With plenty of footpaths, cycle routes and bridleways around Harty, you can easily work up a healthy appetite by the time you join us at The Ferry House.

The Harty to Shellness walk is a circular walk from Harty, across unspoilt country down to the beach at Shellness. It’s a great way to enjoy the countryside, taking approximately 2-3 hours, depending on how long you spend looking at shells on the beach!

There is also the Isle of Harty Trail that takes you through the countryside to the coast at Leysdown and via the quaint and beautiful Harty Church.

The Ferry House is set a stone’s throw from the Swale estuary, so you can easily enjoy waterside rambles through the wild meadows and wetlands that run alongside the river.

For classic Kent coastlines there is also the Blue Flag sandy beach at nearby Leysdown, or the sand-shingle beach of Shellness within easy reach.

Follow the Isle of Harty Trail for a route that can take you as far as Leysdown, or into the wild and beautiful Swale Nature Reserve.

One of best locations for bird watching in Kent, people ‘flock’ here year round to see many different species. Harty is flanked by two of Kent's largest wetland bird reserves; EImley & Swale are home to more than half of the UK's Harrier population, Short Eared Owls & a great number of wild fowl species, which are a regular sight. The RSPB describes Harty's Capel Fleet as "perhaps the best bird of prey viewpoint in the UK.” Everyday you can usually spot hares, pheasants, partridge, herons, kestrels, harriers, field mice & weasels, not to mention farm animals. In spring there are lambs & calves to be seen & year round we are lucky to have lots of wildlife around us. Please bear this in mind when you are driving down to us!

Just around the corner from The Ferry House is the 11th century early Norman Church of St. Thomas the Apostle. Often described as Kent's remotest place of worship, the grade two listed church is well worth a visit.

The church is open every day on a 9am-5pm basis and a service is held on the first Sunday of each month.

Harty is an excellent place to stay in Kent to explore some of the favourite heritage towns and cities. Just across the water is Faversham, a beautiful town which proudly boasts the oldest brewery in England. Iconic Shepherd Neame is open to the public and offers guided tours where you can discover their 300 year heritage.

We're also located just 35 minutes from Maidstone and Leeds Castle, often described as “the most beautiful castle in the World”. Canterbury with all its fabulous shops, sites and theatre is 45 minutes away, and another Cathedral town, Rochester is around 30 minutes away.