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
Parks & Walks
Dartford Heath
314 acres of heathland, acid grassland and woodland, managed by the council's countryside team.
Family Days Out, Parks & Walks
Dunorlan Park
Grade II listed Victorian park in Tunbridge Wells with a lake, water garden, Grecian Temple, natural play area and cafe. Boat hire runs April to September.
Beaches & Coast, Parks & Walks
East Cliff and Warren Country Park
Landslip coastline east of Folkestone with lawns, a playground, coastal walks, rockpools and a nature reserve at The Warren.
Family Days Out, Parks & Walks
Ellington Park
Restored Victorian park in Ramsgate with a bandstand, two play areas, trim trail, wildlife pond and a community cafe.
Parks & Walks
Elmley National Nature Reserve
Family-run 3,300-acre National Nature Reserve on Sheppey, with a two-mile entry track, nature trails, marsh birds and hares. Day visits by ticket.
Parks & Walks
Esplanade Gardens
Riverside gardens below Rochester Castle with a play area, outdoor gym and the last stretch of the Medway Valley Walk.
Parks & Walks
Farningham Woods Nature Reserve
Ancient woodland nature reserve north of Farningham, with a waymarked 1.6 mile walk and car park on Calfstock Lane.
Museums & Galleries, Parks & Walks
Folkestone Artworks
Free open-air collection of permanent artworks by 46 artists around Folkestone's seafront and old town, from the Triennial.
Castles & History, Parks & Walks
Fort Amherst
Britain's largest Napoleonic fortress, with free-to-roam grounds above Chatham and paid guided tours of its tunnels.
Parks & Walks
Gillingham Park
Green Flag town park in Gillingham with a play area, a sculpture trail, a circular walk and a winter garden.
Castles & History, Parks & Walks
Great Lines Heritage Park
About 70 hectares of open grassland between Chatham and Gillingham, home to the Chatham Naval Memorial and looking out over Fort Amherst.
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.
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.