Fascinating Facts about Kent

Countryside/Landscape

• There are two designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in Kent, representing approximately one third of the total area of the County.
• The Kent Downs AONB covers 878 square kilometres and the High Weald AONB (part) covers 371 square kilometres.
• (67%) is agricultural with 38% of the land classified as grade 1 or 2.
• The pattern of agriculture including fruit, hops and general produce has earned Kent the title of 'Garden of England’.
• 6 wetland sites important for their bird life, stretching along the coast of the Thames estuary to Thanet
• There are over 500 sites of interest for nature conservation in Kent accounting for 9% of land in the county.
• Kent has the largest area of semi natural woodland of any county in Great Britain.
• The coastline of Kent stretches for 350 miles from the industrialised Thames-side to the great shingle expanse of Dungeness.
• Along the Medway and Swale estuaries are the mudflats and salt marshes known as the North Kent Marshes. The White Cliffs around Dover and Folkestone are internationally renowned and have been designated a Heritage Coast by the Countryside Agency.
• Kent has more conservation areas than any other county in England.
• Kent County Council owns and manages 1,521 acres of land in the lush landscape of the Weald, Stour Valley, Kent Downs and other sites across the county.
• Kent’s varied landscape is well worth exploring and some 4,273 miles (6,876 kms) of public rights of way provide public access to the best countryside close to home and further afield.
• Kent has the longest coastline of any county in the UK. 

Heritage

• Sandwich has the highest density of listed buildings of any town in England.
• Kent has a rich and diverse heritage resource, with importance both nationally and internationally.
• Canterbury has the 12th highest density. Details of Kent’s heritage.
• Kent has more listed buildings and more sites of archaeological interest than any other county

Transport

• £50 billion of goods are shipped through Dover each year. It is the busiest port in the world

Golf

• The County of Kent has over 100 courses, many which are of 'links standards’ including two that have hosted the British Open.
• Faversham Golf Club was opened in 1902 at Nadgen Marshes before moving to its present home at Belmont Park. The land was generally leased to the club by Lord Harris, the Kent and England cricket captain.

Famous Authors

• Kent as a rich history of literary connections including some of the greats – Geoffrey Chaucer, Christopher Marlowe, Charles Dickens, Edith Nesbit (author of the Railway Children and the Treasure Seekers) and Jane Austen (who was a frequent visitor to Goodnestone Park, near Canterbury)

Health/Spa

• Set in the heart of White Cliffs country, just outside Dover, Walletts Court Country House Hotel offers the complete modern-day spa experience in 17th century surroundings
• Pfizers pharmaceuticals, near Sandwich, is the US’ biggest single inward investment in the UK.

History

• Dover is home of the unique 3000 year old Bronze Age Boat, while life from the Romans to World War II can be experienced first hand at Dover Castle.
• Magical castles abound in White Cliffs Country - The original Wellington Boots owned by the Duke himself at Walmer Castle and the Richborough Roman Ruins where Julius Caesar’s invading army fills the imagination.
• The Historic Dockyard, Chatham offers over 400 years of naval history.
• Sissinghurst Castle Gardens were created by the writer Vita Sackville West and husband Sir Harold Nicholson, these stunning gardens surround the remains of as Elizabeth mansion
• RAF Manston was the most bombed British airfield during WW2.
• Kent has more 20th century defensive fortifications than any other county.
• Kent has more castles (18) than any other county.

Famous people who visited/lived in Kent

• Lady Diana Spencer went in 1974 as a boarder to West Heath, Sevenoaks She was quite naughty with a wonderful sense of humour. She went into Sevenoaks one day, walked past the pet shop in Tubs Hill and bought a little kitten, which lived in the cowshed - the sixth form dorm without anyone knowing for a week.
• Lord Jeffrey Amherst lived in Sevenoaks at an estate which he named Montreal Park (long since demolished) and where he erected an obelisk to commemorate the reunion of the three Amhurst brothers. This 230-year-old structure is still standing, the inscription, which is in danger of disappearing, does not actually mention any of the protagonists of the Canadian campaigns by name, - either because they were too modest, or because they arrogantly assumed everybody would know exactly to whom it referred!!!
• George Washington and his family lived in Maidstone before they emigrated and their coat of arms can be seen in All Saint’s Church. Guess what it's made up of? Stars and Stripes!!!
• Nowhere are you closer to James Bond and his creator Ian Fleming, than in East Kent. It was in St Margaret’s Bay where he bought his house called White Cliffs and where he spent his long weekends.
• J.M.W. Turner, the Artist lived at Miss Booth’s House in Cold Harbour in Margate. The area inspired many of his seascapes. Turner once said "The loveliest skies in Europe are over the Isle of Thanet".

Economic Value of Tourism

• Tourism generated £1.8bn in Kent in 2003.
• Kent welcomed 44m visitors