Places to Visit

We are only 10 minutes by car from Canterbury, a visit to Canterbury Cathedral, the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury and part of a World Heritage site together with St Augustine's Abbey and St Martin's Church. At the Cathedral there are volunteer guides, audio tours magnificent architecture and history with daily evensong services, definitely an uplifting experience! www.canterbury-cathedral.org

Other attractions in Canterbury include river tours, museums, walking tours and The Canterbury Tales visitor attraction. www.canterbury.co.uk                  www.canterburytales.org.uk

Herne Bay has brightly coloured beach huts which line part of the water's edge and beyond. In the summer months water sports including jet skiing can be enjoyed here.

Whitstable has a wide range of attractions to suit everyone. Water sports, history, shopping, walking or just relaxing on the beach are some of the things you can enjoy.

There are many Festivals throughout the year in the surrounding towns. The Canterbury Festival is in October each year, with a huge diversity of culture and entertainments. www.canterburyfestival.co.uk 

See the Events page on www.visitkent.co.uk and Things to Do page on www.canterbury.co.uk

There are numerous excellent places to visit nearby - especially Howletts and Port Lympne Animal Parks; Wildwood British Wildlife Park; Wingham Wildlife Park and the South of England Rare Breeds Centre.

Leeds Castle, 'The Loveliest Castle in the World', makes a wonderful family day out with its superb adventure playgrounds, maze and bird shows. See www.leeds-castle.comfor their special events.

Another great fun day out is a trip on the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Narrow Gauge Steam Railway where you can hop off and on, enjoying the museum and playground at New Romney, the beach at Romney Sands and the Lighthouse at Dungeness. www.rhdr.org.uk

Enjoy the lovely scenic routes and explore the historic Cinque Ports of Sandwich, Rye and Faversham.

There are many local vineyards, Chartham vineyard, Terlingham vineyard, the Elham Valley vineyard.

Other vineyards further away include Hush Heath vineyard, Chapel Down at Tenterden and Biddenden vineyards, all have free tours and sampling and you can buy their great Kentish wines.  See the link below for the South East Wine Route.

Spectator sports enthusiasts are well catered for with county cricket at Canterbury, motor racing at Lydden and Brands Hatch.

Birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts are well served with Reserves at Dungeness, Sandwich and Stodmarsh being the best-known sites. There are also many nearby reserves and woodland with wild flowers including orchids.

Visit www.kentdowns.org.ukfor details of events, attractions and sites where you can enjoy (often for free) the beautiful countryside of the Kent Downs AONB

The Kent Wildlife Trust has many activities, including walks, talks and family events. www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk

There is a great Adventure playground to be found below The Leas, in Folkestone. Follow the Zig-Zag path, by the clock, opposite the Leas Bandstand. Turn right at the grass Amphitheatre and explore. Below this level is a specially made pleasure beach and promenade which goes all the way to the Harbour Arm, where there is a delightful champagne bar in the old lighthouse. All can also be accessed by cycling or walking from Sandgate Road.

English Heritage sites including Dover, Walmer and Deal Castles, the Roman Fort at Richborough.

National Trust properties include Sissinghurst Gardens; Scotney Castle gardens and Ightam Mote.

If you are visiting us from abroad do check out English Heritage and National Trust websites to see if their overseas visitor passes are suitable for your itinerary. They can be very good value if you are visiting more than two properties. English Heritage passes can be purchased online or at your first visit to a staffed property. National Trust passes should be purchased online in advance and you should allow up to 21 days for delivery of your pass. www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/overseas-visitor-pass      www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/overseas-visitors

There are several riding centres, which make good use of the many local bridle tracks, some specialise in children's riding holidays and fundays, so you can leave the children happily riding and stay with us.

At Rhodes Minnis there is a local equestrian centre offering various courses. www.mysafecobs.com

At weekends there are many boot fairs, village fetes, garage safaris for those unexpected bargains and original artifacts, open gardens, garden safaris to experience whatthe british do best, usually accompanied by delicious homemade teas and cakes.

There are also a wide range of local amenities close by, including many Kentish pubs, restaurants, sports facilities and golf courses. The nearest golf course are Roundwood Hall Pay and Play Golf Course and Etchinghill Golf Course. www.roundwoodhall.co.uk www.pentlandgolf.co.uk/etchinghill/etchinghill-golf-club

Pubs that we especially recommend are:

Most of these have regular music events. contact direct for information.

The Channel Tunnel, for day trips or longer stays abroad, is an easy ten-minute drive and the port of Dover for the ferries and cruise liners is only thirty minutes by car.