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70,000,000 BC
The iconic chalk of the White Cliffs of Dover is formed from the shells of minuscule sea organisms.
DO IT: Take a wild walk along the White Cliffs to South Foreland, a Victorian lighthouse, then head to Dover Castle to explore the bastion that has guarded the English Channel for almost 2,000 years.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/white-cliffs-dover/
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/south-foreland-lighthouse/
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/dover
AD 43
The Romans invade Britain; their main entry point is near modern-day Sandwich, on the East Kent marshes.
DO IT: Get a sense of Roman power at Richborough Castle, which they built on the site of their initial invasion. See the stone walls of the ancient fortification.
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/richborough
597
Augustine lands at Ebbsfleet and establishes Christianity. In 604 a Saxon cathedral is founded in Rochester by King Ethelbert; the first Bishop of Rochester is Bishop Justus.
DO IT: Find out more about Rochester, England’s second-oldest cathedral, on a themed trail or audio tour.
http://www.rochestercathedral.org/
1119
Robert de Crevecoeur begins constructing a Norman fortification on an outcrop in the River Len. It becomes Leeds Castle.
DO IT: Trace almost a millennium of history at Leeds, then punt on the moat, brave the Underground Grotto and go wild at the Knight’s Realm Playground.
http://www.leeds-castle.com/home
1170
Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, is murdered at his cathedral; the city becomes an important pilgrimage site.
DO IT: Enter the magnificent cathedral: visit the site of Becket’s shrine in Trinity Chapel and stand where the priest was slain.
http://www.canterbury-cathedral.org/
1338
Wealthy merchant Sir John de Pulteney desires a country estate within a day’s ride of London; he begins building Penshurst Place.
DO IT: Admire medieval Penshurst, a perfectly preserved fortified manor. Roam the Elizabethan walled garden, view the 15th-century tapestries, get lost in the maize maze and explore the Toy Museum.
http://www.penshurstplace.com/
1387-1400
Chaucer writes The Canterbury Tales, salutary stories of pilgrims progressing to Becket’s shrine.
DO IT: Make a mini pilgrimage at The Canterbury Tales attraction, which brings Chaucer’s medieval misadventures to life.
http://canterburytales.org.uk/
1505
Hever Castle, built in the 13th century, is inherited by Thomas Boleyn; his daughter, Anne – future wife of Henry VIII – grows up here.
DO IT: Run around Hever’s glorious grounds and mazes – and look out for Anne herself, who supposedly haunts the River Eden bridge.
1558
Chatham, on the River Medway, becomes the principal base of the Royal Navy.
DO IT: Discover over 400 years of maritime heritage at Chatham Historic Dockyard, from its Tudor beginnings to its Cold War submarine.
1648
The Civil War’s Battle of Maidstone takes place; the Parliamentarians win. In 1649, it is the Mayor of Maidstone who pronounces the death sentence on Charles I.
DO IT: Visit Maidstone Museum, which chronicles county life as well as hosting family-friendly events. Entry is free.
http://www.museum.maidstone.gov.uk/
1882
Charles Darwin dies at Down House.
DO IT: Be inspired at Down, where Darwin wrote On the Origin of Species. Visit his study, stroll his gardens and follow the interactive multimedia tour, narrated by David Attenborough.
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/downhouse
1940
Over ten days in May, the Dunkirk Evacuation (codenamed Operation Dynamo) is masterminded from the tunnels at Dover Castle.
DO IT: Immerse yourself in the drama at Dover Castle’s Operation Dynamo experience – state-of-the-art effects and real film footage combine to bring the dramatic events to life.
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/dover-castle/wartime-tunnels/operation-dynamo/
1940
The German Luftwaffe and RAF fight out the Battle of Britain over Kent as Hitler seeks to gain control of UK skies.
DO IT: Kent’s fascinating Battle of Britain Museum houses relics recovered from over 650 crashed aircraft.
For more information on planning your visit to Kent, explore http://www.visitkent.co.uk/
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