While travelling through the rolling hills and scenic landscapes of Kent and Sussex, it is significant to note the area’s connection to renowned people that have shaped art, literature, and history.
Kent and Sussex have been home to many notable figures. From Mick Jagger to Winston Churchill, these counties have attracted luminaries for a long time.
Notable Music Artists
In Kent, music history begins with Mick Jagger, the lead singer of The Rolling Stones. Born in Dartford, Jagger grew up in an environment far removed from global fame. Yet, it was here his passion to pursue music began. He met his bandmate, Keith Richards at the Dartford railway station and began creating music together. Currently, The Rolling Stones are one of the most popular and influential English rock bands, helping define the hard rock sound. Connecting back to his roots, he opened an arts centre, The Mick Jagger Centre, in Kent that offers music lessons and live events. There is also a statue of him and Richards in their hometown on Dartford High Street. Even today, Dartford holds a sense of pride in being the starting point of one of rock’s greatest careers.
In East Sussex, BAFTA winner Rag’n’Bone Man is known for his powerful and emotional music. Born in Uckfield, East Sussex, his song ‘Human’ was used in the Amazon Prime series Oasis, and sold 750k copies in the UK. He has highlighted the countryside community in his work by filming music videos at the University of Sussex. Rag’n’Bone Man, real name Rory Graham, currently resides in rural East Sussex near the country town of Heathfield. (See our previous feature on his Mum, Jane Pritchett).
Another artist connection to Sussex is David Bowie, one of Britain’s most influential musicians and cultural icons. In the later years of his life, he owned a home in East Sussex where he spent time away from the public eye. Known for his constant reinvention and artistic creativity, Bowie’s presence in the area reflects Sussex’s appeal to artists seeking inspiration and privacy. His music video for ‘Ashes to Ashes’ was filmed on Pett Level beach in East Sussex and is considered a defining moment for 1980’s music video production. His legacy as a British musician continues to shape music and popular culture today.
Literary Icons
Literature has long been one of the strongest connections to Kent and Sussex. Charles Dickens, writer and journalist, found inspiration in Kent, particularly in Broadstairs and Gad’s Hill Place. The calmness of Kent helped shape some of Dickens’ most famous works. Frequently named as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era, his books mention the countryside and are heavily associated with the area. Dickens used the area of Rochester in Great Expectations and set the story of David Copperfield in Dover and Canterbury. Other novels, Pickwick Papers and A Tale of Two Cities,take inspiration from Kent. His home in Higham, Gad’s Hill Place, has been transformed into a school. It is available to visit from April to October on seven weekends with pre-booked tickets. Broadstairs, another of Kent’s areas of inspiration, hosts an annual Dickens Festival in June with plays, readings, and more Dickens-inspired attractions. It’s in Broadstairs you’ll also find the Charles Dickens Museum – read all about it here.
Another literary icon that calls the countryside home is Virginia Woolf. She resided in a cottage known as Monk’s House in East Sussex. The home deeply influenced Woolf, writing significant books including A Room of One’s Own and Mrs Dalloway. The home is open to the public for those wanting to see the beloved writing shed, garden, and artistically crafted cottage interior.
UK number one best-selling author Peter James represents Sussex in his works, with his crime and thriller novels often set in Brighton. Sussex continues to inspire writers today, as seen through this modern writer. Readers can put themselves into the imaginative, creative world of Brighton, blending the coastal area with suspense and drama.
Historical Figures
Kent and Sussex are connected to historical figures, including Henry VIII and his connection to Hever Castle and Gardens. Located near Edenbridge, the castle was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, Henry’s second wife. Today, Hever Castle remains one of Kent’s historic landmarks, with a 125-acre garden, 14th century castle interiors, and exhibitions offering insight into Tudor life and the legacy of one of England’s most famous monarchs. Here’s an article written following a castle visit.
In 1941, Winston Churchill was made Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports. This title connected Churchill to Kent and Sussex, and simultaneously granted him responsibilities for the security of Dover Castle. Dover Castle in Kent has been dubbed the “Key of England” for its rich historical ties. On the site, there is a Roman lighthouse, as well abarracks, the Saxon church of St Mary in Castro and the Royal chapel. The castle has been used as a filming location for Doctor Who, The Amazing Race 31, Into the Woods, and Hamlet (1990).
Churchill and his wife, Clementine, owned a home near Westerham in Kent. The home, known as Chartwell, is now owned by the National Trust. The interior of the house remains filled with personal mementos, pictures, and decor that the Churchill family added during their time living there. Outside, the hillside gardens welcome a natural beauty to the land, encapsulated by an expansive woodland area and trails for those visiting.
Tim Peake, the first British European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut, grew up in West Sussex. In 2009, he was one of the six astronauts to board the International Space Station, and became the first astronaut representing the UK to perform a spacewalk in 2016. He was awarded the Freedom of the City in his home city of Chichester for his achievements. The dark skies in Westbourne inspired him, along with West Sussex’s surrounding natural areas. In addition to the night sky, the River Ems and nearby woodlands offer a pleasant setting for walking and enjoying the beauty of nature, much like Peake did.
This is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to famous people connected to Kent and Sussex but it’s already clear that our counties have certainly made their mark in history.
