Places to visit in the area

The Wagon & Horses is located in the village of Charing, on the Faversham Road. The pub makes an ideal base for visiting Kent and the North Downs.

Charing

The village is sited on the Pilgrim’s Way from London to Canterbury, and is one day's walk from Canterbury. The village had a market recorded in 1285, and a fair recorded in the fifteenth century.

On the High Street and surrounding streets you will find a wide variety of shops and services. Its most famous building is the Archbishop’s Palace, which lies by the church and was an ancient possession of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The palace was an important building in the diocese of Canterbury, and counted amongst its guests King Henry VIII. The church is said to contain the stone on which John the Baptist was beheaded.

Canterbury

Canterbury and the surrounding area have a whole host of history and heritage for you to discover. Canterbury is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has two castles, six museums and, of course the world famous cathedral.

The Cathedral, St Augustine’s Abbey and St Martin’s church form a trio of World Heritage Sites in Canterbury. The Abbey was founded in 597AD, and St Martin’s Church is the oldest parish church in England still in constant use. Along side these, there is Canterbury Tales, where you can step back into the Middle Ages and join the pilgrims on their journey from London to Canterbury Cathedral.

Whitstable

Whitstable has a rich maritime history and is famous for its oysters, with a working harbour bringing in the daily catch. The town has a rich alleyway network, which were used by the smugglers as convenient escape routes, as Whitstable was, like most Kentish coastal towns, awash with illegal trade.

Maidstone

Maidstone has a colourful history shaped by battles, revolts, witches, mad priests and later, industrialists, brewers and Victorian benefactors.  Situated between Dover and London the town was a main route for pilgrimages and a bustling centre for local and national trade.

Despite many changes throughout the centuries, the ambience of old Maidstone can still be captured when walking through the town.  Discover the unusual and intriguing history of an area where a treasure trove of hidden delights is waiting to be discovered.

Leeds Castle

Described as 'the loveliest Castle in the world', Leeds Castle is built on two islands In the middle of a lake, the Castle is surrounded by 500 acres of parkland and glorious gardens, with attractions which include a duckery, an aviary, a maze and grotto and vineyard.

The castle itself contains superb furnishings and tapestries, while the world’s largest collection of antique dog collars is housed in the Medieval Gate Tower.

The North downs

The Kent Downs is an enchanting landscape which extends from the White Cliffs at Dover to the London and Surrey Borders. Dramatic south facing scarp slopes offer inspirational views across surrounding countryside, towns, estuaries and sea. The ancient landscapes of the secluded dry valleys give a remote feel; the intimacy is to be found amongst the network of tiny, ancient lanes and historic hedgerows. Amongst this nestle distinctive downland villages, isolated farmsteads and churches.

Ashford

In 2005 Ashford was voted the fourth best place to live in the United Kingdom. It lies just off the M20 motorway and its agricultural market is one of the most important in the county.
The International Station provides direct rail links with the continent with direct trains to Paris, Lille and Brussels.

Wherever you visit in the area – make sure you include the Wagon & Horses, Charing on your itinerary.