Leeds Castle

Leeds Castle

Credit: Visit Maidstone

Things To Do in Kent

Share this with

x

  • Towns & Villages Search

Towns & Villages Search

Type:
Keyword:

Towns & Villages Search

Type:
Keyword:

Kent, famous for the dramatic white cliffs of Dover, stunning English landscape, bustling seaside resorts, award-winning heritage coastline, historic castles and towering cathedrals.  Long known as 'The Garden of England', the county of Kent is home to lush green countryside scattered with glorious gardens and vineyards producing tasty English wine. 

A walkers and cyclist's paradise, with a wealth of national trails and cycle routes that criss cross their way through the Kent countryside.  Rich in history and heritage, it is full of stories from a time, long since passed, home to world renowned Canterbury Cathedral and the best preserved medieval village in England, Sandwich.  With a host of royal connections, film and TV links, entertaining indoor and outdoor attractions, there's no shortage of things to do in Kent.  

Places to visit in Kent

Take a short break to Kent and delve into the county's famous past, with a visit to the historic city of Canterbury.  No visit here is complete without the chance to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site, take a stroll or a boat trip along the Great Stour river, wander the winding streets to see the historic timber-framed buildings with overhanging upper floors.   

Head to Kent's award-winning coastline, a beautiful place to visit all year round.  Explore the iconic White Cliffs of Dover, the infamous Dover Castle, or join an exhilarating trip to view the White Cliffs from the water and see seals in their natural environment.  Head along the coast to the picturesque seaside town of Deal, frequently highlighted as one of the best places to live in Britain, offering scenic views of the English Channel out towards the notorious Goodwin Sands, mixing fishermen’s cottages with well-preserved Georgian town houses. Don't miss the chance to make a stop along the way in the coastal village of St Margaret's at Cliffe, before heading on to Sandwich with its romantic charm and perfectly preserved medieval houses.

In 2021, Kent's Heritage Coast was on only part of the UK featured in the Lonely Planet’s list of the world’s best regions to visit in 2022.  Definitely one to add to your 2024 visit list.

Explore historic Maidstone, known as the events capital of Kent, with its eclectic mix of unique stores and high street favourites, and the River Medway at its heart, linking Rochester and the Thames Estuary.  Home to the famous Leeds Castle, an ideal base for exploring the beautiful Kent countryside.

The Isle of Thanet is a peninsular at the most easterly point of Kent, comprising of Margate, Ramsgate and Broadstairs, it regularly boasts the most blue flag beaches in the UK. Home to the famous Margate Caves, the iconic Dreamland amusement park, the only 'Royal' harbour in the country, with a thriving arts and culture, food and drink scene, its the perfect place to discover your retro vibe. 

Find out more about the towns and villages that make up the Garden of England using our interactive map of Kent.

Top 15 things to do in Kent

Find more things to do in Kent today by using the search box or viewing the map at the bottom of this page.

Things to do in Kent this weekend

Many of Kent's tourist attractions are open all year round so find something to do today with activities listings each showing a map and opening times for your convenience. Seasonal events in Kent take place all year round so whatever weekend you're visiting, there's bound to be a fun day out to be had near you.

Those who prefer their meals brought to them are always keen to try out a great country pub, where one of Kent’s most famous assets, the local wine, can be sampled. For a more active way to unwind Kent’s blue flag beaches offer ample opportunities to take part in the water sports, and for those who are looking to dive deeper into Kent, there are plenty of accommodation options for somewhere to stay if you’d like to experience more than a day.

If you have trouble viewing the above sign up form on mobile, please click here.

List of things to do & places to visit for days out in Kent

For more information about Kent, including ideas for days out, attractions and events, view the list below for information on things to do and towns and villages within the county. Use the 'map view' button to find something near you.

Number of results:

Number of results: 120

, currently showing 41 to 60.

  1. Balfour Winery

    Type

    Type:

    Vineyard

    Tonbridge

    Balfour Winery on the Hush Heath Estate is a 400-acre family-owned estate in the heart of the ‘Garden of England’, Kent, with vast ancient woodlands, vineyards, apple orchards and wildflower meadows. With family values at its core, Balfour Winery…

  2. Hever Castle and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Historic House / Palace

    Edenbridge

    Romantic 13th century moated castle, once Anne Boleyn's childhood home. Magnificently furnished interiors, spectacular award winning gardens.

  3. Ashford

    Type

    Type:

    Towns & Villages

    Ashford is a town in Kent boasting a lively cosmopolitan centre and world-class shopping with plenty of places to visit and things to do nearby

  4. Ramsgate

    Type

    Type:

    Town

    Margate

    Ramsgate is home to the only ‘Royal’ Harbour in the country, a sparkling marina, award-winning sandy beach , history and heritage and cliff tops that beg to be rambled.

  5. Kent Life

    Type

    Type:

    Tea Room/Coffee Shop

    Maidstone

    Visit Kent Life and experience afternoon tea in the newly revamped tearooms.

  6. Sandwich Guildhall

    Type

    Type:

    Historic House / Palace

    Sandwich

    Built during the reign of Elizabeth 1, take a tour of Sandwich Guildhall.  The Guildhall has been enlarged and modified in more recent times and the tour includes visits to the ancient Court Room, Council Chamber and Mayor's Parlour.  

  7. Canterbury and Coastal Kent

    Type

    Type:

    Coastal Destinations

    Historic gateway to England, Canterbury and coastal Kent have glorious countryside, seaside fun, sandy beaches, cinque ports, smuggling, a cathedral city and a World Heritage site.

  8. Brogdale Collections

    Type

    Type:

    Garden

    Faversham

    The National Fruit Collection has over 3000 varieties of fruit trees including apples, pears, quince, plums and cherries. The orchards are a living history and heritage of fruit waiting to be discovered.

    Brogdale Collections hosts a wide selection…

  9. Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment and Queen's Regiment Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Museum

    Dover


    The collection traces the history of the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment through four and a quarter centuries of service to the Crown.

  10. Medway

    Type

    Type:

    Towns & Villages

    Relax and enjoy the sensational historic capital in Maritime Kent, encompassing Rochester and Chatham. Retreat and let down your defences in the fantastic surroundings of the ancient city of Rochester, home to England’s second oldest cathedral.

  11. The Chapel Down Winery

    Type

    Type:

    Vineyard

    Tenterden

    Chapel Down is England’s leading wine producer with an award-winning range of sparkling and still wines. Based in Kent, in the heart of the Garden of England, we produce wines of the highest quality and which we believe offer the best expression of…

  12. Minster Leas

    Type

    Type:

    Beach

    Sheerness

    Minster Leas is a Blue Flag award winning (2017) beach on the north coast of the Isle of Sheppey in Kent.

  13. Kentish Lady

    Type

    Type:

    Boat Tours

    MAIDSTONE

    The Kentish Lady River boat is synonymous with Maidstone and is one of Kent’s premier excursion providers, between Spring and Autumn we provide a unique experience of the Upper River Medway, we also offer self-drive hire on the Upper Medway with our…

  14. Walpole Bay

    Type

    Type:

    Beach

    Margate

    Walpole Bay is ideal for investigating fascinating rock and tidal pools.

  15. UK Electric Bike Centre, Vineyard tours on an electric bike

    Type

    Type:

    Sightseeing

    ASHFORD

    UK Electric Bike Tours run scheduled and bespoke electric bike tours in and around Kent. We also hire out electric bikes and help to advise you where to go and what to see.

  16. Chatham

    Type

    Type:

    Towns & Villages

    Chatham

    Chatham (Kent) a fascinating maritime town with a history stretching over 400 years. Official tourist guide for things to do in Chatham & nearby events

  17. Maidstone Museum & Bentlif Art Gallery

    Type

    Type:

    Museum

    Maidstone

    Maidstone Museum and Bentlif Art Gallery is an exceptional regional museum housed in the gorgeous Chillington Manor, an Elizabethan manor house.

  18. Samphire Hoe

    Type

    Type:

    Nature Reserve

    Dover

    Samphire Hoe is an amazing place, made from the chalk marl excavated from the construction of the Channel Tunnel.  This 30-hectare nature reserve has something for everybody - a stunning location, wildflowers, birds, sea angling, peace and quiet,…

  19. Herne Bay Central Beach

    Type

    Type:

    Nature Trail / Watching

    Herne Bay

    A popular bathing area for families with amusements and amenities nearby, and quaint and colourful beach huts to the western end of the seafront between Herne Bay pier and Hampton pier.

  20. Minnis Bay

    Type

    Type:

    Beach

    Margate

    A long stretch of sand coupled with ample free parking and children’s outdoor play area near by.