It's a nice view over the sea, but not that high and in front of a (quiet) road. If you're hoping for a proper clifftop walk it's better to go to nearby Broadstairs. With that said I loved the Long Rock beach nature reserve below where you can find crabs, unusual rocks with sea creatures wrapped around them and a lot of seaweed. Really peaceful and interesting to look around. Atmosphere reminded me of Dungeness. I've included pictures from there too because Google doesn't let you review it separately.

We visited on a day when there was sunny weather.... bonus! Beautiful views. One of the best places to re-energise and feel full of 'happy'. A double bonus was the food festival and live music 🎶 We had a long sit down being entertained and chatting to local people, whilst eating local food. Best day!

Tankerton is a little village (street), in between The Hampton, Herne Bay and Whitstable, Kent. The panoramic view of the North sea and abstract cloudy skies are breathtaking. Especially between January and December. I think it's classed as an estuary. Anyway, it's stunning. Loads to do. You can walk for miles along the beach and find quiet spots, drift wood for your art projects and shells for your soap, incense or an ashtray for your Berkeley menthol fags. I've Scunthorpe, but I've been here 20 years now. It is literally like living on another planet. If you catch ma drift. Blessings ❤️🙏🏼

It's a nice place to have a stroll, walk the dog, or have a picnic on top of the slope. It has some parking along the road but it might get busy during the day. I saw people doing some kite-surfing when i came. Looked really fun! The huts along the slopes are so colourful, it's a perfect place for pictures.

Lovely, peaceful place. You can see the Isle of Sheppey, and also the 2nd World War gunnery towers built on stilts in the estuary from here

Grass bank home to rows of colourful beach huts, offering pleasant coastal views over the pebble beach below. On a clear evening you can see very a dramatic sunset over the sea. Worth walking out on The Street when the tide is out and looking back at the beach huts for a different perspective on the slopes. Accessible short walks into Whitstable or longer walks towards Herne Bay. Plenty of free parking along the road (can be hard to find a space in peak season and on sunny days). Cafés and public toilets at regular intervals.

Beautiful and quiet beach option for a family trip to the sea. Shallow waters with very fine sand but muddy in places. Town center close nearby and delicious ice cream shops and fish and chips shops around. Free parking available on some nearby roads or paid parking just on the seafront road. Toilets also available close to the beach.

The Whitstable castle looks stunning from outside but unfortunately it was closed for visitors due to an event. The garden is beautiful with play area for kids.

The Castle has a rich history dating back to the 17th century. The castle with its garden is an exquisite place to visit and walk around in the open public park. There is a cafe in the castle with sitting areas both inside and outside. We have tea while having seats outside and enjoying the wonderful views that the place has to offer. This is definitely a wild experience which is a must try while visiting Whitstable. There is a rose garden behind the castle which is well maintained and full of blooms.

This is a place to pass through and maybe stop for a cup of tea. Its not really a castle more of an interesting folly. Nice gardens with some unusual plants.

Attractive castle set amongst landscaped gardens. The building doesn't have the long history of many defensive castles, but makes up for this with a striking appearance. Colourful, well maintained flowerbeds and tropical plants give the gardens an inviting feel, and there's seating around the front of the castle to sit and enjoy refreshments. The rose garden is a particular highlight in early summer. There's a small amount of on-site parking available for disabled visitors, and otherwise plenty of space along the road overlooking Tankerton slopes. Information boards around the castle grounds and in the gatehouse explain more about the site's history.

Visited whitstable today. A nice sunny day in November. Lots of restaurants and cafes there. We ended up at the Castle cafe. Lovely gardens especially in summer months to walk around. Today, we just went to cafe and had lunch. Quite a varied menu. Staff were friendly, food good. So no complaints. Liked the idea of having menu to suit smaller appetites which stopped wasting food that is too much for some people to eat.

An enjoyable couple of hours spent in the gardens. The castle not that old by castle standards is quite small and so the gardens are likewise, so visitors won't get worn out. There is a swing park and climbing frame for the kids and plenty of seats in the grounds for the public to rest and admire the views. Parking is free on site but it is limited and those with blue badge can park in yeti dedicated bays further into the garden in front of the castle.

What a beautiful place! It's the first time my wife and I have visited this place and were very impressed. The garden / grounds were lovely and well kept. The tea room was part authentic and part modern - very light and bright inside. The cheese scones were delicious. The castle of course was an impressive sight, and best of all, no entry fee 😊. Would highly recommend.

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.

A very first time visit to the Britain's oldest brewery. The tour was informative and tour guide made us welcome with his friendly talk. He explained the whole brewing process step by step and the history of the site. At the end, tasting experience was great. Btw good to know about beer rather then just drink 😜. Worth the visit.

Visited brewery for the first time today and I was amazed! I am not much of a beer drinker so I was not sure what to expect, but it was actually great to see the process of beer making and the history behind it. At the end of the tour we had opportunity to taste some beers and learn more about the taste/smell of each one. Special thanks to Nick as he was a great tour guide! It is definitely worth a visit if you are interested in beers or not!

I could not recommend the tour and beer tasting highly enough! I came here for an afternoon outing with my family and we enjoyed every moment! Our tour guide Nick, was extremely informative and gave us a great look around the brewery and explained the intense process that goes into making the beer. I learned a lot about beer that I did not know before, and about the long history at Britain’s oldest brewery. We also had a great beer tasting, and I really enjoyed learning about Shepard Neame’s most popular and well loved beers. This is a great afternoon out and you will not be disappointed.

Amazing tour and tutored tasting today. Tour guide Aubrey was fantastic. Highly recommended.

I found this tour to be highly informative and incredibly interesting. Not just in terms of the process for beer making but also on the history of beer and ale as part of the English culture and the company itself. Then as an added bonus you get to taste 6 different lagers / ales and stouts. All in all a thoroughly enjoyable experience. So much so that I’ve now signed up for the evening meal and beer tasting event.

Note. The tour is now £25. The shop Is welcoming and sells a full range of SN beers, plus a few other labels they are licensed to produce. Also sell SN branded items, from t shirts to beer mats. This is a review of the shop, not the tour!

A great experience visiting the Shepherd Neame brewery, Laura our guide was full of knowledge and interesting facts of the brewery. The tasting experience was a fascinating culmination of the tour. Would thoroughly recommend and hopefully enjoy a couple of hours looking in to the past and present from the oldest brewery in Great Britain.

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

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!

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.

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.

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.

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

​I had a truly fantastic trip to Leeds Castle. This place is awesome—it genuinely feels like a jewel in a crown. ​While the entry cost is significant, it is absolutely worth the price because there is SO MUCH TO DO, making it an easy full-day trip. Even better, your ticket allows you to return for a whole year! ​The grounds are magnificent and incredibly varied, featuring beautiful hilly areas, serene lakes, and varied walled garden areas. Don't miss the maze, the epic-looking children's playground, the Birds of Prey display, and the unique and fun Dog Collar Museum (the only one, I believe!). Inside the castle is amazing, filled with great displays and information. ​What really stands out is the clear investment and the incredible staff. The whole operation is so well-organized, and there are countless staff members who were universally friendly, kind, and helpful. ​The café was especially great! The food was good, and the Lemon Drizzle Cake was absolutely sublime—a perfect break during the day. ​Plus, you can buy duck food in the gift shop—a small touch, but very fun for feeding the birds! Highly, highly recommend this incredible historical gem.

Wow, Leeds castle was stunning. Set in the countryside, the drive up to the castle you knew it was going to be spectacular and we weren't disappointed. The grounds are stunning. It just got better and better, the Maze, Falconry, castle. The food was good here and the restaurant was superb. There was a boat ride available on the lake, Go-Ape, play areas. You could easily spend a day here. The staff were polite and knowledgeable and the castle itself is steeped in history.

An absolute gem — the most beautiful castle in the UK! If you’re visiting Kent or anywhere in the UK, this is the castle you can’t miss. What makes it truly special isn’t just the castle itself, but the breathtaking landscape surrounding it — every view feels like a postcard. There’s something here for everyone: an incredible adventure play area for kids of all ages (the maze is a must!), a stunning collection of birds, and a truly entertaining eagle and owl show that keeps both adults and children mesmerized. Take your time strolling through the gardens and woodlands on your way in — and on your way back, hop on the charming little train or relax on the scenic boat ride. Both are experiences in their own right. The castle grounds have plenty of great dining options, from cozy cafés to proper restaurants, so you won’t have to worry about food. Plus, they host brilliant seasonal events throughout the year — whether it’s a medieval festival, light trail, or Christmas market, there’s always something new to enjoy. The ticket you buy gives you unlimited entry for a full year — which is perfect, because once you’ve been, you’ll definitely want to come back. Ample of free car park. I suggest booking your entry ticket online in case it's busy.

Leeds Castle is absolutely breathtaking — a true fairytale setting surrounded by beautiful gardens and a serene lake. The castle is rich in history and wonderfully preserved, offering fascinating exhibits and lovely walks around the grounds. The location is peaceful, and the atmosphere feels magical from the moment you arrive. A must-visit in Kent and one of the most beautiful castles in England!

Absolutely stunning castle afloat it's moat. Beautiful gardens as well, especially the Mediterranean area. Enjoyed seeing all the various sculptures around the gardens. Lots to see and do. Fun maze to get lost in. The castle itself is amazing and beautiful inside. Had a lovely chat with one of the volunteer guides. He informed us that sadly no black swans currently at the castle due to avian flu 🥲. You can have a boat trip on tge lake but this costs extra on top of the admission price!

We stayed in accommodation on site, marvelous location for a three night stay. Beautiful landscape and gardens, use of all facilities on site during our stay, castle is a fascinating place to visit with lovely walks in the grounds, a visit to the birds of pray is a good choice. All the staff are amazing and friendly and helpful.

Lovely historic castle with plenty of interest other than the main building, beautiful grounds and lakes, there's a small road train shuttle from near the entrance to the castle, which is about a ten minute walk from the entrance, £1.50 each way. The falconry display is a must, the staff that do this are very knowledgeable about their subject, and don't forget to duck !! 😃 All in all a great day out. Oh and dont forget the small lake ferry and maze.

An interesting and charming place. We sat in the inner garden because we had our dog with us. It was very cozy and relaxing there, perfect for a peaceful break. The staff was incredibly friendly and welcoming. They even brought our dog a bowl of water without us asking, which was a lovely touch. We only ordered cream tea since we weren’t very hungry. Everything was delicious and nicely served. There’s also a small but interesting museum on site, along with a shop that has an endless variety of jam flavors. Overall, a wonderful and enjoyable place to visit.

As always, a very pleasant experience. We brought our sister (in-law) who was over from Australia. She really enjoyed the whole experience. The food was lovely and we all enjoyed a visit to the museum and shop.

What a wonderful experience at the Tiptree Tea Room, definitely worth a visit. We had the afternoon tea, which was delicious and very filling. You choose your sandwiches, so we opted for an egg mayonnaise and a sausage & cheese Toastie. The scones were warm, served with cream and Tiptree strawberry jam. We also enjoyed the mini cakes, the carrot cake and bakewell tart were particularly tasty. Although it was slightly busy, we didn't have to wait long for a table and the staff were all friendly and helpful.

My wife and I came here for lunch with our dog. We had a seat out in their secret garden. They even gave us a little doggy menu for our furry friend. My wife went for the quiche and I had the goats cheese and chilli jam toasted sandwich. Of course we also got a nice bowl of chicken for the furry one. The food was really nice, the bowel of chicken lasted about 3 seconds max. Thank you for a lovely lunch.

The whole table thought the breakfast was absolutely delish and such a gorg environment, highly recommend cream tea!!!

Lovely food, friendly staff and got to look round the museum and of course stocked up on sauces and jams

What can I say but for a tea room it sells really nice coffee. My only let down was that they don't do a large size coffee. Good selection of foods and treats and the store next door sells all the products produced on site. And finally, access to the museum is also in the tea room so you don't have to walk far for a bit of jammy education.

Great theatre to watch a show. Plenty of leg room in the dress circle with great view of the stage. The theatre looks a bit run down but certainly gives it a bit of character! Definitely worth pre-ordering your interval drinks which are delivered to your seat

I went to Bon Jovi's concert, the concert was excellent, the employees are very prepared, congratulations, I recommend it 🙏

Really sorry to leave a poor review and not a reflection on the performances at all. But Jesus… cleanliness and self respect lack here! Where’s the pride in appearance 🤢🤢 very dirty, old and the digest place I’ve been. Honestly don’t go here, needs a massive reinvestment and the whole lot ripping out and replacing. Gross

Myra’s story was fabulous. It’s a must see one woman show. Seats a little uncomfortable after a while. You can order refreshments on the app and they bring them to your seat at the interval, which is good. Bar area in the foyer is spacious and car park only a five minute walk, and is free after 6pm.

An excellent evening. The show was top drawer and all the staff at the theatre played their part. A great venue.

Great little theatre. We saw Oklahoma and the cast were amazing 👏

Went to watch Emma Kenny talk about killer couples. The show was fantastic as I am a big true crime fan and love the psychology behind it all. Seats were comfy, wasn't too hot, staff were friendly.

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.

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.

Visited for a tour and tasting on a Saturday in July. We were on the first tour of the day at 10:30am - this may not always be the case, but it felt like we had a smaller group size than later tours as a result (7 in total) which was nice. Our guide Sharon was very knowledgable and friendly, and added lots of personal anecdotes to the tour, adapting it to give us more time/information on the points we were most interested in. The tour involved walking through lots of the vineyards and learning about the different vines and challenges that come with growing them. I’d say it involved seeing more of the estate than I experienced at Chapel Down - I was glad to have comfy shoes! The production side is mostly shown through a video - it’s a shame you can’t see it in person as this would’ve balanced the time spent out in the fields, but they are a working winery so it makes sense that they don’t want lots of visitors getting in the way! It was a fair bit more expensive compared to other tours and tastings I’ve done (£70pp at Balfour, vs £35 at Chapel Down, £32 at Squerryes and £35 at Mount Vineyard - although this last one doesn’t include a tour). For the price to be double, I’d maybe expect a few light nibbles thrown in and more detailed instruction on how to properly taste each wine and a fuller explanation of the flavours that are present. The pours were fairly generous and you do get to try six wines (on the upper end of tastings I’ve done), but it feels like there’s something slightly missing for the price point, hence the four stars. The six wines we tasted only included whites and sparkling, but this wasn’t a problem as the staff at the bar were more than happy to let us try the reds afterwards, which were amazing! I can’t recall the barman’s name, but he was brilliant. We loved hearing about his favourites and recommendations, and we ended up bringing a few bottles home - the Albariño, Luke’s pinot noir and Leslie’s Gold NV. With the discount provided at the tour these were very reasonably priced. We weren’t able to stay for food but it looked amazing, especially on a warm sunny day. Would love to come back and stay for a leisurely lunch in future. If you’ve done wine tastings before then I’d maybe come for a wander round by yourself (you don’t need to be on a tour to explore the grounds) and then order the wines you like and enjoy the beautiful setting with a bite to eat.

We had such a lovely day but a few things that let this place down for me. They were completely understaffed and had such poor service due to being understaffed. We had to keep going up to the waiters/waitresses at the till to order any food or drinks, we didn’t have anyone come up to us proactively once. They have a huge wasp problem, every single table was absolutely swarmed. The second our food hit the table we had about 40wasps swarming around us and our food which was really horrible. The waiters looked a bit embarrassed and ran off when we mentioned it. Apparently they’ve had this issue all summer but they hadn’t put anything in place to help which just ruined our meal really. We had to put some of our chutneys on the floor away from the table to get rid of the wasps. We also asked the waiters 2/3 times to clear our plates (to get rid of the wasps) to no avail and came back from a walk around the vineyard to a table full of plates still. We ordered food at 3pm on a Saturday (they close at 9pm) and they had ran out of all of the flatbreads which meant our meal was just cheese, meats and breads. We were all starving when we got back! Such a shame, still had a lovely day but don’t think I would go back or recommend. Had a much nicer experience at other vineyards in the UK.

We stopped by on our way home, didn't know what to expect and was pleasantly surprised. We went into the restaurant and tried the 6 items sharing plate which was great value for money. Each individual dishes were all very nicely done, we particularly enjoyed the mushroom pate, prawn and courgette salad and mackerel salad the most. We also ordered the non-alcoholic sparkling white and rose wine, both were delicious. The surrounding area was very pretty as well, and there is an option to do a self guided tour, but it started raining so we didn't get to do that. All the staffs were super friendly and the lady who look after the shop in particular was very helpful. Overall a great experience, we would definitely come back again for a proper lunch and try out all the wines!

Fantastic experience, travelled from London and the free shuttle makes the journey so much more convenient and easy compared to other vineyards. The food was fantastic and the wine even better. Particularly enjoyed Leslie's brut rosé. My only crisitscm is there was no music playing outside on the terrace which would add to an even more fantastic atmosphere. The service was a little slow but it was busy they had 450 people booked in and there was still space to fit everyone that wanted to sit outside, and tables seemed to turn quite quickly.

A beautiful setting with generous tasting servings. Wines were delicious and the platter food quality surpassed expectations. Will definitely visit again.

This is a magical oasis and a wonderful day out . You book a wine tour and lunch and what you receive in return is a hospitality experience of the very highest calibre. We were in a large group of 14 a mix of corporates ( loud and giggly) couples and travelers . Lesley our guide did her best to keep some order as we gambled amongst the vines and gave us an overview of the viticulture process , the history of Bafour and its foundation . We visited late August and no matter the weather walking in this beautiful Kent country side is a wonderful experience, out through the vineyard and back via the woods . We then sat inside in a stunning glass walled boardroom style set up and tasted six wines sparkling and white . We did not taste any red or beers or cider which was a missed opportunity. The wine making process is converted by a video that was created many years ago it felt , difficult to see the screen in the corner with so many folk a screen on the wall at the head of the table would have been more comfortable . The Rosé sparkling was the star and The standout of the tasting one of the best of the British sparkling wines . We are conditioned to French Spanish and southern hemisphere wines that it was painful to watch the English still table wines being tasted but not drunk . As global warming takes hold and we get longer hotter summers the gap to sure to close but at what cost . We had lunch upstairs in the most stunning environment with breath taking views of the vineyard and rolling Kent hills . Surrounded by beautiful art and tastefully chosen furnishing this is top draw . The food was excellent scallops perfectly seared plump sweet and succulent , sardines filleted and perfectly partnered with tomato herb and garlic . We had to ask for bread to mop up the wonderful juices . Mains we went for pork filet perfectly cooked but dull in it’s presentation , the cooking juices not enough and this dish cry Ed out for a jus or sauce to bring the dish together, and had obviously sat a while before arriving at our table , and cod roulade was a little overcooked and drowning in sauce . Bread and butter pudding was succulent full of blueberries and served with the most excellent crème anglaise , cheese was generous served with quince and chutney a crowning glory to our meal and The food is solid tasty and well executed on the whole and a wonderful experience. Service was attentive and it was inspiring to see good young people learning a trade guided by more experienced professionals.

Fantastic place - the most beautiful views over the vineyards for my mum’s 60th lunch. We had the sharing platters and a tasting (highly recommend Skye’s Chardonnay) which was all delicious. The staff were extremely lovely and accommodating to make the birthday feel a bit special with an extra touch. Thank you Balfour team! What a lovely experience at the cellar door.

📍 Unexpected Visit We stopped by for an impromptu visit while we were in the area. Unfortunately, we didn’t realize the tunnel tour requires advance booking. 😅 🕳️ Tunnel Tour From what we’ve read in reviews, the tunnel experience is fantastic — we’ll definitely book it next time! 🏛️ Exterior Grounds Although we didn’t join the guided tour, we explored the exterior site on our own. There was plenty to see, and lots of informational signs scattered around. We didn’t have to pay to access the outdoor areas. 🅿️ Facilities Parking: Available on-site, but it’s paid. Shop: There’s a small shop selling drinks and other items. 🥤🍪 Play Area: Great for families — includes a playground and swings. 🛝 👍 Would I Recommend It? Absolutely! Even without the tunnel tour, it’s a worthwhile stop — and next time, we’re booking ahead!

We just finished the tour with Barney and Maddie and had the best time. Barney was really engaging, had heaps of energy and was clearly passionate about Amherst and history in general. He had the kids up as volunteers, and kept them involved the whole time. The caves themselves are really interesting and I’d definitely consider doing the tour again! Thanks for a really great 2 hours.

Had the tour of the tunnels this morning, Saturday Steve was our guide and we had a full on two hour experience but the time flew. Fascinating we see the various uses the Fort had over the years a very interesting insight and then of course after the tour ends still the full external spaces to explore and finishing with the best view in the Medway towns at the highest point of the fort. Well worth a visit and even if you don't fancy the tour you will have access to the rest of the site for free. If you are into history then tour is well worth it.

Well worth doing the tunnel tour which is around 2 hours. Full of information including how the tunnels were used in world war 2. Suggest a wander round the grounds before or after the tour to enjoy the views.

Went on a tunnel tour this morning. Very enjoyable and informative, lots of interesting things to see and very knowledgeable guide (Tom). Had no idea there was so much hidden in the hillside, learnt a lot of history of the area too. Children on the tour enjoyed it too. Would definitely recommend.

Just returned home after a 2 hour extended tour of all the tunnels, a special thank you to Tom for a very informative tour, my wife would also like to thank the guys for a great bee experience, answered all questions thrown at them, and there was a lot. Great experience would recommend both and the fantastic cream tea afterwards

We completed the tunnel tour with Tom this week, my son (8) is Autistic, loves history, and is particularly interested in the wars, Tom was brilliant with our son, keeping him engaged and involved throughout, answering all his questions, the amount of knowledge he has is amazing. We also brought along our 4 year old daughter and she was even engaged throughout the tour. We will definitely be back, thank you Tom!

I recently visited Rochester and had such a great experience exploring both the castle and the town itself. Rochester Castle is absolutely stunning—full of rich history and with an incredible view from the top. The castle is quite a climb, so if you're not great with heights or a bit nervous about steep steps, you might want to admire it from below. But even from the ground, the structure is impressive and totally worth seeing. The town of Rochester is just as lovely. It has a really charming, historic vibe with lots of independent bookshops, quirky little stores, and cozy cafés. We were lucky to catch the local market too, which had a great mix of food, crafts, and handmade items. There’s definitely something for everyone. The park next to the castle is big, peaceful, and perfect for a stroll or a picnic, and the whole area is family-friendly. I'd say it’s great for all age groups, but do be careful with the steps inside the castle—they’re steep and uneven in places. One thing that stood out was how kind and welcoming the people were. It really added to the whole experience. Whether you're into history, shopping, relaxing in the park, or just exploring somewhere new, Rochester has a lot to offer.

Amazing experience, well maintained, has a lovely gift shop with good prices. Has an option for an audio tour however isn't necessary as they have signage explaining the events. We went when the weather was beautiful so was really nice. Alot of steps but definitely worth it for the views of Rochester and the cathedral.

I loved this place. My kids enjoyed this place. The audio guide they gave was helpful. The castle is very old yet preserved well. It is safe with beautiful sights from the top. Absolute pleasure to visit

The castle looks so authentic - a lot of work has gone into preserving this! It's great that people can walk around the outer motte area free of charge. The surrounding area is all in keeping with the historic buildings. Stunning vistas of the castle and across the River Medway, excellent!

Came here for a Craig David concert, it was absolutely brilliant! Amazing venue in the grounds with the castle. Bag searches were vigorous! There were bars, food, tea and coffee, ice creams, glitter tent, medical tent and portaloos. Got a real mini festival vibe, was such a great afternoon and night, really nice crowd. Lots of security too.

Rochester Castle in Kent makes for a great day visit, offering one of England’s best-preserved Norman keeps—the tallest in the country at 113 feet. Built in the 12th century and famously besieged by King John in 1215, it’s a dramatic slice of medieval history. Visitors can climb winding staircases for sweeping views over the River Medway, explore the vast roofless interior, and relax in the surrounding gardens. It’s not wheelchair accessible due to the many steps, but the site is atmospheric, rarely overcrowded, and pairs well with a visit to nearby Rochester Cathedral. Expect to spend around two hours here for a rewarding mix of history, views, and quiet charm. Definitely Recommended.

Interesting to walk up the tower of this ancient castle. Some remainders of the walls of the Bailey still remain and there are lovely views over the River Medway, which are even better from top of tower. Good interpretive boards throughout. Didn't take particularly long to visit and was out in about half an hour. Friendly staff, Interesting history; a good ruin.

We had a lovely day out here. In short, we felt Diggerland was generally pretty good value for money. Firstly - we had missed any information telling us that a couple of attractions wanted actual cash. The cafe will do exchange cash to a point but has a charge. Don’t forget to take some pound coins! The only other head’s up we had was to read the age restrictions on rides clearly. We queued a few times for rides having misunderstood the age requirements and our younger boys weren’t too impressed 😅 Other than this we had a great day. Parking was plentiful, reception was clean and welcoming with a helpful assistant to check our tickets and tell us where to go. The digger area itself was pretty busy, but it was clean and easy to navigate and queues weren’t too crazy for individual attractions within the park. We rode the bumper cars a few times (you need tokens from the gift shop, so get these as you enter). We excavated some bricks from the trenches, we rode bobcats and all sorts. The cafe was solid, tables weren’t cleared very pro-actively but we asked somebody to help us out and they did straight away. Food isn’t cheap but it was pretty good quality and very generous servings so overall good value for money.

It's great idea, but needs a lot of attention. Lot of machines are tatty with bits missing, and generally looking uncared for. No tracked vehicles to drive, only one digger - no idea why not more as there's the track for them. Staff unfailingly polite and helpful. Good indoor play area for youngsters. Cafe good too, and sensible prices. OAP discount excellent idea.

A reasonably fun place to take the kids, Doubt we would return though and would probably recommend avoiding to most parents. If you turn up on the day there is a 46% surcharge to catch you didn’t pre pay, it has vibes of flying with Ryan air. Then you walk straight into rides which require extra payment, so you have to negotiate with your kids. I come to this sort of place to have a nice time, not deal with tokens and pound coins all afternoon. A fun touch was they ask you not to walk with muddy shoes through the gift shop, instead I suggest they let us escape without being forced through your shop. The young staff were nice though.

Fantastic place for the kids! Omg wow, so much to do and see for the kids. Under 1m is free which is amazing although they then aren't tall enough to do some rides. Spread out, easy to manoeuvre with a buggy, clean and tidy. Staff were very friendly. The kids were disappointed the ice cream truck had shut because of the rain ;( Also, last comment - I think an adults ticket costs too much. For the 5 of us, the price would put me off returning.

What a fantastic day out! Initially thought the ticket 🎟 price was steep! Still don't understand why there's not a child price? Cannot believe we waited so long to visit here! Can't wait to go back. Very unique & fun day 😀

From the moment you arrive at Diggerland Kent, you can sense that this is no ordinary theme park — it’s a one-of-a-kind adventure for construction fans of all ages. Nestled in Medway Valley Leisure Park, it blends hands-on machinery fun with classic family rides and a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. First Impressions & Atmosphere Walking through the gates, you’re met with the roar of engines, the rumble of diggers, and the sight of kids (and adults) eagerly climbing into cabs and control panels. The park is compact but very well laid out, so you never feel lost trying to find each attraction. There’s always something happening somewhere, and the energy is infectious. Staff are generally warm and helpful; ride marshals guide you with safety in mind but without dampening the fun. On busy days, queues can build up a little, but overall the layout and ride throughput help keep things moving. Cleanliness is decent: washrooms are tidy, and there are spaces to rest or grab refreshments. The soft play area is a welcome retreat when little ones need a break from the outdoor fun. Here’s a roundup of the standout rides / experiences you’ll want to try: • Spindizzy – Arguably the signature thrill ride. You sit in a digger bucket, get strapped in, and then are raised and spun (forwards and backwards). It gives you that “which way is up?” sensation and is perfect for older kids and adventurous adults.  • Skyshuttle – A gentler ride that gives you height and views, lifting you skyward in a vehicle attached via a boom arm. Great for taking in the park from above and for those who prefer something a bit less intense.  • Groundshuttle / Off-road rides – These let you bounce along rugged paths; it’s fun to feel the movement and imagine you’re on a real construction site.  • Mini Diggers / Komatsu mini diggers – For younger visitors (or the young at heart), these are a massive hit. Kids over ~80 cm (often accompanied by an adult) can steer and dig, practicing control and coordination.  • Dodgems, Go-Karts, and Mini Cars – These are more traditional “fairground” style but reimagined in the Diggerland theme. They’re great for a change of pace and appeal to visitors of all ages.  • Soft play & indoor areas – A nice bonus, especially when the weather turns or younger kids need somewhere gentler.  The staff is amazing, very helpful, patient with the kids and cheerful, thank you for a lovely weekend

One of those places where it doesn’t look much from the outside but as you get in there is loads to do. Kids can drive loads of stuff. My 9 year old drove a car on his own and my 7 year old drove a full size JCB on her own (with instructor). We got on loads of rides. I don’t know how they do it- everything looks like a H&S nightmare but everyone was safe and had lots of fun! Definitely buy tickets in advance you save about £10 a person and you can book the night before as we did. I didn’t really understand the queue of people paying full whack. Parking was free and we were offered free EV charging too (we didn’t need it). There are a couple of little ride ins which are coin operated and the dodgems you have to buy a token from the shop. This is the only thing I thought was cheeky, it didn’t really make sense why there was an extra charge, as it had one member of staff like the other rides so I don’t see where the extra cost is which justified it, and it’s not like they needed to manage a queue - not many people were riding it. Everything was very dusty (to be expected kicking up dirt all day long) so wear older shoes. The queues for the diggers digging mud were REALLY slow so we didn’t get in. Kids were getting 10-15 mins a go because only one member of staff to do switch overs. We counted the number in the queue and it would have been 45 mins to an hour so we bailed having queues for 15 mins at that point.

A beautiful little church tucked away in the Kent countryside. Well worth a visit if you an art fan and a must visit for fans of Chagall. Every window is a masterpiece. Entry is free and donations are not obligatory, but any art fan will feel the need to contribute a little I am sure.

Lovely little church with beautiful Chagall windows that cast blues and yellows on a sunny day - as we learnt the only church Chagall created designs for. Well kept in and out and we'll worth a visit if in the area.

What an amazing place! This small church, founded back in the 13th century, is full of atmosphere and history. The stained glass windows by Chagall are particularly impressive, and the story behind their creation is fascinating. We were lucky to visit on a sunny day, and the light shining through the windows was simply breathtaking, filling everything around with vibrant colors. So glad we got to see it in such beautiful light!😍🥰🥰😇🙏

Lovely little church with beautiful stained glass windows , visited with my daughter & baby granddaughter recently. Was also some gift items to by in the church , postcards, bibles etc allowing to pay by card or cash. Parking available

I went there in spring and it was so pretty. All stained glass windows were amazing.

Fantastic display of Chagall’s work. At 10:30am on a Sunday morning there was a small service ongoing which made us take our time to sit and observe/feel the atmosphere of this same sacred space which inspired the artist to transform this church. The East window above the altar is spectacular. The juxtaposition of such high art and simple surroundings only heightens the experience. Just go, preferably on a sunny day morning.

Beautiful place! Saw it on a TV program and just had to visit. We weren't disappointed. 😁

Quick Takeaways 🏰 Fascinating National Trust property with a mix of historic buildings and grounds 🚗 Sat nav may direct you to the old entrance — car park is a few hundred yards further on 🅿️ Easy parking and short walk to the main entrance 🏛️ House is well presented with engaging exhibits; volunteers add valuable insight ⚔️ Special exhibits include WW2 displays, family/staff history, and a WW1 Victoria Cross 🌳 Grounds are well kept — enjoy a short stroll or a longer countryside walk ☕ Café serves good coffee and standard NT food at fair prices 🛍️ Large, well-stocked shop (one of the biggest in the NT) ⏱️ Allow a couple of hours to explore fully Full Review Ightham Mote is a very interesting property managed by the National Trust. Getting there was straightforward, though it’s worth noting that the sat nav directs you to the old entrance — you need to continue a few hundred yards further to reach the car park. Parking is easy and it’s only a short walk to the main entrance. The site itself includes several buildings to explore, such as a couple of second-hand bookshops, a gallery, a coffee shop, the main National Trust shop, and of course, the house itself. The house doesn’t disappoint. It’s well displayed with interesting and engaging exhibits, and the experience is made even better by the knowledgeable volunteers who share insights into the rooms and their history. When I visited, there was a special WW2 exhibit featuring uniforms, artefacts, and interpretive panels telling the stories of the family and staff who served. There was also a section highlighting a Victoria Cross awarded during WW1, which added further depth to the visit. The grounds are beautifully kept and pleasant to walk around. You can either stay within the immediate perimeter of the house or take a longer circular walk into the surrounding countryside. The café served hot, tasty coffee along with the standard National Trust food and snacks at a reasonable price. The shop, one of the largest I’ve seen at a National Trust property, was well stocked with the usual high-quality items. Overall, Ightham Mote is well worth a visit and can easily take up a couple of hours of your day.

Ightham Mote has to be one of the most magical National Trust properties there is. The house itself is so unique in its looks and its history. When you enter and walk through, it's like going through every era of history over the past 700 years — Medieval, Tudor, Victorian to the Mid-century. There are some really fascinating details if you take the time to go through each room slowly. The volunteers and guides are extremely helpful too and are so knowledgeable about the house, you can chat with them for ages. The grounds are also beautiful and the gardens are very well kept, lovely to sit in and read your book on a sunny day! Ightham Mote is a must go and well worth the journey from wherever you are!

What a gem hidden in the depth of Kent. If you hike you can get there via Knole park, but it's a long walk. They do talks 3 times a day and two garden walks. Anthony who gave us garden walk was fantastic! Entrance is nearly 20 pounds, but it's definitely worth it as Mote itself is stunning inside with plenty to explore.bit took me 3 hrs to explore but I was limited with time, otherwise would definitely stay for lunch or coffee and relax in of the gardens or ponds.

What a fabulous day out! Ightham Mote is a truly magical place to visit, steeped in over 700 years of history. Apparently, it’s the most complete medieval moated manor house in England. The grounds offer wonderful walks, a natural play area for children, and a lovely café with delicious, reasonably priced options. The house itself is stunning, both inside and out. One of the highlights has to be the spectacular Tudor symbols painted on the ceiling of the New Chapel in the 16th century. I can’t wait to return and explore more!

Such a beautiful place! Lovely walk, cute little play area for kids. A bit hilly so if you struggle with hills be mindful! Nice cafe with friendly staff 💕 also has a super cute second hand book shop tucked away around the back & a very friendly duck 🦆

Delightful place to visit. Limited accessibility but what do we expect in a 700 year old place? Friendly knowledgeable staff. A variety of walks, great for families, fresh tasty cafe with lots of veg options. Fantastic destination to impress overseas visitors!

Interesting place to visit, not too large to walk around it, lovely grounds and lake walk. Good secondhand book shops as a bonus for those literary people. Small children's play area with small stream...not huge but enough to be able to get feet wet if not using stepping stones.

An absolute gem. Both the castle and the gardens are in a great condition and are full of beautiful details. I was surprised that it wasn’t crowded at all, even though I was visiting on a weekend. It ended up being a very meditative experience. This place is well worth the visit, I’ll be recommending it to everyone as a perfect weekend trip for some history and aesthetics.

Lovely gardens, beautiful castle, interesting rooms on display. Only would be better if more of the castle were available… it doesn’t take very long to go through. I enjoyed the toy museum on site too!

Wonderful. Well worth a day of your time. The house itself is absolutely fabulous. The gardens are to die for! If you love history, you'll LOVE Penshurst Place & Gardens. Gorgeous shop, great cafe and beautiful grounds. The staff are great and really know their stuff.

Thoroughly enjoyed wandering around the beautiful Grade I listed 11 acres formal walled gardens, dating back to the 14th century. Each wall garden is full of pleasant surprises, and very relaxing. Inside the historic house, the 14th century Baron’s hall is extraordinary, and well-preserved. It was easy to spend half or a day here, especially during the warm summer months.

What an incredibly historic building, that's been used in period dramas. Steeped in fascinating history with well informed volunteers at hand. The gardens are breathtaking. Great café. Free parking. Highly recommend.

Absolutely beautiful place to visit. House is lovely and extremely interesting. The gardens are an absolute must to look around. Fantastic day out!

We spent a couple of glorious hours at Penshurst after our visit to Hever Castle, late in the afternoon. We were amongst what felt like a dozen people or so when we visited, so it very much felt as though we had the place to ourselves. The grounds and castle are wonderful, though they do seem a bit less polished than some of the more famous castles and manors in the vicinity. The interior of the building feels like a movie set- parts were actually used for various scenes from Wolf Hall. The staff was kind and helpful. We’d love to return with a bit more time to linger and enjoy.

The Christmas menu looked great on paper but in reality the food wasn’t great. Even my hubby couldn’t finish my starter of potted beef, which is saying something, and the Turkey meal felt a touch like school dinners. However, the brownie and ice cream were lovely. The waiting staff were incredibly attentive even though they had a lot of customers to serve. The betting staff who visited tables were all lovely too . However, one of them had a hacking cough. Given that this was a restaurant environment, where people were eating while often being visited to place bets for the next race, it didn’t seem at all hygienic. This never took away from how nice they were, it just seemed at odds with a meal setting.

First time at Crayford for my wife an I’s anniversary welcomed at the door by friendly security welcomed and escorted to our restaurant seat by a lovely lady .Our waitress Maxine was outstanding and very attentive all night the Tote lady was always on hand .The food was of good quality and delicious we were lucky enough to present a trophy to the winning owner of our sponsored race and received a trophy ourselves.Must say all the staff we were friendly kind and informative and we will definitely return in the near future

We had a great time here this evening. The track is outstanding and looks great in spotlight. The seating inside is comfy and the bar serves most beverages with healthy prices. The hotdogs are nice too, no pun intended,😀. The atmosphere is very friendly and welcoming. I love greyhounds, we had a lovely time. Highly recommend.

Great day/night out with friends and family. £7 entry on the day, race book included. It was good fun for everyone to pop a bet on the dogs and excitement on each race, whether it ended in cheers or groans. It's still enjoyable! Food isn't the best, but it's basic burgers, hot dogs, etc.. Ladies at the betting desks are helpful if it's your first time. Will be back, always a good day out

Thoroughly enjoy myself here tonight (Saturday-Feb 22) came here with the family including children. £7 adults, £5 children and under 3s Free. Great atmosphere, staff were friendly, helpful and the tote staff were great. Didn’t eat but others in my party did. Food was plentiful, hot dogs, hamburgers and chips. Around a fiver for a meal deal including a large drink. Lots of families and groups which contributed to a great atmosphere. I didn’t win big but didn’t lose my shirt either! The dogs looked well cared for and seemed to enjoy the racing! Brilliant family night out at a great venue!

Excellent service Excellent food Good value for money. Please sort out your air conditioning system though, it was so hot in there, making it very uncomfortable 😕

It's been some time since I have been to watch dog racing - that was at Catford and the stadium is now, sadly, a block of flats. Crayford is a lovely stadium that has a great atmosphere and very welcoming staff to greet you. We were a party of 13 and had pre-booked tickets to collect which was very simple indeed. These tickets that cost just £12 each got use entry, a racecard, basket meal, and two drinks. Incredible value for money. The food was a selection of scampi, burger, hotdog or chicken nuggets, all coming with a generous portion of chips. I believe there were vegetarian options too. Drinks were a choice of a pint of Carlsberg, Tetley, coke, lemonade, or a small bottle of wine. Racing started at 7pm and finished just after 9 with 8 races in total. There were plenty of places to bet, and queues were short and moved quickly. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening that I'm sure we'll repeat later in the year.

Truly exceptional. A perfect blend of captivating history, magnificent gardens, and engaging activities for all ages. You can easily spend a full, delightful day here. ​Hever Castle is not just a building; it’s an immersive experience that lives up to its 'fairy-tale' reputation. As a visitor, what truly stands out is how well the estate caters to diverse interests, from the most dedicated Tudor enthusiast to a family looking for a fun day out. The 125 acres of gardens are stunning and a massive part of the attraction. They are meticulously maintained and offer something different in every season. Picnic is a good idea: While there are on-site cafes and restaurants, they can be a bit pricey. The grounds offer numerous scenic spots for a picnic. ​Wear comfortable shoes: The gardens and lake walk cover a significant amount of ground. ​Time it right: If you are a history fanatic, plan for half a day in the castle/formal gardens. If you have children, plan for the whole day to enjoy the mazes and playgrounds.

Such a beautiful place to visit and plenty of history... looking around the castle it self is very interesting, I would recommend taking the audio guide when offered to you as has plenty of information, as if it busy its hard to get to the information signs which are dotted about. The gardens are well looked after and beautiful to wander around on a sunny day. They have cafes and shops to look around to. The grounds are fine for wheel chairs and a buggy but the castle isn't suitable

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Hever Castle is such a beautiful place — full of history, stunning gardens, and peaceful nature all around. It’s a wonderful spot to visit any time of year. In November, they also have a great membership promotion, which makes it an even better time to join and come back again. A perfect mix of heritage and natural beauty.

Beautiful castle and grounds with a lot of history. Be prepared to spend quite a few hours here. The water maze was fun, and not just for children, be warned, you may get wet, but not if you are careful 😉. Autumn was a great time to visit for the leaf colour but I would imagine it is stunning anytime of year. Definitely recommended.

My wife and and I only got to see castle and gardens because we over 6 hours of time to kill before our flight from Gatwick Airport.It was was one of the best decisions we have ever made, we were lucky with the weather, it was a lovely sunny and warm day and the castle and gardens looked superb, but the garden were outstanding, ! The castle itself is worth seeing being the home of Anne Boleyn and her family, but we found the gardens magnificent and well worth coming to visit alone.

Definitely recommend to visit. Please allow between 4 hours min to visit the castle and enjoy the gardens if you love Nature. Perfect for solo, family days out. Preferably try to avoid to visit on rainy days. Otherwise a lovely experience 👌

We visit a lot of NT, English Heritage and other Historical properties and I have to say that this place is at the top of the pile. Superb gardens and lake, fantastically maintained. Beautiful house steeped in Tudor history (Anne Boleyn). Also Falconry displays, Pedalo hire and more. Excellent value for money. Highly recommended.

Impressed by the layout of the racecourse and facilities. Not so impressed by the room that had been booked for our party was not available and we were put in some pockie little room. After a few words were said we were shown into much larger and more suitable room. It is a shame that words had to be said before we got the suitable and the room we had booked. I am disabled and was nearly knocked over by a member of staff when we were leaving as she was in too much of a hurry to return some items to the kitchen. My walking with a medical walking aid was not sufficient for her to notice !! Not impressed and you lose a star for that.

Lovely grounds and great if you love horse racing. Nice food and drinks too. It's a casual relaxed atmosphere which is great.

Lovely racecourse, went as an owner and the horse won by an inch (photo)so made the day better, pretty surroundings as you will see by the photos.

Great venue for horse racing. None of the kiosks were open and only one bar and restaurant was open but it wasn't that busy for a weekday so didn't have to queue very long to get served. Parking is free and just across the road from the track. All in all a good day out.

Great day at the races with work colleagues, a lot of fun!

Frindly staff nice place good racing

Had an amazing day there today first time will definitely be back

One of the best days out I've had with my two sons aged 2 and 5. Seeing the native wildlife up close and hearing the regular keeper talks about the animals the time just flew away. A relaxed and intimate small site, we will be back soon!

As someone who normally shoots weddings and portraits, I was very new to wildlife photography – but this course was absolutely brilliant. The day was exceptionally well run, and the venue being closed to the public made it feel really special and intimate. All the staff were friendly, welcoming, and clearly passionate about the work they do to protect and care for the animals. A huge thank you to our keeper and guide, Jess – she was simply outstanding. Her knowledge, enthusiasm, and clear love for the animals made the day even more enjoyable. While the focus of the day was very much on the animals (which was fantastic), there were plenty of opportunities to get some amazing shots. The course was well suited to all skill levels and types of equipment – in our group we had everything from iPhones to full-frame mirrorless setups with big zooms. The café had some great options too, and there was no shortage of tea and coffee throughout the day. All in all, I left with some great photos and an even greater appreciation for British wildlife. Highly recommended – both the Centre itself and the photography experience. Thank you again to Jess and all the team!

Really lovely place to visit. So much to see and really well cared for, especially with the space and natural habitats. Lots of places to sit and just watch them. Very accessible path ways. It was on the pricey side for entry but I can see why. The animal talks were really good and lots of information. My only gripe was the toilets weren't clean. Especially the baby changing table was "filthy". We didn't use the cafe as the coffee machine was off so can't comment on that part. The gift shop was well stocked. Definitely visit again next year.

Great little place to go. Inherently a lot of the animals were asleep but it was quite hot. They have tons of tunnels that go all around the place that you can see the animals in, and great interesting enclosures. First time ever seeing red squirrels and they have so much personality???? They were hanging out with the muntjac

Lovely relaxed visit. All the talks were informative and friendly. Great venue encouraging visitors to be familiar with the animals and so be more aware of human actions that can damage them.

Spent the best part of 5 hours at the Centre for the concessionary price of £14.50. Although initially we wondered about the value as most of the pens seemed devoid of life, we cottoned on to the half-hourly keeper talks programme where the animals were enticed out of their hidey holes on the promise of tidbits. From thence on, our visit became one that proved of immense value. The keepers were obviously caring and committed individuals, reflected in the demeanor of the animals. So very patient and obliging of both keepers and animals to spectators ... especially children and photographers. Thank you

It was a brilliant few hours out together as a family. We all enjoyed the animal talks and the gift shop at the end! Staff were nice and friendly.