Unique experience for a 'journey along silk Road'. See how this beautiful fabric is printed on a guided tour of our workshop and museum. Open all year Monday - Friday 0930-1700, Saturday 0930-1630. Closed Sunday & BH. For guided tours please book. Group discounts.
Admission: (guided tour) adults £2.50, senior citizens/students £2.00.
Museum only: adults £1.50, senior citizens/students £1.
Silk factory shop and coffee shop. 5 minutes from M25, Jct. 2 only 2 minutes from A2 (signposted). Located on A223. Open all year.

Chatham

Tel: 01634 812 551
Fax: 01634 826 918

Award winning, living museum with 8 major attractions, including our new gallery, Lifeboat!, telling the story of the RNLI through sound, film and interactives. Step back to 1758 in the Wooden Walls gallery and relive the building of a sail-powered warship. See ropes flags and sails made. Visit submarine Ocelot at nearby Chatham Maritime.
Shops, Restaurant, disabled access.
Open daily Easter to 2nd November.
Feb/Mar/Nov. open Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. Signposted from M2,Jct 3.

Chatham:

Tel: 01634 827 648
Fax: 01634 827 648

Rochester upon Medway:

Tel: 01634 402 276

Strategically situated on the old Roman road of Watling Street, Rochester Castle is one of the finest Norman Castles in the country and features a 113 feet high Keep, the tallest in England.
Open daily - telephone for details.

Also nearby UPNOR CASTLE, an Elizabethan gun fort built to defend the fleet at anchor in the River Medway.
Open April - September Tel: 01634 718 742.

Rochester upon Medway:

Tel: 01634 844 176

The Charles Dickens Centre in the heart of Rochester upon Medway. Where many of the characters from Dickens' prolific pen are graphically illustrated and given new meaning. Recently the subject of a half million pound refurbishment, the new displays recreate vividly scenes and characters from the books of this writer. The gift shop also reflects the image and atmosphere of the centre.

http://www.medwaytowns.com/books/dickens.html

Rochester upon Medway:

Tel: 01634 848 717

Exhibits at this well designed Museum are laid our chronologically, visitors step through Prehistoric and Roman times to the 16th century then on to Victorian and Edwardian times. The emphasis is very much 'hands-on', with brass-rubbing, and coin minting. There are also some educational audio visual displays making the Museum enthralling for children. Open every day.

In Chatham the BROOK PUMPING STATION provides an insight into 20th century industrial archeology. Open Tuesday evening and Saturday morning only. Admission to both is free.

Chatham:

Tel: 01634 847 747

Fort Amherst is Britain's finest Georgian fortress. Here you'll find an impressive gatehouse, tunnel complex, magazines and barracks together with a unique Civil Defence exhibition. The park-like setting within the fortifications is used for exciting historical re-enactments held on most summer Sundays (please phone to confirm) making Fort Amherst an ideal choice for a family day out. Open daily 10.30am - 4.30pm (except Christmas Day and New Year's Day).

Adults £3.50; Children, students and senior citizens £2.
Fort Amherst is signposted from the centre of Chatham on the A231.

Gillingham:

Tel: 01634 406 397
Fax: 01634 822 371

The Museum covers the world-wide work of the Royal Engineers, in peace and war, from 1066. Learn about the first military divers, photographers, surveyors and aviators. See 24 Victoria Crosses, unique gallantry awards from the Falklands War, regalia of 4 Field Marshals, relics of Gordon Kitchener, a Harrier jump jet and Wellington's battlemap of Waterloo.

Open Mon-Thurs 10am-5pm, Sat & Sun 11.30am - 5pm. Friday by appointment only. Superb venue for conferences and corporate entertainment. New post-World War II displays open now.

Faversham:

Tel: 01795 535 286
Fax: 01795 531 710

Over 4000 varieties of fruit trees and plants in 150 acres of rural Kent. Home of the National Fruit Collection. Refreshments and lunches available in Pippins Tea Room, gifts and fresh fruit in our shop. Plant advice and sales. Special events throughout the year.

Open all year, 7 days a week, 9.30am - 5.30pm.
Guided walks from 28/3/97 to 28/11/97 inclusive.
Groups welcome.
Signposted from A2 to Brogdale Trust.
Free entry. Guided tours and Special Events £2.50 adults, £2.00 concessions, £1.50 child.

Faversham:

Tel: 01227 751 144
Fax: 01795 522 330

A wonderland of animals where children can roam freely, making friends with farmyard favourites.
Exciting adventure playground, and mini toddlers area. Museum and Farm Trails. Picnics and refreshments. Abundance of PYO Summer Fruits. Gifts & Home Grown Produce. Many special events.

Open daily: March - November 9.30am - 5.30pm.
Winter season phone for details.
Adults £2.50, Children £1.50, OAP's £2.00
Off M2 Jct 7. Signposted from A2 & A299.

Faversham:

Tel: 01227 751 496
Fax: 01227 750 940

In this enchanting Edwardian garden, terraces of fragrant roses lead to a small lake and woodland area. Mount Ephraim Gardens are home to an extensive collection of trees and shrubs including rhododendrons, herbaceous varieties, topiary and an extensive Japanese rock garden as well as a vineyard. The Spring bulbs are especially dramatic.

Gardens open daily Easter - mid Sept 1300-1800. Bank Holidays 1100-1800.
Teas daily, except Tuesdays.
Craft Centre open Sundays only. Groups by arrangement.
Admission: Adults £2.50, children 50p
Signposted from A2 and A299.

Canterbury:

Tel: 01227 454 888
Fax: 01227 765 584

A medieval adventure! Step into the 14th Century to encounter scenes from Chaucer's world, including five of his best loved tales. Hear entertaining Tales of Love, chivalry, vanity and greed spoken in modern English by well known actors.

Open Daily. Please phone for further details.

http://www.canterbury.co.uk/en/guides/canterbury/places/tales.html

Royal Tunbridge Wells:

Tel: 01892 546 545
Fax: 01892 513 857

An extraordinary journey for the whole family.

Life-like scenes, penetrating smells and evocative soundscapes brilliantly re-create life in Georgian Tunbridge Wells. A journey through Kent would not be complete without visiting 'A Day at the Wells'.

Family tickets start from £7.50
Open 10am - 5pm (April - October)
10am - 4pm (November - March).

Dover:

Tel: 01304 210 101
Fax: 01304 212 057

An exciting new hands-on experience which brings to life Britain during the Roman occupation. You can also choose to visit our acclaimed 1940's Dover Street, our end of pier show and Gromet's Challenge. All this, plus a FREE visit to Dover Museum, at this award winning attraction located in the centre of Dover. The White Cliffs Experience is signposted on entry to Dover.

Opening hours: March - 31 October 1997 10am - 5pm.
1 November - March 1998 10am - 3pm (last admission).
Closed Christmas & Boxing Day. Open 7 days a week.

Howletts is set in 70 acres of ancient parkland and is home to the largest captive gorilla breeding group in the world. You can also see African elephants, tigers, snow leopards and wolves.

Our sister park, Port Lympne, is set in 300 acres of countryside. Along with gorillas, Asian elephants, Atlas lions and Przewalski horses, there is also an historic mansion and gardens.

Both parks are open every day from 10am, except Christmas day.
Prices: Adults £6.99, children & OAPs £4.99.

Birchington:

Tel: 01843 842 168

Quex is:

A wonderful visit appealling to all ages.
One of Kent's finest Regency houses, furnished to view.
Set amoungst over 200 acres of gardens, woodland and parkland.
Exotic animal displays, set in their natural habitats.
Extensive museum Galleries housing Oriental Porcelain, African & Asian fine arts, weaponry, cannons etc.
Gift shop and restaurant - open all year.
Licensed for Civil marriages
Located 12 miles from Canterbury.
Open April-Oct: Tues, Wed, Thurs & Sunday, 11-5pm Sundays only Oct-Dec.

Wingham Near Canterbury:

Tel: 01227 720 836

Come and meet our collection of waterfowl, parrots, owls, emus and many more in 25 acres of beautiful Kent countryside. There's a lake and pet village and for a real "bird's eye view" enjoy a stroll in Wingham's special walk through aviaries. With an exhibition room and adventure playground, there's something for everyone, all year round.

Open daily 10am - 6pm (dusk in winter)
Closed 25-26 December
Adults £2.95, child £1.95, Senior Citizens £2.50. Group discount 30%

On A257 between Canterbury and Sandwich.

Near Canterbury:

Tel: 01304 840 107

Jane Austen visited Goodnestone on many occasions, for her brother Edward married a daughter of the house and subsequently came to live nearby. In a parkland setting, this 14 acre garden includes a small arboretum, woodland area, shrubbery and walled garden with collections of old fashioned roses, clematis and many herbaceous plants. The local cricket green is also within the grounds.

Open: Sundays noon - 6pm, 30 March - 19 October; Weekdays (except Tuesdays & Saturdays) 11am - 5pm, 24 March - 24 October.

Admission Adults £2.50, senior citizens £2.20, disabled in wheelchairs £1.00, children under 12: 20 pence. Parties of 20 and over £2.20 (self guided) £3.00 (guided).

House open by appointment to parties of less than 20 people - £1.50.

Sorry no dogs allowed.

Parsonage Farm Rural Heritage Centre

Elham Valley Vineyards and Shop

Parsonage Farm Rural Heritage Centre, North Elham, near Canterbury.
Tel: 01303 840766/840 356.

See rare breed farm animals, visit our museum, take in a walk along farm and nature trails and you'll soon be ready for one of Parsonage Farm's delicious home cooked meals. Sorry no dogs.

Open Easter - Sept 30, Tues - Sun and BHM. 10.30am - 5pm.

Adult £3.00, Child £1.90, Senior Citizens/disabled £2.10.

Elham Valley Vineyards and Shop, Breach, Barham, Canterbury. Tel: 01227 831 266.

Take a look around the vineyards, taste the wines and see the vines growing in the sheltered and tranquil valley. Browse around the craft shop where our own handcrafts and pottery are for sale along with country jams and mustards. Enjoy morning coffee or an English Cream Tea.

Admission Free.

Open daily, 10-5pm except Christmas week.

New Romney:

Tel: 01797 362353
Fax: 01797 363591

Kent's premier tourist railway, running for 13.5 miles from Hythe to Dungeness lighthouse via Dymchurch and New Romney. Superb one third full size steam and diesel locomotives, comfortable carriages, cafes at Dungeness and New Romney. Gift shops at all principal stations. The'Toy and Model Museum'at New Romney and an adventure playground all add up to a great family day out.

Open weekends in March and October, daily from Easter-end September. Hythe Station is conveniently situated close to M20 Jct 11. New Romney Station is just off the A259 South Coast Trunk Road.

Dungeness:

Tel: 01797 321300

Visit the Old Lighthouse at Dungeness in use with Trinity House until 1960. Climb the 169 steps to see the giant lens, then step outside on the balcony to view the panoramic views: on a clear day you can see France.

Access by road A259 New Romney, coast road via Littlestone or RH&D Railway to Dungeness.

Open: Easter-October. Weekends only-October. Admission charges: Adults £2.00, children/OAP £1.00, Family £5.00.

Woodchurch:

Tel: 01233 861493
Fax: 01233 861457

An ideal family visit! Large collection of Rare British Farm Animals, many to be handled in Children's Barn. Paddling pool, small playground, farm rides often available. Delightful wooodland walks. Country style restaurant and picnic areas. Special Events programme. On B2067 between Hamstreet then follow brown tourist signs. Open all year 1030-1630 (winter) Closed Mondays in winter.

Small Hythe:

Tel: 01580 763033
Fax: 01580 765333

On B2082 Tenderden to Rye Road. English wine at its finest. Tenterden Vineyard, home of the Chapel Down Winery, are the largest producers of English wine in Kent. Our range of wines, red & white, still & sparkling, offers something for all. Wine & gift shop, winery, vineyards, herbs garden, rural museum and Vineyard Restaurant open daily to visitors. Guided tours, meals and tastings for groups large and small a speciality. Details on request.

Open daily 10am-6pm (or dusk if earlier)

Tenterden:

Tel: 01580 765155
Fax: 01580 765654

Savour the characteristic sights and sounds of steam as you travel through 7 miles of attractive countryside on this charming, rural railway. Pay once and travel all day abroad the magnificent Victorian train or in carriages from the 1930s and 1950s. Buffet Car and disabled facilities on many trains.

TRAINS RUN: March - Sundays; April to October - Weekends, Bank Holidays & School Holidays; June & September - Weekends, Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays; July & August - Every day; December - Santa Specials at Weekends.

RETURN FARES: Adults £6; Child £3; Family £16 - (2 Adults & up to 3 children); Senior Citizen £5.40.

Biddenden

Tel: 01580 291726
Fax: 01580 291933

Biddenden Vineyards, located 1.5 miles from the old Wealden village of the Biddenden, legendary home of the Biddenden Maids, is Kent's oldest commercial vineyard. Enjoy a tranquil walk through 22 acres of vines, visit the winery and shop, containing a 17th century cider press, and sample our fine English wines, Kentish ciders, apple and grape juice. FREE admission and tastings. Coaches welcome. Guided tours by arrangement. Tea/coffee weekends/summer months. Open daily except Sundays in Jan/Feb and from midday 24th December - 1st January.

Maidstone:

Tel: 01622 765400
Fax: 01622 735616

"The loveliest castle in the world", with its superb furnishings and glorious setting, offers a memorable day out for all the family. Within the 500 acre park you'll find an aviary, maze and charming woodland walks. Licensed restaurants, shops and free parking.

Open daily 10am - 5pm* (November to February 10am - 3 pm*) *last admission.

Maidstone:

Tel: 01622 763936
Fax: 01622 662024

Kent'open air museum is home to an outstanding collectioon of historic buildings which house both static and interactive exhibitions on life in Kent over the past 100 years. These include traditional oast, granary and hopper's huts. Also enjoy hop, herb and kitchen gardens, livestock centre, working craftsmen and venture playground. Licensed Tearoom & shop. Lots to see and do both indoors and out. Open daily Easter to end October.10am - 5.30pm. M20 Jct 6, A229 to Maidstone.

Adults £3.80, Concessions £2.30, Family ticket £10.00, under 5's free.

Near Maidstone:

Tel: 01622 743120

Splendid battlemented Elizabethan manor built 1567. A family home. The guided tour includes an Edwardian ladies bedroom, nursery, schoolroom, herb room and dress display, among the other beautiful rooms. Unrivalled views, from the front lawn, overlook the Deer Park and Weald of Kent. Tenderden church spire can be seen 13 miles away. Two walled gardens. Tea Room & Gift Shop.

Open: march 28-October 19, Suns & BHM.
Also Weds May-Sept. 14.00-18.00 hrs.

Pre-booked groups any day, any time, NOT Sats.
J8 of M20 on B2163, 10 mins drive from Leeds Castle.

Goudhurst:

Tel: 01580 211702
Fax: 01580 211007

The eighteenth century manor of Finchcocks is home to a well-know collection of historical keyboard instruments, and is set in a beautiful garden surrounded by glorious Kentish countryside. Entertaining musical tours whenever the house is open. Open Days: Sundays and BHM from Easter to September. Wednesdays, Thursdays & Sundays in August: 1400 - 1800hrs. By appointment for groups most days April to Christmas. Full Catering by Arrangement. Special Events: Historic Houses Ass. Garden Festival: 24 May-1 June (includes Gardens Fair 25/26 May & 18th Century Gala 31 May/1 June). September Festival (weekends); Craft Fair 10-12 October. Available for functions. Licensed for Civil Marriages. Off A262. 10 miles from Tunbridge Wells.

Lamberhurst:

Tel: 01892 890661
Fax: 01892 890232

Spend a day to remember at beautiful Bewl.

Plenty to do, plenty to see, or just enjoy the peace and tranquility at the south east's largest lake.

Waterside Walks, Passenger boat trips, Woodland adventure playground, Nature trail, New self-service restaurant, New exhibition, Summer events programme.

Near Paddock Wood:

Tel: 01892 832223

Visit the animal park and see traditionnal farm animals as well as rare breeds. Children love the lambs, Kids and piglets, and can roam free amongst the rabbits and goats. Wander through the Rainforest Experience and watch tropical butterflies flying freely. See the amazing tropical ant house (the largest colony in britain). The Gift Shop provids perfect souvenirs. There is a café, giant indoor and outdoor play areas. Enjoy a free tractor ride.

Royal Tunbridge Wells:

Tel: 01892 515675
Fax: 01892 534660

Set amidst the beauty of the Kentish Weald and surrounded by castles, gardens and stately homes, vineyard and pretty villages, Royal Tunbridge Wells is the perfect base for touring the region. Visit the Chalybeate Spring and A Day at the Wells on the elegant Pantiles and the town's museum next to the excellent shopping centre. Events: Georgian Festivities (30 July-3 August), Sedan Chair Race (25 August).

For details of places to visit and other events contact the Tourist Information Centre, The Old Fish Market, The Pantiles, Royal Tunbridge Wels, Kent TN2 5TN.

Near Tunbridge Wells:

Tel: 01892 863999
Fax: 01892 863996

Discover the famous 17th Century walled gardens, medieval moat, The Enchanted Forest - a major garden in the making with springs, pools and new designer millennium gardens. Birds of prey, with regular flying displays. See dramatic views across the Weald or enjoy a quiet canal boat cruise. On B2110, 4 miles SW Tunbridge Wells.

Open daily from Good Friday 28 March until 26 October, 10am - 6pm. Adult £5.00, Senior Citizen/Student £4.50, Child £3.50.

Tonbridge:

Tel: 01732 770929
Fax: 01732 770449

Travel back over 700 years to join the Lords of Tonbridge Castle and experience a vivid re-creation of the sights, sounds and excitement of 13th century life. Open all year Monday - Saturday 9am - 5pm, Sunday and BH 10.30am - 5pm. October - March 4 pm weekend closure. Closed Christmas and New Year. Admission Adults £3.25 Children and Senior Citizens £1.60; Family £7.75. Owned and operated by Tonbridge & Mailing Borough Council.

Near Tonbridge :

Tel: 01892 870307
Fax: 01892 870866

Magnificent ancestral home of Viscount De L'Isle set amidst tranquil Tudor Gardens and Parkland. Mediaeval Barons Hall, with 60 ft. high chestnut beamed roof. State Rooms containing fine collections of furniture, tapestries, portraits and armour. Venture Playground, Toy Museum, Nature Trail, Restaurant and Shop.

Open Weekends in March and October and 28 March - 30th September. House open 1200-1730. Grounds only 1100-1800. On B2176; follow brown tourist signs from Tonbridge (North).