Dunkirk hotels

Hotels in Dunkirk

Not to be confused with the famous coastal town in northern France, Dunkirk is a sleepy Kent village that is just a short drive from ancient Canterbury and the attractive North Sea coastline. Nearby is the hamlet of Brogdale, which rose to national fame in 2003 when it registered the highest temperature ever recorded in the U.K, 38.5oC on August 10th.

One of the major events to take place in this area was the Battle of Bossenden Wood in 1838, which involved Dunkirk and the settlements of Boughton and Hernhill. Today, historians consider this battle, which was a campaign to improve the political rights of working men, to be the last battle to take place on English soil.

Local attractions:

Canterbury Cathedral

One of the most influential and historically significant churches in the country, Canterbury Cathedral dates back to the late 6th century, although the building was redesigned shortly after the invasion of William the Conqueror. The cathedral, which is 160m in length and is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the church of the leader of the Church of England, the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Canterbury Castle

Despite being in ruins, Canterbury Castle was once a strategic Royal defence and was one of the first Norman castles to be built in England in 1066. The castle is part of an ancient Roman route between London and Dover, and was built on the site of a former ancient fort.

Chilham Castle

A little further away is the enchanting manor house known as Chilham Castle, which features a Norman keep and an impressive Jacobean house. The castle, which is still a family home, overlooks beautifully landscaped gardens, which are open to the public on several occasions each year.

Hotels and restaurants in the area

Although there are technically no Dunkirk hotels, the nearest is the well-presented, affordable Travelodge Canterbury Dunkirk, just to the east. Other hotels nearby include the elegant, beautifully designed Crescent Turner Hotel and the stylish, value-for-money Holiday Inn Express Canterbury. Meanwhile, for tasty British cuisine, head to Sheila's Kitchen, or enjoy delicious seafood and Italian dishes at Pinocchio's in Canterbury.