Few areas blend coast and country like White Cliffs Country. 

Magnificent castles, Roman forts, wonderful walking and cycling trails and those iconic White Cliffs – if you haven’t visited Dover, Deal or Sandwich in Kent, book a break this spring! 

The big new draw is the re-opening of the Roman Painted House in Dover, thought to be the finest remains of a Roman house in Britain. From February half term until the end of October, see five surviving rooms with remains of Roman murals of Bacchus, and a remarkably intact underfloor heating system, one of the earliest ever forms of central heating. 

Additionally, the Maison Dieu, Dover’s Town Hall, will reopen in Spring ’25 having undergone a £10.5m restoration. Redundant spaces have been brought to life for commercial use, the Mayor’s Parlour is now a beautiful Landmark Trust holiday let and a packed events programme is planned to celebrate its medieval hospital history. Opening in April, this will be the first time in its 800-year history that it has been fully open to the public daily. 

From history to the natural world, marvel at migrant birds at Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory and Gazen Salts in Sandwich, look out for 220 species that descend on Samphire Hoe near Dover, and after an absence of 200 years, an impressive conservation project has reintroduced characterful red-billed choughs to the White Cliffs of Dover once more. 

Tuck into the freshest locally caught seafood from little fishing boats dotted along Deal’s beach, sample the local tipple at any one of the burgeoning micro-breweries, forage for seafood on the beach then cook up a feast. 

Scour delis for local cheeses and charcuterie, sip local wine at Deal’s Saturday market, enjoy fresh Italian food delivered straight to your door and dine on French bistro fare in Sandwich – whatever your palette, this Kent corner lives up to its Garden of England distinction.