Our visit to the Big Cat Sanctuary was already incredible, but staying overnight in the Tiger Lodge made it truly unforgettable. The lodge itself was stunning — beautifully designed, luxurious, and so thoughtfully placed that you can watch the tigers roaming just outside your window. Waking up to the sight (and sound!) of a tiger padding gracefully through the grass is an experience we will never forget. The atmosphere was both serene and exhilarating. The lodge felt private and peaceful, yet so connected to the sanctuary’s heart. Every detail, from the comfort of the lodge to the hospitality of the staff, was impeccable. Dinner and breakfast were delicious, and the staff went above and beyond to make the stay feel special and personal. What impressed us most was the sanctuary’s dedication to the animals. You don’t just stay overnight — you learn about conservation, the stories of each big cat, and the incredible work being done to protect these species. It made the whole experience meaningful as well as magical. This was so much more than a getaway; it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be close to some of the world’s most magnificent creatures in a way that is respectful, inspiring, and unforgettable. If you ever get the chance, book the Tiger Lodge — it is simply breathtaking.

Fabulous weekend stay at one of the lodges. Clean and well equipped, fantastic standard of food. The staff are all so friendly. We had 2 great tours of the Sanctuary with Emily who was not only informative but shared anecdotes about her experience as a keeper. I really could not fault the experience which was topped off by hand feeding one of their leopards. Absolutely amazing and an experience we we will never forget

This was the best experience I have ever done. The Lodge we stayed in was AMAZING! So beautiful and well equipped, above and beyond anywhere I have stayed before. The staff are incredibly friendly and helpful, and our guide Dawn who took us around the sanctuary was so informative about all the cats, was amazing listening to their stories of how and why they were there and seeing as some cats were elderly or under vetinary care you would never have known as they all look the picture of health, looked happy and contented in their immaculate, well thought out enclosures. I have never seen such animals so " up close" and was shocked at how massive and majestic looking some of them are and to be able to hand feed them too......was a dream. Would not hesitate to go back and also support their fantastic work......amazing!

My partner booked one of the experiences for my birthday yesterday and it was insane. Our tour guide Chris was amazing, had so much knowledge of the animals/park and made the experience a real pleasure. Seeing maya was my dream and all the other beautiful cats. We will definitely be back 🥰

An amazing venue with very knowledgable and caring staff. The animals seem well cared for and in great health. It was really interesting chatting to the staff and learning about how they do enrichment activities for the cats to keep them stimulated.

We visited one of the latest open days here and had a brilliant day out with the kids. Learning lots from all the staff spotted at all the different enclosures. Plenty of different big cats to see and experience in a better way you see at an all year open Zoo. Well layed out, well planned and definitely worth going when they do one again. Your need a membership if you want to visit outside these days.

We went to the Big Cat Sanctuary Open Day to celebrate a birthday, and we couldn’t have asked for a more incredible way to celebrate! It was a privilege to see the gorgeous cats they have there. The whole day was packed with wonderful activities, and it was an unforgettable experience for our family. Our little one especially loved the meet and greet with the brilliant lads from One Zoo Three; it was such a lovely touch that made the day even more special. We were amazed by the rescue and conservation work being done. The newly rescued lions were a highlight; they were so beautiful and clearly thriving. It was lovely to see them looking so healthy and content. You can feel just how much love and care goes into everything here, from the thoughtful conversations with the staff to the fact that the sanctuary isn’t open all year round to protect the cats' wellbeing. We really valued that. The live music and drumming added such a vibrant atmosphere to the day, and seeing Cam bravely take part in the dog display was brilliant! Hearing about their fantastic work to fight poaching and illegal wildlife trade brought even more meaning to the experience. I’d highly recommend going to an open day or buying a loved one an experience there to see the stunning cats up close and really understand and support the sanctuary’s important work in the UK and internationally. It was also great to hear that they’ve recently gained international recognition, which is so well deserved. We’d definitely recommend becoming a member for the extra experiences and to continue supporting this amazing place. Really looking forward to next year!

Excellent place for a day out. Beautiful surroundings for the drive there, lovely maintained gardens, with sculptures, water features, an array of plants and trees. Beautiful sights into fields miles wide. Would highly recommend. Didn't manage to visit the house itself as it's only open on a Friday and Saturday.

Lovely tour of house and gardens. Guides very informative. We would recommend cafe. There is not a great choice of food but scones were the best we have had for some time and best value we have come across.

What a lovely day we've had. A free guided tour of the house by two very knowledgeable ladies then a very nice cream tea. Lots of lovely gardens and plants to see , will definitely return for another enjoyable day.

Visited the house and gardens, beautiful place. House is guided tour only which was one hour, very interesting to hear everything. Was a wait for the house tour to start, so made use of the lovely tearoom, freshly cooked scones, and pot of tea. Highly recommended.

Beautiful house, amazingly well kept gardens. The children had a very engaging educational experience, 100% will return.

Beautiful, magical gardens. The house tour was so interesting and informative with lovely rooms and plenty to see. The tea room was excellent value with great service - only open on Fridays though.

Visited open gardens it a beautiful area. Didn't go in house as didnt have money to. But the gardens are amazing . Had tea and cake in tea rooms which was a good price and tasted fab

I visited the pier when the remembrance poppies were there, a magnificent display. Although the walk back up the pier was long the best part of the experience was the railway museum. I do feel like the pier is missing attractions, there's a lot of seating but nothing to do.

Worth the money! It was lovely to experience the train up to the end of the pier. Lovely views from there. Plenty of seats to sit down, a restaurant that serves food and drink. There was a DJ playing by the bar area, which sounded good. The only thing negative is that it wasn't very well organised when waiting for the train and the staff were abit grumpy. Coming back our door wouldn't open but no one was there waiting for the train to arrive back so a few of the passengers had to false it open.

Very nice pier. It's over a mile long(!) We walked up and got the train back and it was £20 for a family of four. There are shops and cafes at the end but are very expensive. Great views from the pier itself.

Walked on the longest pleasure pier in the world (2.14km). Then we took the "spirited-away-like" train back to the shore. Will not forget such memory.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5) Southend Pier was a good experience overall not amazing, but still enjoyable. The walk along the pier was peaceful and offered some lovely views. I took the train back, which felt like stepping into the past it has a charming 1940s-style look that gives it a unique character. What stood out most was the contrast in atmosphere. The pier has a calm, laid-back vibe, but once you head back toward the Adventure Island side, it suddenly feels like a completely different world ,busier, louder, and more energetic. It’s an interesting mix of tranquillity and fun. Worth a visit if you’re in the area!

Really nice pier. It's amazing that you got the option to walk or use the railway. It's great fun for adults and children. Offer shops , restaurants.

Beautiful display of hand knitted and crochet poppies for remembrance day. Long queues to get on the pier and train but worth the wait. Great museum too

Our kids love this place, we go every year for the day. Great price for entry and half price after 5pm. Open till late, plenty to do in the area. Carers can get a wristband for half price, up to two Carers but you need to buy tickets on the day at the park itself. Other tickets can be brought online or on the day.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Adventure Island, Southend-on-Sea What an absolutely amazing experience! 🎢 Adventure Island is truly the happiest little amusement park by the sea! The moment you enter, you can feel the excitement and energy all around. It’s beautifully maintained, super clean, and offers something for everyone — from thrilling rides for adventure lovers to gentle ones for kids and families. The staff are cheerful, helpful, and always ready to make your day better. The sea view adds a special charm to the whole experience — imagine riding a roller coaster with waves in the background! 🌊 Food stalls, games, and the overall vibe make it a perfect full-day outing. Whether you go with family or friends, you’re bound to make wonderful memories here. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Southend-on-Sea! ❤️ [ Adventure Island Southend-on-Sea, amusement park, family fun, seaside rides, thrill rides, UK travel ] #AdventureIsland #SouthendOnSea #FamilyFun #UKAdventures #SeasideVibes #ThemeParkFun

We visited on the first day of our week holiday. We went for the annual pass as the children will want to visit again and the pass also gets discounts for food, shop etc. We are now on day 3 and going again! Well worth the money! The queues are very quick, we could wait nearby and see them in the queue for the majority of the rides. I wanted to go on a couple of rides so bought some ride tickets separately (no need for a day or annual pass for me 🤣)

VISIT DATE: SAT 20/09/2025 VISIT TIME: 13:30 - 20:00 Adventure Island is a fantastic place to visit if you have children and are in the Southend area. We’re based in Hornchurch, about an hour away by car, or you can also travel quite easily via C2C from Upminster, so my ex and I have visited a number of times with our daughter, starting when she was 3 (she’s now 6). The park promotes itself as free entry, but no one is going to come just to walk through it, so the reality is that you’ll need to get a day pass to take advantage of the rides. At time of writing, it’s £35 for the day, but you can save £10 by purchasing online in advance. If you’re planning to go more than once, then it makes sense to upgrade to an annual pass. These are currently on sale at £50 and do not start until the first time you go. If your child is under 120cm tall, you won’t need your own pass, as they need someone taller (and at least 14 years old) to ride with them. As you’d expect, during the summer, or on character event days, the park is very busy, so there are queues for rides, but going off season reduces this dramatically. We were really blessed with a quiet day, so barely any queuing time, all rides open, with the exception of one, which was closed due to a mechanical issue and the park and rides were open till 8pm. It was also a warm day - being inside the park means that you are sheltered from the wind coming off the Thames Estuary, so even when it’s breezy, you don’t really feel it. There are a variety of rides, with plenty of slower ones for younger children, or those who don’t like faster stuff. Oh these, we really like Adventureville and Spooksville (which is the “scary” version, in darkness and with models of monsters and clowns, as well as appropriate sound effects), and you’ve also got stuff like little trains and boats and the best Crooked House ever, which has been an attraction on the site since 1949, surviving the great flood of 1953 and various ownership changes and developments over the years. I loved this attraction as a child and my daughter loves it too! There are also a number of rollercoasters, with more gentle ones, then building up to Rage, which has a vertical drop and loops. My daughter is looking forward to being tall enough to do that, but she’ll be going on with her Dad when that time comes, not me! There is also a water slide and an indoor area, Adventure Inside, which features a few more rides, including a traditional carousel (my personal favourite) and a decent sized soft play. Staff at the park are generally young, so they have lots of enthusiasm (if we lived nearer, I’d probably encourage my daughter to apply when she’s older, as I think it’s probably a pretty fun working environment, as well as quite hard work) and they are also friendly and helpful when you need anything. As well as the rides that are included in with your entry, there are also plenty of stalls encouraging you to spend more, like “Hook-a-Duck”, which my daughter loves. This is where having an annual pass is beneficial, as you get 20% discount on purchases, including from the food and drink stalls, of which there are also many! Personally, we recommend avoiding the restaurants inside the park as they’re not that great and there are loads of really nice local places a few minutes walk away which deserve supporting. You can also spend money on a Funtopia gamecard, to use on the many games machines in the arcade areas. You can pay to play with a debit / credit card, but the Funtopia card gives you extra credit and allows you to collect points which can be exchanged for prizes. Annual pass also gives you extra credit! Plenty of toilets in the park, including accessible and baby change. All in reasonable condition throughout the day. Overall, we really enjoy visiting and will continue to do so; it’s a great day out on its own, but when you add the other nearby attractions to the mix (Sealife Adventure, Southend Pier, spending time on the beach and in the water when it’s warm enough), this is a fabulous place to visit.

⭐☆☆☆☆ We visited Adventure Island last week and purchased annual passes for our family. On our return visit, I was excited to bring along four other families—18 people in total—after highly recommending the park, even convincing them to travel from Birmingham for the experience. However, our visit was completely overshadowed by the poor treatment we received as annual pass holders. Despite having email confirmation of our passes and our photos already in the system from the first visit, we mistakenly forgot our physical cards. Instead of offering a simple solution—like issuing wristbands, as we were already registered—the supervisor insisted we pay £6 for replacement cards. We offered to just get the wristbands and even showed our ID and confirmation emails, but were told we had no option except to pay, even though they clearly had our details on record. It felt like a money-grabbing tactic rather than genuine customer care, especially after I brought so many new paying customers to the park. Very disappointing and embarrassing after highly recommending the place to friends and family. If you're considering an annual pass here, beware: there is no help or flexibility if you forget your card, and you’ll be forced to pay extra fees on top of the not-insignificant cost of entry. Not the level of service or understanding I'd expect from a top family attraction.

Discounted tickets after 5pm. Got to be quick if you want to do all the rides. Rage was the best. 2cm too short for two. Height checks in que. Ferris wheel took ages. Some ride staff were brilliant. Got wet on the green water slide. Toilets at either end. Plenty of places for food and drink. A good enough park to say you've done.

For a seaside, this is one of the biggest fairgrounds I've come across. For families, it would be great value as there is a great variety of rides for old and young if using their wristbands. Alternatively, you can purchase a ticket to ride for £4 which we did just for the big wheel. Was very busy, so there was a bit of a wait to get on. Clean and family-friendly environment.

Great ambiance, dealer are so friendly, take time to explain the games, waiter never far. Can have snack if you forgot to eat before, open 24h.

Had a meal in November for my friends birthday, there was a group of 10 of us. Things started of well, the Restuarant was nice, the staff were attentive We got our starters and I was quite impressed, after that things went down hill. We were all looking forward to the Madness tribute band, so imagine our disappointment when we miss it, especially Linda who’s birthday it was. They took so long bringing out the different courses Due to the fact we were told we would have to wait , as they had a buffet to put out. We all thought this was bad as we had all payed £40+ for our meals. Our meal took about 3 and half hours in total Some of the staff were doing the bar as well. You should get more staff in when you have events This is not good enough 🙁

Took visiting friends here as went on a groupon voucher once before and the food was ok but on this particular night it was really not good! Ordered beef wellington described as served rare, it was really well done all 4 of them! I couldn't eat mine the waiter refunded my meal but the evening was a bit of a let down! The staff though are absolutely brilliant shame the chef lets it down! Won't eat there again!

Appalling place. Staff are great. Tried to spend lots of money but failed. Went with£200 came away with £200 . Very bad for a casino. The worst gambling established I have ever been to. The staff were terrific. I do not understand how a casino can allow me to not spend any money! I was willing to loose at least £200 but spent nothing!!! Amazing, well done rendvous saved me a fortune, thanks. I spent more money at the seafront arcades, amazingly bad casino. Great if you do not want to spend any money. I assume such a bad establishment will close very soon. The staff are terrific, but maybe they should encourage me to spend more!

Staff were extremely attentive and food was very good. Best piece of cod I've had for a long while. The only drawback is that you're sat close to the gaming tables.

This used to be the nicest casino in Southend but now that the competition have improved they're all of a similar standard. Nice place to go for a night out or a gamble but could do with more seats and a bigger bar area. The restaurant wasn't great when I visited in 2018 but there was talk of a new menu being planned so maybe it's improved now. Food and drink is expensive, but about what you'd expect for a casino. There is a car park outside but lots of people seem to get parking fines even though they've paid for parking - better to park in the big car park next to the Sea Life Centre and walk round to the casino.

Great casino. Good atmosphere and the croupiers are normally very cheerful unlike a lot of places around Southend. Only down side is the drinks are a little pricey however it’s a great night out in general and I would recommend.

VISIT DATE: SAT 20/09/2025 VISIT TIME: 16:55 - 17:35 My daughter, her father and I have visited this attraction a number of times over the last four years. It is just the right size to go round in under an hour, with a good range of fish to look at and plenty of information panels to learn about them. They also have monkeys, meerkats, tortoises, a butterfly house (it’s amazing having these giant butterflies flying so close to you) and a display of animatronic dinosaurs. There is a café and gift shop, as well as some small rides which you pay extra to use. The site is fully accessible, with step-free access and accessible toilets, with baby change facilities. Full price entry is £18 (£16 in advance, online), but an annual pass is only £20, so worth getting if you’ll come more than once. Children under 90cm tall get free entry. There is a carpark immediately next to the site, but is very expensive. Car parks are run by the local authority. If you’re able to walk, try parking a bit further away to save money. You can find details on the local authority website.

The kids absolutely loved the zebra sharks and the talk was interesting. Look out for the giant lobster! There is more than just sea life with dinosaurs and butterflies to enjoy. The season ticket for the year is only a little more and worth doing for locals. Easily accessible by car or train (a short walk really from the station and cheaper than the car park) The cafe I would probably miss on a further visit. The staff were lovely, but it was very pricey (even on a discount) and the food ordered was not very substantial. For example no salad came with jacket potatoes, sandwiches were plain with no sides or crisps etc and expensive for what they were. Hot chocolate was lovely though! There are lots of local foody places and you can return all day with a wristband entry.

Lovely place, with great choice off fishes, sea life and animals. We truly enjoyed walking around as a family and seeing all that sea life had to offer. The souvenir shop and the cafe are a nice little bonus at the end of the tour. I would totally recommend this place and make sure you buy your annual tickets for £2 extra rather than the day pass.

A small but pleasant aquarium, different locations: fish, penguins, turtles, a small pen with mammals. Tropical butterflies. Café. Good for a family weekend. Great for children. Large parking nearby.

Enjoyable day out. Annual membership is only £2 more per person than single entry so worth considering. Cafe area has been expanded and uni sex toilets are now upstairs. There is a baby changing facility on the ground floor though.

A super day out for the kids, lots to see and do, I love that you can go round again, see things again and take your time. Lots of rides dotted around, very informative and interactive for the children. Couldn't fault it, will return.

Great place so much to see. We brought the annual pass for £2 pp extra. Staff are super friendly only downside was the cafe didn't have any fish.

I went here during their country fair, it's a very interesting and enjoyable place to visit. Lots to see and do in the main museum, then there's a fun miniature railway outside to enjoy. The place also has a beautiful model village you can have a look around, all the volunteers are polite, friendly and very helpful.

I've been to the Museum of Power on a few occasions but it is by far the best on event days when the sun is shining. I attended a classic car show in the grounds wish was among the best I've seen. Inside the main building there are some examples of engines, kept working by very diligent volunteers. Honestly though, I don't think the exhibits have changed in years.

This museum offers a compelling experience, featuring numerous interactive exhibits designed for children. The on-site cafe provides a convenient amenity, and the exhibits themselves are quite fascinating. The grounds are also beautifully maintained.

Visited with my grandchildren during the summer holidays. Free parking. Free to enter. Free entry to the model village. Small charge for the train ride and a charge to go into the museum. Nice cafe on site. Areas suitable for picnics. Special events are run throughout the year. We returned for a model village candlelight evening, which happen on Fridays in October, the children absolutely loved it. Run by an army of volunteers, who do an amazing job, this place is worth a visit!

I recently went the Museum of Power show on 20th July as part of the Brentwood Model Boat Club display. As well as a gazebo with models on display we were able to sail our models on the River Blackwater much appreciated by visitors. The Museum had many things to do and see and now has an excellent cafe for refreshments. If you have never visited it is a special place to look round with a great display of all things steam ranging from a huge triple expansion pump engine to irons.

Small interesting museum of power. Machinery reminded me of a factory I worked in. A good stopping point for a nice lunch as well. Good food.

We have visited the museum many times for different occasions and have always had such a lovely experience. Last night we visited the Astaria Village by candle light (over 500 hand lit candles) with our 3 children and we had such a magical time! Alan and Dave have put so much hard work and dedication into the magical fairy village and we even got to see them catch a fairy! We honestly had such a wholesome experience and felt so lucky to have these people in the world that do so much just for the happiness of others! The event was completely free and these was a discreet fundraising pot for charity. There was also a lovely touch to light a candle in memory of a loss of a baby and there was a special area where these candles could be hung and left to burn all night, it was a very beautiful and very touching experience which was met with such compassion. We ended the night on a lovely ride in the dark on the miniature steam train followed by cake and a cup of tea in the lovely cafe! Would highly recommend and will be back again!! Definitely go for a wonderful magical experience and have a chat with the lovely Alan and Dave and they may even share a magic trick or two with you! Thank you for a wonderful evening x

Not open on the Saturday - and that despite the already extremely limited opening hours! 🙄 Tha understands this place be manned by volunteers, but, perhaps it is time for them to 'give up the ghost'? - Ashford, whilst not exactly a ghost town, was little better than a morgue... this begs the question - who they are there to serve?🤷🏻‍♂️

A fantastic museum with a lot of history about Ashford and how it's changed over the years. There's plenty of different things to see, with a big focus on the railway and how Ashford grew around it. Suitable for all ages

Visited Ashford museum and it was an amazing experience. It gives a great insight about the timeline of railways in Ashford and has telltales from the world wars as well. The train parts, pictures from the past and miniature train model fascinated the kids much. They also enjoyed getting locked up in a little jail , in the section showing police forces items. The staff there was very friendly, kind and helpful and gave a lot of amusing information.

Visited the museum today, and what a lovely place it is. The exhibits are informative and well presented. They have everything from model trains to woolly mammoth tusks! The museum is set in the old grammar school by the church, and the main room itself is so interesting - nooks for slate tablets, leaver's names carved into the walls, teacher and usher chairs. Kids can get put into prison, so be good! You can also see a gruesome collection of surgical implements and an ambulance stretcher wagon. Run by a dedicated group of volunteers who have a clear passion for the work and the history. Well done all!

Some interesting things in here and it's next to the church which was nice

✅Located in the heart of town centre ✅Free to entry ✅Staff is friendly and warm ✅Excellent for train lovers

Brimful of Ashford's history. The volunteers are helpful and knowledgeable. The guided walking tour is very good. I didn't know so much of the historic town remained, in no small part due to the Trust's work.

Great place. Has 3 floors. Disabled and baby changing room on first floor then toilets upstairs. Lots of weapons and clothing. Small car park but it’s not that busy when we came. It was nice to visit and friendly staff. They prefer card rather than cash. You can book online then pay in person

A wonderful museum filled to the brim with a wide selection of military memorabilia from across history. Compromised of about 3/4 rooms which are densely packed and well laid out. Uniforms, weapons, badges, ordnance and more from the middle ages to present. Staff were absolutely lovely and extremely knowledgeable willing to answer all sorts of questions. Spent around 2 hours inside but easily could have spent more. 5/5 would recommend.

A hidden gem if you are into military memorabilia. The museum hosts the Donnington Historic Weapons Collection, a collection of weapons accumulated by MoD Donnington in Shropshire, over a long period of time. The curator is particularly knowledgeable.

This was a superb find for me as looking for something to do. What an incredible museum with the biggest display of guns in the country. Over three floors this museum has displays of all original items from different theatres of war and includes , special forces, spies and home front. Spears, swords, uniforms and weapons. You will need a good couple of hours to see everything, very informative displays. Definitely worth a visit as the best that I have seen and a hidden secret. There is free parking, admission is £9.50 for adults. Open Wednesday to Sunday 10.30am to 5pm. When we arrived we were greeted by a very nice and knowledgeable lady, Julie Ann Miller.

Around £10 per person, with limited parking on the site, but the area isn't busy, so you should be able to find parking. The museum is larger than it looks and it has a huge collection of scary things! No other way to describe guns and bombs! Recommend a visit! I spent a couple of hours there myself.

What an absolutely fantastic hidden gem! One man's stunning, eclectic collection. Run by really enthusiastic and knowledgeable volunteers, who are present to share interesting facts and point out rare and unusual items and give more information when requested and answer our many questions! (I think the gentleman's name was Dave... thank you!) Free parking on site. Tickets very reasonably priced. Usually closed Monday and Tuesday, but open every day for school holidays. A list of items does not do the collection justice so I won't try, however the spy section was really cool and the Victoria Cross display. Husband is ex military and was really impressed with the scope and detail. The collection spans 3 floors and is well laid out in sections. If you get overwhelmed with everything there is to see, seek out the yellow labelled items (rarest items or something interesting/different) No cafe, just a coffee machine. Plenty of chairs to rest. Photos allowed. 100% worth a visit.

This place is well worth a visit. I took my 10 year old grandson. All I heard while I was there was, "Nanny come and look at this", "wow nanny look at that". It's far bigger than it looks from the outside. Lifts on each floor and a drinks machine with seating area. I will definitely go there again.

Promenade Park in Maldon is a fantastic spot for a day out, especially if you're looking to enjoy both green space and a bit of seaside charm. The park sits right by the water, with a small beach area that’s perfect for a paddle or just soaking up some sun. There are plenty of walking tracks that wind through the park. The open grassy areas are great for picnics, ball games, or simply stretching out with a good book. You’ll find a decent selection of food stalls, especially during weekends and events, offering everything from ice cream to tasty hot meals. Plus, with several pubs nearby, there’s no shortage of options for a proper sit-down meal or a refreshing drink. Public toilets are available and well-maintained, which is always a plus on a longer visit. Whether you're with family, friends, or just enjoying some solo time, Promenade Park has something for everyone. A great blend of nature, water, and local charm.

We visited the park in late September 2025. We were on a weekend glamping trip with our family, including the grandchildren. The park was lovely for the kids, as there is plenty to do and it wasn't too busy. There is good parking and we had no trouble finding a spot.

A beautiful waterside park with many attractions, plenty of places to eat and lots of seating, a huge field for picnics and shady avenues of trees. If you can get here early in the morning as the sunrises, you’re in for a treat.

The prom is one of my all time favourite places. However as I no longer live in Maldon we have to drive and today we wanted a quiet grassy spot and we knew the far end of one of the main fields would do the trick after having to leave previous venue just before 5pm. We wanted to be there about 3 hours so we could gently sort out tea and eat it. You are talking 5.30pm to 8.30pm. I expected to pay fair enough but £8 for 3 hours parking on a Sunday evening is too much. If it was upto £5 we would of happily used and their would be a 5 star review. I do also think £8 for a full day is fair.

Such a lovely place to spend the day.. a zoo, crazy golf, woods, and a a scenic walk path. Lovely cafes and restaurants

Great place. Only been there In the summer 🌞 Places to eat, nice views and play fun areas for the kids

Nice place for a walk around. Good playground for the kids too.

Nice harbour created for the enjoyment of tourists in a working fishing port. Fresh seafood is available by the harbour, however some of the outlets are a little too touristy. Overall a pleasant place to visit

Whitstable Harbour is a prominent feature in the coastal town of Whitstable, located in Kent, England. Known for its rich maritime history and vibrant local culture, the harbour has been operational since 1832 and has played a crucial role in the town's development, particularly in fishing and oyster cultivation. Key Features of Whitstable Harbour: Oyster Fishing: Whitstable is renowned for its oysters, and the harbour has been central to this trade for centuries. Railway History: The harbour was once connected to the world’s first passenger railway, the Canterbury and Whitstable Railway, which opened in 1830. It remains a working harbour, with a fleet of fishing vessels primarily focused on shellfish. The harbour is a popular tourist destination, offering a variety of activities such as boat tours, seafood restaurants, and markets. Whitstable Oyster Festival: An annual event celebrating the town's oyster fishing heritage, featuring food stalls, music, and entertainment. Harbour Market: Regular markets held in the harbour area where local artisans and vendors sell crafts, food, and other goods. Harbour Village: A collection of small shops and eateries housed in converted shipping containers. Art and Exhibitions: The harbour often hosts art installations and exhibitions, contributing to Whitstable's reputation as a hub for artists. Visitors to Whitstable Harbour can enjoy Seafood Dining, numerous restaurants and eateries offer fresh, locally sourced seafood. Boat Trips: Options include fishing trips, wildlife tours, and excursions to the nearby Red Sands Maunsell Forts. Walking and Cycling: Scenic routes along the coastline provide beautiful views and a chance to explore the town's heritage. Whitstable Harbour blends historical significance with contemporary attractions, making it a vibrant focal point for both locals and tourists. A fantastic day out at Whitstable Harbour that offers a perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and cultural experiences, soaking in the vibrant community atmosphere, and making it a memorable outing. I highly recommend it.

Missed the market, but there were plenty of good food and drink options regardless. Prices are generally higher than elsewhere in Whitstable but that’s to be expected given the location and trendier vibe.

We visited Whitstabke harbour and had a wonderful dayout. The harboir is a busy area, bustling with rich history of oysters, yacht club and full of people roaming and enjoying their time. The harbour is at its best on high tides . Good place for relaxing and to enjoy quality time to enjoy the vast endless water ahead. The harbour has good quality food courts with an adjacent local market that makes the place quite popular. We took the 30 min boat ride trip which was a wonderful experience to go out and enjoy in the open water.

A great couple of days in Whitstable. Lovely walk along the front rounded of by a fish n chip supper sitting along the seafront.

Superb area to visit, spent the day there, plenty to do and see in the harbour, restaurants and bars a plenty and you can catch a bout tour.

Lovely selection of top quality Whitstable arts, crafts, food and drink. I highly recommend you taking the time to visit.

Canterbury is a beautiful historic city full of charm, and Westgate Gardens is one of its highlights! Lovely flowers, peaceful riverside walks, and stunning views by the old city walls. Perfect place to relax and enjoy nature after exploring the city.

Beautiful green space, with plenty of place to sit or lie down and chill out. Keep going up the Stour and wander up a trail. Like a lot of Canterbury, you will likely encounter a lot of grubby homeless people in this garden. If I was I homeless in Canterbury, I'd probably hang out here, too. We visited middle of May.

Fabulous gardens to visit, such a wide variety of trees and wildlife right in the centre of Canterbury. We saw a Baobab Plane tree, Dawn Redwood, female fruiting Ginko, Tulip tree, Judas tree, evergreen Strawberry tree, Hornbeam, Dogwood, Himalayan Conifer, Weeping Willow and so much more. A true highlight was seeing a beautiful Kingfisher, a fox, a hedgehog, a cormorant and swans, and all in the space of an hour!

Lovely riverside walk into the centre of Canterbury. If you look carefully (under bridges easiest), you might be able to see some eels. The ducks are very happy to be fed; please avoid bread though. Small cafe area near the West Gate end.

There were some bugs and insects, but that means the place is nature-friendly! I love the peaceful mood and flowers. Sometimes there is small festival about medieval culture and you can see the knights fighting show.

Westgate Gardens is a stunning riverside park in Canterbury that offers a peaceful retreat from city life. The beautifully maintained lawns, vibrant flowerbeds, and diverse trees—including the majestic 200-year-old Oriental Plane Tree—create a calming and picturesque setting. Walking along the shaded paths by the River Stour, you can soak in the natural beauty and spot local wildlife. A highlight is the spectacular view of the historic Westgate Towers, England’s largest surviving medieval city gate, which adds a fascinating historical backdrop to the gardens. Whether you’re enjoying a family picnic, a romantic stroll, or simply seeking a quiet spot to read and relax, Westgate Gardens provides the perfect balance of nature and heritage. It’s a must-visit for anyone exploring Canterbury, offering tranquility and charm just steps from the city center.

It certainly used to be a very nice place to linger, have a picnic, or take a walk. But now much of it is cordoned off and even more littered. Some corners stink of piss, and it's very loud due to construction noise and the teenagers who seem to be spending their holidays there.But the tree, at 200 years old and over 8 meters in diameter, is very impressive. You don't see something like it very often.

The Marlowe theatre is a lovely newer building among the historic area around it. There are a few disabled parking spots just outside the entrance. There was a spot selling merch for the show (Rocky Horror) and a bar. The seats were comfortable and the stage was large and designed well. The show was great and well done everybody! Staff were very friendly. Toilets are clean.

Love going to the theatre... because I'm short, sometimes I struggle to see among the heads but yesterday I tried one of those cushions they provide and it was much better and SO comfy. Treat yourself to a night out! Oh! And we had dinner at the green room and it was delicious 😋

Lovely Theatre. Friendly staff. Comfortable seats. Bat out of Hell is an amazing show. There is so much talent on stage. We saw it being filmed for Cinemas.

Very good venue, well organised and spacious seating. Excellent selection of top quality shows. Highly recommended

My husband and I went to the Marlowe recently. Whilst there are steps up to the theatre from the street, there is also a slope for those with mobility issues. Our seats at the back of the stalls were comfortable and we had a good view of the stage. My husband has some mobility issues but the staggered steps were easy for his to access. A very enjoyable time

The Marlowe has some fabulous shows which never disappoint. Seats are a good, comfortable size. My only real gripe is the cost of their alcoholic beverages. While I may only have 1 glass of wine, I refuse to pay £11 for a 200ml bottle of prosecco, so do not purchase anything. This is my choice but its just far too expensive for me!!

Lovely venue, good atmosphere. Staff very friendly and welcoming. Very well located and close to centre. I walked and from Canterbury West train station, which worked well.

The beer was fine, but leaving the door open on a cold night was not a particularly welcoming atmosphere. No food is served. Very handy if you're visiting the Marlowe theatre opposite.

Service was fine but the pub stunk of damp, was very cold and the women’s toilets were mouldy. Not enjoyable for pre-theatre drinks. Could be a cosy little pub if it was cared for.

It’s not sure if it’s a pub or a disco/nightclub. No ales available. £6.40 a pint! You’re having a laugh! We’re in Canterbury, not London. One mouthful of substandard ipa and left. Please let someone who actually cares about their clientele take over.

Wondered into the Canterbury tales pub as just a stones throw from the marlowe theatre. Several pumps had run out so not much choice of beers. Pub was completely dead. Looked like the gents toilets was out of order so a bit of paper on the womens said unisex toilets. Was really cold inside the pub and smelt of dogs.

Got to experience folk music at its finest. Quaint bar worth a visit

Really interesting, the guides add humour and makes it an enjoyable experience...

Great location and simple in design and offerings. Definitely more of a "student vibe" but have to say they try their best to accommodate all. Stick to what's on tap and don't deviate to cocktails and you'll be fine!

Went on a Thursday, a week day. Large cathedral, bigger than expected. It did have some construction ongoing outside so that did affect the pictures of the building. Staff and volunteers inside were friendly and happy to tell you a lot about the history, for free. Ticket office staff also helpful explaining the differences in tickets. Very quick and easy. Cathedral probably needs two visits and definitely a tour guide to fully appreciate. There is a cafe and restaurant, and even a hotel. Toilet facilities were adequate. Good places to sit and read if you need a break also. Definitely will return.

Very impressed. More than expected. Magnificent architecture. Huge, light, airy and less dark and oppressive when compared with Westminster Abbey. Beautiful ceilings and stained glass and extensive history. Less ‘tombs’ and fortunately less busy midweek. During our visit a Chaplain addressed all visitors briefly from the pulpit, and offered a prayer, using the cathedral for it’s intended purpose as a place of worship - not a tourist attraction - as it should be. The entry fee to the Cathedral is very reasonable considering the cost of maintaining the building and overseeing visitors. We paid an additional small sum for a guided tour which was exceptional. Lucky to get a ticket. The volunteer gave us a lot of insight into the development of Christianity in the UK, the various phases of the Church during different occupations and global conflicts, the murder of Thomas Beckett in 1170 AD, the destruction of his shrine by King Henry VIII in 1538, all wrapped up with visiting the different areas of the building and outlining the many extensions and renovations over 1000 years! Wonderful learning experience.

A beautiful and peaceful place to spend the day. You can wander around the whole site taking in all of the history and story of the cathedral. There is plenty to see inside both in the crypt and the main floor. You can walk through the entire cathedral. There are places set aside for prayer and quiet contemplation. The outside areas are quiet and interesting to look at. Since the building has been cleaned on the outside you get a good feel for the surroundings and what it would have looked like when it was built. Hearing the bells on the hour was magical and seeing the places where St Thomas was murdered and the site of his tomb before it was destroyed in the reformation makes you stop and think. A fantastic day and a day of learning is never wasted. One day I will return to learn some more. Thank you.

Beautiful Cathedral inside and outside. Very well maintained. You might need two days to walk around inside and outside, lovely gardens with lots of historical information. We thought it was free to enter, but it wasn't. We brought tickets either £19 or £21.00 each (don't remember exactly) they are valid for 12 months from the day of purchase. Just as well really, we thought they opened early on Sunday mornings, but they don't they have Sunday service and they open at 12.30. We had planned to go somewhere else and couldn't wait that long. We managed to walk around inside on Saturday morning early when it was quiet. The cathedral echos when people are talking, it looses it's essence of peace and solidtude. Definitely check the opening and closing times when planning a visit, it isn't visible from the outside of the cathedral which currently has scaffolding surrounding it for maintenance work. I will definitely go back to walk around the remainder of the cathedral before our tickets expire.

Went for a short stay to see Cathedral and town. So historic and interesting. (Museum was great too...and free! ). Went to a choral evensong with the school girls choir, in the Cathedral....beautiful. Next day toured the Cathedral and amazing Crypt. Well worth the money. Walking outside to other historic sites in the Cathedral area, afterwards. We didn't book tickets,as at the beginning of November, it was not busy.

Stunning... Just walking around this magnificent building is a delight... And there's no charges. So with a beautiful cathedral and a lovely quaint town with plenty of food options you definitely cannot go wrong for a good day out..

The Cathedral is truly a jewel of medieval architecture. The town, where Charles Dickens once lived for a while, has its own magic. You can feel the atmosphere of English life, away from the hustle and bustle of London (in a certain sense, it conveyed this to me). In the winter, it comes alive with university student life, and I think the pace of daily life changes, but despite everything, it remains beautiful to visit, perhaps even better.

Beautiful Gardens, you could spend all day here, we had cake and tea after our walk, the food looked very nice and reasonable priced 😊. The gardens and walkways are stunning. It's so relaxing and peaceful. It's also a nursery so you can buy lots of different plants also. I came here about 15 years ago and was lucky enough to meet Beth Chatto while i was there. She was very kind and didn't mind standing there just talking to people visiting her gardens . We will be back in the summer looking forward to it.

1st visit in years. Lovely wall around the gardens. Had a sandwich & drink in the tearoom - reasonable prices. Then had a good look through the nursery. Love the way it's set out for different planting conditions & also recommends what to grow with it.

Have been meaning to visit here for Years. Finally got around to it and was not disappointed. Nice gentle walks through the garden and looked like pretty good wheelchair access. Nice shop and restaurant. Plants and gardening books to purchase. You can do RHS approved training courses there. Annual tickets available for multiple visits. Access road is narrow but has passing places. A couple of coach parties visiting Ng when we were there. We booked online before visiting.

Probably not the best time of year to visit for masses of flowers, but colourful enough.Nice place to visit for a stroll around the gardens and then a nice cup of tea with a slice of cake in the tearoom.Also has a nursery with plants from the garden to buy.

Crikey - what an amazing place. While we were there, on a recent family visit, a Swedish TV company were filming a gardening programme. And I'm not surprised. No wonder the gardens are world famous. We were completely entranced by the whole experience, including the different spaces and environments, the nuseries, the house and the lovely lunch in the restaurant. My only advice to any visitor would be walk slowly, take your time and just let the experience soak in...

Recently, I visited Beth Chatto's Plants and Gardens in Essex, near Colchester, with an old friend. The garden is exceptionally well maintained and offers a lovely day out for families. Unfortunately, the staff in the shopping area were not particularly friendly. They overcharged us for paper bags, which didn't make sense since different customers were given different prices for them. The worst part was as we were leaving; a staff member was unhelpful and patronising while we were trying to arrange a taxi back to Colchester station. A woman even repeatedly asked us to leave the premises, behaving not great! Despite these issues, we had a wonderful trip overall!

Beths Plants & Gardens has a wide variety of plants and shrubs set in a beautiful location. The lakes and ponds have been created to encourage insects with numerous moisture loving plants. There is a canopy of tall oak trees creating shade and a peaceful atmosphere during the walk around. There are wooden benches located at various intervals around the gardens should you need to catch your breath during the visit. The Staff are incredibly enthusiastic & knowlegable and happy to answer any questions you may have. During the warmer months of the year, be sure to visit the pigs and learn the benefits they bring with regard to the preparation of uncultivated ground. Highly recommended.

Making use of the £12 for a year ticket! Already been in a couple of times ( for the bacon butty ) Staff are lovely, exhibits are well presented.

Whilst a small museum it's bigger than it looks. Lots of vintage things set about and well displayed. Place is run by volunteers all of which were friendly and nice as well as being passionate. Cafe was accommodating for gluten free and didn't make a fuss so that was also a nice touch. Some exhibits could do with a slight revamp to bring in the fresh blood but despite that it was still a cracking little museum worthy of going to visit. If you're into your vintage nostalgic cars and bikes or even just the walking back through time this is something right up your street. Really enjoyed my visit. Thanks to the staff

If you just want i little family day out, this is the place for you. Brilliant museum with old vehicles and trains and much more.

Had a great visit here the place is small but packed with different vehicles. The food was great and a good price and the staff were very friendly.

One of the most exciting and friendly places to go if you are into history or love classic cars, trucks and bikes. Fantastic volunteers and staff, friendly atmosphere and café inside. One time ticket purchase gives you access for a year, sometimes there are events held like the classic bike show last weekend! It was excellent.

Excellent surprisingly large museum, well presented with fascinating range of exhibits. The enthusiasm of the team is infectious, and the cafe definitely worth a visit too. Their collections are displayed with informative notice boards, and presented such that you can readily access sections that are of most interest to you. Outside there is plenty of space for specialist marque clubs and events, which added further interest and value to us on the day of our visit.

My family and I visited back in November and again today, as initial entrance fee is valid for the entire year. This is excellent value for money, and the volunteers have done an amazing job to make this place look great. My 2 year old daughter absolutely loves this place. Even if your not particularly into motor vehicles, this museum is still an absolute gem. The museum displays include vehicles of all kinds, shops which you actually walk into and upstairs. Our favourite sections were being allowed upstairs on the double decker tour bus, model railway (which is huge) and when it's available- using the fire engine hose to knock down targets! Well done to all the volunteers that make this place such a great day out.

I've been coming to West Cliff theatre last few years to watch the adult panto and it never have i been disappointed with the staff they're always lovely, and the theatre has a lovely atmosphere. Always a pleasure and extremely welcoming everytime 🙂

Absolutely love this theatre. They have some fabulous shows on. The Dazzling Diamonds were Brilliant. Nice new ladies toilets. Lovely friendly staff.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Attended the Taylor Mania Tribute Show – Taylormania What an incredible experience! Taylormania is truly an award-winning extravaganza, and Katy Ellis as a self-confessed ‘Swiftie’ absolutely nails the Taylor Swift vibe. The live band and dancers made it feel like a genuine Taylor Swift concert – the energy, the costumes, the atmosphere… just amazing! The show featured all the hits we love, from Shake It Off, Blank Space, Love Story, to Look What You Made Me Do and so many more. The crowd loved every second! The venue is fantastic – always hosting great shows and performances. The staff and volunteers do a brilliant job of making everything run smoothly. I’ve visited several times, and it never disappoints. Plenty of parking nearby on surrounding streets or along the seafront, and ticket prices are very reasonable compared to the West End. Highly recommend if you want a fun, authentic tribute show and a great night out!

Excellent.Lovely theatre run by volunteers who do an admirable job on a very busy Saturday evening when we visited.Jim Davidson show.

We visited the Westcliff Theatre for the Summer Show. I wasn't overly sure if we would like it, but I shouldn't have been worried as kids loved it. I was also very impressed with the theatre and theatre staff - it was clean and comfortable, and the staff couldn't do more to try and help. I also felt that the snack and drink prices were very reasonable!

This was our first time going to the theatre the show which was called the summmer show was amazing, service was brilliant and good atmosphere and great fun. Tamara and Chloe from the phoenix club that David and Anette organised.

Great experience, nice decor, drinks reasonably priced and great show!

It is an excellent place to visit the seaside. It was clean all over also car parking, toilets, sitting and eating place overall very good wonderful times I spent.

A very nice and beautiful sweet place for tourism, many fantastic adventures to indulge in the middle of the day and night...

this is worth a visit has a very soft sandy beach which is well maintained and kept clean take a picnic enjoy a nice sunny day if you have young children be with them if they go in the water as tides are strong there is also an amusements to spend on the machines and much more the food is nice good day out

It was amazing it was very busy if need help it was there if u won and prize on the 2p machines lovely food in the restaurant not bad prices I will be coming back next year

Very nice place for relaxing time, swimming and sunbathing, many food cafe, places for intertainment, all communication is here.

Amazing place to be with the kids!

Lovely beach was busy as we went on air show day

This lighthouse is managed by National Trust and as always has a lovely set of volunteers who are very polite and friendly. The lighthouse tour is one I will recommend. They provide a very informative and absorbing story telling session. Views of the English channel and surrounding areas from the lighthouse are absolutely stunning. The site has a shop, tea rooms and toilet facilities. Parking for NT members is about a mile away, but the walk is beautiful.

The lighthouse is a little underwhelming, but the walk there and back from Devon is gorgeous. Grateful thanks to the NT for acquiring and preserving this spectacular coast line. Good foot path and well signposted. Its about an hour of moderate walking each way.

We had a great tour of the lighthouse, the current lighthouse, built in the 1840s, was the first in the world to use an electric light and a key site for pioneering wireless communication, free for National Trust members. There is only 1 way two get there, and that is two walk, but there are 2 different car parks to choose though, that is the National Trust white cliffs car park or St Margaret's village, it was a lovely walk from the National Trust car park, and don't forget to visit the 2 other great National Trust sites on the way, Fan bay deep shelter and Wanstone Gun Battery.

Great location for a Pitstone if you walked the trail. The lighthouse itself is interesting to visit plus grabbing some refreshments and chilling with the fantastic channel views on a sunny day is just perfect.

While hiking the White Cliffs of Dover, we made a stop in to grab a quick cuppa tea and a snack. It’s a great little light house with an amazing view! We had the cream tea service. First time for me and it was delicious! It’s a nice half way point for a great hike and a nice little stop and visit. Go check it out and meet the tea room crew!

This hidden gem on the south coast is absolutely magnificent and I cannot recommend it enough. I love the way that you have to hike about 50 minutes from the visitor centre to get there which gives you a real sense of adventure. The tickets for the tour are very reasonably priced and you get to see all the different levels and learn about the role they played in the day to day running of the lighthouse. As well as the day to day work to ensure the safety of shipping in the vicinity, there was also pioneering work done here in the development of radio and electricity. There are fascinating artefacts, stunning views out over the channel, mesmerising machinery and passionate National Trust staff that will make sure you have a really great time. There is a cafe, gift shop and toilets, picnic benches, deck chairs - everything you might need.

Great place for a walk. WARNING; Check what network your connected to before using your phone as mine was sometimes connecting across the channel 😀

Lovely clean beach..big amusement centre with funfair and food shops on pier..lovely atmosphere..big ferris wheel..mini golf..excellent all inclusive wristband price which includes 5 different thing for kids including 3d encounter miningolf fun fair rides 50 free tokens and 5 arcade game rides..what more could you ask for..what a bargain value..£20 instead of £30 for a wristband when booked a day in advance online..I would suggest anyone to visit here..been here around 6 times in the past 2 years..booked caravans around here 3 times..and looking forward to coming more..also came by train with a bunch of friends..we enjoyed so much.

Great place to spend time with family and friends. Lots of entertainment, food stalls and even a pub. Or you can just walk alongside the beach and learn some history by visiting the Martello towers built during the Napoleonic wars and were part of the costal defence system

Visited Southend and Brighton Pier. Give Clacton Pier a try. Beach and pier were great, but places to eat and drink were area specific Need more small soft ice cream shops. Clean though. Recommended 👍

Beautiful clacton pier always holds avents for kids Halloween 6 weeks holidays etc… massive restaurant inside with endless fruit machine and games followed by more rides on pier outside which pushes far to the end of pier always nice to visit and walk along seafront towards Holland on sea

Absolutely fantastic. Came from Australia with my two year old and the pier kept her entertained for hours without spending any really money!

Great pier. Looks like it’s recently been renovated with loads to keep you busy.

Great value all day wristband if bought in advance unlocks pretty much everything at the pier. We spent 7 hours here and had great fun. The stuff were all so friendly and added to the fun. Thank you for a great day out.

My partner and I saw the show The greatest love of all by Belinda David's. My partner has been to many theatres and shows, whilst it was my first time. We had an absolutely amazing experience, the staff were all friendly, the theatre itself had everything we could have needed. The seats were comfortable however im 6'3 and struggled a little for legroom. I found that the timings between the performance and interval were perfect. The bar was reasonably priced and facilities were good. We are planning on making it a new tradition to visit the theatre whenever we are in clacton. And would definitely recommend

Lovely Theatre. Nicely laid out. Good choice of drinks etc in bar and kiosk.

I went to see The Best Of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons with Peter Andre. It was fantastic, and so nice to see a full theatre. Well done Peter Andre all at the Princes Theatre. Good job.

I haves loved the Princes Theatre since I worked there in about 1992. I try to visit at least 4 or 5 times a year. The Manager, Kai, was kind enough to show me around behind the scenes recently. Love this place ❤️

We've seen some lovely shows, recently we saw the Best of Queen absolutely brilliant night!

We went to see Aladdin at Christmas with my daughter and two of my grandchildren. Absolutely loved the old world feel and so clever to employ people friendly older staff. The whole vibe was warm, welcoming, and understanding. I live in Shetland, so I don't often get a chance to visit this theatre. I am definitely revisiting.

Went to see Navi a Michael Jackson impersonator. Show was brilliant. They had set up dance area for audience who just can't stay seated. Couldn't ask for more

Lovely quiet place to stay we stayed for 2 weeks.We had nice walks to st margaret's bay. It's a bit hilly but you can follow the coast road right by the white cliffs. The accommodation is normal caravan holidays but ours was very comfy food in club was ok enjoyed the noodles they were tasty. swimming pools were brillant and they have adult only in the morning. The local pup the smugglers are friendly and food is A1 all in all a very enjoy able holiday would use parkdean again very helpfull

Got there and went to my "Bungalow" the website said it had its own parking, which it did not, that was one of the reason's why I booked it. The Staff said they have never had its own parking, so god only kows why the Parkdean website said it. They did say they would get the website updated. stayed in number 50. Where to start, Apart from the leccy Bathroom Radiator been on all the time, but very small. so towel drying was a joke the Rest of them was on 2 or 4 hour timers, the front room was only 2 hours max. So you would wake up and go into a cold room, I went in Nov 2025 so not the best time of year The bedroom ones only allowed upto 4 hours of heat, so again not great Now the timer had a bright blue light, which lite the bedroom up, so that was annoying. And as blue led's are one of the most dangerous colours to the human eyes, not the greatest. And the fact both bedroom ones made some strange ticking type sound, Been Autistic I use white noise to sleep, and this ticking sound was louder than that, so that did my head in and I had to turn the heating off. The Cooker was broken the light to say it had reached temp was missing, so hit and miss. Bathroom extractor fan never worked, the sink had something missing, its like a small trap that you can lift up and down to allow you to fill the sink up or epmty it, so if you dropped something into it, you would lose it. Also you could not sit down on the Toilet without having the toilet roll and holder been in the way. Net curtains over only the windows in the front living area, NOT THE DOOR so no Privacy, had to close curtains when going out, just so people could not look in No lights on the front of the bungalow area ( yes auto light on the side) but bright LED street lamp on the back where the bedrooms are so that also came in on a night time while trying to sleep. The hedge on the way out of the site, if you had the nerve to be turing right, you had to pull out into the road, just to see past the hedge to see if it was clear, does not look bad in the picture bit it was I have never had breakfast at one of these sites, so we gave it a go, Turned up at 9:04am, told nothing cooked as they had only opened at 9:00am, which is fair enough, but then had to wait 50 minutes to get the Breakfast. The Glass was vey old and covered in marks, like no salt in the dishwasher type marks The beans where luke warm but the rest of the meal was fine On the day we left, my Son forgot his house key for where he lives, and they called me and said they would post it back to me, and said they would put it in an envelope and it would get posted back to me, which i was thinking that was nice of them but Today 6 days later, still no letter with Key and after I called the site, The woman got a bit mardy, saying that the staff only work part time and they would have to do it in their own time and also post it in their own time back to me. Which is not what I was told on the day they called me Then we went in both pools the small one has steps/ladder that are loose and moved when you stepped on them, the main pool was not much better not fixed right at all Hot water was a joke too, only enough for half a sink full, then nothing for hours while it heated up again

What a fantastic relaxing stay !! Been using Parkdean Parks for many years in Cornwall when visiting family and this is the first time we’ve stayed in a different park. I can honestly say that it is the best we’ve stayed at and was exactly what we were hoping for. Love the pools, sauna, steam room and jacuzzi. The park is quiet and very clean, with friendly helpful staff. Our caravan was really clean and in a perfect position for us. We love the park so much, we’re thinking about buying a caravan or bungalow so we can make it a more regular place to be when not working

We stayed in October and loved the Park, a great location for exploring the coast around Dover. We upgraded to a Prestige Lodge which was very comfortable, with plenty of room for 3 people! We found the beds comfy, and it was nice having 2 bathrooms. The site was small and quiet which suited us. The facilities were good with a pool and sauna. Wish we'd stayed longer!

Had a Lovely Caravan stay.Very clean on arrival. The park was in a Lovely setting for a Break and near some interesting places to visit. The staff were friendly. We had a check from the Housekeeping staff one day into our holiday to make sure we were happy with everything

Was quite a good serene location. Peaceful. They created activities that will make kids enjoy their stay. E.g aquajet, Waterwalker. etc. Staff member were quite helpful. Location- You can board a ferry 1 hour to France for the day. 41, miles from sandy beach. Would need to drive to enjoy your stay here Did not use gym, but looks okay. Hot tub seem quite old. Seem like a very old park. Some features looks dated, but good

Fantastic park, small and quiet not like the bigger ones. Ideal for our family. We had a great time here. Fabulous swimming pool and facilities and great evening entertainment.

An amazing little Museum... well worth the stop on a brake i had to take. Staff was very helpful and friendly.... 💯 recommend

Great little place that holds a lot of history. There's two well-filled rooms large enough to house a Spitfire in one and a Hurricane in the other. Loads of extra militaria and information dotted around as well and lots of model aircraft and pictures & images to help show moments of the war. Would highly recommend - it's free to get in, but a donation always helps.

Lovely historical exhibition. Very nice and didn't cost a penny. Couldn't ask for much more and the staff where friendly.

Had a great couple on hours looking and reading some very interesting exhibits.Well worth a visit and even better it was free..

Great little Museum, full of interesting information about the first and second world wars and the aircraft and personnel. It's free to get in, but a donation would be a lovely gesture. Lovely cafe and outside seating area. Free parking too.

We didn't stop here long, a mere 20mins in the way back home from a long weekend stay nearby. However this free museum was loaded with knowledge and the planes were clearly very cared for and looked great.

Very clean Great information Lovely place to go Staff are friendly

Lovely converted Henry VIII castle into more of a stately homes, but still had a castle feel. Also now allowed into the apartments where the Queen Mother and other Lord Wardens used to spend time. This is where Wellington died as he was also Lord Warden here, Walmer being a important important Cinque port. Very pretty gardens to wander through as well, especially the moat garden and the marvellous cloud hedge. Definitely worth a visit.

Lovely castle and gardens. Went on castle tour with Leslie, she was very knowable of the castle in the tudor period. Gardens were pretty. Cafe food was reasonably priced, tasty and home made. Would recommend we had a lovely day out.

Beautiful gardens and lovely castle with great history,try and choose a dry day as the grounds are lovely. All the volunteers were knowledgeable and the cafe was well stocked and reasonably priced

A wonderful place to visit, featuring a beautiful garden with stunning views and a very peaceful atmosphere. You can watch children playing in their designated area, and enjoy delicious food served at the tea room and the garden coffee shop.

Built by King Henry VIII in 1539-1540 as an artillery fort to defend the English coast from invasion by France and Spain. Walmer was one of three coastal "Device Forts" (along with Deal and Sandown) built to guard the vulnerable Downs anchorage. The short, squat, "clover-leaf" design with curved bastions was intended to deflect gunfire and mount heavy artillery. No invasion occurred, but the castle was actively garrisoned and saw military action during the Second English Civil War in 1648, when it was besieged by Parliamentarian forces. It has evolved from a military fortress into a seaside residence and the official residence of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports. If you're a member it's ok, think it's a bit pricey for non- members.

Beautiful grounds and interesting history. The guides in the castle wete knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. Lovely walks in the grounds suitable for most walking abilities though some areas have a number of steps.

We only got to see the gardens, because of time constraints, but they're worth a visit on their own. Although they're not extensive, they are packed with interest. The gardening team do a fantastic job of maintenance and there's not a weed to be seen. We'll soon get back to see the castle itself which promises to be full of surprises. In contrast to Deal Castle's spartan defensive role, Walmer became a comfortable, quirky residence.

Visiting was a itch that needed scratching and I am glad I did but it was let down by the restaurant. Yes it was busy but not packed, however the empty tables had not been cleared or wiped clean and were sticky. We ordered two coffees, a piece of cake and a sausage roll and the young lad serving us immediately forgot our order and then he dropped one of the coffees all over the floor. The cutlery was dirty and there were no napkins. The shop was well stocked and the exhibitions were really good.

What an amazing place this is! Showcasing the history of Hornby, Scalextric and Corgi models. With detailed information on the creation of these collectables from the beginning of each model it was a pleasure to walk around and use the interactive displays. They also have a well stocked shop and cafe.

Fun place for a visit. Lots of cool models and toys and an interesting look at how they are designed and made. Particular treat for fans of James Bond as they have a lot of Bond film toys and models. Reasonably priced too!

Fantastic little museum. Lots to look at. Not a huge museum. With children and a stop for lunch id say it's 2 hours maximum. Some interactive scalextric sets for children. Worth a look and tickets aren't expensive. Cafe on site mainly selling cooked meals rather than pre packed sandwiches. Huge shop - shop itself nearly as big as the museum.

Loved my morning here bringing back loads of memories and fun ,loved the Scalextic layouts and train dioramas ,definitely recommend for all model enthusiasts 👍

A great collection of locos, coaches, with exceptional small scale Locomotives. Very interesting and intriguing model railway displays.

Really enjoyed visiting here. I took my 3 ear old and he loved the mini scalextric and kept on going back there. The museum is super affordable and really interesting. The shop is not affordable but it's really interesting.

The Shell Grotto is definitely a unique and interesting place to visit - I just wish it was a little bigger/there was a little more to see. Fascinating series of passages and small rooms beautifully decorated with shells. And how and why it was done is still a mystery. I enjoyed reading all the history and info. Recommend. Only a 10/15 min walk from the old town (and we also saw a lovely Tudor house).

Visited the Shell Grotto and really enjoyed it. The staff were very friendly. And there's a nice selection of items you can buy in the shop. Definitely worth seeing. It was quite busy when we went in Sunday, but you can explore it in about 15 min. A short but very interesting experience.

Interesting place to visit and cheap activity. It takes approx 10 mins to walk around you can make it longer if you really want to inspect the design. But it is very small so if you area bit wary of tight spaces be aware this may not be for you. They have some interesting facts before you head down to the grotto. The team are friendly and the gift shop is lovely if a bit small when there are lots of people. Definitely worth a visit

Much smaller than expected but still very interesting with a little bit of history and alot of skill. I feel the entry price is far too expensive for something that took me 5 minutes to walk around, but for someone particularly interested in the artwork and fancy something different to look at, its still good. The gift shop is a must see as has plenty of gorgeous seashells and a few other pretty items for sale. No toilets or parking, if your lucky you can find free street parking nearby.

Visiting the Shell Grotto was an unforgettable experience. The moment I stepped inside, I couldn’t believe my eyes — every surface is covered in intricate patterns made entirely from seashells. It’s both mysterious and magical, and truly unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. This is absolutely a must-see destination for anyone. After exploring the grotto, I enjoyed browsing the charming gift shop, which offers a wonderful selection of seashells and other unique treasures to take home as souvenirs.

Stunning place decorated with many shells. Definitely worth a visit. There is also a shop to buy all sorts of small things. Not far, 3-4 minutes walk, there's a carpark with a pound stretcher, there the parking is free for two hours.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Absolutely mesmerizing! The Shell Grotto is one of Margate's hidden gems and a truly unique experience. From the moment you descend into this mysterious underground tunnel, you're transported into something magical. The intricate shell mosaics covering every surface are breathtaking - it's incredible to think that millions of shells were carefully arranged to create these beautiful patterns and designs. The craftsmanship is extraordinary, and the fact that we still don't know who created it or exactly when adds to the mystique. The audio guide is excellent and really helps you appreciate the history and theories surrounding this fascinating place. The lighting creates a wonderful atmospheric experience that makes the shells shimmer and come alive. Perfect for families, history buffs, or anyone looking for something completely different. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable, and the gift shop has some lovely souvenirs. Don't miss this incredible piece of Margate's heritage - it's unlike anywhere else in the world! Well worth the visit and the ticket price. Highly recommended!

Great Royal harbour always lovely to walk around and see the boats.

Its just beautiful, all year round. From warm sunny days, where you could be in foreign country! Sitting outside in one of the many bars.To the lead up to Christmas when the boats are lit up. It has to be on your bucket list.

This is a working marina so be prepared to see working boats and marine industry. It has a good feel to it with plenty of historical interest. Worth a visit.

5 stars for keeping the beauty of real marina. Full packed with amazing & experiences yachts. Love the clean water colour. Stormy clouds creating more dramatic views. A lot of drinking places, small cafes, restaurants around. U can see many dog walkers. Love this place

Summer at this royal harbour. Local restaurants, new facilities, well the toilet block on the pontoons is. Lovely over night stay.

Amazing place, relaxing and affordable 😎

A beautiful harbour to walk around and eat at some of the lovely restaurants, anytime of year. The most spectacular time to visit is Christmas as sailors decorate their boats with colourful Christmas lights.