11 weird, wonderful and unique things to see and do in Kent
- Victoria
- Apr 3, 2016
- 5 min read
When picturing Kent, you might imagine the county as being home to more castles than most, dotted with seaside towns and picturesque countryside. You wouldn't be wrong. However, if you dig a little deeper, you may find that there is more to Kent than meets the eye.
Winding cave systems, a mysterious Shell Grotto, abandoned sea forts, the infamous Goodwin Sands, Britain's only desert, chalk pictures on hillsides and a church crypt filled with skulls.
Below is a list of 11 weird, wonderful and unique things to see and do in Kent. Some of these you might not have heard of before......
Please check their websites before visiting.
This beautiful Shell Grotto in Margate is steeped in mystery. Discovered in 1835 by a father and son, it culminates in an Altar Chamber, and is home to 4.6 million shells. Intriguingly, nobody knows who created this or what it was made for; a Masonic Temple, a meeting place for a secret sect or simply a hiding place for someone in need of a little "me-time," have all been suggested purposes.
Situated just at the bottom of Shakespeare Cliff, this striking nature reserve and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty was created by Eurotunnel during the construction of The Channel Tunnel. From this site you can see some of the most dramatic views of the White Cliffs of Dover. You reach Samphire Hoe by turning left off the A20 and descending (green light permitting) into a fairly long, dark tunnel, carved through the cliff-face . When you reach the bottom and your eyes get accustomed to the light, you are greeted with a view not too dissimilar to the photo above. It really is its own world, away from the hubbub just the other side of the tunnel.
Dungeness - Britain's only desert
Dungeness can be found on the Southernmost tip of the county. It holds the torch as Britain's only desert and is one of the largest expanses of shingle in Europe. One third of the UK's plants can be found here: 600 different types, and many of the insects, spiders and mammals are indigenous to Dungeness. Although it is abundant with wildlife, the human species is at a minimum. So if you're more at one with nature than people, you will feel right at home! All the while watched over by the silent but menacing Nuclear Power Station, visitors can see/climb The Old Lighthouse and take a steam train journey on the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway. It is a desolate and in many ways haunting place, but that is what makes it so alluring.
Whilst on the subject of Dungeness, the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway deserves a separate mention, as it's unique and wonderful in its own right. The trains themselves are 1/3 full size steam and diesel locomotives, so they look like miniature trains! You begin your journey in Hythe and can end it steaming through the shingle at Dungeness, alighting right by The Old Lighthouse. Why not combine it all into one trip?! I've been on the "Santa Special" as a child and twice as an adult (with accompanying children). I'm not sure who was more excited....
Intrepid yeti-hunters have been going about their search all wrong. The Riverhill Himalayan Gardens in Kent, predominately between 2pm and 4pm at weekends and school holidays, is where the yeti can be found (it takes its schooling seriously). It's not just the chance to spot the elusive yeti that attracts people to these gardens, explorers can see sculptures, discover secret pathways, build dens and learn about its links to Darwin and the Great Plant Hunters. Wonderful family fun.
A unique and exciting opportunity to see a secret seal colony at Pegwell Bay. The ethos of the Dover Sea Safari is to observe wildlife in its natural habitat, without disturbance. These mammals are naturally inquisitive, so will often pop up around the boat to take a closer look. This stretch of sea is also home to migrating birds and waders, so bring your binoculars.
Don't be fooled by this tranquil image. These infamous sands have a reputation that precedes them; one that would send a shiver down even the most experienced sailor’s spine. Just off the Deal cost, this 10 mile expanse of sea has reputedly claimed the lives of more than 2,000 sailing vessels and their crew. At low tide two wrecks can often be seen; the Luray Victory and the North Eastern Victory. If you’re feeling brave take a trip to the Goodwin Sands via organised excursion; the Dover Sea Safari also offers trips to the sands and there is a 3 hour Goodwin Sands and Seals excursion that combines the two!
These abandoned Sea Forts off the Thames Estuary look like tiny boxes on sticks from the coastline. However, these structures were once strategically important during WWII and were armed to defend the UK from attack. Since their decommission in the 50's they've fallen into disrepair, and were once the unlikely homes to pirate radio stations. Today it is possible to travel to the forts via organised excursion. Their future however is uncertain; they are threatened with demolition. If they can be saved, plans are under way to turn them into a museum about their history, attached to a luxury hotel and leisure complex.
Linking with a former Railway Tunnel, these man-made tunnels were created to provide safety and shelter for up to 60,000 people during WWII. This became a "town below the town," as over 1,000 people made these their home during the war. Once a popular spot for urban explorers, the Ramsgate Tunnels opened officially to the public in 2014. Regular tours now take place here.
Chalk Hill Figures
Visible from certain parts of Kent are these mysterious chalk drawings, also known as hill figures. Above are two older examples, taken from Google Maps. The first is called the Lenham Cross and can be seen clearly from the A20. It was a war memorial, created in 1922 with donated funds from the village of Lenham . The second is the called the Wye Crown and can be seen from Coldharbour Lane. This one was created in 1902 to commemorate the coronation of Edward VII.
The Crypt of St Leonard's Church, in Hythe is the final resting place for the largest and best preserved collection of ancient human bones and skulls in Great Britain. Nobody has ever been able to accurately pinpoint the age of these skulls or why they are all there in such numbers. Although, there have been many theories over the years as to whom these bones belonged. These include Danish pirates slain in battle, victims of the 1066 Battle of Hastings or the Black Death. A more likely explanation is that these bones were dug up over a period of many years from various grave sites to make room for building work and stored in the Crypt. Not the cheeriest of sites, but well worth a visit if you're not too squeamish.
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