Best Places to Live in Kent

 

A flourish of orchards, picturesque countrysides, wild greens, and seashores, Kent has rightfully been crowned the “Garden of England.”With excellent markets, real estate, and schools to boot, the enclave of 13 districts has quickly risen to become a desirable homestead for many Englanders. Read on to discover the best places to live in Kent.

 
Best Places to Live in Kent.jpg Best Places to Live in Kent
 

1. Canterbury

Canterbury, a comely town of Chaucer fame and a UNESCO World Heritage Site is arguably the best-known place in Kent. A haunt of poets and playwrights, this Kentish town is also steeped in history, having pulsed with life since prehistoric times. Perched on the River Stour, Canterbury has been occupied since the Palaeolithic age. It is littered with remnants of the bygone, such as the Norman Canterbury Castle, Britain’s oldest public school, and the ruins of the ancient St. Augustine's Abbey. The city’s centre is enveloped by walls from Roman times. The Canterbury Cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the leader of the Church of England, and the symbolic leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion. This cathedral is one of the oldest Christian buildings in the world, dating to 597. The peppy-cobbled streets of Canterbury testify to its prosperity from tourism, retail, and education. With its warm community life and proximity to London, Canterbury is a highly sought-after residence in Kent.
 
 
 
 

2. Maidstone

Parted by the River Medway, Maidstone is the largest town in Kent. Agriculturally luxuriant, Maidstone has been a market centre since mediaeval times. Several industries blossomed in the region, such as the brewing and the agriculture implements industries. Key historic events such as the Wyatt Rebellion and the Battle of Maidstone in the English Civil War unfolded here, making Maidstone the legal core of Kent. As of today, the well-to-do populace is mainly employed in the retail, administrative, or service sectors. The county town’s nightlife is rumoured to be a class apart, besides brimming with captivating lore and an involved community.
 
 
 
 

3. Sevenoaks

Sevenoaks is a pretty town 21 miles away from London, known for its heavenly Kentish architecture and serene atmosphere. One of the country’s most distinguished structures resides in this city – the Knole. Currently owned by the National Trust, the Knole is an impressive country house dating to the 15th century, outfitted with 365 bejewelled rooms, 52 grand staircases, and seven verdant courtyards. Further ornamented with galleries and parks, the extravagance of the Knole spurred the town's development into a thriving market centre. Today, Sevenoaks is home to three esteemed schools, lively shopping streets, leisure activities, and Kentish tradition.
 
 
 
 

4. Royal Tunbridge Wells

With moated castles, dignified manors, and enchanting gardens, Tunbridge Wells is straight out of a fairy tale. A beauteous getaway for the upper echelons of society, Royal Tunbridge Wells was a famed spa city in the 1700s. Eventually, it became a sophisticated resort town, often visited by Queen Victoria herself. It has also been through the throes of history, from being a cluster of mining settlements in the Iron Age to housing soldiers during World War I. In 1909, King Edward VII bestowed the town with a “royal” title, as it had been an enduring favourite among aristocrats and royals. Royal Tunbridge Wells has an unparalleled retail beat, owing to the Pantiles, a historic colonnaded street lined with boutiques since the 1700s. It is also packed to capacity with grammar schools, eateries, and historical venues. Contemporary indulgence is married with decadent tradition in this town, affording residents the best of both worlds.
 
 
 
 

5. Whitstable

Formerly known as Whitstable-on-Sea, Whitstable is Kent’s most expensive coastal town. It is notorious for its oysters, which have been gathered and harvested since Roman times. To this day, people flock to Whitstable to sample its timeless seafood delight. Steeped in tradition and maritime legacy, there is plenty to see in Whitstable, from its early modern castles to art galleries and shopping centres. It was also one of the first towns blessed with a fully-functioning railway system. Seafront pubs, canine-friendly beaches, and bohemian shopping districts make Whitstable a popular tourist attraction. Peppered with independent boutiques and retail neighbourhoods, the city is home to countless industrious business executives.
 
 
 
 

6. Folkestone

A quaint seaside beauty, Folkestone has been deemed “the best place to live in South East England,” according to The Times. The seaport town was the ultimate vogueish resort during the Edwardian era, frequented by Queen Victoria, Edward VII, and other aristocrats. Its plenitude of baroque townhouses and manors testifies to its posh appeal. While its boujee hype dwindled after international tourism boomed post-World War II, it has remained one of Kent’s most elegant towns. Filled with impressive schools, retail districts, artists’ studios, and profitable pubs, Folkestone’s upmarket appeal still stands tall, rendering it a highly sought-after coastal haven.
 
 
 
 

7. Westerham

Once home to Sir Winston Churchill, Westerham is one of Kent’s most coveted postcodes. Situated on the banks of the River Darent, Westerham is Kent’s most westerly city. Celtic ruins and Roman remains signify that the city is as old as time itself. It was declared a market town in the 1200s, a status it has steadfastly held onto to this day. Further, it is one of Kent’s best walking and hiking haunts, with the North Downs Way and the Greensand Way (both of which have been declared as Sites of Special Scientific Interest) enveloping the city. Several businesses are thriving in Westerham, from big multinationals to independent shops, making the city a promising homestead. With grammar schools and a vibrant hotel industry also in the mix, Westerham is a great place to be.
 
 
 
 

8. Ashford

Ashford town stands on the banks of the River Stour, well-known for being a bustling mediaeval market hub. Ashford has been a functioning settlement since prehistoric times. In the Middle Ages, what was once a quiet town evolved into a busy centre when Ashford’s pottery industries started growing on a large scale. Reverberating with economic success, it was among the first few towns in the county to become industrialised – it was the second Kent town to have a fire brigade and one of the first towns ever to have a successful print and media niche. Today, Ashford is much loved by the locals for its buzzing town centre, cosmopolitan malls, and sumptuous share of green spaces.
 
 
 
 

9. Tonbridge

Tonbridge is an old market town, ensconced four miles north of Royal Tunbridge Wells. Its enrapturing countryside and tranquillity have disarmed many affluent Londoners, who are flocking to its quiet greens. Since 2020, 16,526 London residents have moved to Tonbridge. The town was once known as “Tonebriga,” referring to the many bridges that were built over the River Medway at that time. In the Middle Ages, since the town was strategically pivotal in its position between London and Hastings, there was immense combative construction in the region. Additionally, many handsome Victorian and Edwardian buildings were built, and there is evidence of conceiving Tonbridge as a walled city (this plan didn’t come to fruition). The town wears its history well by meticulously preserving its fortresses and castles. The town grew exponentially in the 1700s, both in population and economy. It became a vital centre for handicrafts. There are also exemplary grammar schools of national repute, making Tonbridge an enviable pick of the bunch for families.
 
Kent is abloom with pastoral charm, florid richness, and cosmopolitan affluence. It proudly wears its rich history on its sleeve, upheld and celebrated by the county's gracious, tight-knit community. It is indeed a tranquil oasis, brimming with promise, comfort, and prosperousness – it’s time to consider making Kent your new home.