Want to know the best places to live in Kent? A new ranking of the Top 260 Best Places to Live released by Muddy Stilettos might give you the answer.
About Kent
Kent has earned the title of “The Garden of England” with its picturesque landscapes, charming villages, and enviable proximity to London. From the rolling hills, vineyards, and orchards of west Kent, to the cool coastal towns and creative vibe of east Kent, Kent offers a diverse tapestry of lifestyles. Now, let’s embark on a journey to uncover the best places to live in Kent.
TOP 10 Best Places to Live in Kent
1.Royal Tunbridge Wells
Royal Tunbridge Wells, located in Kent, is about 40 miles southeast of London. It’s near the border of East Sussex and High Weald. In the past, it was a popular spa and resort. People came here to enjoy its special water and Pantiles.
- Famous for: spa town, yoga studio, art galleries, great theatres and apple orchards
- Restaurants: The Counter, Sankey’s, Essence by Atul Kochhar, Sucheera, Kiko Sushi & Yakitori, One Warwick Park, The Kentish Hare and The Beacon.
- Places to visit: Calverley Park, Dunorlan Park, Groombrdge Farm Shop, Penshurst Place & Gardens, Bedgebury Forest, Ashdown Forest
- Things to do: Tunbridge Park Wells Literary Festival
2.Sevenoaks
Sevenoaks is the principal town of the Sevenoaks district, followed by Swanley and Edenbridge. It is situated to the southeast of London, approximately 35 kilometres from the heart of the city. You can get there by train in half an hour.
- Famous for: stunning countrysides, good school galore and strong community spirit.
- Restaurants: Huttusa, Brisket and Barrel; Eat ‘n’ Mess, The George & Dragon, The Chaser Inn and Papermakers Arms, Number Eight, Three Sisters, Greensand Ridge Distillery
- Places to visit: Knole Park, Ightham Mote, Hever Castle, Penshurst Place and Riverhill Himalayan Gardens.
- Things to do: Sevenoaks Summer Festival, Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve, Christmas Lights Switch-On
3.Faversham
Faversham is a market town and civil parish in the Swale district of Kent. Located in southeast England, Faversham lies approximately 13 kilometers northwest of Canterbury and roughly 89 kilometers southeast-east of London. Faversham is a great place to live for those who love nature and a quiet life.
- Famous for: long history, independent shops, great foodie destination and coastal and rural walks.
- Restaurants: Macknade food hall, The Phoenix Tavern, The Shipwright’s Arms, Papa Bianco, Albion Taverna, Possillipo and Creek Creative.
- Places to visit: local Shepherd Neame brewery, St Mary’s Church, Faversham Abbey, Oare Marshes Nature Reserve, Mount Ephraim, Belmont House, Huckleberry Woods, The Pottery Room, Brogdale Collections, The Alexander Centre.
- Things to do: go swimming in the Faversham Pools, join Top to Toe Fitness.
4.Tenterden
Deep in the heart of the Weald of Kent, Tenterden is far away from the hustle and bustle of big cities but has its own unique tranquility and peace.The internal road network in the town is relatively complete. Whether it is going to other towns in Kent or large cities like London, there are relatively convenient transportation routes.
- Famous for: scenic, well-to-do country town, some of Kent’s best attractions and schools, a strong community spirit
- Restaurants: The Vine, The Woolpack, The William Caxton, The Three Chimneys, Ozgur, Montalbano, Hoof and Hook, The Lemon Tree.
- Places to visit: Sissinghurst Castle, Bodium Castle, Scotney Castle, Silcocks Farm Shop, Balfour Winery and Rare Breeds Centre.
- Things to do: go to open air theatre and cinema in warmer months.
5.Cranbrook
Cranbrook, a cozy town in Kent’s countryside , is a treasure trove of history, culture, and natural wonders. It’s a mix of old and new, with stunning medieval buildings like top-notch cloth halls standing proudly alongside modern conveniences. The town has a great art scene and was home to a group of artists called the “Cranbrook Colony.”
- Famous for: Union Mill, the tallest smock mill in the UK.
- Restaurants: Hartley Coffee House & Farm Shop, Arthur’s, The Wendy House, Kypseli, The Cloudberry, The Great House, The Goudhurst Inn, Larkin’s Alehouse.
- Places to visit: St. Catherine’s Window, Cranbrook Museum, The Queen’s Hall Theatre, The Cranbrook Comedy Club, Benenden Theatre, Hole Park, Bedgebury National Pinetum, Bewl Water.
- Things to do: summer fairs, Christmas markets, Cranbrook Apple Fayre.
6.Tankerton
Tankerton, a charming seaside suburb of the popular town of Whitstable in Kent. Whitstable is known for its bustling atmosphere, foodie scene, and vibrant community spirit, while Tankerton provides a serene escape from the crowds while still offering all the coastal charm you could desire. It is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to the presence of the Fisher’s estuarine moth. Whether you love nature, food, or romance, Tankerton has something for you.
- Famous for: coastal setting, foodie reputation and SSSI.
- Restaurants: Land + Sea, Basil & Co, Samphire, Porto Wine Bar, Whitstable Oyster Fishery Company.
- Places to visit: Whitstable Castle & Gardens, Whitstable Harbour, Whitstable Dreams
- Things to do: find love at the UK’s best beaches.
7.Speldhurst
Speldhurst is a lovely village near Tunbridge Wells in Kent. It’s just 3 miles west and has a long history and strong community spirit. Hymnwriter Francis Pott lived here until he died in 1909. With its rich history, charming features, and traditions, Speldhurst is a great place for residents and visitors to feel at home and enjoy life’s simple joys.
- Famous for: all the advantage of Tunbridge Wells, country-living escapism.
- Restaurants: The George & Dragon, The Bottle House, The Leicester Arms, Blue India, Sankey’s, Essence by Atul Kochhar, Sucheera, Kiko Sushi & Yakitori.
- Places to visit: Dunorlan Park, Penshurst Place & Gardens, Harrison’s Rocks, Ashdown Forest.
- Things to do: annual Pram Race in May, Tea on The Rec’ every Tuesday during the summer holidays.
8.Folkestone
Folkestone is a beautiful port town by the English Channel in Kent, England. It’s at the southern end of the North Downs, nestled between two tall cliffs with breathtaking sea views. By the 13th century, Folkestone was a bustling port. In the 19th century, they made the harbor bigger to protect against French attacks. Now, Folkestone is still a charming seaside town with a lot of history, pretty scenery, and a special coastal feel. We have great student accommodation near East Kent College Folkestone College nearby.
- Famous for: artistic heart, creative business and foodie map.
- Restaurants: RockSalt, Little Rock, Pilot Beach Bar, Lighthouse Champagne Bar, Marley’s , Gourmet Kitchen.
- Places to visit: The Battle of Britain Memorial, Lower Leas Coastal Park, The Goods Yard, Harbour Screen, Silver Screen Cinema, St Mary & St. Eanswythe’s Church.
- Things to do: Folkstone Triennial, Harbour Festival, Kate Bush Day 2025, Folkstone Artworks.
9.Ickham
Ickham is a peaceful, mostly rural area on the edge of Canterbury. The Little Stour and Wingham rivers flow through it and join the Great Stour to make the River Stour. This gives Ickham a lovely, charming look. There are many special buildings here, showing its rich history of architecture. Visitors and locals alike can enjoy the true feeling of English country life in Ickham.
- Famous for: rich architectural heritage.
- Restaurants: The Duke William Ickham Pub and Restaurant, The Dog at Wingham, The Rose Inn, Fordwich Arms, Brdge Arms, Tadpole Tearoom.
- Places to visit: Roman Museum, The Beaney, parish church of St John the Evangelist, Wingham Wildlife Park, Howletts Wild Animal Park, Goodnestone Park & Gardens.
- Things to do: summer fêtes, Christmas fairs, and lively pub quiz nights at the local watering hole, The Duke William.
10.Westerham
Westerham is a town and parish in Kent, close to Oxted and Sevenoaks. It’s near the Kent border with London and Surrey, and the M25 motorway. This makes Westerham a peaceful place to get away from the city, but it’s still easy to get around. The town has a nice mix of old-fashioned charm and modern things, making it a wonderful place to call home.
- Famous for: a strong creative community spirit.
- Restaurants: The Old Bank, George & Dragon in Chipstead, Squerryes Winter Restaurant.
- Places to visit: Chartwel — former home of Sir Winston Churchill, Quebec House — childhood home of General James Wolfe.
- Things to do: waking, horse riding and mountain biking.
Best Places to Live in Kent for Students: Canterbury
If you come to Kent for further education, one of the best places to live in Kent UK must be Canterbury. Home to the University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church University, the city attracts a diverse and dynamic community. Notably, Kent Business School holds triple international accreditations from AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBA, positioning it among the top 5% of business schools worldwide. Studying here, to seek more private space, independent living experiences, or specific living conditions, you can choose our off-campus student accommodations in Canterbury.
The Best Places to Live in Kent for You
As you ponder the question of where are the best places to live in Kent England for you, it becomes evident that the answer is deeply personal and multifaceted. Remember, not all lovely towns and villages are on the list of best places to live in Kent. Each corner of this picturesque county holds its own unique charm. Whether you seek a peaceful rural idyll, a bustling market town, or a coastal retreat, Kent has something to offer that can resonate with your heart and soul.
Conclusion: Find the Best Places to Live In Kent
We have looked at 11 best places to live in Kent. As you embark on this exciting journey of Kent, let uhomes.com be your trusted companion. Our expertise in the UK house-renting and commitment to helping you find your dream housing make us the perfect partner for your adventure.
FAQ
Bearsted is the safest part of Kent, followed up by Kings Hill in second place, and Sevenoaks in the third place. Herne Bay is the most dangerous. The next most dangerous is Sheerness, and Dover comes in as third most dangerous. All the parts are identified using the same Crime Risk measurement.
Canterbury is the happiest place to live in Kent. It has been named the Kent destination with the highest life satisfaction than any other location in the county. The average score for life satisfaction among Canterbury residents was 7.9 out of 10, followed by Ashford with 7.7 and Tunbridge Wells with 7.6.
Maidstone Borough is the most populated with 184,200 people of the 12 local authority districts within the Kent County Council area. Dartford is the most densely populated area in Kent, with an average of 15.7 inhabitants per hectare. There are currently estimated to be 1,610,300 people living within the Kent County Council area.
