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.
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
Places to visit
Town
Type
Audience
Castles & History, Food & Drink
Shepherd Neame Brewery Tours
Guided tour of Britain's oldest brewer: an 80-minute walk through the brewery and a tutored tasting. Book ahead; over 18s.
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.
Castles & History, Museums & Galleries
Shrine of St Augustine and National Pugin Centre
Pugin's own church in Ramsgate, now a shrine to St Augustine and home to the National Pugin Centre, open for visits most days.
Castles & History, Parks & Walks
Sissinghurst Castle Garden
National Trust garden created by Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson, with estate walks, a tower and library and a restaurant. Christmas from 28 November.
Castles & History, Museums & Galleries
Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial Museum
Free Battle of Britain museum on the old RAF Manston airfield near Ramsgate, with Spitfire and Hurricane aircraft and a memorial garden.
Castles & History
St Augustine’s Abbey
Ruined Anglo-Saxon abbey founded in AD 598, with a museum, on the edge of Canterbury's World Heritage Site. English Heritage.
Castles & History
St Dunstan’s Church
Grade I listed parish church in the centre of Cranbrook, known as the Cathedral of the Weald, with a 74-foot tower. Usually open daily.
Castles & History
St George’s Church and Pocahontas Statue
Gravesend's 1733 parish church, burial place of Pocahontas, with a bronze statue of her in the churchyard garden and Virginia memorial windows.
Castles & History
St James’ Church, Cooling
Historic church on the Hoo Peninsula whose churchyard inspired the opening of Dickens' Great Expectations. Open daily.
Castles & History
St Laurence Church
Grade I listed medieval parish church on The Moor, Hawkhurst, with brasses from 1495 and a 1922 war memorial screen. Open daily 11am to 3pm.
Castles & History
St Leonard’s Church and Ossuary, Hythe
Parish church on Oak Walk, Hythe, open daily. Its ossuary of medieval bones opens most days Easter to September and is generally closed in winter.
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.
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Markets, shows and family events are in What's On, with a date filter.