Castles & History, Museums & Galleries
Shell Grotto
Underground passage and chamber decorated with millions of shells in mosaic patterns, of debated origin. Open Thursday to Sunday in winter.
Things to Do in Kent
Castles to explore, beaches to stroll and museums for rainy afternoons. Find your next day out in Kent, whether you've got an hour to spare or the whole weekend.
Guides
Places to visit
Town
Type
Audience
Castles & History, Food & Drink
Shepherd Neame Brewery Tours
Guided tour of Britain's oldest brewer: an 80-minute walk through the brewery and a tutored tasting. Book ahead; over 18s.
Castles & History, Museums & Galleries
Shoreham Aircraft Museum
Small museum in Shoreham village about WWII airmen, with relics from local crash sites and a tea room. Adults £5. Winter opening limited, so phone first.
Family Days Out, Parks & Walks
Shorne Woods Country Park
Kent County Council country park near Gravesend: woods, wetlands and meadows, an eco visitor centre and cafe, play areas, fishing lakes and easy access trails.
Castles & History, Museums & Galleries
Shrine of St Augustine and National Pugin Centre
Pugin's own church in Ramsgate, now a shrine to St Augustine and home to the National Pugin Centre, open for visits most days.
Museums & Galleries
Sir Peter Blake Gallery
Exhibition space in Dartford's library building showing emerging and established artists and exhibitions of local interest.
Castles & History, Parks & Walks
Sissinghurst Castle Garden
National Trust garden created by Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson, with estate walks, a tower and library and a restaurant. Christmas from 28 November.
Parks & Walks
Southborough Common
About 33.5 hectares of ancient woodland, wood pasture and relic heathland on the edge of Southborough, with a circular walk and three self-guided trails.
Family Days Out
Spa Valley Railway
Heritage steam and diesel railway from Tunbridge Wells West through the High Weald to Eridge. Polar Express rides to 30 Dec, regular trains return in January.
Castles & History, Museums & Galleries
Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial Museum
Free Battle of Britain museum on the old RAF Manston airfield near Ramsgate, with Spitfire and Hurricane aircraft and a memorial garden.
Castles & History
St Augustine’s Abbey
Ruined Anglo-Saxon abbey founded in AD 598, with a museum, on the edge of Canterbury's World Heritage Site. English Heritage.
Castles & History
St Dunstan’s Church
Grade I listed parish church in the centre of Cranbrook, known as the Cathedral of the Weald, with a 74-foot tower. Usually open daily.
Running
Canterbury Harriers
A well-established running club offering speed sessions, track intervals, steady group runs and a Sunday long run in Blean Woods. Newer runners are pointed towards the Tuesday sessions to find their feet.
Languages & Learning
The Arts Society Gravesend
A society for anyone curious about the arts, hosting monthly illustrated lectures by expert speakers on art, design and history. It is a relaxed way to learn something new and meet like-minded people.
Music & Choirs
Dartford Choral Society
An amateur choir with all four voice parts that meets weekly to rehearse for its concerts in and around Dartford. It is a welcoming option for local singers who want a regular, sociable night out.
Looking for something on a particular date?
Markets, shows and family events are in What's On, with a date filter.