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
Knole
National Trust house and deer park in Sevenoaks, with showrooms, Gatehouse Tower, cafe and shop. Reduced showroom route from 2 November.
Castles & History, Family Days Out
Leeds Castle
Castle on two islands in a lake, set in 500 acres of parkland near Maidstone, with gardens, a maze, playgrounds and seasonal events.
Castles & History, Museums & Galleries
Lullingstone Roman Villa
English Heritage Roman villa in the Darent Valley at Eynsford, with mosaics and a bath suite. Partly closed for conservation; free entry for now.
Castles & History, Museums & Galleries
Lydd Town Museum
Free local museum in Lydd's old fire station, with a restored horse-drawn fire engine. Closed December to February.
Castles & History, Museums & Galleries
Margate Caves
Chalk caves beneath Northdown Road with self-guided visits, a Discovery Room and a visitor centre. Open Wednesday to Sunday; steps only.
Beaches & Coast, Castles & History
Margate Harbour Arm
Historic stone pier with a lighthouse, cafes, bars and galleries beside the sea, with Margate Visitor Information Centre in Droit House at its base.
Castles & History
Minster Abbey (St Mary and St Sexburga)
Ancient abbey church on the hill at Minster-on-Sea, founded as a Saxon nunnery, beside the Abbey Gatehouse Museum. Doors open most days, for a few hours.
Castles & History, Parks & Walks
Oare Gunpowder Works Country Park
Free woodland country park on the site of a former gunpowder factory, with surfaced paths, a visitor centre and wetland wildlife.
Castles & History, Museums & Galleries
Paddle Steamer Medway Queen
The 1924 Dunkirk Little Ship at Gillingham Pier: a visitor centre and guided tours on board on Saturdays. Under 16s free with an adult.
Castles & History, Museums & Galleries
Powell-Cotton Museum and Quex House
Natural history museum, Regency house and gardens at Quex Park, Birchington. One ticket covers all three. Check winter opening before you go.
Castles & History, Museums & Galleries
Prospect Cottage (Derek Jarman’s cottage), Dungeness
Derek Jarman's cottage and garden at Dungeness. Cottage visits by timed ticket on set dates (£22); the garden can be visited without a ticket.
Castles & History, Museums & Galleries
Quebec House
National Trust house in Westerham, childhood home of General James Wolfe. Check the National Trust page for winter and Christmas opening.
Volunteering
Chatham Historic Dockyard Volunteers
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
Friends of The Vines
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
Margate Civic Society
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.
Looking for something on a particular date?
Markets, shows and family events are in What's On, with a date filter.