Last updated: 17 July 2023
Known as ‘The Garden of England’ Kent is a haven of breathtaking landscapes.
Drawcards of green rolling hills, dramatic white chalk cliffs, historic castles, and bustling seaside resorts bring all types to Kent. There’s no shortage of things to do, hamlets to discover, and ways to spend a day out in Kent.
These 13 days out in Kent are the perfect ideas for a fun-filled day with family and friends. Whether you’re into historic properties, looking to visit some of England’s finest castles and quaint old villages or maybe a safari in the English countryside might interest you? Read on to discover the best ways to spend a memorable day in Kent.
Accommodation in Kent
Want to make a weekend out of it? We’ve put together 12 dreamy Holiday Cottages that you can book in Kent right now.
If you’re more of a boutique hotel kind of person, Kent has some really quaint properties where you can rest your head for a night or two.
1. Margate
One of the original seaside towns, Margate retains some of it’s old-world charm with a kitschy theme park, a world class gallery and a sandy beach complete with a breakwall to contain the harbour.
Beach loving day trippers will love the Blue Flag Margate Main Sands, a sandy beach with tidal pool. There’s an arcade and rides catering for families who want some traditional seaside fun. Nearby is also the award-winning Walpole Bay tidal pool which happens to be the largest saltwater pool in the UK.
Margate’s vintage attraction is Dreamland, one of the oldest amusement parks in Britain. The site was first used for amusement rides back in 1880, although the Dreamland name was not used until 1920 when the park’s Grade II* listed Scenic Railway wooden rollercoaster, which remains in operation to this day, was opened.
Culturally curiously day trippers should head to the Turner Contemporary for a free fix of cutting-edge art. If you’re looking to take a souvenir home, consider supporting local artists from many collections of crafts, ceramics, jewellery, or visit Kent’s oldest art gallery Lovelys, for a work of art for your wall.
Nearby is the rather quirky and mysterious Grade I listed Shell Grotto. The ornate subterranean cavern, with 70 ft of winding passages with the walls and ceiling decorated with mosaics made from 4.6 million seashells.
From London
- Distance from London: 77mi (123km)
- Drive time from London: 1 hour 40 minutes
2. Whitstable
A quintessential fishing town, heaving in summer as crowds descend on the shingle ‘beach’ and pebbly foreshore. Fishing boats bob aimlessly in the harbour as crowds form around the larger cafes and shucking huts to eat the acclaimed Whitstable oysters for which the town is famous.
Decades old dilapidated oyster huts line the foreshore mixed in with those that were reborn into bespoke art galleries or trendy cafes serving afternoon tea on mismatched crockery.
Outside July & August when the town is at capacity, the streets of the town centre are quiet and parking is plentiful. Life in Whitstable is simple and quiet, where traditional country pubs serve a hot roast and ales on limited hours, but offer this old world charm that helps you easily forget you’re just <2 hours from London.
Off the coast of Whitstable are the Maunsell sea forts. Constructed in 1942, these forts were a part of the UK’s deverse strategy, built to provide anti-aircraft fire within the Thames Estuary area. If you can acquire a boat for a closer look, you can still see parts of the ladders that were used by the men posted there.
To support some local businesses and artists in Whitstable, swing by the laid-back Chappell Contemporary, a gallery that focuses predominantly on limited edition prints, including silk screen printing, lithographs, etchings.
Grumbling tummies should look to places like the uber popular The Sportsman though it may take you months to secure a table, or Wheelers, the oldest restaurant in the town, offering a small seasonally-changing menu. They’re also BYO so you can bring your own wine to complement the food. Or if your visit to Whitstable is timed with superb, but fleeting, British summer time, grab some fish and chips from VC Jones and grab a seat along the long shingled beach.
From London
- Distance from London: 61mi (98km)
- Drive time from London: 1 hour 20 minutes
3. Ramsgate
Ramsgate happens to be home to the only Royal Harbour in the UK. Designated this status by King George IV because he was so impressed with the hospitality he received in our coastal town.
Discover the deep labyrinth of civilian shelters known as of the wartime tunnels which provided refuge from bombings during The Blitz.
Ramsgate is also home to the largest reserve in the Kent Wildlife Trust is home to a breeding seal colony at Pegwell Bay. Head to the cliff top at Pegwell Bay to discover Hugin, a replica Viking ship which sailed from Denmark to Thanet in 1949 to celebrate the 1500th anniversary of the invasion of Britain.
Ramblers or outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate the Contra Trail, a coastal walk along the cliff tops to the old Pegwell Hoverport and Nature Reserve, or undertaking one of many water sports such as sail boarding or kite surfing.
From London
- Distance from London: 79mi (127km)
- Drive time from London: 1 hour 40 minutes
4. Rochester
With a main street lined with festive bunting and gaslights, this bustling town centre could be mistaken for the set of a period movie. The high street is full of vintage clothing shops, independent cafes and pubs in half timbered Tudor houses.
This historic town was once a favourite of Charles Dickens, who based many of his novels on the area. The town features two prominent and notable sites which dominated the medieval skyline, both worth a few hours of your time.
A visit to Rochester should include the impressive Rochester Cathedral, the country’s second oldest, built in 604AD and one of the finest Romanesque facades in England. It’s also the location where King Henry VIII first laid eyes on his fourth wife, Anne of Cleves.
The cathedral has been a site of pilgrimage since the 13th century, it’s still a popular place for pilgrims today. Observe the Pilgrim Steps worn by the many thousands of medieval pilgrims. Surprisingly, entry is free and audio guides are available.
Rochester Castle situated across the street from its town-twin the Cathedral, this castle sits at the top of the town’s highest point. One of the best preserved and also one of the tallest in the country, it provides visitors with a birds eye view over the town and surrounding countryside.
Be sure to grab an audio guide and meander around the towering square Keep. The public can enter the castle grounds for free and is a quaint place for a picnic on a sunny day. The Castle is run by English Heritage and as such, entry to the Keep is free for members.
The Rochester Guildhall dates back to 1687 and is one of the finest 17th-century civic buildings in the county. The Guildhall contains a number of paintings and prints of the area alongside numerous historic pieces including a 200,000 year-old axe that visitors can actually handle!
Restoration House is worth a visit, two medieval buildings which were combined in the late 16th or early 17th century and takes its name and timing of its most famous guest. King Charles II stayed here on the eve of the Restoration in 1660, as the only crossing of the River Medway along on the road from Dover to London after he returned to the country from exile in The Hague.
From London
- Distance from London: 32mi (52km)
- Drive time from London: 56 minutes
5. Canterbury
Canterbury has been the setting for many famous fables by Chaucer, Dickens, Defoe, TS Elliott, Arthur Conan Doyle and many many more. Long before that, the Romans had established a settlement in Canterbury from around 70 AD, leaving behind mansio, temples, mosaics, and ancient Roman walls.
Canterbury was once one of Europe’s most important cities and centres of pilgrimage in Medieval England amidst the rolling Kentish countryside. At the entrance to Canterbury’s high street stands a well preserved medieval gatehouse.
A day trip to Canterbury should include the King’s School; the Westgate Gardens; Greyfriars Chapel, the only remaining building of the first English Franciscan Friary.
Don’t miss the stunning and historic Canterbury Cathedral which forms a part of the UNESCO site. Canterbury’s other important monuments including Church of St Martin, the oldest church in England; the ruins of the Abbey of St Augustine, a reminder of the saint’s evangelising role in the Heptarchy from 597; and Christ Church Cathedral, a breathtaking mixture of Romanesque and Perpendicular Gothic, where Archbishop Thomas Becket was murdered in 1170.
If you’re seeking something a little more active, grab a bike and head out for the Cathedral to Coast cycling route which links Canterbury with Folkerstone and Dover.
From London
- Distance from London: 62mi (99km)
- Drive time from London: 1 hour 30 minutes
6. Dover
Known as the ‘Gateway to England’, Dover situated right on the coastline welcomes millions of visitors every year, many of which arrive via the nearby Port of Dover which is the main ferry terminal to France.
The beautiful and iconic White Cliffs of Dover, which was a landmark for returning troops during WWII and unsurprisingly had many songs written about them, including one of my mum’s personal faves by Forces Sweetheart, Dame Vera Lynn. – Be sure to take a stroll along the edge and take in the history, heritage and panoramic views.
Visitors to Dover are also rewarded with forts, archaeological sites, and a unique Bronze Age Boat!
No visit to Dover is complete without spending a few hours at the fabulous Dover Castle which played a significant and vital role in both world wars, including the Evacuation of Dunkirk. With acres of grounds to explore too, be sure to walk the battlements and mighty defences and take in the magnificent view across the English channel which is available from the rooftop. Entry to Dover Castle is free for EH members.
From London
- Distance from London: 76mi (122km)
- Drive time from London: 1 hour 45 minutes
7. Deal & Walmer
Deal is a special unspoilt seaside spot with higgledy-piggledy Georgian houses, and a thriving creative community.
What was once a dangerous smuggling haunt in the 1800s, is now a cute collection of rich nautical heritage with colourful huts and fishing boats hauled up onto the shingle “beach”.
Deal is a slower pace than hip Margate or buzzing Whitstable and that’s a part of its charm. Take a leisurely stroll along the pier, appreciate the characterful town and soak up uninterrupted coastal views and fresh sea breeze, or venture into one of the galleries displaying local work.
History buffs will get a kick out of Deal Castle, an amazingly well preserved fort on the sea-edge built by King Henry VIII as part of a chain of coastal defences. Entry to Deal Castle is free for EH members.
Stock up your picnic basket at the long-running Saturday Farmers Market held at the Union Road car park. Stall holders offer a wide range of goods including clothes, jewellery, toys and local producers selling fresh local products including free range eggs, bread, cakes, fruit and veg.
Timeball tower – A little quirky but worth a look is this Victorian maritime time signal located on the roof of a waterfront four-storey tower in town. Like its counterpart in Greenwich, the time ball would fall at precisely 1pm, triggered by an electric signal directly from the Royal Observatory in Greenwich.
Before it became a time ball tower, the site of an earlier Shutter Telegraph. A part of a chain of telegraph stations between the Admiralty in London and the Naval Yard situated on the coast at Deal. The purpose was to allow rapid communication between the two locations, this was especially significant during the Napoleonic Wars, like at the Victory of Trafalgar in 1805 which was transmitted by the telegraph to the Admiralty in London.
From London
- Distance from London: 84mi (135km)
- Drive time from London: 1 hour 45 minutes
Walmer Castle
Another one of Henry Vlll’s chain of coastal defences. Built in 1540, this Tudor artillery fortress was renovated and transformed from a fortress to an elegant stately home with beautiful gardens.
Walmer Castle became the official residence for Warden of the Cinque Ports due to its key position on the Kent coast.
A number of colourful characters of British history have called Walmer home. The most famous was The Duke of Wellington who held the post as Warden for more than twenty years. The armchair where he died and an original pair of Wellington boots remain on display for visitors.
Entry to Walmer Castle and Gardens is free for EH members.
From London
- Distance from London: 80mi (128km)
- Drive time from London: 1 hour 50 minutes
8. Leeds Castle
How does one condense 900 years of history into one paragraph? Well let’s give it a try.
Leeds Castle was a Norman stronghold, the private property of six of England’s medieval queens; a royal palace used by Henry VIII; a Jacobean country house; a Georgian mansion; a retreat for the influential and famous in the early 20th century; and in the 21st century, it was the venue for international Middle East peace talks.
Surrounded by 500 acres of parkland and gardens, Leeds Castle rises majestically from the still waters of its moat, making it without a doubt, one of the most beautiful venues in Kent.
In July 2020, Leeds Castle celebrated its 900th anniversary. To celebrate the anniversary it opened a Knights’ Stronghold playground and Adventure Golf which accompanies an existing array of features and activities including punting on the moat, Castle interior tours, a garden maze, Bird of Prey centre and falconry arena, a dog collar museum and numerous gardens.
Repeat patronage is encouraged with every ticket having validity for one year, so visitors can visit the castle and grounds as many times as they like.
You can travel by train from London Victoria to Bearsted, and catch a shuttle bus to the castle, but travelling by car is significantly easier and takes roughly the same time plus there is free parking is available onsite.
From London
- Distance from London: 44mi (70km)
- Drive time from London: 1 hour 5 minutes
9. Royal Tunbridge Wells
A spa town, Tunbridge Wells (as it was known then) exists thanks to the discovery of the Chalybeate Spring in 1606.
Aristocrats, Royals – including Queen Victoria, King Charles II and his Queen, Catherine of Braganza, Princess Anne and the Duke of Wellington, came to Tunbridge Wells to ‘take the waters’; the practice of taking to natural waters for health purposes, a practice that became more popular among the nobility from Roman times, well into the reign of Elizabeth I.
Tunbridge Wells secured ‘Royal’ status in 1909. Nestled in the heart of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it’s still gaining fans today, thanks to its buzzy centre, postcard-perfect Pantiles and idyllic surroundings.
A visit to Royal Tunbridge Wells today, should include The Pantiles, the historic heart of Tunbridge Wells. The elegant covered and colonnaded walkway with many buildings dating from the 18th and 19th centuries. This very attractive and stylish part of town has become the most well known and photographed vista.
Take a stroll around Dunorlan Park, or row or pedalo around the boating lake on the landscaped 78-acre greenspace. Ramblers should head for Ashdown Forest, Originally a deer hunting forest in Norman times, now one of the largest free public access space in the South East, a High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and known the world over as the ‘home’ of Winnie-the-Pooh.
From London
- Distance from London: 45mi (72km)
- Drive time from London: 1 hour 5 minutes
10. Chiddingstone
Chiddingstone is a surviving Tudor village full of charm and history.
With its narrow main street, cobbled pavements and well-preserved Tudor buildings complete with half-timbered frames, gables and stone hung red-tiled roofs, it makes a great trip from London.
When you’re visiting, be sure to swing by the Chiding stone. There’s a lot of myth and folklore surrounding this mysterious stone so you may need to decide for yourself what you do and don’t believe. Just some of the fables include that the stone served as boundary marker, an altar for ancient druids, or a place of scolding for Medieval wrongdoers and nagging wives.
From London
- Distance from London: 40mi (64km)
- Drive time from London: 1 hour 10 minutes
11. Chatham
It’s possible to discover Rochester and Chatham together on the same day, as it’s merely a bend in the river that separates them.
The Historic Dockyard Chatham is the only place in the world that lets you explore a complete dockyard from the age of sail as well as unrivalled access to the ships that shaped the world, including a Victorian anti-slavery sailing ship, a Destroyer from WWII and a Cold War submarine.
A visit to the Dockyards today you may even recognise the setting from some movie and tv shows. All 8 seasons of the hit TV series Call the Midwife were filmed here, along with Les Misérables, Sherlock Holmes, Hetty Feather, Mr Selfridge, Children of Men, Vanity Fair and many more.
From London
- Distance from London: 32mi (52km)
- Drive time from London: 1 hour 5 minutes
12. Port Lympne Reserve
It might seem a bit ambitious to travel to Africa for a safari in this post-pandemic life, however did you know, in Kent there is 600 acres where rhinos, giraffes, lions, zebras roam freely?
For a day out in Kent, you can jump on a group safari at Port Lymone and explore some of the park’s residents or sign up for additional experiences like Animal Encounters, feeding the animals or being a helper Keeper for the day.
If you want to spend the night you can. Glamping options are available but let’s face it I’m more of a Nespresso and Netflix style of camper so my eye is on one of the lodges which face directly into the lion, tiger, wolf and rhino enclosures. The only barrier between you and these beautiful beasts is reinforced glass, making the experience a combination between a live TV Big Brother and a David Attenborough documentary, only 1000x better with these animals strolling just inches past your window.
The mansion on site was once the home of a gambling tycoon and exotic animal collector John Aspinall. Nowadays, conservation is at the forefront with the mansion being converted into a hotel and all profits go to the care of its 700 rare, endangered animals.
From London
- Distance from London: 65mi (104km)
- Drive time from London: 1 hour 35 minutes
13. Hever Castle
Spanning more than 700 years, Hever Castle’s history is rich and gossip-worthy.
Most famously, Hever Castle was the family home of Anne Boleyn, the second wife of King Henry VIII and mother of Elizabeth I. After Anne lost her head, and the Boleyns had fallen out of favour, the Castle was given to Henry VIII’s fourth wife Anne of Cleves following the annulment of their marriage.
Don’t miss the magnificent gardens including the Italian Garden, which was designed to display a collection of Italian sculptures. The colourful walled Rose Garden which contains over 4,000 bushes is also worth a visit.
From London
- Distance from London: 41mi (66km)
- Drive time from London: 1 hour 10 minutes
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Book Accommodation
Train or Drive?
Kent is England’s Garden county. Getting to many parts of Kent from London by train is easy, but getting out to the rural, quaint country villages is much much easier with a car. That’s why we recommend hiring a car a for independent travel.
Need a SIM Card?
The UK is, for now, still member of the European Union so if you have an EU SIM you should be eligible for free data roaming from your home country.
If you’re needing a SIM card, there are Prepaid or Pay As You Go (PAYG) options.
Order a Prepaid SIM Card for the UK online and have it shipped to you.
Do You Have Travel Insurance?
Accidents happen and travel insurance is something you should always have before setting off on an adventure. It’s almost always cheaper to buy a prepaid annual policy than trip by trip. If you’re hiring a car as mentioned in this post, be sure to check that you’re covered for damages no matter who’s at fault. Should something happen, you want to know you’ll be taken care of and not a burden physically or financially to your family and friends.
Travel Smart. Travel Safe.
