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Goodnestone Park Gardens & Tearoom
Goodnestone Park is an exceptional 15-acre estate that offers a true step back in time, famously serving as a frequent inspiration for Jane Austen, who regularly visited her brother & his wife here. The gardens, featuring a 17th-century walled garden, a formal parterre, & "Serpentine Walk" where you can literally follow in Austen's footsteps. Don't miss the Old Dairy Café, open Weds-Sun, the café is led by a passionate chef who sources many ingredients, directly from the estate’s own kitchen gardens. Stop in for a coffee and a slice of homemade Victoria sponge or a traditional afternoon tea, the café provides a serene spot to relax, with plenty of indoor space and a sunny courtyard that is dog-friendly.
​Often described as the most complete medieval town in England, Sandwich feels like a film set frozen in time, where narrow winding streets are lined with over 150 timber-framed buildings and ancient almshouses. Once a bustling Cinque Port, the town is now located two miles inland due to the shifting coastline, but its maritime legacy lives on at the Quayside, where you can catch the River Runner boat to spot local seal colonies. History enthusiasts shouldn't miss the Guildhall Museum, which houses a rare 1300 copy of the Magna Carta, or the climb up St Peter’s Church tower for panoramic views across the rooftops to the distant sea. For a change of pace, you can wander out to the windswept Sandwich Bay for world-class golf and birdwatching. ​​​​​​​
Just a 10-minute drive from the campsite, Stodmarsh National Nature Reserve is an internationally important wetland that offers some of the most serene walking in the Stour Valley. This unique landscape features the largest reed bed in the South East, making it a "bucket list" destination for birdwatchers who come to spot elusive bitterns, marsh harriers, and bearded tits from the many well-maintained hides. The reserve offers over 6km of flat, circular trails that wind through marshes, lakes, and meadows. While most of the reserve welcomes dogs on leads, please note they are restricted from the "Short Circuit" nature trails to protect the ground-nesting birds and delicate wildlife.
Perched on the Margate seafront, the gallery sits on the exact site where J.M.W. Turner used to stay, designed specifically to capture the same dramatic "Skies of Kent" light that inspired his famous landscapes. Featuring a rotating program of temporary exhibitions, ensuring there is always something new to discover, from local community projects to major international retrospectives.
Ground-floor café offers floor-to-ceiling views of the North Sea, making it one of the most scenic spots in town for a coffee or lunch.
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A visit to Canterbury Cathedral is a journey into the heart of English history, standing as a UNESCO World Heritage site & the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury for over 1,400 years. As you step into the awe-inspiring Nave, with its soaring perpendicular Gothic arches, you are following in the footsteps of millions of medieval pilgrims. The Cathedral’s most dramatic story centers on the Martyrdom, the exact spot where Thomas Becket was murdered in 1170, a legacy that transformed the building into one of Europe's most significant pilgrimage sites. Don’t miss the Crypt, the oldest part of the building with its haunting Romanesque carvings, or the Trinity Chapel, which houses the tomb of the Black Prince and some of the world’s finest 12th-century stained glass.
Just 20 minutes away we have Deal a real coastal gem. You can start by exploring the Deal & Walmer Castles, unique Tudor artillery forts built by Henry VIII, then wander through the narrow, flower-lined conservation streets of Middle Street, once a haven for 18th-century smugglers. The town’s award-winning High Street is a treasure trove of independent boutiques, vintage shops, and artisanal delis, while the iconic Deal Pier, a brutalist landmark offers a scenic walk over the waves & a cafe with epic views. After working up an appetite, you can indulge in the town's booming food scene, award winning The Blue Pelican to the relaxed, historic atmosphere of the Zetland Arms, where you can enjoy a pint with your feet practically in the shingle.​
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A visit to Whitstable is an essential Kentish experience, offering a bohemian blend of working maritime heritage and contemporary coastal style. Wander down Harbour Street, a "higgledy-piggledy" lane famous for its pastel-coloured shopfronts and thriving independent scene, along with the fantastic seafood & world renowned Whitstable Native Oysters.​
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