We are flying BA to Kenya in October and have to layover a night in England, so we thought we might stretch it into 2 or 3 days. We have been to most of the UK, but somehow have missed the southeast. We would appreciate any input on special places to go and/or great B&Bs. I have been looking at places around Gravesend, but wouldn't mind going farther south.
Thanks, Brenda M

The South East is a great choice. It is as stuffed full with places of interest (villages, countryside, seaside, stately homes, gardens, castles, cathedrals, museums, etc) as any part of Britain and all within a relatively small area so you don't need to do too much driving. Worthwhile towns/cities include Canterbury, Brighton and Chichester.

Also October is a pretty good month because the weather can be reasonable and many tourist attractions that close for the winter will still be open.

But why choose Gravesend as your base? There are some interesting places around there, but it's not the most obvious place to start from if you're looking for picturesque England.

Hi WSB,
I don't know. I was just browsing the map and the internet, and some places around there seemed small and quaint and friendly. And it is near Heathrow for a fairly early morning flight. I figured we could wander east one day and west another day. But I would appreciate any specific sights you recommend.
Brenda

Having said that Gravesend is not the most obviously attractive starting point, there is actually quite a lot to do in the vicinity.

Within a few miles of Gravesend there are:
- Cobham (about 4 miles south): an attractive village with a very interesting church (it contains a very remarkable tomb and the best collection of brass memorials anywhere), a lovely set of almshouses, and outside the village Cobham Hall which is a grand mansion that is still remarkable impressive even though it is now used as a school (in October it is open to visitors only on several days between 20th and 29th ... presumably during the half-term holiday)
- Rochester and Chatham (about 7 miles south-east): big ruined Norman castle, cathedral (not one of the grandest but interesting all the same), Dickens's house (Gad's Hill), Chatham Naval Dockyard (a really fascinating museum), pleasant places beside the river, especially at Upnor on the opposite bank from Chatham with its Tudor castle. Unfortunately, Restoration House which is one of the highlights of Rochester is closed after September, I think.
- simple, atmospheric country churches (both regularly open) at Higham (4 miles east) and Cooling (7 miles east) (Note: the countryside is very FLAT); there is also an impressive urban church at Northfleet on the western outskirts of Gravesend but this can be difficult to get into.

Further afield:
Going west from Gravesend you're really in south-east London suburbs straightaway with a fair amount of industry. Notable attractions include, all within about 15 miles of Gravesend:
- Greenwich with its riverside pubs, the grand Royal Naval College (see the painted hall inside), the park, the Observatory and especially the National Maritime Museum
- Blackheath (including the Ranger's House museum)
- Eltham Hall (extraordinary combination of medieval hall and art deco house)
- Darwin's House at Downe
- William Morris's Red House at Bexley.

I don't know much about what lies east of Rochester until you get to Canterbury.

However, moving south over the Downs you come to one of the pleasantest parts of England:
- Ightham Mote (about 13 miles), a beatiful moated manor house in an area of lovely villages ... Plaxtol, Ightham, Wrotham, Kemsing, Seal, Otford, Shoreham, Eynsford, ...
- Knole (about 14 miles), a rambling but magnificent Tudor palace
- Leeds Castle (about 17 miles), a recreated medieval castle in a lake
- Hever Castle (about 20 miles), another restored moated castle with grand gardens, Anne Boleyn's family home
- Chartwell (about 18 miles) Churchill's home.

Somewhat further away (about 35 miles) is Sheffield Park which is one of England's great gardens and which is particularly fine in October because it makes such a feature of autumn colour. If you go that far you'll be in the heart of rural Sussex. (A mile or so from Sheffield Park is a very recommendable pub: The Griffin at Fletching.)

WSB, Thank you, thank you for taking the time to send such detailed info! It all looks great; maybe we will have to stay longer. We are ocean sailors, so Greenwich would be a highlight. I just happened upon Gravesend in my early computer search, I am not locked in on it. Do you have a favorite B&B in the area, preferably not more than an hour from Heathrow?
Thanks, Brenda M

Sorry, I'm afraid I don't know any B&Bs in the area.

If you're interested in the sea, Chatham Dockyard is also worth thinking about. It was one of England's main shipbuilding yards for warships in past centuries. Nelson's HMS Victory was built there. There are interesting exhibits relating to the age of sail and a memorable rope factory. Also, there are 3 ships to visit: a square-rigger, a submarine and a mid-20th century destroyer or frigate.

According to Transport for London's journey planner the journey from Gravesend to Heathrow would take minimum of just over 2hrs by public transport. By car it it could take just as long depending on time of day and traffic conditions, roads are particularly crowded in this neck of the woods. We live in south east London, nearer to Heathrow than Gravesend, and this week it took us 70 minutes on the M25 motorway (which is the route you would need to take) to get to the airport. The AA site suggests 1hr 19 mins but IMO that is somewhat optimistic.


http://journeyplanner.tfl.gov....D=1&command=tripNext

Modem,
Thanks for the info -- it might influence our plans. I keep reading about great B&Bs near Gatwick. Are there any near Heathrow?
Brenda M

Windsor is very near Heathrow and given that it is a very popular tourist destination you might get lucky there. Sorry but as I have not stayed there am unable to suggest somewhere.