Inspiration

Six places to stay in Kent you can reach by train

5 min read

Visiting Kent without a car is very doable, and often far more relaxing. Swap motorway queues and roundabout dramas for a window seat and a good book, and let the train carry you straight into the Garden of England. Whether you’re rolling through hop fields or glimpsing sea views, there’s no better way to ease into holiday mode.

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Kingshill Farmhouse, Isle of Sheppey

15-minute taxi from Sittingbourne station

Just over an hour from London, Kingshill Farmhouse sits deep within a 3,300-acre private nature reserve on the Isle of Sheppey, yet it’s only a short taxi ride from the rank you’ll find directly outside Sittingbourne station. The house itself is a dreamy sanctuary for up to 12, with vintage finds, walk-in showers, and views that stretch for miles.

Cook in the beautiful kitchen or let the on-site team spoil you with everything from breakfast to formal suppers. Outside, you’ll find gardens made for long lunches and firepit evenings. Spend your days exploring nature trails, lounging on a shell-scattered private beach, or joining a wildlife tour to meet hares, marsh harriers and owls. It’s all the magic of a remote escape, with none of the travel faff.

Book a stay at Kingshill Farmhouse >

Hever Castle, Edenbridge

15-minute taxi from Edenbridge Town station

Catch a train to Edenbridge Town, then jump in a taxi and before you know it, you’ll be living out your Tudor dreams at Hever Castle, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn. You stay in the elegant Astor or Anne Boleyn Wing, with four-poster beds, roll-top baths and views over the gardens all to yourself once the day trippers have gone. Make the most of it and pack up a picnic, take a bottle of wine and head out to play lord and lady of the manor.

Spend the day exploring the castle and grounds, join a falconry display, or just relax in the Italian Garden. Come evening, pour a glass of wine and enjoy the peaceful hush of a place steeped in history. Breakfasts are impressive too, with salmon and scrambled eggs or the Full Hever in a grand dining room.

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The Milk House, Sissinghurst

10-minute taxi from Staplehurst station

A stylish village pub with four beautiful bedrooms, The Milk House is everything you want after a countryside train journey: comfy sofas, craft ales, food that’s proudly local, and a terrace made for summer afternoons. Arrive at Staplehurst station, hop in a cab, and you’ll be sipping English wine in the garden before you know it.

Days here are for wandering through orchards and wildflower meadows to nearby Sissinghurst Castle Garden, then settling in for seasonal plates of Kentish lamb, asparagus, and charcuterie from just down the road. In August, there’s even a mini festival with wood-fired pizza and local bands. It’s relaxed, warm, and effortlessly charming, which is exactly what you want for a foodie weekend or easy countryside break.

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The Relish, Folkstone

10-minute walk or quick taxi from Folkestone Central station

A grand townhouse turned boutique hotel, The Relish is just a short stroll from Folkestone Central and is set on a quiet, leafy street. This 1850s merchant’s house is all high ceilings, flickering candles and thoughtful comforts, and is ideal for a relaxed seaside weekend without the car.

Upstairs, expect spacious bedrooms with Hypnos beds, crisp white linen and lovely bathrooms. Downstairs, there’s a welcoming lounge and a stripped back dining room where breakfast is served with flair. In warmer months, eat on the terrace overlooking the communal garden before heading down to the beach or exploring Folkestone’s buzzing Creative Quarter with its galleries, cafés and sea views.

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Stable West, Canterbury

25-minute walk or quick taxi from Canterbury East station

Hidden at the end of a quiet lane near the Heppington vineyard, this beautifully converted Edwardian stable is a peaceful countryside escape with just the right touch of luxury. Ideal for two couples or a family of five, it’s surrounded by gardens and meadows, with nothing but countryside views and fresh air for miles.

There’s a sunny conservatory for lazy mornings with a good book, and a big kitchen with all you need to whip up a group dinner. Outside, stroll through wildflower meadows, swim in the rose-walled pool, or walk across the fields to a good pub. When you’re ready for a bit of buzz, historic Canterbury is just up the road.

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The Cook’s Cottage, Whitstable

5-minute taxi from Whitstable station

Just off the high street in Whitstable, The Cook’s Cottage is a great self-catering stay for foodies. Walk from the train to the harbour, pick up fresh oysters and fish, then head back to your handmade kitchen to cook up a storm, with a lobster pot, Big Green Egg and everything in between at your disposal.

The house is full of character, with vintage furniture, rich fabrics, and refillable jars of essentials. Bedrooms are cosy and elegant, bathrooms stocked with Aesop, and in summer the walled garden is the star. It comes with a summerhouse-turned-cinema, a chiminea, a hammock and that dreamy outdoor kitchen.

Book a stay at The Cook’s Cottage >

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Beth Tingle

Beth is our Marketing & Content Coordinator, who uses her experience in all things content to get to the heart of the stories and people behind our places and paint an authentic picture of what makes them truly special. She then helps the SEO team to ensure that content reaches as many people as possible. Raised in the small seaside town of Clevedon, she then studied English at Falmouth University and is happiest when swimming in the sea. A huge foodie, she enjoys travel that involves finding the best local markets and cooking up the produce in a self-catered stay.

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