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
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.
Castles & History, Parks & Walks
National Trust woodland near Cobham, open dawn to dusk, around the 18th-century Darnley Mausoleum (mausoleum closed for winter).
Family Days Out, Parks & Walks
Over 50 acres of parkland on the site of the old Maidstone Zoo, with an arboretum, sculpture trail, play area, marked walks and a cafe.
Parks & Walks
Small Kent Wildlife Trust woodland reserve around a lake, a mile south of Hawkhurst off Stream Lane, with a footpath.
Parks & Walks
34 hectare lakeside country park beside the Julie Rose Stadium in Ashford, with walking paths, wildlife areas, picnic benches and public art.
Parks & Walks
Large open space in Rainham with a skate park, play area, football pitches and a community tree nursery open on Thursdays.
Parks & Walks
19-mile waymarked walk following the River Darent from the Thames at Dartford, through Central Park and the Kent Downs to Sevenoaks.
Family Days Out, Parks & Walks
Millennium country park above the Darent Valley with chalk grassland, an orchard of 150 fruit varieties, a Saxon burial site and a play area.
Parks & Walks
Kent Wildlife Trust chalk grassland reserve in Gillingham with sweeping views and orchids in summer. Open at all times; free.
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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