Places to visit in Kent

[Otter Spotter]

I am planning a trip down to Kent taking in Duxford Airshow in June, I am interested in Wildlife and photography I can find the reserves for the wildlife but can you knowledgable people suggest places to visit, I am interested in seeing the Hop farms and Dee loves visiting Farm shops, any ideas gratefully received

 

[xsparks]

Hops were traditionally picked around September so you won't see much on the hop bines. Much like grapes not much to see. Very few hops to be found in Kent now.

 

[xsparks]

There is a kent life museum located at lock Lane Alington Maidstone. At the right time of year you can have the opportunity to pick hops. When I was a lad you earnt the equivalent of about 7 new pence for a bushel of hops picked.

 

[Chris]

Chislehurst Caves tick none of your boxes but they are really fantastic.

Just up the road from me and I was blown away when I visited a few years ago.

 

[Langtoftlad]

Sheffield Park

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[InvictaMoto]

Dungeness and the RSPB sites that surround it along with the Denge Marsh Sound Mirrors. Depending on the time of year the former gravel pits are the landing point for all kinds of birds having crossed the Channel. No overnight camping on the Dungeness Estate but loads of places for day parking. Two decent enough pubs serving local fish. The Pilot in my opinion better than the Britannia.

There is also a recently opened fish place selling from a container near Derek Jarman's cottage.

 

[B-well]

RH&D railway https://www.rhdr.org.uk/
can possible overnight at Dungeness station if you enquire with station master.

 

[Barti Ddu]

We were in Dungeness in January this year. Very unique place.



Rye harbour and marshes also interesting. Amazing light.

 

[Otter Spotter]

These are great ideas, keep them coming

 

[orridge]

Faversham home to Shepherd Neame should be some hop farms around otherwise there is the Hop Farm outside Tonbridge which has the old hop storage but a bit commercial.

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[n8ess]

We lived that way for 10 years before moving back up North, it’s a beautiful part of the country, it Has some lovely picturesque villages around the east coast.

New Romey
Appledore
Tenterden
Pluckly
Rye

The Rare Breeds Centre may be of interest.

Farm Attraction, Family Day Out Kent, Activities

The South of England Rare Breeds Centre near Ashford. A perfect family day out within 100 acres of beautiful unspoilt Kent countryside.

www.rarebreeds.org.uk

 

[mitzimad]

for birding you have cliffe pools and northwood hill on the isle of Grain which is on the north coast of Kent Weve wilded in the carpark at the pools in winter the whole of grain is a mix of industrial and the land that time forgot wild salt marshes

 

[InvictaMoto]

The Battle of Britain Memorial

The National Memorial to the Few. Dedicated to the heroic and selfless deeds of the men who won the Battle of Britain, 10 July to 31 October. The site at Capel-le-Ferne has lots to see and do including The Memorial, The Wall, The Wing, Replica Spitfire and Hurricane, The Scramble Experience...

www.battleofbritainmemorial.org

CAMC CL 727 is nearby.

 

[DDJC]

Knole in Sevenoaks (Henry VIII's hunting gaff)
Another vote for Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway
Another vote for Dungeness RSPB reserve. (June is a tad late for Bitterns booming, but you might get lucky)
Lullingstone Roman Villa
Chapel Down Vineyard in Tenterden (Bacchus sparkling is cheaper than Champagne and much better)
Leeds Castle
Hever Castle (Ann Boleyn's gaff!)
Bewl Water
Dover Castle
Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve (mostly waterfowl)
Rochester Castle (sieged by King John, brought down by fat pigs. Honest! Look it up!)
Spa Valley Steam Railway

 

[faraway]

Definitely need to head to East Kent as mentioned above. A couple of small hop places near Canterbury, plus a few vineyards. There is a “hop” shop in Bekesbourne, plus a small hop garden in Bishopsbourne near Bourne Park.

Wingham Farm Shop
Gibsons Farm Shop (also has tearoom)

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[coroner]

Just outside Ramsgate the old hoverlloyd hovercraft terminal a wildlife haven for birds its got a replica viking longship on the front as well

 

[Sleafordquin]

Stodmarsk Keasrsney abbey russell gardens bushy ruff. I nice walk along the dour from source to sea.

 

[Sleafordquin]

the warren near Folkestone

 

[cliffanger]

Another vote for Dungeness.

Non wildlife related, we loved Broadstairs, Sandwich, Rye, and Whitstable.

 

[Sleafordquin]

Langdon cliffs over looking dover harbour can walk to southforeland light house and to the fan bay deep shelter

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[faraway]

Pegwell Bay near Sandwich. Bird reserve

 

[B-well]

M20 roundhill tunnel Folkestone & jnc 11 spot the trucks, new i spy book tick em off at random.
Eddie stobart lorries next best thing to train spotting.

see operation Brock (stack ) up close once in a lifetime experience, beats M25 circular route.

 

[GeoffnDee]

If you do get to Dover Castle allow time to visit the Secret Wartime Tunnels that are underneath it , if you like to visit that type of thing they are very interesting.

 

[TheMachMan]

What about Whitstable, that’s nice. Used to go there on business, not sure if any sites nearby but I’d like to go back as a tourist!

 

[xsparks]

Leeds Castle very photographic.

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