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.
GuideCastles & History, Parks & Walks
The Fleur de Lis, St Mary of Charity, Shepherd Neame tours, Oare Gunpowder Works, Oare Marshes and Brogdale, with the days and rules each owner lists.
GuideCastles & History, Museums & Galleries
Canterbury Cathedral, St Augustine's Abbey, St Martin's, the Beaney, Roman Museum, Westgate Towers, Canterbury Tales and Howletts, with days and prices.
GuideBeaches & Coast, Museums & Galleries
Viking Bay, Joss Bay, Botany Bay and Kingsgate Bay, plus Dickens House and Crampton Tower, which both close after 1 November 2026.
GuideCastles & History, Parks & Walks
St Leonard's Tower and Manor Park Country Park in West Malling, plus the National Trust's Ightham Mote nearby, with costs and access.
GuideFamily Days Out, Parks & Walks
The Pantiles, The Amelia Scott, three town parks, the rocks on the Commons and Spa Valley Railway, with what is open and when.
GuideCastles & History, Parks & Walks
Tonbridge Castle, the Racecourse Sportsground, Haysden Country Park, the Medway Valley Walk and Clip 'n Climb, with hours and costs where listed.
GuideCastles & History, Parks & Walks
The Friars at Aylesford, Kit's Coty House on Blue Bell Hill and Leybourne Lakes Country Park: what each is and what to check before you go.
GuideFamily Days Out, Parks & Walks
Southborough Common, Salomons Museum and Bewl Water: an open common, a call-first museum and a reservoir with a 13 mile walking circuit.
GuideParks & Walks
Milton Creek Country Park, The Meads community woodland and henge, and Queendown Warren chalk grassland, with access notes for each.
GuideBeaches & Coast, Castles & History
Blue Town Heritage Centre, Barton's Point, Sheerness Beach, Queenborough Harbour and Castle Green, with the practical detail each owner publishes.
Family Days Out, Parks & Walks
Charity-run orchards holding the National Fruit Collection, with year-round self-guided orchard walks on an Orchard Pass, a cafe and a farm shop.
Parks & Walks
Green Flag hilltop park in Strood with woodland, wildflower areas, sculptures, a play area and wide views over the Medway. Open every day.
Family Days Out, Parks & Walks
Formal 1830s town-centre park in Tunbridge Wells with Italianate gardens, cafes, free tennis courts and an all-abilities adventure playground.
Family Days Out, Parks & Walks
45 acres of parkland in the Kent Downs at Meopham, with mature trees, woodland walks, a play area, cafe, toilets and parking.
Castles & History
Medieval cathedral and World Heritage Site, with the Becket shrine site, cloisters, crypt and precincts, in the heart of Canterbury.
Family Days Out, Museums & Galleries
Museum of Roman Canterbury on Butchery Lane, with a mosaic pavement still in its original place, a recreated marketplace and hands-on activities.
Family Days Out, Parks & Walks
Over 114 hectares of countryside, woodland, meadows and lakes on Capstone Road, Chatham, with a cafe, visitor centre and play area.
Castles & History, Parks & Walks
Public green in Queenborough on the site of Edward III's 14th-century castle, now a scheduled monument. Only low earthworks are visible.
Family Days Out, Parks & Walks
Dartford's town-centre park on the River Darent, with the Buccaneer Bay play park, summer water play, gardens, a cafe and visitor centre.
Castles & History, Parks & Walks
National Trust property Sir Winston Churchill bought in 1922 and made his family home, with the house, studio and gardens. Check Christmas hours before you go.
Family Days Out
Dry ski slope, sno-tubing and a long toboggan run near Capstone Farm Country Park, with lessons for all abilities.
Family Days Out
Indoor climbing centre with dozens of individual and multi-climber wall challenges, for ages 4 and up, with a cafe and party rooms.
Cycling
A long-running Ashford road cycling club with a steady weekend social ride, a coffee stop along the way, and summer evening time trials. Newer riders can try the Saturday Spin, a moderate-paced ride added for 2026.
Games & Hobbies
A welcoming chess club for complete beginners and seasoned players alike, running a club championship, quickplay events and Kent League matches. Boards and clocks are provided, and you can try a taster session before joining.
Music & Choirs
A long-established, friendly choir that sings everything from big choral works to traditional folk songs, with regular concerts in Rochester Cathedral. New singers are welcomed, and the society is inviting singers to join a Verdi Requiem performance in March 2027.
Markets, shows and family events are in What's On, with a date filter.
