Places to Stay Near a Bus Stop in Kent

What's on offer

BritStays lists 268 places to stay in Kent that are near a bus stop. If you're travelling without a car, or would just rather leave it parked, that's a good number to choose from. More than half of them, 145, are also near a train station, so you could arrive by rail and use local buses for the last stretch. Another 140 have EV charging nearby, which helps if you're driving an electric car.

Cottages make up most of the list, with 167 of them. There are also 64 caravanning stays, 28 camping stays, five hotels and four holiday parks. So the choice is mostly self-catering, with some options for a simpler outdoor holiday.

Which area suits your trip

Broadstairs has the most stays near a bus stop, with 38. Whitstable is close behind: it appears under two listings that together give 42. Canterbury also appears under two listings, with 41 between them. Margate has 18, Maidstone 17 and Eastchurch 14.

• Seaside towns: Broadstairs, Whitstable and Margate between them hold a large share of the stays. Example stays here include Hideaway Cottage and Rosemary House in Broadstairs, both sleeping six, and Botany Bay Bungalow, which sleeps five. Pegwell Bay Caravan Park in Broadstairs is a caravanning option with EV charging nearby.
• Inland around Maidstone: The example stays here have rural-sounding names, such as Kingfisher Oast, Moorhen Cottage, Pilgrim Cottage and Green Trees. All of them are near both a bus stop and a train station, which makes them easy to reach by public transport.
• Canterbury: Canterbury Reach Lodge Retreat sleeps six and is near a bus stop. It's a sensible base if you want to stay in or near the city.

Families, couples and groups

For couples, Heron Barn in Maidstone sleeps two and is near both a bus stop and a train station. Green Trees, also in Maidstone, sleeps four. It suits a couple who want extra space or a small family.

Families have plenty of six-berth options. Anchor Light Cottage in Faversham sleeps six and is near a bus stop and a train station, with EV charging nearby. Richmond Cottage in Whitstable sleeps eight and has the same three features.

For larger gatherings, Harold House in Deal sleeps nine. Walpole House in Margate sleeps 19, which makes it the largest of the example stays and a good fit for extended families or reunions.

Bringing the dog

Be realistic here. Only 18 of the 268 stays are listed as pet friendly, so dog-friendly options near a bus stop are limited. Filter for pet friendly first and then compare areas, rather than the other way round. Also check each listing's own rules on dogs, as these vary from stay to stay.

Things to check before you book

Only 22 stays list parking, and just 19 list WiFi. That doesn't always mean a stay lacks them. It may simply not be recorded. If either matters to you, check the full listing or ask the host directly.

Even with the car at home, you may want somewhere to park on arrival, or a reliable connection for working remotely. Seventeen stays list a bar and 19 list toilets. Both are most relevant if you're comparing caravanning and camping sites.

Things to do once you're there

If you stay in Broadstairs, three attractions are listed in the town itself:

• the Secret Wartime Tunnels
• the PWRR & Queens Regiment Museum
• Arthur's Hall

All three are museums, so they work well on a rainy day.

Kent also has plenty of heritage further afield. Places to visit include Leeds Castle, Walmer Castle, Upnor Castle, Saltwood Castle, Dymchurch Redoubt and Garrison Point Fort. Bradbourne House is a stately home, and the White Cliffs of Dover are a well-known stretch of coast.

Some attractions you might see suggested are actually outside Kent:

• Beaver Water World and Splash Park Barking are listed under London.
• Old Macdonald Farm is in Essex.
• Charleston House is in East Sussex.

Bus times and routes change, so check how you'd reach any of these from your stay before you plan a day around them.

When to book

The places in shortest supply tend to go first. Book early if any of these apply to you:

• You're travelling with a dog. Only 18 stays are listed as pet friendly.
• You need space for a big group. Walpole House and Harold House are unusual in sleeping more than eight.
• You want a hotel or holiday park. There are only five hotels and four holiday parks.

A six-berth cottage in Broadstairs, Whitstable or Canterbury gives you much more choice and flexibility, as most of the listings fall into this group.

Whatever you book, look up the nearest bus route and timetable for your stay before you travel. Note the last service of the day, especially if you plan an evening out.