My mom and I will be renting a car (next July) and want to explore the Kent area: Cantebury, Ramsgate, Sandwich, Dover, and the gardens and castles. We had been thinking about using Cantebury as a base but wondered if any of you have a better suggestion of a town that would be more central. We plan to stay in a B&B and if you have a recommendation for one we would appreciate the input. <BR> <BR>We will also be doing the same in Devon so if you have a suggestion for a base there I would appreciate hearing from you. <BR> <BR>Many thanks in advance... Alice <BR>

Maidstone is pretty central & close to the M20. Grove House is a good B&B, it's near the village of Bearstead outside Maidstone.

My mother, aunts and I used Tenterden as a base in Kent and Bovey Tracy in Devon....can't recall the hotel in Tenterden, at the moment, but have stayed at Front Street Guest House, twice, in Devon.

The way things are right now, I would suggest a boat! <BR> <BR>It's not web tv you need, it's webbed feet!

Oh, my, Sheila, that was a good one. I have been reading about the excessive moisture you have had lately and, as Oklahoma (USA) is undergoing the same (after a godawful drought this past summer), I can sympathize with you. <BR> <BR>I had considered Tenterden. And I thank you both for your assist. Alice <BR>

Fodors <BR> <BR>For those places the most central town is Sandwich. It houses rather rich people, so I'm not sure whether they offer bed and breakfast, but you can find out if you use http://www.yahoo.co.uk, then enter "Sandwich Kent bed breakfast" and "Sandwich Kent hotels". Otherwise, I once cycled the road from Canterbury. It is picturesque, and has a string of pretty villags, any of which might have bed and breakfast. Names are Ash, Guilton, Wingham, and Littlebourne. You could try each in turn, with "Kent bed breakfast" in Yahoo UK. <BR> <BR>I could pick a town or two in Devon for you to stay in if you can sketch what parts of that sizeable county you're to visit. <BR> <BR>As you are to tour in July current floods will not affect you. Indeed, if you arrive tomorrow you'll find Devon and East Kent untouched by floods. My ground for saying this is the map on page 7 of the "Independent" of 7 November. <BR> <BR>Welcome to England, far the most of which is unflooded. <BR> <BR>Ben Haines, London <BR> <BR>

If you want to stay in South East Devon a place like Sidmouth might fit the bill. You mention gardens and castles, from Sidmouth there are a lot of easy day trips to NT properties such as Killerton, Knightshayes Court, A La Ronde and Castle Drogo plus other places such as Forde Abbey and Bicton Gardens.I love this part of Devon it is a lot less 'touristy' than say Torbay. Even in July it will not be too crowded. There are also some nice little coastal towns like Beer, Branscombe and Budleigh Salterton to visit and do try and walk some of the coastal path the scenery is gorgeous. Although its not in Devon, Lyme Regis, just over the border in Dorset is also worth a visit.

Alice- I stayed at the Lodge Oast in Tonbridge, Kent in August. The room was twice as large as the room I had in Paris the week before. The room was the largest they rent. The price was 45 GBP for the first 2 nites and 40 GBP after that. It included a large private bath and separate shower. A large breakfast to order was included. I used their icebox to store food and drink and ice. You must have a car. I would certainly recommend this establishment. <BR>Try www.smoothhound.co.uk to see a lot of B&Bs all over the UK. Incidentally, <BR>Canterbury was the nicest cathedral I saw in the UK and it was less than 45 minutes from Tonbridge. <BR>Have fun driving on the wrong side-

I think Canterbury is a good choice - it's central and has good rail connections to London and to Dover/Ramsgate/Sandwich etc. Also wonderful cathedral and historic city and excellent shops - but very busy especially in the summer...if you want somewhere quieter Deal is lovely on the coast with Deal and Walmer Castles and not bad rail connections and plenty of good B&B's - cheaper than Canterbury too!

Rye is a really nice medieval town with lots of half-timbered houses and shops in a good location-- close to Sissinghurst and Scotney Castle Garden (as well as lots of other gardens and castles but those are my favorites). It is only about an hour from Dover and is also a good base for the Sussex Downs, Pevensey, Battle (site of the battle of hastings.) Have a great time.

Thank you all so very much for taking the time to respond to my plea. I'll make notes of all you've said. I have found that SmoothHound does have one of the very best websites for accommodations in the UK. I would prefer to stay in a quiet village or the countryside as opposed to a larger city. <BR> <BR>Ken, what a coindence. I know exactly which place you are talking about as it appealed very much to me. Was the price you stated per person or for two people in the room? <BR> <BR>In Devon we would like to base somewhere around Buckfastleigh-Dartmoor Nat'l Park. <BR> <BR>Again, many many thanks for taking the time to help me. <BR> <BR>Alice

Alice, whatever you do don't miss visiting Leeds Castle, it is soooooo beautiful, the gardens are wonderful too. Plan on getting there early and spending at least half a day. You can take a picnic lunch if you like, we bought sandwiches there and sat on the lawn eating and taking in the view. I believe the castle was owned and lived in by an American until her death not too long ago. I have the most amazing photos taken there and it was also the only place I saw black swans. I've been twice and would go back tomorrow if I could. Happy travels

Alice I got so carried away telling you how wonderful it is at Leeds Castle that I forgot to give you the url. <BR>http://www.leeds-castle.co.uk/ <BR>and you can have a look at some pictures here http://www.webshots.com/search/searc...1.x=23&I1.y=11

I hope you enjoy your stay in Kent. Try to come before the middle of July when the schools start to break up for the summer and the roads and attractions get more crowded. <BR>Although Sandwich is a lovely town, don't use it as a base - its miles from anywhere in the far east of the county. Tenterden or Canterbury would be better for touring. <BR>You must definitely visit Leeds Castle. They have wonderful open air concerts in mid summer - highly recommended. Enjoy your stay.

We stayed at a nice B&B in Dartmoor this past summer called the Gages Mill. It is a small place, very quiet, pretty grounds-- flower garden, views of fields, sitting area, tree swing-- the rooms are modern but there is only a tv in the main area. They have a webpage that you can check out. Enjoy your trip.

Again, thanks to all who responded with advice. I think I am narrowing down the home base to the countryside around Cantebury or the Tenderden - Cranbrook area. If you have any recommendations for B&B's in these areas, again, would appreciate hearing from you. <BR> <BR>Best Regards, Alice <BR>

Alice, <BR> <BR>Tenterden is a lovely little town to visit for a day but you will find SO much more to do in Canterbury. Sandwich is definitely worth a visit but you won't miss much if you cross Ramsgate off your list - and for heavens sake don't bother with Maidstone!! Canterbury is certainly the most central point, especially if you want to include Leeds Castle (which you should) in your itinerary and also the most 'important' in historical terms. <BR> <BR>Perhaps rather than stay in Canterbury (which can be rather expensive), it's worth checking out the surrounding villages eg. Littlebourne (where I must admit my parents ran a hotel called The Bow Window!), Wingham or Wickhambreaux. Of these I'd say that Wickhambreaux is the most picturesque. <BR> <BR>Have a great visit - I grew up in this area and will always have a soft spot for it!

If you should decide on Wickhambreaux (which is a very picturesque village near Canterbury), there is a B & B there which looks very nice. It is called the Old Stone House, The Green, Wickhambreaux. Telephone 01227 728591. I don't know if they have a website - probably not.

Alice <BR> <BR>All the above advice looks good. I see that you are esp interested in East Kent (Canterbury and Dover Castle are outstanding), but I would also suggest somewhere further west as a base - closer to the Sussex border, like Tunbridge Wells or villages around there. For houses and gardens this area is superb - Hever Castle/Penshurst Place, Scotney/Sissinghurst Castle Gardens, Knole house/Chartwell etc. Check www.theaa.co.uk for hotels - click on hotels and south-east england. Also www.nationaltrust.org.uk for places to visit: click places to visit, south east or kent and east sussex.

Thanks to all of you for the assistance. I have chosen a B&B in Chartham (a small village about 3 to 4 miles southwest of Cantebury). I really like the idea of small rather than the bustling bigger cities. I know this is not really central to Kent and most of the "gardens and castles" but just driving through the countryside to get to these sites will be delightful. <BR> <BR>My dad (now deceased) and mom, and their 4 children were stationed in Ramsgate in the early 50's, so we're planning to visit old haunts. (By herself, my mother traveled by ship with children aged 8,4,2 and 10 months. Pretty incredible, huh? I was the 4 year old! And, you know, at 77 she's still has the same wonderful spirit of adventure!) <BR> <BR>We have traced our ancestors (on my mother's side - the Gidley's) back to the mid 1500's to the town of Buckfastleigh (just SE of Dartmoor) and want to visit. We plan to be in Devon aobut 4 days and then drive across southern England stopping for a couple of days midway (maybe around the Chichester area) to see the sights then make our way to Chartham. Just about every place all of you have mentioned is on our itinerary plus a side trip by ferry to Calais. [At 21, I lived and worked for 6 months in London (Liberty's), and did the requisite day trips from there as well as a week of solo hitchhiking through Wales. Well, those were sure the days!! I am my mother's daughter.] <BR> <BR>We are both so excited about returning and would you believe are taking the QE2 over (sans children!). And, mom will celebrate her 78th while there. <BR> <BR>Well, I've probably told you more than you ever wanted to know about my family but that's Fodor's for you. Just feels like one happy family! <BR> <BR>Again, Thank You!!! Alice