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Do you want to escape routine or are you simply looking for ideas for day trips close to London? Why not plan a day out in Kent, the southeastern county sometimes called ‘The Garden of England’? Since our move to Kent, our local adventures have included driving through the rich countryside and visits to farms, castles, oast houses, vineyards, orchards, and beaches. We’re keen to share these with our readers and provide itineraries for fun days out with friends and family.
If you’ve missed our life update series about our move from London to Kent, check out: How We Moved To a New Home in Kent.
So much to see in Kent!
While we miss being able to hop on a train and be in Central London within 25 minutes, we are enjoying the tradeoff – being closer to the British countryside and all its hidden and not-so-hidden charms. We happily claim Kent as our ‘backyard’ and look forward to seeing as much of it as we can.
Spring and autumn tend to be our favourite seasons of the year and this green county easily matches our enthusiasm for the colours that are associated with both. Whether it is shopping for groceries and fresh produce at local farm shops, driving through miles of countryside, walking along the coast, stopping for treats at small village cafes, dancing between rows of manicured vines, or picking apples from local orchards, each excursion always introduces us to something new.
Kent offers a range of experiences for all ages and abilities. We’re happy to share our ‘discoveries’ and encourage our readers to try some of them. Weekends and Bank Holidays should not be boring!
We know how expensive family trips can be. Most of the attractions featured in this itinerary offer family discounts. Combine those with weekender train tickets and off-peak railway travel for even more savings!
HDYTI
Planning your day out in Kent
All of our excursions have been by car. This makes it a lot easier to move at our own pace and schedule. However, if you do not drive, this itinerary can be done using a combination of trains from London and taxis from Kent stations and between attractions.
To keep things simple, we will focus the itinerary on two main attractions with the option of a third. The last thing we want is for you to feel exhausted by the end of your day out in Kent!
For those travelling by train, the starting point for this itinerary will be Sevenoaks Station because smaller stations like nearby Borough Green may not have taxis. Your fastest and most direct connection to Sevenoaks will be from London Bridge station (approximately 25 to 30 minutes). From Sevenoaks, you’ll then need to take a taxi to your first stop in the village of Ightam.
HDYTI Tip: This is Britain we’re talking about, so be sure to prepare for rain. A small umbrella or a waterproof rain jacket should suffice. Wear comfortable walking shoes and carry a refillable bottle of water.
Ightam Mote – The 14th Century Medieval Manor House with Gardens
The National Trust has over 20 protected heritage sites located in Kent. For this itinerary, start your day out in Kent with a visit to Ightham Mote, (pronounced ‘eye-tem-moat’) a charming half-timbered medieval manor house with a surrounding moat.
This property dates back to the 14th century and spans several cultural and architectural eras and owners. If you enjoy visiting historic buildings and hearing all the stories hidden behind their walls, wandering through lush gardens, and beautiful countryside walks, you’ll enjoy visiting Ightam Mote.
Ightam Mote has a rich history and has been home to knights, courtiers to King Henry VIII, and Victorian high society. There is plenty to explore on the grounds, and the site offers children’s activities as well.
During our visit, we joined a free volunteer-led group tour (these are run at set times throughout the day) and later took a walk around the manor and explored the orchard and gardens on our own time. You can grab some tea and coffee and some light food from an onsite cafè.
HDYTI Tip: Check their website for opening hours (generally between 10 am and 4 pm). The manor house is usually open from March and may be closed in the winter. Entry (as of March 2024) costs £16 for adults and £8 for children. Family discounts are available. Parking costs may vary.
Lunch and take a river cruise in Tonbridge
Home to historic towns, no day out in Kent is complete without visiting at least one of them. When we did this itinerary in late summer, from Igtham Mote, we headed to the medieval market town of Tonbridge to visit our next attraction (approximately 23 minutes drive).
After parking the car, we wandered towards the River Medway which cuts through the Tonbridge town centre. Tonbridge River Trips offers boat hires and skippered cruises along the river. Skippers will share insights into the rich history of the town and point out river wildlife along the way. When we visited, passengers were allowed to bring their own snacks and drinks onboard.
HDYTI Tip: As of January 2024, riverboat trips were priced at £10 for adults and £5 for children under 16. Trips last around 55 minutes.
Opting to enjoy a walk along the Medway River instead, we eventually found an idyllic spot at Verdigris, a beautiful riverside restaurant, wine, and cocktail bar serving British and Mediterranean fusion cuisine. We especially enjoyed their fresh seafood and the chance to taste locally sourced gin and ale as we watched rowers float up and down the river.
Visit the 11th-century Tonbridge Castle
It was only a short walk from the restaurant to the 900-year Tonbridge Castle. This well-preserved example of a ‘motte and bailey’ castle was originally built as a Norman fortification in the 11th century but has changed owners and purpose many times since then.
HDYTI Tip: Check the Tonbridge Castle website for listings of seasonal activities such as concerts, artisan markets, and their annual “Castlemas” Christmas event. As of January 2024, adult tickets cost £9 while child tickets cost £6.50. Family discounts are available.
We picked up some audio guides at the entrance and took a self-guided audio tour. Be prepared for surprises around every corner! Our visit coincided with a late summer concert happening on the castle grounds which meant we were able to enjoy some free outdoor entertainment as well!
HDYTI Tip: If you choose to start or end your ‘Day out in Kent’ itinerary in Tonbridge, trains between London Charing Cross Station and Tonbridge take around 45 minutes.
Visit the UK’s largest lavender farm in Shoreham
We know that manors and castles and layers of history are not everyone’s cup of tea, so we are including one last stop as an option. Alternatively, you could make this your sole activity for your day out in Kent.
As an activity, we suggest checking out the Castle Farms lavender fields at Shoreham. There has been a farm (run by the same family) at this location since 1892!
A visit to Castle Farms is ideal for those who prefer to spend more time outdoors and in nature. After all, what is not to like about wandering through endless rows of glorious purple and inhaling the calming scent of lavender?
We have yet to visit the but will be sure to post something on the blog about our experience when we do.
HDYTI Tip: Taxis are available from stations at Orpington or Sevenoaks. The Lavender season runs between June and July. For a listing of events and tickets, check out their website at castlefarmkent.co.uk
For more ‘Day out in Kent’ itineraries…
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Disclosure: This itinerary originally appeared as an Instagram campaign that we delivered for Visit Kent.
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