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With beautiful coastline, historic towns and a vibrant artistic scene, East Kent is a diverse area with something for everyone.
Together with cultural attractions, access to excellent schooling and great transport links, the area is becoming increasingly popular with those making a lifestyle move out of London or further afield. Indeed Kent was recently crowned the UK’s top Home County by The Telegraph.
At the heart of the region is the medieval walled city of Canterbury, with its UNESCO World Heritage Site incorporating three areas: Canterbury Cathedral, the Church of St Martin – the oldest church in the English-speaking world – and the ruins of St Augustine’s Abbey, which was once the burial place for the Anglo-Saxon kings of Kent.
This part of Kent is home to numerous quintessential seaside hotspots, such as Margate, with its combination of traditional charm and vibrant café culture. Broadstairs has a lot to offer, with an impressive seven beaches, art galleries, shops and restaurants. In Victorian times, Charles Dickens was a frequent visitor to the town, where he had a summer house known as Bleak House. It is here he is said to have written David Copperfield. John Buchan also resided here for a time, and some believe that his book, The Thirty-Nine Steps, was named after the set of steps that led to the beach from North Foreland Estate. Between Margate and Broadstairs, on the famous Viking coastal path, is Botany Bay, believed to be one of the most beautiful ‘secret beaches’ in the UK.
Ramsgate is home to the only Royal Harbour in the UK, given its status by King George IV. The town has a lively, cosmopolitan feel with stunning architecture and plenty of shops, cafés and restaurants. Deal is a quaint and quirky seaside town with independent shops and a community feel, while Whitstable has enduring popularity, with its rich maritime history and strong arts culture.
East Kent is peppered with pretty villages, particularly between Canterbury and Dover, including Wye, Bridge, Wingham and Elham. Due to the diverse nature of the landscape, there’s a wide range of properties available – from historic homes dating back hundreds of years, to more modern new builds.
For the majority of people buying in the area, connectivity to London and the continent is a major draw. Being able to quickly get into the capital in one direction – and easily reach a beach in the other – puts East Kent high on the list for commuters. The fast link from Ashford means you can get to St Pancras in 35 minutes.
There is a choice of highly regarded schools at all levels in East Kent, including several grammars from Broadstairs down to Folkestone and into Canterbury, along with a number of leading independents such as Ashford School and several in Canterbury, including The King’s School, which is said to be the oldest school in the world.
Buyers looking for a detached family house in a popular East Kent village can expect to pay around £1.25m. A turnkey sea-facing apartment in a modern block or period building can cost around £400,000 while beachside homes can command upwards of £1.5m, rising closer to £3-£5m for a best-in-class home.
Properties with an annexe or cottage in the grounds, which can be run as a holiday let, are particularly sought after.
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