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Much needed editing help for Kent 8 night drive itinerary

Posted by on

I've got much appreciated help on this Steves' England Forum with initial info ideas for a spring drive schedule of eight full days based in Biddenden. A mass of attractive options is currently drowning my efforts to move ahead. Kent seems to offer so much more than is possible within our time frame. This occurs despite eliminating much by way of the usual and biggest Kent attractions previously encountered, and focusing on relatively smaller areas.

Shotgun pelleted below is a laughable broad outline of potential inclusions. It's obviously useful only as a framework for serious editing and chopping. Any help (including better replacement options) in realizing something more streamlined is the goal. Note that we will have both NT & EH Heritage passes. All suggestion efforts will be thoroughly researched as well as valued.

The rather odd UPPER CASE CAPITALS below signify stars rated by English Heritage). At the very bottom is a somewhat feeble efforts to cut back a bit from days 1 & 3 in creating another alternative labeled DAY 7. Our BIDDEnden self cater cottage starts and end all days' schedules.

DAY 1 CRANbrook/ LAMBerhurst/ NT IGTHAm Mote/CHIDdingstone NT Village)/ EDENbridge/WESTerham for CHARtwell NTChurchill Home]/SEVEnoaks OLDSOarMnr/ [Plaxtol] / DARTford [St. John Jerusalem Church NT]/ AYLEsford) [OWLetts in Gravesent NT]/ MAIDstone [STONeacre NT] 104mi 3 1/2 hours + drive time

DAY 2 WYE/*CHILHam/'BARfreston/'DEAL/('SANDwich/ ('RAMsgate)/'BROadstairs/('Margate/Brchngton On Sea)/'WHITstable Village.TA/'CHAcan be on alternate day 3 below)/SMaRDen 106 miles 3 1/2 hours + drive time

DAY 3 (TENTerden [EH [Kit Coty House/Horne's Chapel/ LYDDon/ Appledore (possible exclusion?)/ BROOKland/ NEW Romney/ EH DymchurhTower/ **Bishppborne)/ Faversham (possible exclusion as "big town")/ FORDwich/ AYLesford EH St.Leonard Tower. West Malling]/ LEEDS” (or in day 6)

3:15 hours + drive time

DAY 4 PLUCKley/alternate SUTTOn Valence day option {EH Sutton Valence Castle] / MAIDstone/ ROCHEster /(IGHTHam Mote alternate to day 1 above?) /**Penshurst/ BENENden/ ROLVEnden 95.4mi 3 hours minimum drive 103 miies 3:15 + hours drive time

DAY 5 (SUTTonValence S.V. Castle alternate to day 4 inclusion) / LYMIngton / **Godmersham/ NEWEnden/ SANDhurst/ HAWKhurst/ BENEnden 75.7 mi 2 1/2 hours + drive time

DAY 6: BROOkland/ NEWRomney/ LYDDen/ FORDwich/Favervrshm [or-if not dropped as big town) in day3]/ AYLesfrd/ LEEDs (or in day 3) / (Charing,Ashford)/110mi 3 1/2 hours + drive time

****DAY 7 some new inclusions with REVamp to lessen couple of earlier itinerary days:

Smarden / Headcorn/ Sutton Valence/ Maidstone/(Sissinghurst Castle)/ Cranbrook)/ Lamberhurst / Burwash/ Headcorn/ Cranbrook 73.4 mi 2: 45 + drive time

All editing suggestions are most appreciated. I've so enjoyed amazing and patient feedback in getting this far.

Posted by
2512 posts

You need to edit and re-post this because at the moment it’s unreadable. Get rid of that upper case nonsense. It might mean something to you but not to anyone else.

Posted by
4156 posts

I agree with ramblin' on and Emma.

I was in Kent May-June 2016. I spent 4 nights in Canterbury and 3 in Hastings. I was using public transportation. I did do some side trips.

I tried to read your itinerary and barely could figure out what you have listed, or how the drive time is related to what to see. Do you have data on how long it might take to see any of the options you list? That could certainly affect your choices.

Perhaps with a clean-up, we could see what you want us to comment on.

Posted by
32795 posts

Sorry, I really want to help but my after work eyes can't follow the question at the moment... sorry

I think when I can read it I will find that I have been to most.

Posted by
2776 posts

I would drop Faversham (we were there in September only stayed a short time), I would definitely add Chilham, it has a great tea room Shelly’s Tea Rooms, the village it self is well worth the visit. I love Smarden, been there many times, have dear friends that live on The Street near the pub. St Michael’s Church is beautiful. Was there this past September.

Posted by
239 posts

Agreed, you are trying to fit in far too much. Day 1 for example, you won't have time to get out of the car. I wouldn't bother with Dartford unless you have particular reason to go there. Cut everything down to just one or two things per day, especially on days you'll be further away from your base. There are motorways in Kent, but they're built to service traffic circling London or between London and the Channel ports. Any other driving will not be that fast (excepting a couple of trunk roads).

Posted by
1015 posts

Choose two places or sights per day that really appeal to you, and concentrate on those. Have to hand a list of other possibles in the vicinity of those places in case you have extra time to spare. Bear in mind that a trip to a stately home/garden that involves a country drive is going to take at least half a day.

I am not going to go through your list to edit it for you - only you can tell why you put those things on that list, and frankly stuff like this:

WYE/*CHILHam/'BARfreston/'DEAL/('SANDwich/
('RAMsgate)/'BROadstairs/('Margate/Brchngton On Sea)/'WHITstable
Village.TA/'CHAcan be on alternate day 3 below)/SMaRDen 106 miles 3
1/2 hours + drive time

...reads like complete gobbledygook.

However I do note that you’ve worked out it involves 3.5hours of driving (AT LEAST) so how you reckon you’re going to see about ten different towns as well is beyond me!

Posted by
1010 posts

I have never seen such a convoluted entry to this site. English speaking people do not communicate the way you have.

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