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
Museums & Galleries
Old Brook Pumping Station
Historic pumping station in Chatham run by the Medway Industrial Archaeology Group, with its engines on show. Free, first Saturdays.
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.
Castles & History, Museums & Galleries
RAF Manston History Museum
Museum of RAF Manston history near Ramsgate with a Vulcan, Canberra and Victor cockpit, plus a NAAFI cafe and seasonal events.
Castles & History, Museums & Galleries
Ramsgate Tunnels
Wartime air raid shelter tunnels under Ramsgate, explored on guided tours that start with a film in the old Victorian railway tunnel.
Castles & History, Museums & Galleries
Royal Engineers Museum
Museum of the Corps of Royal Engineers in Brompton, with galleries, a First World War trench display and a cafe.
Museums & Galleries
Salomons Museum
Free two-room museum at Salomons Estate, telling the story of three generations of the Salomons family. Call reception before visiting.
Castles & History, Museums & Galleries
Sandwich Guildhall Museum
Free local museum and historic courtroom in the Guildhall, Cattle Market, open Wednesday to Sunday 10am to 4pm.
Castles & History, Museums & Galleries
Shell Grotto
Underground passage and chamber decorated with millions of shells in mosaic patterns, of debated origin. Open Thursday to Sunday in winter.
Castles & History, Museums & Galleries
Shoreham Aircraft Museum
Small museum in Shoreham village about WWII airmen, with relics from local crash sites and a tea room. Adults £5. Winter opening limited, so phone first.
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.