Hempstead House is situated on the main A2 just 1.5 miles from Sittingbourne, but surrounded by gloroius Kentish countryside. It overlooks plum and apple orchards with adjacent grazing fields full of young lambs in the spring. Within 5 minutes guests can reach the thriving industrial centre of the town which houses many national and international companies. Also within a 10 minute drive, The Kent Science Park is home to a variety of pharmaceutical and bio-chemical companies as well as others.

Situated in the maritime region of Kent, Swale is well located with easy access to both M20 and M2 motorways. It is approximately three quarters of an hour away from the ferry ports of Dover, Ramsgate and Folkestone, and the Channel Tunnel terminus at Folkestone. The three main towns of Faversham, Sittingbourne and Sheerness on the Isle of Sheppey are all served by a direct rail service and there are frequent direct services into London Victoria and to the coastal regions.

As well as many historical attractions, Swale also has a thriving marina at Conyer and busy seaside resorts on the Isle of Sheppey. It boasts the oldest brewery in England, Shepherd Neame in Faversham, which is open to the public and offers guided tours so that visitors can see how beer is made, discover a 300 year heritage and sample award-wining ales and lagers. There are many historical houses and award winning gardens to visit as well as the light steam railway which carries passengers along the original tracks of the industrial paper mill which it used to serve.

The historical cities of Canterbury and Rochester are within 15 miles, both boasting magnificent cathedrals. Each one hosts several festivals and many events are planned during the year. Please refer to their websites for further details.

Visit Leeds Castle, one of the most beautiful in the country set within 500 acres of grounds which surround the castle and its moat. There is an aviary which is home to over 100 species of endangered birds while the Museum on the Castle Island features a collection of a very different kind - dog collars dating back to the sixteenth century.

Flowers and foliage abound in the formal gardens -

the Culpeper and the Lady Baillie Garden, while the maze with its secret underground grotto provides a challenging half hour (or more!) unless you'd rather opt for a cup of tea in the Wykeham Martin Tea Room.
Listed in the Domesday Book, this castle has been a Norman stronghold, a royal residence for six of England's medieval queens, a palace of Henry VIII, and a retreat for the powerful and influential.
The Historic Dockyard Chatham - Tel: 01634 823813

Set in a stunning 80-acre estate The Historic Dockyard at Chatham is only 15 miles along the A2. Explore the worldâs most complete dockyard of the Age of Sail and discover the hidden secrets of the yard that built over 400 ships for the Royal Navy, including Nelsonâs flagship HMS Victory.
Be amazed by the working Ropery, gripped by stories of life aboard our three Historic Warships and absorbed by the sights, sounds and smells of the dockyard of 1758, recreated in Wooden Walls. Journey through 400 years of British maritime endeavour in the inspiring Museum of the Royal Dockyard and relive heroic rescues in Lifeboat!!

Discover the dockyard's wonderful Georgian and Victorian historic buildings and structures of the World's most complete Dockyard of the Age of Sail and check out our programme of fun and exciting Events and Learning opportunities for 2005 - this very important year, The Year of the Sea and the 200th Anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar. You can now visit the new 'Road to Trafalgar' Exhibition, situated at the end of the Wooden Walls gallery.

Visit the Chatham Dockyard website