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FAMILY TIME SUMMER SPECIAL 063
A SUMMER OF FUN!
From the coast or a castle, to a railway
or a ruin, if you’re looking for inspiration for great family days out this summer, our corner of Kent has so much to offer
Sophie Astin & Sarah Hamilton-Walker hether you’re looking for
rolling countryside, dramatic coastline, historic castles or an open green space with a difference, Kent, known as the Garden of England, is a jewel of
the South East with its rural beauty, rich history and stunning coastline and offers something for everyone, young and old alike. Boasting more conservation areas than any other county in England, there are a wealth of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty to discover. You’ll fi nd no excuse not to spend time outdoors in our corner of Kent – with 4,273 miles of footpaths and cycle routes to choose from as well as more than 180 gardens to visit. And not only does Kent have more conservation areas than any other county in England it can also claim to have more castles and historical houses than any other county too. Leeds Castle “the loveliest castle in the world”, offers up more than 900 years of history and has 500 acres for you to explore. Heading to the coast? Then the mighty Dover Castle offers the opportunity to search through the wartime tunnels deep in the White Cliffs or enter the medieval royal palace to get a taste of court life.
So much to explore
The Seven Wonders of the Weald includes Knole in Sevenoaks, alongside Chiddingstone Castle, Biddenden Vineyards, Scotney Castle,
the spa town of Royal Tunbridge Wells, Hole Park and the Kent and East Sussex Railway. Our county’s coastline is also an exciting place to explore and enjoy days out – boasting a host of award-winning Blue Flag beaches. If towns and a city are more your thing,
our county’s cathedral city of Canterbury – Kent does also have a cathedral in Rochester – has much to see, while rich in historic interest and with a royal connection, the spa town of Tunbridge Wells offers the perfect combination of past and modern with the beautiful Pantiles at the lower end and a mix of independent and chain stores, restaurants, bars and cafes throughout the town.
Family fun!
Family fun can be found throughout the county – from Drusillas Park to Port Lympne Wild Animal Park or its sister Howletts for the animal-lovers among us, to the many annual events including the Kent County Show at Detling (5th, 6th and 7th July), as well as the War & Peace Revival at The Hop Farm (23rd- 27th July), jousting at Leeds and Hever Castles during the summer months, along with a host of other outdoor events, food and drink festivals later in the year, plus great venues to get active, such as Bewl Water and Bedgebury.
CAPTIVATING KENT The beauty of Kent has meant that it has long been a magnet for fi lm locations, especially at the many National Trust and English Heritage sites. 2017’s historical blockbuster Darkest Hour saw fi lming take place at Chartwell, the family home of Sir Winston Churchill, while Penshurst Place featured in The Princess Bride, and when it comes to fi lms about the Tudor periods, Leeds and Dover castles have both been choice settings. Groombridge Place was
the backdrop to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, meanwhile many Bond fi lms have been shot on Kent’s coastline in a nod to creator Ian Fleming, and let’s not forget Hever Castle whose fi lm and TV credits include Inkheart, Anne of The Thousand Days and The Other Boleyn Girl. There are plenty more castles to visit besides, including Scotney, Chiddingstone, Rochester, Walmer, Tonbridge – one of the oldest castles still standing in the UK – to name but a few.
© Visit Kent
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