I'll be spending a couple of days in Kent next month and have not visited this area of England before. I'd appreciate any suggestions about places to go and things to see. (We'll be with out 7 year old son) <BR> <BR>(please reply to my personal email address if possible) <BR> <BR>thanks <BR>

Winston Churchill's country home, Chartwell, makes a delightful excursion. We found the gardens especially nice, and the home was a comfortable and unpretentious place filled with memorabilia.

The Canterbury Cathedral is a must as is the town. The White Cliffs of Dover, a drive toward the west coast brings you to a church destroyed during the reign of William the Conquerer & has crosses carved in the wood from the Canterbury pilgrims.

Adults and children alike enjoy HEVER CASTLE, Anne Boleyn's childhood home. It's a real castle with a moat around it (and drawbridge, of couse), and tours of the fully-furnished castle are fascinating. Outside there's are many gardens, one near the castle featuring a topiary chess set. Another garden features a maze which kids, especially, seem to like. The grounds and gardens are spectacular and lovely. Hever is near Edenbridge in Kent. <BR> <BR>Other gardens in Kent (known as England's Garden) include Sissinghurst near Cranbrook and Leeds Castle near Maidstone (I think).

I agree with Kat about Hever Castle. My friend and I walked to the castle from the train station a few weeks ago. It is about a three mile loop through fields, woods and country lanes. If you are interested, the walk is described in Fodor's "Short Excapes in Britain". I ordered it through my local bookstore. But even if you drive there, the gardens are lovely and extensive. You should also visit St. Peter's church which is very near the castle. Anne Bolyn's father is buried there. The Henry VIII Pub across from the church is a good place to have lunch also. Copies of Anne's letters are on the walls. <BR>By the way, if you read this, Kat, I appreciate the train information that you gave me several months ago.

I agree with Kat about Hever Castle. My friend and I walked to the castle from the train station a few weeks ago. It is about a three mile loop through fields, woods and country lanes. If you are interested, the walk is described in Fodor's "Short Escapes in Britain". I ordered it through my local bookstore. But even if you drive there, the gardens are lovely and extensive. You should also visit St. Peter's church which is very near the castle. Anne Bolyn's father is buried there. The Henry VIII Pub across from the church is a good place to have lunch also. Copies of Anne's letters are on the walls. <BR>By the way, if you read this, Kat, I appreciate the train information that you gave me several months ago. The advice about Canterbury Cathedral is good also. If you have read English history and are familiar with the conflict between Henry II and Sir Thomas More which led to More's murder, you will remember that More was murdered at Canterbury Cathedral in 1170. There is also a charming little church in Canterbury which has been in continuous use since the 6th century.

I woke up at 4 this morning and suddenly realized that I had cited the wrong Thomas who was murdered at Canterbury. Of course, it was Thomas a Beckett. Sir Thomas More was the one that Henry VIII had executed.