A classic matchup
France is possibly the most well-known wine making region in the world, but if you don’t fancy venturing south to Burgundy or the Rhone Valley, just 40 miles from la France near Canterbury is Simpsons Wine Estate. This award-winning vineyard is known for its rose, pinot noir to pinot meunier – très français! – and is open for tours and tastings throughout the summer.
For those who still wish to continue the sporting summer, and with cricket not featuring on the Olympic schedule for 2024, you need to get yourself ready for 2028 and soak in some local Kent Cricket games. On the day of the closing ceremony there is a fixture vs Durham in the One Day Cup, with many other tests through into September.
For those who want to explore a UNESCO World Heritage Site, because you’re on holiday after all, stay at the tranquil Canterbury Cathedral Lodge, where all room rates come with a Kentish breakfast and complimentary Canterbury Cathedral entry included.
Cook up a délice culinaire like France
A haven of eating and drinking, France is rarely matched for cuisine, but if you’ve been inspired since heading over there and are looking to cook up your own storm, take a lesson the Kent Cookery School. With courses including Mexican Street Food, Curry and Couples Cooking, you really can head home to impress the rest! Plus, with its handy location just outside Ashford, you can easily break the journey up before breaking up the fresh bread you’ll bake.
Go Ape in the trees
Escaping the buzz and heading into the trees sounds like a dream after a possibly hectic time at the Olympics. With Go Ape high rope experiences at both Leeds Castle and Bedgebury, you can reach new heights, take a leap of faith, fly down ziplines and even pick up your own gold medal – yes, they really offer them!
Return to nature in White Cliffs Country
A consistent theme throughout this piece has been returning to the calming side of life, as the Olympics will provide enough of a buzz for a year! So, if you’re looking to escape and also experience some of England’s prettiest sights, head to Samphire Hoe, where you’ll get really quite close to nature with wildflowers, birds, sea angling and interesting walks. In nearby Walmer, with its quiet beaches, you can see stunning gardens, the original Wellington boots and the reception rooms of HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother at Walmer Castle and Gardens.
Switch off from the Games
If you’re passing through Kent but have decided to make the county a little holiday spot, you certainly won’t be bored! We’d recommend heading east to Thanet, where you can get into the history of England by grabbing a hard hat and torch for a guided tour of the Ramsgate Tunnels, which is a unique civilian wartime tunnel complex that includes a Victorian Railway Tunnel. In nearby Margate, go back underground at the Shell Grotto, which is possibly Kent's biggest mystery. Discovered in 1835 this subterranean wonder, a network of tunnels decorated with 4.6 million shells in magical mosaics of strange patterns and symbols.
Hotel recommendations for a stop
Hythe Imperial Hotel
When you consider the options for staying near your transport for an onward journey, it’s quite rarely exciting or a holiday stay in itself. However, this is far from the truth at the Hythe Imperial Hotel with their modern rooms and suites. Overlooking the English Channel and around 10 minutes from LeShuttle and 20 from the Port of Dover, it’s the ideal base for a night or a few!
Best Western Premier Dover Marina Hotel & Spa
Located on Dover’s Seafront where you can see France on a clear day, is the Best Western Premier Dover Marina Hotel & Spa. Featuring a Waterfront Spa & Health Club with Jacuzzi, steam room and sauna which also offers a variety of treatments to help you relax and de-stress, this is no typical stopover either. For a taste of England, dine out at Mr White’s English Chophouse featuring traditional home-grown classics.
Bridgewood Manor Hotel
Looking for quite possibly the best location to stop off on your journey to or from the games? Just two minutes off the M2, and on a connecting road to the M20 taking around 10 minutes, Bridgewood Manor Hotel is the go-to with its spa, and rooms and suites. Plus with a sunny courtyard, you can enjoy the British sunshine before heading on your way.
Delta Hotels by Tudor Park Marriott Country Club
Set in 200 acres of ancestral deer parkland, spa hotel Tudor Park Marriott Country Club offers a comfortable stay in beautiful surroundings. To keep the sporting theme going, you can take on an 18 hole championship golf course, or venture out for a walk, run or cycle in the surrounding Kent countryside.
