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.
Beaches & Coast, Parks & Walks
Kent Wildlife Trust grazing marsh reserve with bird hides and level paths, open at all times; charged car park.
Beaches & Coast, Parks & Walks
Flat 8.1 mile coastal route for walkers and cyclists between Whitstable and Reculver along the Herne Bay promenade, mostly traffic-free.
Beaches & Coast, Parks & Walks
Free-to-enter country park on Pegwell Bay with a circular sea wall path, bird hide, play area and cafe, and the way into the nature reserve.
Beaches & Coast
Harbour on the North Kent shore where the Thames, Medway and Swale meet, run by Queenborough Harbour Trust, with an all-tide landing used by boat trips.
Beaches & Coast, Castles & History
Britain's only Royal Harbour: a working harbour and marina with a waterfront of cafes, galleries, boat trips, the Obelisk and West Pier lighthouse.
Beaches & Coast, Castles & History
Twin medieval church towers beside a Roman Saxon Shore fort on the cliffs east of Herne Bay. Free to visit; North Tower interior opens on select days.
Beaches & Coast, Family Days Out, Parks & Walks
A 100-hectare Green Flag coastal park on the Medway Estuary with trails, birdwatching, a playground, visitor centre and cafe.
Beaches & Coast, Parks & Walks
Country park under Shakespeare Cliff reached through a cliff tunnel, with walks, picnic areas, toilets and a coffee stop.
Beaches & Coast
Blue Flag shingle bathing beach in the centre of Sheerness facing the Thames Estuary, with a wide promenade and green open space behind.
Beaches & Coast, Museums & Galleries
Cornelia Parker's life-size sculpture on The Stade overlooking Sunny Sands, made for the 2011 Folkestone Triennial.
Beaches & Coast, Parks & Walks
Clifftop walks and a visitor centre at Langdon Cliffs, run by the National Trust, with views over the Channel and port.
Beaches & Coast
Broadstairs' main horseshoe bay of golden sand, with a cliff-top promenade, boardwalk, beach hut hire, cafe and a 2026 Seaside Award.
Volunteering
More than 300 volunteers help bring the Historic Dockyard to life, from restoring warships and running the heritage railway to research and gallery work. It is a great way to learn new skills and meet people who love Chatham's maritime history.
Volunteering
A volunteer group, founded in 2009, that looks after The Vines gardens in the heart of Rochester alongside Medway Council and Kent Wildlife Trust. Volunteers help with planting and run community events such as the summer Cherry Picnic and bat and bug days.
Languages & Learning
A society for anyone interested in Margate's history, heritage and future, with monthly evening talks from guest speakers. Visitors are welcome to come along for a small fee before deciding to join.
Markets, shows and family events are in What's On, with a date filter.
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