By now, if you’ve been keeping up with our recommendations, you’ve probably made your fair share of memories across the county. We’ve brought you new ways to spend the season, given inspo on how to turn your visit into a perfectly dreamy staycation, and even let you into the best spots to take your four-legged friends. Now, we’re looking at those new and exciting experiences that’ll bring to life the places you thought you already knew.
Historic Dockyard Chatham
(23rd March – 1st September)
Join the team at the Dockyard as they celebrate 200 years of the RNLI in this year’s must-visit exhibition. Recounting tales of the men and women who have risked their own lives while saving others, a visit to the Dockyard will leave you astounded and inspired. Photos, videos, and interactive experiences are waiting to be discovered…
Canterbury Cathedral
This June, explore the oldest cathedral in the UK through its behind-the-scenes Precincts and Gardens Tour. Be guided through Canterbury Cathedral as you see snippets into the lives of the monks who lived on site all those years ago, as well as the beautiful gardens, all still in use today. History awaits in the heart of the city, so book yourself in and prepare to be amazed.
Walmer Castle
For the first time ever, the private apartment of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports will be open to the public at Walmer Castle. Often visited and stayed in by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, corgis in tow and furnishings specially brought in for her arrival, you can witness first-hand a bygone era. Come along and tour some of the apartment, including the sitting, dining and master bedroom, all bathed in history.
And if you fancy staying the night, why not bring the whole group along and book into Keepers Cottages’ Pink House – a family-friendly, open space perfect for those nights all spent together and making memories. Within a short stroll of Deal High Street, make the most of those artisan food shops, cafes, and the seafront for a perfect Kentish getaway.
Dover Castle
One of our beloved Kentish castles is undergoing some very exciting changes ready for those summer days out, so keep your diary open! Visit Dover Castle this year as they open their northern defenses to visitors, including medieval tunnels and Georgian casemates. With brand new experiences, a new interactive STEM play area, and plenty more, you can witness the untold story of the most testing times of the castle and the country. Plus, with 20% off entry when you arrive with Good Journey, that’s just the cherry on top of a perfect day!
Wine Tours of Kent
(9th September)
Did you know that listening to music while eating can change your taste buds? Well, as Wine Tours of Kent put this theory to the test in their “Heard it through the grapevine?” tours, we’ll be the first to volunteer as subjects! Taking you to two award-winning vineyards in one day (Gusbourne Wine Estate and Woodchurch Vineyard) each one brings with it delightful drinks and magical music. This is an experience for all the senses, so grab your cameras and a friend, and Wine Tours of Kent will do the rest…
Gusbourne
And if you fancy spending a little longer at Gusbourne, we recommend the Limited Editions Wine Tasting Flight – trust us on this one. Sample a selection of their most luxurious and limited wines, including their prestige bottling Fifty One Degrees North. As you’re poured out wine, your host will take you through each individual glass, bringing to life the flavours of the Kentish landscape.
Maidstone Distillery
Explore all the delights of a day out at the Maidstone Distillery, where activities for the whole group await. Will you go for a Distillery Tour & Tutored Tasting, getting up close to the state-of-the-art still? Perhaps you’ll book yourself in for a Cocktail Masterclass, perfecting the art of the “shaken not stirred”? Or how about a Gin Making Experience, where you can browse the botanicals and try your hand at serving up the doubles?
Canterbury Brewers and Distillers
Go behind the scenes with the Canterbury Brewers and Distillers, seeing how they make their fantastic craft in a Brewery & Distillery Tour and Tasting (including some award-winning whisky!). Discover the process of their handmade grain to glass beers and spirits, sampling the final product for yourself as you listen to the stories of their origins. Wrapped up in the history of the beautiful Victorian Foundry in which you find yourself, you’ll feel right at the heart of its creation.
Canoe Wild
A paddle down the river is already our idea of a perfect day out and now, thanks to Canoe Wild’s Beaver Tour and Talk, it’s just got an upgrade. Make that aqua adventure extra special as you spend the afternoon floating down the River Stour, where you’ll get to hear all about the native beavers of the area in this captivating talk.
Abode
For all you culinary enthusiasts out there, the Abode in Canterbury has a brand-new brasserie for you to enjoy, where exciting flavours and dining luxury merge into one. Carefully curated by a team of experts, the menu here will delight all the senses, their array of small plates suiting a romantic evening for two, a group outing with friends, or anything else in between.
Travelling around
With all these fantastic new experiences across the county, we’re lucky to have such great transport connections to get us from one place to the next.
Plan your journey with Stagecoach, and grab yourself a South East Discovery Ticket so you and the group can journey through the beautiful wonders that Kent has to offer.
And check out the Southeastern app, where booking has never been easier, getting you to those must-visits while saving on the pennies, the planet, and the stress!
