Further Afield

Widening the field beyond th immediate locality opens up a world of choice and the list below reflects a few of our personal favourites:

A day at the seaside - Herne Bay, the nearest seaside resort is 5 miles away while the fishing and harbour town of Whitsable is 7 just miles. Broadstairs and Ramsgate, another busy harbour town, are a little further away but are well worth a visit

A day trip to France - the french port of Calais is under 2 hours by ferry ride from Dover . And Paris is the same journey time from Ashford by Eurostar through the Channel Tunnel.

A day trip to London - London is now under an hour away by high-speed train and a day trip will give you time to see some of the sites and even to do a West-End show.

A day in the garden - If you enjoy looking round beautiful gardens you will find plenty to keep you occupied in Kent. Our personal favourite is at Sissinghurst Castle, an Elizabethan Manor house now a National Trust property with a magnificent garden created by Vita Sackville West. But you will find many others listed here.

A day at the zoo - Wild animal parks at Howletts and Port Lympne were set up by the late John Aspinall with the aim of protecting and breeding rare and endangered species and returning to safe areas in their native homeland. Both well worth a visit.

A day in the past - if castles and historic houses are your thing you will find plenty to excite your interest in Kent.The magnificent moated Leeds Castle (shown above) , Anne Bolyn's childhood home Hever Castle, the wonderful Roman villa at Lullingstone, Knowle the largest private house in England, and Winston Churchills beautiful house and grounds at Chartwell are just a few.