'The garden of England', has been the nickname of the county of Kent for many generations. The nickname derived from the fact that the area developed by being heavily reliant on agriculture. Kent has the oldest County name in Britain still in use.The name was first recorded in 55 BC

The modern day Kent has a diverse range of industries including coal mining, cement and paper manufacturing.

Canterbury, with it's world famous cathedral, houses the administrative headquarters for the County. Just some of the major towns in the area are Maidstone, Rochester, Dover, Tunbridge Wells and the resorts of Folkestone, Margate and Ramsgate.
.
Quaintly English is the separation of the County. If you were born and bred to the west of the River Medway, you are known as a "Kentish Man", whilst if you were born and bred to the East of the river, you are known as a "Man of Kent". Quite what you are called if you happen to be female is not recorded !

Kent has many beautiful castles. Dover castle is possibly the most well known, with offices and tunnels that were used by the coastal command before and during World War 2. It is not for nothing that the County's motto is "Invicta", meaning "Unconquered". Today they are a very popular tourist attraction.

For beauty, you need look no further than Leeds Castle with it's strong links to King Henry VIII, as has the family home of Anne Boyleyn, Hever Castle.

We cannot mention Canterbury without mentioning the literary classic 'The Canterbury Tales' which is one of the finest examples of early English literature.

Kent is crowded with orchards, plantations of soft fruits, fields of vegetables and market gardens, taking advantage of the good earth. It was once famous for hop-growing and there is some still to be seen. Vines have been reintroduced and there are vineyards dotted amidst the rich pastureland from which comes Kentish wine.