We will be in southeast England for 3-4 days in September 2024. Can anyone recommend a home base for visiting rye, Canterbury and tenterden. Flying into London and taking train around. Thanks in advance.
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8924 posts
I can't really address the the home base issue, but I will tell you that staying at the Canterbury Cathedral Lodge was one of my very favorite hotels on my trip to Southern England. The location is amazing, right on the grounds of Canterbury Cathedral. Out the front door, across the street and you are there for Evensong. Walk two blocks and you are in the center of Canterbury with plenty of restaurants and shops.
It was quite easy to get to Canterbury by train from LHR.
Posted by
Virginia
901 posts
I'll add Cathedral Gate Hotel -- https://www.cathgate.co.uk/
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7219 posts
Canterbury is a nice place and easy to reach from London. The other two are small and about an hour from it. Assuming there is public transportation from Canterbury to the others, I’d use it as a base.
Posted by
Lake District, England
8187 posts
I have no difficulty with Canterbury as a base- but Tenterden is the odd man out in this list.
It has no main line rail service, just an isolated steam preserved line. Buses run there from Maidstone, Ashford, and indeed Rye.
There isn't a perfect solution to this question, given that I am not going to persuade an overseas tourist to stay in Ashford. It's six of one, and half a dozen of the other as to whether to stay in Maidstone or Canterbury.
If it was me I would choose Maidstone, it's just that bit easier. And Maidstone has a lot of it's own history.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
34047 posts
Tenterden is the odd man out in this list.
I'd absolutely agree with that. Other than a pseudo celeb like Nigel Farage few people go there as a tourist.
Is there a particular place you will need to go to? I assume this may be family tracing?
As said, it isn't the most convenient part of the world without a car
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Thank you for your suggestions. We have decided to home base in Caterbury. The reason we were wanting to visit Tenterden was because of its access to Wine Tours of Kent who will pick you up, tour vineyards, provide lunch, and drop you off at Ashford International Train Station. Since we are travelling by train, we were thinking Ashford might be a good central place. Now we think Canterbury is a better option. We think we can get some winery tours from there just as easily. If you know of such a tour out of Canterbury, Please let me know. Thanks again.