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
Family Days Out, Parks & Walks
Grosvenor and Hilbert Park
Free Victorian park in Tunbridge Wells designed by Robert Marnock, with a lake, nature reserve woodland, play area, cafe and sports facilities.
Family Days Out, Parks & Walks
Haysden Country Park
Council-run country park and local nature reserve west of Tonbridge, with two lakes, River Medway paths, a play area with sculptures and a cafe.
Beaches & Coast, Family Days Out
Herne Bay Pier
Seafront pier with a village of craft and gift huts, food court, helter skelter and fairground horses, run by a local charity trust.
Family Days Out, Parks & Walks
Hesketh Park
Dartford park best known for cricket, with tennis courts, a playground, formal flowerbeds, a wildflower meadow and orchard, and a dog activity area.
Castles & History, Family Days Out, Parks & Walks
Hever Castle and Gardens
Double-moated 14th century castle near Edenbridge, childhood home of Anne Boleyn, with Italian gardens, lake, mazes and a Christmas season from 20 November.
Family Days Out, Parks & Walks
Howletts Wild Animal Park
Wildlife park near Canterbury, home to elephants, gorillas, lemurs and giant anteaters. Run by the Aspinall Foundation.
Family Days Out, Parks & Walks
Jeskyns Community Woodland
Forestry England woodland near Cobham with surfaced trails, play areas, a cafe, disc golf, a dog activity trail and family trails.
Family Days Out, Parks & Walks
Kearsney Abbey
Council-run parkland and cafe in the Alkham Valley, Kent Downs, with a restored billiards room and Changing Places toilet.
Castles & History, Family Days Out
Kent and East Sussex Railway, Tenterden
Heritage steam railway from Tenterden Town Station through the Rother Valley to Bodiam. Trains on selected dates; adult fare £30 online.
Family Days Out, Museums & Galleries
Kent Life Heritage Farm Park
Heritage farm park at Sandling near Maidstone with farm animals, a vintage village, play areas, a working oast house and the Kent Owl Academy.
Family Days Out
Kino Hawkhurst
Cinema and cafe-bar in the Grade II listed Victoria Hall on Rye Road, with a veranda and garden. Open daily from 9:30am.
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.
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.