A guide to Kent holidays - holidaycottages.co.uk

Step back in time

Rising majestically from the still waters of its moat, surrounded by 500 acres of beautiful parkland and gardens, Leeds Castle is one of the most beautiful attractions in Kent and makes for a fantastic family day out or a romantic visit with a loved one. There is an abundance of things to do at Leeds Castle for people of all ages, from owl shows and guided tours, to drinking hot chocolate or indulging in a quintessential high tea in the onsite café. Come rain or shine a whole day can easily be spent here. A day spent at Leeds Castle also provides the perfect opportunity to try your hand at a spot of golf, the historical nine hole course at Leeds Castle was built in 1931 and the challenging nature of the terrain continues to draw visitors year on year.

Top 5 beaches

St Mary’s Bay
Dungeness Beach
Ramsgate Main Sands Beach
Sandwich Bay
Sunny Sands Beach

Retail therapy

If you are after a full day of shopping, then a trip to the Pantiles will definitely not disappoint! Originally built as a Georgian spa for tired Londoners, the area has a rich history of providing a delightful experience for hungry shoppers. The Georgian Pantiles are set in the town of Royal Tunbridge Wells and provide the perfect luxurious environment with opportunities to discover a huge host of restaurants serving cuisine from around the globe, a wealth of coffee shops, cafes and traditional English pubs; the perfect destination for outdoor dining and a swanky brunch! The shops lining the beautiful colonnaded walkway consist of interesting independent shops, shabby-chic antique hives, jewellery and clothing stores as well as quirky boutiques.

Top 5 restaurants

All aboard

Kent is full of historical presence to delve into and explore, it can be hard to choose where to visit first! A good starting point is The Historic Dockyard Chatham. This intriguing attraction is one of Britain’s leading maritime heritage destinations and the world’s most complete dockyard from the Age of Sail. This amazing 80-acre estate gives visitors the opportunity to step aboard three historic warships and discover over 1000 years of life at sea. Do not forget to also check out the Victorian Naval Sloop, Second World War Destroyer and Cold War Submarine! As well as the great attractions to explore at this incredible shipbuilding heritage site the Dockyard’s exhibitions and story tellings provide an insight into what life was like on convoy duty during the Second World War. A truly unique day out for the whole family.

Perfect day for a stroll

What better way to explore Kent’s beauty in its most natural form than with a brisk outdoor walk. There are an abundance of hikes and walks in the area for abilities of all kind, however Beacon Wood Walk is such a pretty route that we couldn’t not include it! This ancient hilly woodland supplied timber for over one hundred years and was even the site of a beacon to warn of the approaching Spanish Armada during Elizabethan times. The woodland is steeped in vast amounts of history, and the reason why the landscape is pitted and full of clay dig outs is due to its gunpowder roots. It really does make for a lovely tranquil walk with plenty of viewpoints along the way offering sights of the park’s pond and the surrounding countryside. This walk is a relatively level one, resulting in a less challenging route than many of the others in the area.

Day at the beach

No trip to Kent is complete without enjoying a traditional day at the seaside and with Kent being located right on the coast line there are plenty of sandy spots to choose from. For a classic day full of sea-side fun, take a trip to St Mary’s Bay in Broadstairs. This is a sandy beach with flat rocks around the low tide mark, making it home to numerous rock pools – the perfect family beach location! Running alongside the back of the beach is a row of colourful beach huts, which back onto Broadstairs. This delightful coastal town will easily fill the rest of your day after taking a paddle in the water. Boasting a large range of independent shops, mini golf, beachside cafes, cosmopolitan restaurants and a cinema it provides you with everything you would expect from a day spent at the sea. The salt air can make you hungry getting a portion of fish and chips to enjoy al fresco is a good idea.

A family day out

Set in over 100 acres of beautiful unspoilt countryside and farm land, the Rare Breeds Centre located in Ashford, Kent offers a great day out for the whole family. Both children and adults will find an intriguing and education destination to explore, with animals to pet and meet, creepy crawlies and butterflies to admire, falconry displays to view and numerous other exciting activities to try including trailer rides and aerial runways; you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing what to do first! After a fun packed day you will be sure to have worked up an appetite so why not stop by The Granary Kitchen for a delicious carvery and dessert before heading back to your holiday cottage, but not before taking a visit to the gift shop to pick up some animal themed souvenirs to take back home.

Top 5 castles

White cliffs of Dover

Holidays are synonymous with indulging in your favourite foods and Kent is brimming with fantastic places to do just that! Set out early and head to Little Farthingloe Farm Restaurant in Dover to enjoy a large hearty traditional breakfast before beginning the rest of your day, and with the ingredients on your plate coming straight from the farm you can be assured that you’re eating only fresh produce. After filling up with delicious food head out to the magnificent white chalk cliffs of Dover – one of Britain’s most stunning natural features. The best way to see the cliffs is to take a walk along the coastal path towards South Foreland Lighthouse providing you with spectacular views across the English Channel towards the French coast.