Littlebourne

Littlebourne sits on a gentle branch of the River Stour, four miles east of Canterbury, in a corner of Kent where flint-and-brick cottages line the road and the countryside rolls gently towards the coast. It is the kind of village that rarely makes headlines, and that is much of its charm: a working parish of around 1,500 people, with a green, a parish church, and fields of hops and orchards close by that recall Kent's old identity as the Garden of England.

The village has been settled for a very long time. Flint tools found along the Little Stour valley point to prehistoric use of the valley, Bronze Age barrows and Iron Age farmsteads have been excavated nearby, and a Roman road once ran through on its way to Richborough. The Domesday Book records the settlement as Liteburne, and the Normans built the parish church, dedicated to St Vincent, early in the 12th century. Littlebourne makes a peaceful, unhurried base for exploring the Stour valley and the cathedral city on its doorstep.

Top things to do near Littlebourne

Littlebourne itself is small, but it sits within easy reach of some of Kent's best-known sights and quieter countryside walks.

• Canterbury Cathedral — the UNESCO World Heritage cathedral and its historic city centre are around four miles away, an easy drive or cycle ride.
• Littlebourne Barn — a striking 14th-century timber-framed barn on the edge of the village, one of the oldest and largest surviving barns in the county.
• Little Stour Valley walks — footpaths follow the river through Littlebourne, Wickhambreux and Ickham, linking a string of pretty Stour villages.
• Howletts Wild Animal Park — a large wildlife park near Bekesbourne with gorillas, elephants and tigers, a popular family day out just south of the village.
• Kent Downs National Landscape — the chalk downland to the west offers rolling hills, ancient woodland and long-distance trails such as the North Downs Way.
• Wickhambreux and Ickham — neighbouring villages along the Little Stour, both worth a wander for their churches, mills and riverside cottages.

Getting to Littlebourne

Littlebourne lies just off the A257 Canterbury to Sandwich road, around four miles from Canterbury and within easy reach of the A2 and M2 for London and the rest of Kent. The nearest railway station is Canterbury East or Canterbury West, both roughly four miles away, from where high-speed services reach London St Pancras in under an hour. Regular buses run between Littlebourne and Canterbury, making a car unnecessary for a short stay.

Best time to visit Littlebourne

Spring and early summer bring blossom to the orchards and fresh green growth along the Little Stour, ideal for walking. Summer is warmest for exploring Canterbury and the surrounding countryside, while autumn brings golden colour to the valley and the hop gardens that still dot this part of Kent. Winter is quieter still, with the village at its most peaceful and Canterbury's Christmas market a short trip away.

Where to stay near Littlebourne

Littlebourne has no large hotels of its own, but Canterbury, just a few miles west, offers everything from historic coaching inns to modern hotels, and the surrounding villages have a scattering of bed and breakfasts and holiday cottages. The countryside around the village also suits caravanning, camping and glamping, with sites making the most of the Stour valley and Kent Downs setting.

Food and drink near Littlebourne

The village pub, a former 16th-century cottage with oak beams and open fires, serves as the local hub for food and a pint. Beyond the village, Canterbury offers a much wider choice of restaurants, cafes and traditional pubs, from riverside spots along the Stour to independent cafes in the historic lanes around the cathedral.