GuideCastles & History, Parks & Walks
Sevenoaks: Knole, the wildlife reserve, Shoreham and Kemsing Down
Knole, Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve, Shoreham Aircraft Museum and Kemsing Down, with the winter changes to hours and opening dates.
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
GuideBeaches & Coast, Parks & Walks
Minster, Leysdown and Elmley on the Isle of Sheppey
Minster Abbey, Minster Leas and Leysdown beaches and Elmley nature reserve on the Isle of Sheppey, with dog rules, parking and opening notes.
GuideMuseums & Galleries, Parks & Walks
Maidstone’s museum, parks and days out
Maidstone Museum, Brenchley Gardens, Whatman Park, Mote Park and Cobtree, then Kent Life and Leeds Castle for a longer day out.
GuideCastles & History, Museums & Galleries
Hever Castle, Eden Valley Museum, Chartwell and Quebec House
Hever Castle and Eden Valley Museum near Edenbridge, then Chartwell and Quebec House at Westerham, with dated winter opening.
GuideBeaches & Coast, Parks & Walks
Riverside walks on the Thames and the Medway
Riverside walks and waterfront parks on the Thames from Dartford to Cliffe and on the Medway from Rochester to Rainham.
GuideMuseums & Galleries
Museums and galleries in North Kent and Medway
Museums, galleries and collections across Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham, Dartford and Eynsford, sorted by what you want to see.
GuideFamily Days Out
Family days out in North Kent and Medway: outdoor days and rainy days
Family days out across North Kent and Medway, split into outdoor days in parks and woods and rainy days at museums.
GuideFood & Drink
Eating and drinking in the Medway towns
Pubs, cafes, restaurants and local food producers in Rochester, Chatham, Strood, Gillingham and Rainham: what each serves, where, and when it opens.
GuideFood & Drink
Eating and drinking in North Kent
Pubs, cafes, restaurants and a brewery taproom in Gravesend, Dartford, Northfleet and Swanley: what each serves, where, and when it opens.
GuideCastles & History, Parks & Walks
Walks and green spaces in Strood
Strood's walks and green spaces: Broomhill Park, Rede Common, the Town Centre Trail and the Knights and Kingfishers Walk from the station.
Places to visit
Town
Type
Audience
Castles & History, Parks & Walks
Cobham Wood and Darnley Mausoleum
National Trust woodland near Cobham, open dawn to dusk, around the 18th-century Darnley Mausoleum (mausoleum closed for winter).
Family Days Out, Parks & Walks
Cobtree Manor Park
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
Collingwood Nature Reserve
Small Kent Wildlife Trust woodland reserve around a lake, a mile south of Hawkhurst off Stream Lane, with a footpath.
Parks & Walks
Conningbrook Lakes Country Park
34 hectare lakeside country park beside the Julie Rose Stadium in Ashford, with walking paths, wildlife areas, picnic benches and public art.
Parks & Walks
Cozenton Park
Large open space in Rainham with a skate park, play area, football pitches and a community tree nursery open on Thursdays.
Family Days Out, Museums & Galleries
Crab Museum
Independent museum above the Pie Factory on Broad Street, all about crabs and Kent coast wildlife. Entry is free. Open Friday to Sunday.
Family Days Out, Museums & Galleries
Crampton Tower Museum
Volunteer-run museum in a Victorian flint water tower beside Broadstairs station, on Crampton the railway engineer, transport and local history.
Museums & Galleries
Cranbrook Museum
Free local history museum on Carriers Road, Cranbrook, open Tuesday to Saturday afternoons from April to October. Closed for the winter.
Parks & Walks
Darent Valley Path
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
Darenth Country Park
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
Darland Banks
Kent Wildlife Trust chalk grassland reserve in Gillingham with sweeping views and orchids in summer. Open at all times; free.
Castles & History, Museums & Galleries
Dartford Borough Museum
Free council museum in the Carnegie library building by Central Park, telling Dartford's story from the Stone Age to Kerr's draper's shop.
Cycling
Ashford Wheelers Cycling Club
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
Tunbridge Wells Chess Club
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
Rochester Choral Society
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.
Looking for something on a particular date?
Markets, shows and family events are in What's On, with a date filter.