Thomas Pattenden

Thomas Pattenden's grave sits in the churchyard near Dover, a modest memorial to a man whose name means little to most visitors today. Yet he was something rather extraordinary - a Kent smuggler of considerable renown who operated along this stretch of coast during the 18th century. The stone itself is unremarkable, which somehow feels fitting for a man who made his living staying out of sight.

What draws people here is less the grave and more the story it represents. This is proper smuggling country. Dover's clifftops and hidden coves made it ideal territory for moving contraband - brandy, silk, tea - across the Channel and into England under cover of darkness. Pattenden was one of the more successful operators, which meant he also became one of the more wanted.

It's a short visit, honestly. You're talking twenty minutes maximum if you're reading the stone and soaking up the atmosphere. But it works brilliantly as part of a broader Dover exploration - combine it with the castle, the white cliffs, and a wander through the medieval town centre and you've got a proper afternoon sorted.

Families with older kids who've got a taste for maritime history will get something out of it. Younger ones will find it a bit thin on entertainment. The location near St Margaret's Bay means you're well-positioned for the holiday parks in the area - Parkdean Resorts and Hawthorn Farm are both close by and give you easy access to this corner of Kent's smuggling heritage without needing to venture far from base.