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No visit to Kent would be complete without seeing Leeds Castle.

With nearly 1200 years of history, Leeds Castle has become a national treasure, and one of England's best loved tourist attractions.

Once a Norman fortress, a royal residence, a palace to King Henry VIII, this castle is open all year round.
http://www.leeds-castle.co.uk

The first ramparts on the site of Dover castle date back to the Iron Age. The remains of a Roman lighthouse and an Anglo-Saxon church can be found inside the walls.

Strategically placed on the famous White Cliffs it is one of English Heritage's premier sites.

Also visit Deal and Walmer castles, and Richborough Roman Fort.

Howletts Wild Animal Park is set in 70 acres of beautiful ancient parkland, and it hosts the largest family groups of gorillas in human care in the world.

Europe's biggest breeding herd of African elephants, Indian and Siberian tigers and countless other endangered species are found there.

http://www.howletts.com

Sissinghurst Gardens is one of the world's most celebrated gardens, the creation of Vita Sackville-West and her husband Sir Harold Nicholson.

A series of small enclosed compartments provide outstanding design and colour through the season.

Other gardens of interest in the area include Penshurst Place, Groombridge Place Gardens and Hever Castle.