most important landmarks with his passion for botanical plants.