Exploring Kent - The Underrated Garden Of England
When telling friends and family that we were off to Kent for our next trip you could see the confusion on their faces, “What’s in Kent?” some of them asked- after all, it’s not a hugely popular tourist destination like Cornwall or the Lake District. However, when passing through on our way to France a few years ago we realised how much there was to see and do there, so we just HAD to dedicate a trip to exploring this underrated part of the country for ourselves.
The Adventure Begins…
Setting off in the late-August sun, we headed east and made it to Black Horse Farm Caravan and Motorhome Club site in good time. This site is great if you’re stopping over before crossing the Channel as it has a dedicated area of “ferry pitches” and is close to the port, but it’s also perfect for a longer stay exploring south/east Kent. We found the facilities great, particularly the two accessible shower rooms and the lowered washing-up sink- perfect for wheelchair users!
Pitching up in a quiet spot close to our good friend Andrew, we set up and settled in for the week. We don’t often stay anywhere long enough to justify putting up an awning, so we were really looking forward to trying out the air awning that Vango have lent us, and having the additional outside space. It was up in no time at all, and we spent the rest of the evening relaxing and looking forward to the adventures the week would bring. If you’d like more information about this awning- click here.
Waking up the next morning to a curtain of bright blue skies through the skylights, it was my favourite kind of day- a summer dress day! Already, the awning was proving its worth as we hid away in it, enjoying relaxing in the warmth before being fully ready to face the big wide world, then after lunch we headed out for a scenic stroll.
Samphire Hoe
After the short drive from site, we arrived at the relatively new manmade piece of land that is Samphire Hoe. Being so thriving with wildlife now, it’s hard to believe that the very land we were sitting once belonged on the sea-bed of the English Channel, and was dredged up during the build of the Channel Tunnel- All of the chalk and rubble from under the sea has been brought up and made into a beautiful nature reserve, overlooking the water it once called home!
The last time we visited was for a very brisk stroll in howling winds, so the weather this time was quite different. As we set off from the car park there was barely even a breeze, and the sun shone down on the chalk white cliffs that towered above us, making them light up in contrast to the deep blue sea that sat on our other side. It was such a clear day that we could even see France in the distance!
We strolled along the tarmac path admiring the views, and made it all the way to Samphire Hoe Beach before heading back to the car park along the sea wall. As we reached our car we got chatting to one of the rangers that had worked there for many years, and his passion and enthusiasm for the place was astounding! He was a really friendly man, and in our short conversation we learnt so much from him.
Back on site, the few clouds that had lingered throughout the day parted ways to open up the cool and clear skies. And with the calm evening buzz of the campsite in the distance, we fired up the bbq which filled our nostrils with the scent of summer, while the crisp air was a reminder that autumn was just around the corner. Together, we watched the sun set in a glow of pinks and yellows, and the stars gradually began to scatter the sky as the earlier buzz of the campsite faded into the darkness.
It sounds incredibly soppy to say, but it was one of those moments that defines perfection. A moment where we’re snuggled up in blankets and everything just stops. All that is left is the gentle sound of nocturnal nature, the cool evening breeze and the sight of the twinkling stars.
Lunch With a View
The following day we were blessed with even more sunshine, and I was beginning to see why Kent has a reputation for being one of the warmest and driest counties in the UK! Not wanting to miss out on any of it, we packed up a picnic and headed straight for the White Cliffs of Dover.
Perched high on the edge off the cliff top, the National Trust car park gives incredible views as far as the eye can see, and being right above the ferry port we loved watching the boats coming and going as we sat and let the world pass us by. The sun was still beaming down on us when we finished our picnic, and we noticed a path trailing off from the car park so we decided to go and investigate. After passing through a gate, it took us up the hill towards a grassy expanse called Fox Hill Down, where the trees opened up and gave us even more spectacular views- this time we also had the magnificent sight of Dover Castle to the west!
I don’t often go “off-roading” in my wheelchair as driving it on uneven grass can be like trying to take a Rolls Royce up a mountain, but it looked manageable enough (and we love an adventure!) so we pressed on in the direction of the castle. Trying my best to avoid rabbit holes, we slalomed across the grass admiring the scenery and enjoying the warmth of the sun as we went.
After a wonderful day of exploring we spent a relaxing evening at the campsite catching up with Andrew over our favourite sausage casserole, waking up the following day excited for our plans- We were heading into the city of Canterbury!
Punting Around
Parking up in the city centre, we started our exploration in Dane John Gardens where we gently strolled up to the old city wall. The remains of the wall run for 0.4 miles and it was built in medieval times as a way of defending the city, so it was fascinating to be able to walk along the length of it and see it up close. The keyholes built into the walls once used as defensive gun ports, now create little windows that look out over the city that has no-doubt changed immensely since the wall was built.
Although the city has grown and modernised a lot, wandering along the cobbled streets surrounded by timber-framed houses it was clear that Canterbury is still an old city at heart.
Having spent the afternoon exploring the high streets it was time for a change of scenery and a change of pace- we had a date with the Canterbury Punting Company! If, like us, you haven’t heard the term “punting” before, it’s a relaxing ride in a flat-bottomed boat along a small river, and it’s propelled by a person standing on the end with a long pole that they push along the river-bed. This is something that neither of us had done before so we were both SUPER excited to try it out!
We made our way to the edge of the Great Stour river, where we were joined by a couple of members of the punting team. This wasn’t their usual boarding location, but their fantastic attitude towards people with disabilities meant that they were more than happy to meet us at a different location that didn’t involve stairs. They had already prepped our boat by the time we arrived, and it was firmly beached on the bank so Stephen could safely lift me in and get me comfortable with the help of the bundle of cushions and blankets that were thoughtfully provided.
Leaving my wheelchair behind in the car, we began sailing out in the direction of the water meadows, gently bobbing along the water as our lovely chauffeur told us everything we need to know about Canterbury. We sailed through parks where we saw children playing and couples walking hand in hand, and passed under bridges so low we almost felt the urge to duck! Then as we made our way further into the meadows it got more and more peaceful. Left behind was the sound of the city, we had been transported to a green paradise with willow trees draping gracefully into the water and moorhens swimming alongside us.
Almost an hour later we made it back to our starting point, feeling relaxed yet thrilled that we were able to have this new experience together. Then as we made it back to the campsite, the rain that had thankfully held off during the day started to fall, and we spent a mild evening enjoying the gentle pitter patter on the awning roof.
A Day Trip To The Desert
The following morning the weather hadn’t improved much. The rain had thankfully stopped but the wind was strong and the clouds were low and threatening, creating a moody atmosphere that perfectly suited where we were going- Dungeness, also known as Britain’s only desert.
Making our way into the private estate of Dungeness, we felt like we were somewhere we really shouldn’t be! The landscape around us quickly grew more desolate and the houses were an unusual combination of modern builds with glass fronts that overlook the sea, and run down shacks that look as though they’ve witnessed a lot in their time. Dominating the vast shingle beach are two lighthouses, and the nuclear power station which looms ominously over it all.
Despite the winds being strong enough to make it difficult to even open the car door, we got out for a stroll along the rustic boardwalk, and tried our best to not get blown away. Spotting discarded bits of old rusting machinery and abandoned wooden huts, there was a beautifully eerie atmosphere that almost felt otherworldly, it was hard to believe that we were on the south coast of England!
Perfect Endings
After having such a busy and exciting week of exploring, we decided that our last full day on site would be a relaxing one. The late-summer sun was shining once again so we spent the day at the caravan enjoying it, finishing with another bbq in the early evening. It was such a lovely way to spend the day, but the whole “sitting in one spot” thing was short lived as we couldn’t resist one last adventure.
The sun was beginning to set, so what better way to spend the evening than a spontaneous drive along the coast?! Under a sky full of delicate pastel pinks, blues and peaches, we headed east and found ourselves in the quaint coastal town of Deal. Parking up by the pier we got out, surprised by how mild the weather was, and went for a little stroll. It was one of those perfectly calm summer evenings where there’s barely even a breeze, and leaving the gentle buzz of the seafront behind, we made our way along the pier.
Soon, the glittering stars began to scatter the sky, and all we could hear was the sound of the waves rhythmically lapping back and forth.
What a way to end such a wonderful trip!
