I still remember the first time I set foot in Kent, twenty-six years ago.

There was a little stone church tucked away in a lush churchyard, its headstones leaning gently beneath the trees, some so old, they whispered stories from Queen Victoria’s reign.

A whitewashed pub stood nearby, and just beyond it, a red telephone box added a splash of colour to the scene.

In the distance, soft waves of green and gold stretched into the horizon.

That image stayed with me, even if I can’t quite remember exactly where it was. It didn’t matter.

So when, six years later, I had the chance to move here, I didn’t hesitate.

This was the Kent I had fallen in love with.

For the past twenty years, whenever life allowed, I’ve explored this county, camera in hand and two dogs by my side, wandering through its many postcard perfect villages, pausing at church porches, admiring crooked pubs and forgotten corners, drawn in by the quiet beauty each place held.

I’ve now walked through more than 250 villages and small towns across Kent — and that’s still only about half of what’s out there to explore.

It’s always been a quiet obsession of mine. Something I did for myself, with no real plan.

But a few weeks ago, my editor threw me a question I wasn’t prepared for: “So, what’s the most beautiful village in Kent?”

I didn’t have an answer.

Not straight away atleast. There are too many places which have left their mark on me in too many ways.

So I sat down, opened my notebook, and began listing every village I’d ever visited.

That’s when the idea took root, to create a list inspired by Les Plus Beaux Villages de France, a tourist guide chronicling the most beautiful villages in l'Hexagone.

Why shouldn’t Kent have something like that I thought to myself.

Compiling the list is easier said than done however.

First came the question: what even counts as a village? The line between it and a town is often blurry.

Population wasn’t always helpful, some places still feel like villages even though housing estates have stretched their borders.

In the end, I leaned on a mix of Wikipedia, online guides and local knowledge acquired from my travels.

Then came the even harder part: deciding what makes a village truly beautiful.

Heritage topped the list.

I gave extra points to places with rich architectural stories — old churches, chapels, oast houses, mills, schools, even crumbling barns if they carried the weight of time.

The more listed buildings, the stronger the village stood.

But numbers alone don’t capture beauty. I looked at cohesion, how well the buildings fit together.

Whether newer additions respected the rhythm of the place.

Setting mattered too.

Villages cradled by hills, rivers, orchards, meadows, woods, or the sea — those earned their place in my heart.

And within the village, I searched for signs of residents care: decorated stone walls, colourful windows and doors, climbing roses, a tended verge.

The small things that show love.

Some places stood out for their stories — literary ties, local legends, or unusual residents.

Others charmed me with the unexpected: a war memorial with wildflowers, a sculpture in a square, a cricket pitch by the green.

Once I had my list, I scored every place, taking my time.

Penshurst, and Chiddingstone often dominate rankings of Kent’s most beautiful villages, and deservedly so.

Yet, despite their charm, they haven’t captured my heart in the way others have, so I’ve listed them as honourable mentions.

I tried to narrow my list down to just ten, but it simply wasn’t possible, so some places ended up sharing a place on the list. Of course, ultimately it’s personal preference.

So without any further delay, let’s begin at number ten.

10. Farningham

A village that rarely makes headlines, and yet its cattle screen over the River Darent looks like it stepped straight out of a painting.

The Pied Bull, a former coaching inn with centuries of history, is a great place to stop for lunch, whether it’s a traditional Ploughman’s or something else entirely to keep you going.

9. Postling

A peaceful, tucked-away place I stumbled upon while tracing the footsteps of Joseph Conrad, who once lived on a nearby farm.

During his time there, he wrote some of his most important works and hosted fellow writers like H.G. Wells and Stephen Crane.

Walking through the village feels a little like stepping through the pages of one of his novels — especially at sunset, when the view over the village turns quietly magical.

8. Lenham/Hollingbourne

At number eight are two neighbouring villages along the ancient Pilgrim’s Way: Lenham and Hollingbourne

Both have beautiful churches worth visiting, a scatter of pubs, and plenty of listed buildings.

Lenham, with its medieval square and timber-framed facades, feels like walking through a living history book.

The Dog & Bear Hotel once welcomed Queen Anne, and the church of St Mary’s has watched over the village for centuries.

A private house in the village was even used as a filming location for the horror movie The Last Rite, in which a character named Lucy is haunted by a dark presence.

But don’t worry, you can walk the village streets, visit the pubs, and explore every corner without fear. Lucy’s haunting was pure fiction.

Hollingbourne, just down the road, is equally charming, with its row of listed cottages, old water pump, and peaceful lanes leading into the hills.

Its church sits tucked quietly off the main road, and outside the village you’ll find The Dirty Habit, a 13th-century inn once used by monks and pilgrims.

When I visited, it was a welcoming spot for food, rest, and a glimpse of the past, although it is currently closed pending refurbishments after a fire there in 2022.

7. Wateringbury

A village many speed through, unaware of its quiet grace.

But if you slow down, you’ll see a rich tapestry of architecture, medieval beams, Georgian brickwork, Victorian detailing, and more recent additions all woven together.

And if you turn down the right lane, you’ll come across an old mill beside a tranquil pond, where ducks and swans drift lazily through the reflections.

Just a short walk away, Where Memories Meet offers a cosy spot for tea, lemon drizzle cake, and a gentle browse through vintage finds.

6. Great Chart

At number six is a village that feels quietly proud of its history.

Its centre, known as The Street, is lined with listed buildings, from timber-framed cottages to Georgian houses, all sitting comfortably together.

The 13th-century church still stands at the heart of it, a reminder of how long this place has been loved and lived in.

And all local dog walkers know the little pond by the Great Stour — it’s the perfect spot for dogs to cool off on a warm day.

5. Brenchley

Brenchley feels like a lady in a beautifully tailored dress, graceful, composed, and full of quiet confidence.

Oast houses and timber-framed buildings sit comfortably among the trees, and when I visited, the blossom around the church gave the whole village a sense of quiet celebration.

Just across the road, The Little Bull Café & Bar serves fresh, locally sourced brunch and lunch in a space that’s relaxed, thoughtful, and easy to settle into, the kind of place where time slows down a little.

4. Linton

The row of cottages, the yew-framed church, the pub across the road, all perfection.

It does lose points for the busy main road slicing through the heart of it, but don’t let that stop you.

Be sure to pop into The Bull Inn, they serve excellent food, and if local stories are to be believed, you might even hear a phantom softly calling someone’s name.

3. Chilham/Yalding

It’s a tie for bronze place between two villages.

Chilham is a treat for any Jane Austen fan, with its cobbled square, timber-framed houses, and a gatehouse that leads to Chilham Castle, still privately lived in today.

The White Horse and Shelly’s Tea Rooms sit right on the square, ideal places to duck into for a rest, whether you’ve come from a gentle village stroll or a long trek across the Weald.

It’s easy to imagine a carriage pulling up or a heroine in a bonnet stepping out for a walk through this timeless scene.

Yalding, meanwhile, is a land of bridges — Twyford Bridge with its medieval arches, Town Bridge stretching over the River Beult, and Laddingford Bridge crossing the Teise.

Wisteria climbs the walls of old cottages, a blacksmith’s forge flashes with bright red doors, and the soft yellow church adds a gentle warmth.

And then there’s the faded Hovis sign on a brick wall. It was the combination of all these details that quietly stole my heart.

2. Bredgar

Narrowly missing out on top spot is Bredgar, just south of Sittingbourne.

I went there early, and the mist hadn’t quite lifted.

The church tower loomed through the haze, and everything was softened: the pond, the shopfronts, even the red phone box curled beside the stone wall.

It felt like stepping into a dream.

Just beside the pond, Bredgar Farm Shop & Tea Room offers a cosy spot for breakfast, lunch, or a slice of homemade cake — a perfect place to warm up after a misty morning walk.

1. Shoreham

Number one is the village that stole my heart completely — Shoreham.

The village enchants with its beautiful buildings, a stone bridge gently arching beneath a weeping willow, delicate decorative details, and timeless architecture.

A small museum, a charming tearoom, the quaint doors and windows of the cottages, blue plaques adorning the buildings, and whimsical signs made by local schoolchildren.

All these elements speak to the deep respect for history and heritage here.

The Honey Pot, with its pastel frontage and the smell of cake drifting out the door, adds even more charm.

It’s a cosy spot for cream teas, homemade bakes, and milkshakes, the kind of place that makes the village feel even sweeter.

And to top it all off, the village is immersed in flowers, floating serenely on an ocean of poppy and lavender fields.

This is my personal list of villages that stole my heart, but there are many more beautiful places across Kent.

Appledore, Biddenden, Aylesford, Smarden, and so many others, didn’t make the final ten, but each offered something special.

Some I remember for a single, perfect detail, like the view down the street from Church Hill in Birling.

Others stood out simply for where their churches were placed — Leigh and Riverhead, in particular, left a strong impression.

In Challock, the carpet of snowdrops surrounding the church will stay with me forever, just like the ruined gate at the edge of the churchyard in Hartlip, or building of Old Willow Farm in Wickhambreaux.

In Ulcombe, the scent of wild garlic filled the air around the ancient church, adding a quiet magic to the scene.

Some churches looked like they’d stepped out of a painting — Molash, Ospringe, Bekesbourne, Goodstone, and Minster Abbey among them.

One day, I might try listing the ten most beautiful churches in Kent.

Or maybe I’ll rank the prettiest street.

National polls always crown The Shambles in York — but what would you choose for Kent?

I know not everyone will agree with my choices, and that’s the beauty of it.

If you’ve found a village even more magical, I’d love to see it for myself.

I’m always on the lookout for the next hidden gem so message me with your top picks on dlukasik@thekmgroup.co.uk