Sevenoaks is a perennial favourite for London buyers, prized for its elegant Georgian and Victorian homes, excellent grammar schools and fast rail connection to London Bridge. Its leafy avenues and proximity to Knole Park lend it a reassuringly established feel, while nearby Tonbridge offers a slightly more understated rhythm, centred around its medieval castle, riverside walks and thriving local community.

Royal Tunbridge Wells has long been Kent’s social and architectural showpiece, with its colonnaded Pantiles, good schools and handsome Regency terraces. The surrounding Wealden villages — Cranbrook, Goudhurst, Sissinghurst, Benenden and Staplehurst among them — represent some of the most sought-after rural addresses in southern England. Their village greens, period houses and rolling orchards epitomise the county’s charm, while Cranbrook’s grammar school adds a particular draw for families.

To the east, Canterbury’s medieval skyline still inspires. The cathedral city combines history with culture, lively restaurants and a strong academic tradition anchored by The King’s School. North of here, the coast takes on a more relaxed and creative air: Whitstable’s maritime heritage, oyster shacks and colourful cottages have made it a magnet for Londoners seeking seaside authenticity, while neighbouring Herne Bay offers a more traditional coastal rhythm, with fine Victorian villas and an increasingly active year-round community.

The allure of Kent lies in its contrasts — metropolitan accessibility blended with rural and coastal calm. Fine schools, vineyards, golf courses and thriving towns create an enviable quality of life, while its property market continues to attract those who value privacy, provenance and setting.

Kent, the fabled “Garden of England,” offers a rare balance of heritage, space and accessibility. Its landscape unfolds from wooded hills and orchards to chalk downs and a distinctive stretch of coast, making it one of the most appealing counties for those seeking both refinement and a genuine sense of countryside. From Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells in the west to Canterbury and the sea in the east, Kent remains a county of variety and quiet sophistication.