Marden

Apple orchards stretch for miles around this proper Kentish farming town, where hop gardens once dominated the landscape and railway tracks still slice through the valley. Marden sits in that sweet spot between the North Downs and the Weald - close enough to Canterbury and Maidstone for a day trip, but far enough out to feel genuinely rural.

The town itself won't win any beauty contests. It's workmanlike rather than chocolate-box pretty, built around Marden station which connects you to London in just over an hour. But that's missing the point entirely.

What makes this area special is the countryside that surrounds it. Amazing Animal Encounters offers hands-on experiences with everything from alpacas to meerkats - brilliant for families who've had enough of traditional farm visits. Southons Field nature reserve provides proper walking territory, while the rolling farmland beyond stretches towards Collier Street and Hunton.

St Michael & All Angels Church anchors the town centre, though you'll find equally impressive Norman architecture at St Mary's in nearby Hunton. The real draw here is simply being in the heart of Kent's fruit-growing country, where public footpaths wind between orchards and the pace of life slows right down.

Getting here is straightforward - the A229 runs north to Maidstone (about 8 miles) or you can take the train from London Victoria. Several touring parks dot the surrounding countryside, putting you within easy reach of Canterbury, Leeds Castle, and the Kent coast. It's an ideal spot for exploring the Garden of England without the tourist crowds that swamp the more famous villages nearby.