Kent

Kent Public Waters

Seaside Towns / Beaches

Kent seaside towns are charming and picturesque locations that are situated along coastlines, offering beautiful beaches, stunning views, and a relaxed atmosphere. These towns often attract visitors for vacation, day trips and all sorts of outdoor activities, water sports, and exploration. Some seaside towns have a rich history and vibrant local culture, while others are known for their stunning natural beauty or tranquil ambiance. These seaside towns not only offer scenic beauty but also often serve as havens for those looking for relaxation, adventure, or cultural experiences. Most of Kent's seaside towns offer an extensive choice of shops along the seafronts and high streets which are ideal for the sandcastle bucket, spade, sun cream, sun glasses, hats, Lilo, gifts and souvenirs, not forgetting the old traditional fish and chip shops which goes hand in hand with any seaside town / beach location, also the variety of many fast food, takeaway, restaurant's and ice cream parlours in Kent's Seaside Towns - Broadstairs - Deal & Walmer - Dover - Dymchurch - Folkestone - Herne Bay - Hythe - Margate - Minnis Bay - Ramsgate - Samphire Hoe - St Margarete's Bay - Whitstable. Kent coastline and seaside towns has a mixture of beaches, harbours, mariners, piers and sea walls where you will find a mixture of shops, restaurants, bars, cafes, takeaways, ice creams, entertainment and activities like biking, bird watching, boating, camping, fishing, photography, sightseeing, swimming, walking, wildlife also ideal for them relaxing strolls and chilling out.

Kent Lakes

Kent has a number of natural and man-made lakes, most of which are located in areas of outstanding natural beauty. Kent Public lakes can be found in parks, castles, palaces, stately homes, countrysides, villages, towns and places of interest. Some lakes are open to the public for activities such as walking, biking, fishing, boating, and photography and other amenities within. Kent Lakes and Parks -  Danson Park Adventures - Kearsney Abbey - Haysden County Park - Leybourne Lakes County Park - Mote Park - Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve - Kent Wildlife Trust - Vinters Valley Nature Reserve - Westbere Marshes. Kent's lakes are ideal for activities like biking, bird watching, boating, camping, fishing, photography, sightseeing, walking, wildlife.

Kent Reservoirs

Kent is home to reservoirs that serve important functions, such as providing water for the Kent supply, flood control, and recreational activities. Here are some notable reservoirs in Kent being Bough Beech Reservoir - Bewl Water. These reservoirs are not just functional; many of them also offer public access, providing green spaces for outdoor activities like biking, bird watching, boating, camping, fishing, photography, sightseeing, swimming, walking, wildlife and other amenities. However, access can be limited at some sites, especially where water safety is a priority. Bewl Water has trout and pike fishing and now also allow any method for catching trout, you can fish from the banks or even hire a boat for the day/evening. They also have a sailing club and camping on site along with bike hire, also a sailing club section and many different events throughout the year.

Kent Rivers

River Medway - The largest river in Kent, flowing through the heart of the county. It begins in West Sussex and flows through Kent, passing towns like Maidstone and Rochester, before reaching the Thames Estuary. River Thames - While most of the River Thames flows through London, its estuary extends into Kent. The river marks part of Kent’s northern boundary and provides access to the sea. River Stour - Flowing through Kent this river runs through picturesque areas such as Canterbury and Ashford. It's known for its scenic countryside and historical towns. River Darent - This river flows through the area around Sevenoaks and Dartford, contributing to the region’s agricultural and natural beauty. River Beult - A tributary of the River Medway, the Beult runs through rural parts of Kent, including areas near Maidstone. River Swale - Originating near the Kent-Sussex border, this river flows through the rural countryside before joining the Medway.

Kent Canals

Kent, located in south eastern England, is known for its scenic landscapes, and though it's not particularly famous for a large network of canals, it does have some notable waterways. While Kent doesn't boast an extensive canal network, these waterways are a testament to the region's historical importance in navigation and its role in transportation. Some areas, like the Royal Military Canal, are also great spots for walking or cycling if you're looking to explore scenic routes. The River Medway - While not a canal, the River Medway is one of Kent's most prominent rivers. Historically, it has been used for navigation and transport. The river runs through various towns such as Maidstone and Rochester, and there are some stretches that are canalized. The Kentish Stour - This river has been made navigable by the construction of a canalized stretch known as the Stour Navigation. The Stour Navigation runs from Ashford to Canterbury and is quite scenic, with paths for walking, cycling, and birdwatching along its course. The Royal Military Canal - This is perhaps the most famous canal in Kent. It was constructed during the early 19th century as a defensive measure against invasion, particularly during the Napoleonic Wars. The canal runs for about 13 miles from Hythe (on the south coast) to Rye (in East Sussex), although a section lies within Kent. It's a picturesque area for walking, cycling, and wildlife spotting. The Wey and Arun Canal - Though located just outside of Kent and Surrey and West Sussex, the Wey and Arun Canal connects the River Wey in Surrey with the River Arun in West Sussex. This canal was historically used for transporting goods and is part of a broader network of canals in the South East. Canals and rivers can also be ideal places for activities like biking, bird watching, boating, camping, fishing, photography, sightseeing, walking, wildlife.

Places of Interest

Where there is Public Waters in Kent there will be even more in and around other places of interest like accommodation, castles and stately homes, campsites, hotels, nature reserves, parks, swimming pools, spas, theme parks, water parks, water sports, zoos, and general activities like biking, bird watching, boating, camping, fishing, photography, sightseeing, swimming, walking, wildlife. Some of which may help complete your visits, trips, tours, holidays planning ahead and enjoying your time in one of your favourite Public Waters destinations in Kent. Canterbury Cathedral - Chartwell - Danson Park Adventures - Dover Castle - Dreamland Margate - Hever Castle and Gardens - Howletts Wildlife Animal Park - Kent Wildlife Trust - Leeds Castle - Port Lympne Reserve - Ramsgate Tunnels - Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve - The Historic Dockyard Chatham - The Shell Grotto - The White Cliffs of Dover - Vinters Valley Nature Reserve - Westbere Marshes - Wingham Wildlife Park. Places of interest are ideal for your photography skills and taking some of those great pictures for your photograph albums, social media and special memories.

Public Water Locations

Activities