We all know how difficult it can be getting gifts for those hard-to-buy-for people, from mum to partner. But what we can be sure of is that typically an experience or day out trumps those material gifts, so find below a bunch of ideas from across Kent for those who wish to delve into history or take an afternoon with animals.
Wilder Kent Safari
Kent’s certainly full of wildlife you may not even realise existed in the county, you just need to know where to find it – and Kent Wildlife Trust is ready to help with their Wilder Kent Safaris. Give the gift of getting deep into the wilding projects taking place across the county from the Bison in Blean Woods to beavers in reserves near Sandwich. If you aren’t able to get out and about, consider adopting a Kent-based species, from the bison to the seals off our coast.
Port Lympne and Howletts Wild Animal Parks
Treat a loved one to a truly memorable gift as they come face-to-face with some stunning, critically endangered animals on a 30-minute animal encounter at Howletts Wild Animal Park or Port Lympne Reserve. Be introduced to an animal of your choice, from western lowland gorillas to tigers and wolves, and then learn all about the animal and potentially feed them, all behind the scenes of the typical park experience. If you’re looking to extend your stay, take a break at Port Lympne with accommodation from treehouses to luxury timber wigwams.
Kent Cookery School
Dish up something different this year - a gourmet gift voucher from the Kent Cookery School. What could be more romantic to gift to a loved one than learning to cook some Thai street food, or enhancing a weekend afternoon with the family while baking some bread? With a validity of 12 months and plenty of (we’re talking over 50) courses to choose from, your gift voucher could really make someone’s Christmas beyond the sweet treats… But you could choose to go to a course on those too!
Battle of Britain Memorial
The fascinating story of the bravery of the men who won the Battle of Britain is brought to life during one of the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust’s unique guided tours. The Memorial Trust has put together three different experience packages that combine a visit to the interactive Scramble Experience in The Wing and a 40-minute personal guided tour of the site, finished off with a cream tea in the Cockpit Café, with views of the French coast on clear days – this is one for aviation enthusiasts that anyone with an interest in the 1940s would love to unwrap.
Curious Brewery
There’s one thing for certain and you don’t need to wonder – a lot of people like fresh beer, especially when it’s local! If you have that family member who is both inquisitive and loves to drink local, a Curious gift card is for them. While you might think this is just for their shop of Pilsners to IPAs, you’d be wrong as the giftee could indeed go all out online, but also redeem it for a guided tour or a restaurant visit to make a full day of it.
National Trust membership
With over 15 sites in Kent alone, there’s no shortage of National Trust properties in the county, each with their own distinctive stories, history and seasonal charm – which means that the person lucky enough to receive this gift from you will have plenty of weekends sorted! National Trust’s properties in Kent go from coastal vistas at the White Cliffs to autumnal wanders at Scotney Castle so however the mood takes them, each view will be unique.
Gifts with a difference in The Isle of Thanet
Getting someone out and about in the area around them is the perfect way to open them up to local curiosities, and we happen to know their are plenty of these hidden gems on The Isle of Thanet. Take a read of Visit Thanet's handy gift guide to get some inspiration for a voucher to some of Kent’s most quirky attractions, a mini golf tournament or foraging to delicious local restaurants which will perk someone right up – you might even end up booking something for yourself!
