Things to do in Kent

Kent has everything you could ever need from a county, and for this reason, it’s the stunning location for our Ledian Gardens Village. Often referred to as the ‘Garden of England’, Kent is famous for its food, scenery and historic past. There’s an endless amount of activities to do and places to visit in this peaceful county, so we thought we’d share our top picks for things to do and places to go in this breathtaking part of the world.

Dover Castle

Dover Castle is a staple in English History. Having played a huge part in numerous wars and historical events, visiting this medieval fortress is bound to give you the chills. Built in 1066, Dover Castle has seen it all and still stands strong. Many events are held here year round to keep you entertained, and there’s plenty of exciting things you can do within the walls and underground. You can take a walk through the secret wartime tunnels under the castle or explore the oldest lighthouse in the country, alongside stopping for a bite to eat at one of their restaurants or tea rooms. Whether you’re visiting with family or just yourselves, Dover castle is a fascinating day out.

Shell Grotto

Located in Margate, the Shell Grotto is one of the world’s most mysterious places. Nobody knows who created this underground world, and no one knows why either. The Grotto is a 2000 square foot array of passages that is covered in beautiful mosaic and pretty shells. The work of art was discovered in the early 1830s, and has been an attraction for people all over the world since. The Grotto is easily accessible for most but they can easily help you out if you require special assistance. There is also a lovely gift shop and a museum room at the location. Booking is recommended for a visit.

Westgate Parks

The Westgate Parks are located in Canterbury and consist of four areas, Westgate Gardens, Toddler’s Cove, Bingley Island Nature Reserve and Tannery Field, each boasting beautiful scenery and nature to explore. The park offers events year round with something for everyone, and also provides guided tours and walks allowing you to get up close and personal to the best bits some might miss. Each area of the park is easily accessible for walkers or people in wheelchairs, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the natural beauty of Westgate. Being right in the centre of Canterbury, it’s a short distance to Canterbury Cathedral and town centre if you want to kill two birds with one stone and make it a busy day out.

Hever Castle and Gardens

Based in the village of Hever, the Hever Castle and Gardens has a rich history, most notably housing the Boleyn family and Anne of Cleves. The castle boasts a plethora of exhibitions and fascinating artefacts, and the grounds are home to medieval festivities and events year round. The gardens are open daily with the castle, and contain beautiful mazes and a lake to be in awe of. The site is perfect for a refreshing walk or educational trip, and being family friendly means that the whole family can enjoy this piece of history. Both the castle and gardens are accessible to most however within the courtyard or castle wheelchairs are not able to be used due to the delicate nature of the ground. The accessibility access guide for the rest of the grounds is all available on their website.

Ramsgate Tunnels

The Ramsgate Tunnels is the UK’s largest network of civilian wartime tunnels. After being closed for over 50 years, in 2014 the tunnels opened themselves to the public and is a completely volunteer-led programme. The tunnels are 2 and a half miles long and were originally built in 1863, but are most famous for the part they played in protecting the public within the second world war. The town of Ramsgate suffered heavy bombing within the second world war, but the tunnels served as a safe zone for hundreds of families. The tunnels host guided tours and events, even blackout tours if that’s your thing. Accessibility may be an issue if you are in a wheelchair or mobility scooter but for most, the tunnels are completely accessible. There is also a shop and a museum at the site.

Kent is a huge county, so there’s plenty of other things you can do to occupy your time in the area if you move into our Ledian Garden village. Simply contact us and we’d be happy to help you out if you’re stuck for ideas.

Here at Inspired, we’ve completely reinvented retirement living. We offer truly independent lifestyles, and assist with every step of the moving in process, as we know it can be a big step. All of our villages are set in beautiful environments and contain wonderful facilities to ensure your retirement is as comfortable as it can be. We take care of the details so you don’t have to.

Get in touch today to find out more, or read our other blog on the benefits of moving to a retirement village.