Kent might not be home to any of Britain’s
great rivers, nor any of the major lakes
of the UK. It’s not even joined to the
extensive canal network that served
much of England during the 18th &
19th Centuries.

But Kent’s waterways still make
delightful places to visit, for a
gentle stroll, to fish, or maybe a
bit of canoeing or boating.

The two principal rivers - the Stour
in east Kent, and the Medway in the west,
twist and turn through attractive valleys and
pretty countryside. Many of the county’s main
towns and cities have grown up along the banks of
one or other of these rivers - Tonbridge, Maidstone,
Chatham, Rochester, Canterbury, Ashford, & Sandwich,
all lie along the route.

The smaller rivers - mostly tributaries of the Stour
& Medway, are also worthy of some time to explore.
Picturesque villages, mills, and historic bridges all lie
along their courses, and many a pleasant stroll can
be had as you tread the waterside paths.

The largest lake - actually a man-mad reservoir - is
Bewl Water, which straddles the Kent/Sussex border.
It was created by constucting a substantial  dam, &  
flooding three linked valleys. Underneath the waters,
that now buzz with watersports enthusiasts, remain
a church, a farm house, & various other structures.

The best know of Kent’s canals was built as a mainly
as a defensive structure. Royal Military Canal flows
between Hythe and Rye, & was intended as a barrier
against any invading Napoleonic army.