Kent Visitor Attractions...
Kent is full of exciting attractions to keep you and your family entertained all year round. If you live in Kent or are visiting from further a field there are attractions and entertainment to suit all ages. Kent is blessed with Zoos, Theme Parks, Castles, Pinetums, Cathedrals, Museums, Historic Dockyards, Vineyards, Caves, Karting, Gardens and much more. Not forgetting that Kent is also the ‘Garden of England’ and features a magnificent coastline dominated by the White Cliffs of Dover. Below is a selection of the visitor attractions in Kent and links to further information, plus a link to the Marden Business Forum, which is your resource for local businesses including places to stay in Marden.
To find businesses and places to stay in Marden simply visit www.mardenbusinessforum.com
For more information about Marden in Kent, please visit www.marden.org.uk
To book a taxi in and around Kent visit www.bookmtc.com
Bedgebury National Pinetum
Over the past three years Bedgebury has become one of the South East's most popular and successful visitor attractions. Nearly three quarters of a million visitors have visited the National Pinetum and Bedgebury Forest since April 2006 to enjoy cycling, adventure play, Go Ape, walking, riding, picnics and special events. For more information visit www.forestry.gov.uk/bedgebury
Bewl Water
Bewl Water is many things to many people, it can be a place to unwind and relax, or a place to enjoy some of the fantastic activities on offer. You can while away the hours enjoying a picnic, you can take a leisurely cruise aboard the passenger vessel ‘Swallow’, have lunch in The Look-Out family restaurant or visit the Gift Shop. For the more energetic there are the waterside walks and rides, cycle hire, a range of water-sports and fly-fishing. Your children will love the new brightly coloured play equipment and the magical tower overlooking the water as well as the enchanting woodland play area. For more information visit www.bewl.co.uk
Biddenden Vineyards
The vineyards were established by the Barnes family in 1969. Starting with one acre the vineyard has grown to 22 acres, and now grows nine varieties of grape. The vineyard is set on a gentle south facing slope in a sheltered valley, ideal conditions for vines. The vineyard grows predominantly German varieties including Ortega, Huxelrebe, Bacchus, Schönburger and Reichensteiner, together with Pinot Noir, Gamay and Dornfelder. The vineyards are able to produce White, Red, Rosé and sparkling wines, and harvesting takes place in late September. Visitors can see the presses in operation in the winery and the bottling of the wines early the following year. For more information visit www.biddendenvineyards.com
Buckmore Park Karting
To experience the thrill of real outdoor Karting, head for Chatham's 1200m Buckmore Park International Outdoor Kart Circuit, just off junction 3 of the M2. It’s where British F1 sensation Lewis Hamilton learnt his trade and was discovered by McLaren in 1996. A session at Buckmore Park will be a day to remember as you follow in the footsteps of British F1 drivers Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button and Johnny Herbert. For more information visit www.buckmore.co.uk
Canterbury Cathedral
Pilgrims and visitors have made their way to Canterbury Cathedral since the Middle Ages. It remains one of the most visited places in the country, and just as importantly, a living community. Visitors have always been made welcome in the ancient tradition of Benedictine hospitality. They continue the tradition, warmly inviting everyone to share with them the beauty and the unique atmosphere of one of the great holy places of Christendom. For more information visit www.canterbury-cathedral.org
Canterbury Tales
Ever wondered what it would be like to step back in time and experience the sights, sounds and smells of a bygone era? At The Canterbury Tales you can do just that. Step into medieval Canterbury and accompany Geoffrey Chaucer's colourful characters on their magical pilgrimage from London to the shrine of St Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral. Along the way, their stories of love, romance, jealousy, trickery and greed are vividly re-created with all the fun and excitement of Chaucer's famous Tales. Steeped in the rich history of this medieval city, at The Canterbury Tales you really can visit another world. For more information visit www.canterburytales.org.uk
Chislehurst Caves
Grab a lantern and get ready for an amazing adventure! Close to Bromley in Kent lay the Chislehurst Caves. There are miles of dark mysterious passageways hewn by hand in the chalk forming a labyrinth covering over 6 hectares, 30 metres beneath the woodlands of Chislehurst. The whole family can travel back in time as a guide takes you on a 45 minute lamp-lit tour regaling you with stories of Druids, Romans and Saxons. You will walk the tunnels that were used as a shelter during World War 2, the Caves Church, Druid Altar, Haunted Pool and lots more. For more information visit www.chislehurstcaves.co.uk
Chartwell House
Chartwell House was the home of Sir Winston Churchill for over forty years and as an attraction offers something for everyone to enjoy. The house is full of memories of both his personal and his political life, and the beautiful garden has many features created by Sir Winston and Lady Churchill. There are magnificent views on all sides captured in paintings by Churchill, which are on display in the house and studio. Beyond the estate is a beautiful way-marked walk that leads to nearby Emmetts Garden that has views of the Weald of Kent from its highest point. For more information visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Dickens World
Dickens World is an exciting indoor visitor complex themed around the life, books and times of one of Britain's best loved authors, Charles Dickens. It takes visitors on a fascinating journey through Dickens' lifetime as you step back into Dickensian England and are immersed in the urban streets, sounds and smells of the 19th century. For more information visit www.dickensworld.co.uk
Dover Castle
At Dover castle you can discover 2000 years of history from the Romans to World War II. Explore the secret wartime tunnels, and embark on an atmospheric tour deep within the White Cliffs to see the underground hospital, and where Vice Admiral Ramsey and Sir Winston Churchill planned the evacuation of Dunkirk. Other attractions include the sound and light ‘1216 Siege Experience’, medieval underground works, Roman Lighthouse, Battlements walk and Princess of Wales' Royal Regiment Museum. For more information visit www.english-heritage.org.uk
Eagle Heights Bird of Prey Centre
Enjoy the most spectacular view across the Darent Valley while being entertained as Eagles, Hawks, Falcons and Vultures are flown in possibly the most awesome falconry displays you will see. All aviaries are indoors, so you can make the most of your day whatever the weather. For more information visit www.eagleheights.co.uk
Hever Castle & Gardens
Hever Castle is a romantic 13th century, double moated castle, which was once the childhood home of Anne Boleyn. It is furnished with impressive collections of furniture, paintings, and art while outside it features award winning gardens including Italian, Rose and Tudor gardens with a yew maze and water maze plus a boating lake. For more information visit www.hevercastle.co.uk
Historic Dockyard Chatham
The Historic Dockyard Chatham is one of the World’s leading maritime heritage locations. The impressive 80-acre site contains spectacular architecture and exciting naval and maritime exhibits. The Historic Dockyard exhibits include three Historic Warships – the cold war submarine Ocelot, HMS Cavalier the Second World War destroyer and HMS Gannet (1878), the last sloop of Queen Victoria’s Navy, plus the RNLI's national collection of lifeboats. The Historic Dockyard Chatham also features the Museum of the Royal Dockyard which traces 400 years of maritime history, a working Ropery which uses traditional methods and the award winning Wooden Walls gallery incorporating The Road to Trafalgar exhibition. There are also beautiful gardens to explore and both indoor and outdoor children’s play areas. For more information visit www.thedockyard.co.uk
Howletts and Port Lympne Wild Animal Parks
Howletts Wild Animal Park is set in 90 acres and includes the largest group of western lowland gorillas in captivity in the world plus the largest herd of African elephants in the UK. Howletts also features tigers, monkeys, small cats, bongo tapirs & wolves and now includes a new walk through lemur enclosure. Port Lympne Wild Animal Park is set in 600 acres with a Mansion and gardens. Port Lympne features the African Experience Safaris the largest herd of captive-bred black rhinos outside Africa, African elephants, Siberian and Indian tigers and barbary lions. You can also visit the world’s largest gorillarium "The Palace of the Apes". For more information visit www.totallywild.net
Leeds castle
Leeds Castle is open all year round and has been dubbed ‘The loveliest castle in the world’. Situated within 500 acres of beautiful rolling countryside and landscaped gardens you can visit the Aviary, Maze, Grotto, Vineyard, Greenhouses and Duckery. You can also take in the breathtaking views by embarking on one of the many woodland walks. Leeds Castle features a licensed restaurant, shops and free parking. Leeds Castle also hosts many special events throughout the year including open air concerts and their world famous fireworks spectacular. For more information visit www.leeds-castle.com
To find more exciting attractions in Kent simply visit www.kentattractions.co.uk
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LIVE MUSIC - 31st MAR
Archive
Band starts at 9pm. Free Entry.
LIVE MUSIC - 21st JAN
The Chain
Band starts at 9pm. Free Entry.
LIVE MUSIC - 4th FEB
Goode Bagge Band
Band starts at 9pm. Free Entry.
LIVE MUSIC - 25th FEB
Straight 6
Band starts at 9pm. Free Entry.
LIVE MUSIC - 3rd MAR
Bullshed
Band starts at 9pm. Free Entry.
LIVE MUSIC - 17th MAR
Big Blue
Band starts at 9pm. Free Entry.
LIVE MUSIC - 31st MAR
Archive
Band starts at 9pm. Free Entry.