Spending Spring in Kent & Sussex

Kent is well known as the Garden of England and is certainly well worth a visit if you are looking at taking in different places across the UK this year.

In this post, we will look at a few things that Kent and Sussex have to offer and what to do and see whilst you are there.

Stay somewhere perfect

First and foremost you will want to look at where you can stay during your visit. If you like a home away from home and you like to come and go as you please, then holiday cottages could be the perfect choice for you. There are some great Spring deals on at the moment that are well worth checking out. A self-catering holiday is ideal for families in particular. At least this way you can still have a bit of normality in the evening. Bedtime routines can be kept to and you can enjoy some evening television without the risk of waking a sleeping child in a neighbouring bed.

Kent & East Sussex Railway

The Kent & East Sussex Railway spans ten and a half miles. The amazing locomotives date from Victorian times and they allow their visitors to experience travel and service from a bygone age. With a line weaving between Tenterden and Bodiam there us a many a lovely view en route. You could be interested in heritage, shopping, nature, food or recreation but it is certain that you will be sure to find something for you to enjoy during your visit.

Diggerland Rochester

If you have small children in your holiday party then a trip to Diggerland is a must. We took our little man to the one in Devon last year (you can read all about that here). It was such a fabulous day out and the kids really love being able to get involved. Everyone can get involved and enjoy 20 different rides including driving real-life diggers, go-karts and a special ride on the hair raising Skyshuttle. It’s certainly fun for all ages!

Herne Bay Beach

No proper ‘holiday’ is complete without a trip to the beach. Even if it’s not warm enough to sunbathe and swim in the sea, it’s nice to take your shoes and socks off and have a paddle and enjoy the feel of sand on your feet. Herne Bay beach is really popular with families and it boasts a long promenade, which is great for walking or a cycle- ride with the kids. There are plenty of amusements to keep the kids happy and beach huts so you can enjoy the beach more than once. The nearby town has many shops and the top of the grassy slopes behind the beach offer stunning views of the ocean.

Dover Castle

You can totally immerse yourself in British history at Dover Castle. Amazingly it is perched on the edge of the White Cliffs of Dover and the castle has guarded the shores against invasion for over 20 centuries! There are plenty of dark wartime tunnels to explore that have a vivid recreation of the Dunkirk evacuation. The Great Tower has costumed actors introducing medieval life at King Henry II’s Court and there is lots more to keep the family entertained. There are numerous events and exhibitions planned throughout the year so make sure you check out the website in advance so that you don’t miss out!

Spitfire & Hurricane Memorial Museum

The area is full of wartime history and the Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial Museum is no different. This great little museum is run by a very enthusiastic bunch of volunteers. There is a Spitfire, a Hurricane and lots of other really interesting WWII artefacts and exhibits including Ration Books, Gasmasks, Letters from Airmen, Uniforms, Armoury and Weapons and much more. Bring the family here to get a glimpse of what wartime Britain was like. Of course, once your little ones are old enough, or even just for yourself, you can look to fly in a Spitfire (check out https://spitfires.com/) which really brings wartime to life again! This could be perfect if your children are studying the World Wars at school.

So there we have a nice little handful of ideas of things to do if you are visiting Kent and Sussex this Spring. If you have any other suggestions, please feel free to leave a comment so that readers get even more fabulous ideas.