Affectionately dubbed the Garden of England, Kent combines historic charm with colourful coastal towns and an easy commute to the capital. So it’s no wonder that new builds in Kent tempt buyers and renters alike. But how do you narrow down your options? Our verified residents have rated the region’s developers, giving you a flavour of life in our Top 10 before you commit.
New build homes in Kent: Top 10 developments
So, which new homes in Kent match your unique requirements? Let’s find out with our ranking of the best-rated new developments from across this popular south-eastern county.
*PLEASE NOTE these rankings take into account how many reviews a scheme has and how recently those reviews have been submitted, so may not match the overall star ratings shown. Buildings with a larger number of more recent reviews are given a greater weighting to reflect current building performance.
Where is Kent?
Tucked away in the south-eastern corner of England, the home county of Kent faces the English Channel along its coastline. You’ll find Greater London to the north-west, with Essex just across the River Thames estuary to the north. East Sussex lies to the south-west and Surrey to the west.
Living in Kent
Renowned for its orchards, hop gardens, strawberries and hazelnuts, and with close links to London, Kent has a well-to-do reputation brushed with romance. The county town is Maidstone, where much of the region’s produce is showcased in its major agricultural market centre. Just 38 miles from London, the town also hosts a range of cultural events and excellent shopping amenities alongside beautiful parks and river cruises.
Head further east to find Canterbury – an ancient pilgrimage site immortalised by Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. Claiming the oldest cathedral in England, it’s still an important spiritual mecca to this day. And with Roman walls and medieval gateways encircling a cobbled centre and charming timber buildings, the city possesses a magical atmosphere that’s hard to beat.
Kent also has plenty of coastline, providing lovely scenery, entertainment, and impromptu family holidays. In the south, Folkestone combines Victorian architecture with arcades and pavilions, while nearby Dover offers cliff-top walks and excursions to France. Heading north, choose from the seafood haven of Whitstable, the resorts of Margate and Ramsgate, or the historic town of Sandwich, which boasts nature reserves and world-class golf courses.
There’s lots of stunning countryside to explore too, including the Kent Downs AONB and The High Weald AONB. The Vale of Holmesdale is also home to most of the county’s 26 castles.
Education-wise, Kent County Council still favours a selective system based on the eleven-plus, with students given places at either a secondary modern or a grammar school. Meanwhile, the county’s four universities provide a comprehensive range of further education courses and qualifications.
Transport in Kent
With much of Kent lying within the London commuter belt, it benefits from good transport links by road and rail. The Romans connected the area’s ports to the capital, with the A2, B2068, A257, and A28 taking over where they left off.
In addition, the M2 runs from Medway to Faversham and the M20 from Swanley to Folkestone. The M25 also extends into Kent, from Westerham to the Dartford Crossing. If you’re looking to visit France, just catch a ferry over to Calais from Dover or drive to Coquelles via the Eurotunnel from Folkestone.
Just commuting? Catch a high-speed train from Canterbury West station to get to London St Pancras in 55 minutes. From Sevenoaks, you’ll arrive in Charing Cross in only 35 minutes. Maidstone’s rail links can also deliver you to St Pancras or London Victoria in just over an hour.
Kent property prices
Recent data from Zoopla shows the average price for property in Kent was £405,000 in December 2023. Prices in Kent were steady throughout 2023. At £218,000, flats remain great value for money. Meanwhile, terraced houses achieved £323,000, semi-detached homes £416,000 and detached properties £641,000.
A recent market summary by Home.co.uk calculated the average rental price to be around £1,612 per calendar month (PCM). This is higher than the national average, which is about £1,279 (including London). Smaller one-bedroom properties in Kent were let for about £1,050 per month, with five-bedroom homes securing £3,000 PCM on average. Note that these figures are recalculated daily based on current market listings.
Now you have an overview of each development in our Top 10, it’s time to delve a little deeper into what Kent has to offer. Click on our area guide below to read every honest review and learn more about our transparency rating system.
HomeViews provides verified resident reviews of the UK’s housing developments. We’re working with developers, house builders, operators, housing associations and the Government to recognise high performers and help improve standards in the built environment.
