Surroundings, Canterbury

The Wingham Wildlife Park near Canterbury is home to waterfowl, parrots, owls, emu and many other species.

The center is located in the Challock Forest and includes hourly, daily and weekly packages of cross-country rides through the forest, fields and nearby orchards. Private and group lessons are also available for riders of all abilities. Children over the age of 10 are accepted unaccompanied.

Encircled by orchards this attractive village, Wickhambreaux, lies 4mi/7km east of Canterbury.The town has a white clapboard mill with working water wheel and a 14th century church with an Art Nouveau stained glass window that dates back to the 19th century.

The flint and sandstone parish church of St Nicholas in Barfreston (7mi/11km southeast of Canterbury) is a gem of Norman architecture from the 12th century, with remarkable exterior decoration. The tympanum above the south door has a mandorla with a figure of the seated Christ, framed by curling tendrils and smaller figures of angels, people and animals. The archivolts in St Nicholas are also elaborately carved with medallions depicting animals playing musical instruments and people engaged in seasonal tasks. Likewise notable are the wheel window in the chancel arch, decorated with animal heads, and the adjacent eaves, carved with demons' faces to scare away evil spirits.

The delightful village of Chilham (7mi/11km southwest of Canterbury) has a picturesque village green known as "The Square", around which stand ancient timber framed houses. The market square in Chilham is also the site for the annual May Day celebrations. St Mary's, the parish church, contains some magnificent tombs. Chilham Castle, built in 1616, is not open to the public. The park, landscaped by Capability Brown, is open however, and well worth the walk round - including seeing the eagles and falcons.

Faversham is known for its 16th century buildings. Among them are the Guildhall on the marketplace, the former Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, and Arden House (80 Abbey Street), named after Thomas Arden (1538-80).Also in Faversham is the Brogdale orchard, home of the National Fruit Collection featuring over 4,000 species of fruit trees and plants.Faversham was one of the main centres of the UK explosives industry. Oare Works is a country park open to the public with an early 20th century electric-powered gunpowder mill on display.

Herne Bay (pop. 26,827) is a seaside resort, located 53mi/85km east of London. The town is home to a clock tower, built in 1837, notable as the world's first freestanding purpose-built tower. Herne Bay hosts several festivals during summer months that include concerts and a carnival.