Where is Kent?
Kent is located in the southeast of England, bordered by The Thames Estuary to its north and the English Channel on its other three sides (south, west and southeast). This makes it a great place for those looking to commute into London as there are good transportation links with both ferries from Kent to France and trains from Kent to London.
Areas in Kent
Some of the most popular areas for protective home buyers in the county of Kent include:
Canterbury – This city is a beautiful and historic place to live, with plenty of things to do both in the city centre and the surrounding countryside. A lively student city, Canterbury is an especially popular choice for those seeking a home in Kent and wanting to be close to the universities.
Dover – Dover is a seaside town that offers stunning views of the English Channel and easy access to France by ferry. It’s also home to several military bases, making it an ideal place for those looking for employment in the armed forces.
Folkestone – Folkestone is another coastal town with plenty of amenities and attractions, as well as excellent transport links to London and other parts of Kent.
Gravesend – Gravesend is a town situated on the banks of the River Thames, with good transport links to both London and Essex. It’s also home to a large shopping centre and several schools rated as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted.
Maidstone – Maidstone is one of the larger towns in Kent, with a population greater than 100,000. It is home to both Katharine Lady Berkeley’s School and Mascalls Academy – two high-performing secondary schools that are consistently ranked among Ofsted’s ‘outstanding’ category.
Universities in Kent
Kent plays host to a number of universities, including the University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church University, both of which are located in the ancient and beautiful city of Canterbury.
Canterbury Christ Church University – Canterbury Christ Church University is one of the largest universities in Kent and has a rich history, dating back to its inception as Canterbury College – founded in 1904. It is now one of the premier universities in the country, with a growing international student body from over 100 countries.
University of Kent – The University is now one of the UK’s top ten leading universities and has been voted as ‘the best modern university by The Sunday Times newspaper. It offers world-class teaching for undergraduates, postgraduates and professional students at its campus in Canterbury.
The University for the Creative Arts – The University for the Creative Arts (UCA) is a specialist art and design university with campuses in Canterbury, Epsom, Farnham, Maidstone and Rochester. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate study in Art & Design, Film & Media, Architecture & Interior Design, Fashion & Textiles, Music and Performing Arts.
Top Schools in Kent
Kent is home to some of the best grammar schools in England, including The Skinners’ School, Tonbridge Grammar School for Boys and Chatham House Grammar School.
The Canterbury High Schools are among Kent’s top-performing secondary schools with the all-girls Oakwood Park Grammar school also performing well in recent years. Some of the best schools in Kent include:
The Weald of Kent Grammar School – Located in Tonbridge, the Weald of Kent Grammar School is a co-educational grammar school for students aged 11 to 18, with an excellent reputation for providing a high standard of education.
The Skinners’ School – Situated in Royal Tunbridge Wells, the school provides an excellent education for boys and girls aged between 11 to 18 years old.
Tonbridge Grammar School for Boys – A popular grammar school with good results at GCSE level, Tonbridge Grammar is situated in Tonbridge and caters to boys aged between 11 to 18.
Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Girls – The top-ranked single-sex girls’ grammar school in Kent, with excellent results at GCSE level and a good reputation for A-Levels as well. Situated just outside Royal Tunbridge Wells.
Population of Kent
The population of Kent is around 1.855 million, making it the 5th most populous county in England. The majority of the population of Kent is concentrated into areas such as Maidstone, Canterbury, Gravesend and Dartford.