Top Things to do in Kent
Top Hotels in Kent
- 1. One Warwick Park Hotel
- 2. Best Western Plus Burlington Hotel
- 3. Crescent Turner Hotel
- 4. DoubleTree by Hilton Dartford Bridge
- 5. Hythe Imperial Hotel
- 6. Best Western Plus Dover Marina Hotel & Spa
- 7. Chandos Premier Folkestone Channel Tunnel Hotel
- 8. The Falstaff Hotel, Canterbury
- 9. Howfield Manor Hotel
- 10. Canterbury Cathedral Lodge
Things to do in Kent, England: The Best Gardens
Discover the best top things to do in Kent, United Kingdom including Sandown Castle Community Garden, Scotney Castle Garden, Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Walmer Castle and Gardens, Chartwell, Godinton House & Gardens, Riverhill Himalayan Gardens, The Powell-Cotton Museum, Greyfriars Chapel and Franciscan Gardens, Westgate Gardens.
Restaurants in Kent
1. Sandown Castle Community Garden
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 40 reviews
Reviewed By rosemarye728 - Deal, United Kingdom
The hard work and dedication put in by local volunteers has made this a beautiful place to sit and relax and watch the sun set over the sea.
2. Scotney Castle Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,575 reviews
Reviewed By preglad - New York, United States
For awhile, I'd thought that Washington D.C's free museums (which would take a fortnight to engage) was the singular behemoth and clearly most profound source of vast cultural, artistic and informational largesse to be found anywhere in the world. Now I feel otherwise. There's nothing akin to the National Trust, and combining it with English Heritage (they do share eight sites), one can spend a lifetime intimately and joyously engaged in its wonders. Taking Scotney Castle and its gardens as a magnificent - if somewhat less familiar - example of its splendid offerings- is like being a child at the shore digging in his or her toes for a wondrous moment. All extraneous motion ceases in yet another examination of a unique brightly colored and fantastically shaped shell ambling about on a remote perfectly pristine Carribean or South seas beach. There's simply no pail big enough to hold one example of each kind of miracle, no legs or life long enough to engage al the options. Scotney stretches our credulity in terms of the notion of Castle, though the inclusion of a mote easily complicates the issue. Is it not more an estate beyond certain aspects of historical choice and exterior trappings? It seems far too warm and cozy to be completely comfortable as either in any case. And then there's the garden. What a wonderful competitive counterpoint or complement. Take your pick. The price of admission is worth either context in itself. In our last two lengthy UK trips alone, totaling almost four months, we've saved almost $5000 on an investment of $500 with annual memberships to both the National Trust and English Heritage. If I could bring home but a few simple treasures to savor at home in New York, they'd include a great scone or two, some wondrous clotted cream and jam to go along and all the inclusions of those two amazing organizations: The National Trust and English Heritage.
3. Sissinghurst Castle Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,619 reviews
Owned and maintained by the National Trust, this famous 20th-century garden is actually a series of ten smaller "garden rooms," each uniquely different from the others.
Reviewed By ChrisandMick60 - Montaren-et-Saint-Mediers, France
the people where we were staying recommended here and we are glad that we went. The gardens were really beautiful, well looked after and being the 1st of June a mass of colour. The views from the top of the tower are worth the climb, just be a bit careful of the bees at the top. The guides do warn you before you go up. Not sure what some of the complaints were about the car park, it was fine as far as we were concerned. The same goes for the guides, as usual for NT properties very friendly and helpful. It was not possible to visit the cottage because the family are always in residence for June. As an alternative a room containing family medals and a portrait of Harold's father is open to view during June but, not at other times.
4. Walmer Castle and Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,184 reviews
Open the door to this charming Tudor castle by the sea. Explore eight acres of magnificent gardens, woodland, and sea views. Explore the castle with the new multimedia guide, and come and see the original Wellington Boots. Take time to relax in the tearoom too and enjoy the food using produce from the gardens.
Reviewed By colinr524 - Norwich, United Kingdom
Fantastically historical castle (complete with Wellington boots!), a delightful woodland walk with the new ‘Glen’ walk in an old chalk quarry and a peaceful walled garden designed for the Queen Mother. Ideal for history aficionados and those who like to ramble through woods. Altogether a very interesting place. Do make use of the audio guide available...
5. Chartwell
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,029 reviews
Chartwell House, gardens, shop, cafe, toilets and car park have now reopened. Tickets for entry to the Car Park and gardens must be pre-booked via the National Trust Chartwell web-site. For entry to the House upgrade your ticket on arrival. The House tickets are limited in order to allow for social distancing.
Reviewed By EllenMay2013 - Colchester, United Kingdom
Visited Chartwell on the hoof when dropping my car in to a local car roof repairer. £15.50 per adult without gift aid. £4 all-day parking. You are given a slot to visit the house to keep crowds moving. However very few other visitors at this time of year when the kids are about to return to school to avoid the anticipated huge crowds the rest of the year so strongly recommend visiting end August or Sept. Beautiful property, very very cosy and intimate. You can see how Churchill would have cherished this retreat from the pressures of State. You can visit Clemmy's bedroom, the Library, Drawing and Dining rooms all very tastefully decorated, as well as Churchill's art studio and his works. Currently images and commentaries on his life in an exhibition. Cafe on site but how this would deal with massive numbers of visitors we have utterly no idea as service was unbearably slow even with virtually no one else in the queue.
6. Godinton House & Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 304 reviews
Discover a Jacobean house with a Medieval hall and lose yourself in the incredibly beautiful gardens and ancient parkland. Fabulous events and workshop programme throughout the year. Gardens open Tuesday to Sunday: 1st March- 31st October 1pm-6pm. Visit website for House and visitor Tearoom opening times.
Reviewed By jackier59er
My daughter and I spent a such lovely afternoon enjoying the gardens, and then taking the circular walk around the estate. The staff we met were really friendly and so helpful, and the homemade cake delicious! Loved wandering around the different areas of the garden, with my favorite, admittedly, being the huge kitchen garden. Being able to then buy a bag of their Russet apples to bring away was an unexpected bonus! Thoroughly recommend a visit to this oasis of calm in a mad world.
7. Riverhill Himalayan Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 363 reviews
Beautiful, relaxing hillside Gardens with stunning views over the Weald of Kent & an excellent cafe. For garden experts we have a magnificent collection of rhododendrons & azaleas, some grown from seeds brought back by the plant hunters. We have a wonderful Rose Walk, Walled Garden, with spectacular terraces & water feature, our newly restored Rock Garden, filled with ferns & water cascades & giant specimen trees. For families we have a fab adventure playground, den building woods, boat swing, holiday activities & our much loved resident yeti (weekends & school holidays 2-4). Seasonal highlights include: bluebell woods in early spring, rhododendrons & azaleas later in spring, our alium & peony borders early summer, followed by fragrant roses, rounding off the season with spectacular autumn colour, especially from our beautiful acer collection. Dogs on leads very welcome. Admission by pre-booked tickets only. See website to book. BRING A REUSABLE CUP IF YOU WOULD LIKE TAKEAWAY.
Reviewed By dcQ6371AW - Sevenoaks District, United Kingdom
One of the hidden gems of Kent, never too busy but breathtaking in its beauty from the gardens to the modern sculptures, the children love exploring and has the major attraction of an adventure play area and a cafe serving wonderful beverages and fresh made cakes. High recommended.
8. The Powell-Cotton Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 447 reviews
The Powell-Cotton Trust are excited to announce the formal launch of our ‘Reimagining the Museum’ project. Over the next 2 years the Trustees with the ‘Reimagining’ programme team, have some key aims: - Implementation of our decolonisation strategy - Redesign and develop our education and outreach programme - Deliver the ‘Colonial Critters’ project - Create and deliver an exciting programme of public engagement – both digital and physical, including public events - Carry out essential remedial and restorative work to the museum building, Quex House and Quex Gardens Throughout this exciting period of change we have taken the difficult decision that the museum, house and gardens will not be open for public visits other than through organised events and programmes. These will all be advertised on our website and through social media, allowing audiences to continue to connect with our collections – physically, virtually and through outreach.
Reviewed By pottypolly - Whitstable, United Kingdom
Whilst February isn’t the best time to see the gardens there is so much inside the museum to see. An amazing collection and worth a visit.
9. Greyfriars Chapel and Franciscan Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 182 reviews
Reviewed By Enka29
Tucked away from the high street, so worth a short five minute walk to discover this little piece os tranquility.
10. Westgate Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,003 reviews
Reviewed By gailbh - Essex, United Kingdom
My husband and I walked through these gardens quite a few times over our three day stay in Canterbury, very peaceful and tranquil, walking along the river, also enjoyed a lovely cup of tea, weather permitting in the outdoor terrace.
