Plain old fashioned seaside day out for friends and family. Easy parking (April). Friendly people. Plenty of places to sit, eat and drink. A nice seaside Cafe, a Fish and Chip Shop and pub on site. Playground and small amusement arcade. Easy access to beach and dog friendly.

Nice to have a walk past the stalls. However, very pushy vendors with no prices on clothes. He told me 120 for a jacket that obviously is worth 50 quid and not as he says from the west end, haha A lot of products with inflated prices that have been purchased from Temu This was not all vendors, just some of them

Had a caravan on hutleys for years, hadnt been back for years. Market is so much better than the car boot years ago. 👍🏻

The market is only small, but there is a playground for the kids and you can also take a walk along the prom.

Was a nice variety of stalls, kids stuff, women's clothing, make up and jewellery. Was no social distancing or mask wearing tho! So be aware! I have to be as my husband is on chemotherapy, thankfully we always wear a mask but out of 200+ people we were the only ones!

Attended the market today. It was busy with a good choice of stalls offering things such as clothing, household items, electrical items, sweets, toys and footwear. At weekends fresh fish and meat is also available

Very nice clean beach. I enjoyed my evening walk there. Will definitely recommend to family and friends.

I recently stayed overnight at Pinewood Lodge with my two kids (ages 5 and 8) and had such a great time! The lodge was cozy, the beds were nice and snuggly, and it was perfectly located for exploring the park. The kids absolutely loved the primate trail and the Dinosaur Forest, and the safari ride was a big highlight — spotting rhinos, giraffes, bison and more felt like a real adventure. They also had so much fun roasting marshmallows by the fire in the evening and next morning, which made the whole experience even more special. We really enjoyed our meal at Babydoll’s Restaurant too — great food and a lovely atmosphere to end the day. Everything was well organised, the staff were friendly and helpful, and we’ll definitely be back. A brilliant mix of wildlife, learning and fun for families!

My husband and I had a fantastic time at Port Lympne. We stayed at the hotel for 2 nights in the Sir Phillip Sassoon executive suite and it was beautiful. We had an evening meal at the Baby Doll restaurant on our first night and on our second night we had an evening meal at Bear Lodge restaurant, and breakfast was also served in Bear Lodge. The food in both restaurants was delicious. On our first day we did the Gorilla Encounter, we got to feed the gorillas from the roof top and then see them inside, following that we had a safari and on our 2nd day we did the Giraffe Encounter and got to feed the giraffes. The staff on both encounters and the guide on our safari were fantastic, very informative, very welcoming and we had the best time even the rain on our first day didn’t stop us. Having the use of a golf buggy during our stay was also a bonus. Every member of staff made us feel so welcome and nothing seemed to much trouble, we will definitely be returning in the very near future

A fantastic day out with our 16 months old. What we absolutely loved about this park was the fact that the animals had SO much room. We've never been to a zoo before where animals have been so fortunate to be placed there. When we compare it to Howletts it's night and day the animal welfare. You guys have done a brilliant job here, animals come first. Yes, you don't always see the animals, but that in my eyes is a brilliant thing, cause it means they have a more realistic habitat. The Sunday roast in the Garden room was just brilliant, couldn't reccomend this enough. The service was also fantastic. We wouldn't hesitate coming back. It's great to support a park that actually care about the animals and use the money to better not only captive animals lives, but also animals in the wild. So refreshing to see a company doing the right thing for once. One thing to note, it is VERY hilly, so having a push chair was a work out for us with steep hills etc. we were pretty shattered at the end of the day, but little one loved it!

5 stars all round, without a doubt. We stayed in Mansion House, and the room was one of the best we’ve ever experienced — waking up each morning to the sounds of tigers, lions, lemurs, and more was unbelievable. We also did the Ranger Safari with Will, who was excellent: friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about what he does. The food throughout our stay was incredible, and the whole experience felt like a once-in-a-lifetime getaway. Truly unlike anything I’ve ever done before. Highly recommend.

Rhino lodge. Where to start? Staff were great checking in, we were chauffeured to our lodge by a very knowledgeable young man who was extremely chatty. The lodge was clean, everything had been thought of, like toiletries, some snacks and drinks. There were even robes and slippers for us all to use. To our children's delight there were Rhinos by the fence in the paddock so they were straight out to see them. Next stop was the safari, the guide knew everything there was to know and shared so much information. Dinner at Babydolls was excellent. We had a fire pit in the garden and marshmallows had been lift in the lodge with sticks for us. This was a lovely touch! Breakfast in the garden room was beyond expectations, the food was incredible. The highlight of our stay for the kids was our golf buggy and being able to go round the zoo after closing time and early in the morning with no crowds. Not a cheap 24 hours, but one we'll never forget!

Booked a night at the Hog Deer Creek accommodation for my partner’s birthday. Absolutely amazing experience all round. The park itself is excellent, the animals are clearly well cared for with plenty of space. The staff on site be it in the reception, concierge, facilities team, rangers or restaurants are friendly, organised and highly professional. The food was fantastic and the Giraffe Experience is definitely worth doing. The accommodation itself was immaculate. Cosy, well equipped and it was extremely fun driving around such a large well kept site in the golf buggy. 5* all round, will 100% be returning again.

This was a truly magical stay & experience, with my daughter and grandsons, aged 12 & nearly 10 both wondered why we would stay two nights surely we can do the zoo in one day !! Ummm they soon changed their minds having the best time ever and loved every minute. Breakfast at the bear lodge was delicious, BabyDolls restaurant was a favourite a more relaxed vibe for children than the Garden room restaurant which we ate at the second night, food at both was very good and wouldn’t expect anything less. I would highly recommend this stay and would definitely go back. We made memories together that we will never forget.

I’ve been coming here since I was 3 and have been Trainspotting and making online content ever since. I would 100% recommend this railway to absolutely anyone. Doesn’t matter if it’s your first time or if you’ve been there 100 times the experience is always amazing, the staff members and volunteers are always extremely kind and helpful.

Steam locomotives in excellant order and two available on limited timetable. Website confusing and timetable very difficult to read on a phone. Website only gives option of 29 pound rover ticket which gives free entry to model railway and warns cannot buy on stations. As we only wanted a short ride we opted to go from Romney marsh..which is best station to start from as has meuseum/ model railway. However whatever station we wished to go to was 22.00 pounds.,and no free entry to model railway. Timetable made it difficult to use rover ticket as left you at dungeness for 2.5hrs or hythe for 2 dependant if train was not doing 20 min turn a round. Would rec visit more in season for more flexibility. Cafe at dungeness poor...basic food options and had run out of fish and chips and pasties by 12.30. Nice line though and history very interesting. Best to go on warmish day as even covered carriages with doors cool.

Very good . We Took train to dungeness. And back again. We will go again but earlier in the day so we could have a walk around dungeness. Then catch the train back again. Very interesting model railway experience. Buttons to push to make trains work. And lights to turn on+ cable car .

Have always enjoyed this railway, have been since I was young. It has always stayed traditional, and a nice vintage element. Definitely worth going all the way to dungeness too see the desert environment, and also romney to see the model railway exhibit

Very interesting railway, staff were very friendly traveled whole length both ways. We had food at Dungeness and really enough the day out

Easily one of my favourite places in the world! The railway itself is a special piece of history. The trains are a masterclass of engineering. The staff are friendly and helpful. Just the perfect day out!

This is a great day out. We started at Dungeness end of the line and if you buy a Rover ticket you can get on and off the train at any stop to explore. Not been on here since I was a child, its still great fun.

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.

Great little train and trip. Railway staff were brilliant. Not particularly cheap, but value for money. We managed to get our own carriage both ways, think that it would have been a little less special if we had had to share with other passengers. Scenery outstanding.

We planned to visit Bodiam Castle and couldn’t think of a better way to travel there than on the steam train from Tenterden. What an excellent decision, we had a lovely day out, enjoyed looking out for wildlife on the train journey and loved the atmosphere. I would highly recommend this to everyone!

The Kent and Sussex Railway is really worth a visit for a fantastic day out. Nice big free car park and lovely friendly staff and volunteers everywhere making sure you have a wonderful day. The atmosphere is great as steam loco's move about while you wait to board for a journey to Scotney castle and back. Barrie and I did the trip a couple of times on different loco's and enjoyed sausage and mash for lunch at Tenterden Station. The museum is well worth a visit near the car park. We had a really exciting day, thank you.

Nice little place, lovely friendly staff working in the railway station. I paid for a guest class cream afternoon tea with the steam train. I did not get the first class photo advertised on the publicity and I did not get the tide on a steam train. They gave me a complementary voucher not valid in many special occasions with a free ginger biscuit. I was dissatisfied since I did not pay for that. The museum is small but worth it.

Fantastic railway. Served up a great diesel gala, might have been a good idea to hold the 1015 from Tenterden to Bodiam for the shuttle bus from Ashford seeing as there were so many passengers on it.

If you want the steam train experience then this is the place. The whole experience is like going back in time. The volunteers who run this are amazing. The train ride takes about 50min with 4 stops, old level crossings, whistles, and flags. Original carriages and dinners.

It's a great day out! Train goes from Tenterden to Bodiam. There is a Norman castle (national trust) there and a nice pub. The train ride goes through the Kent/ east Sussex countryside with some great views. The steM train we took was of 1950s as were the coaches. A real throwback in time. Staff are helpful. There is a free museum at Tenterden.

A must-visit (if you’re into understanding a towns culture, heritage and history!). The care and attention that has gone into curating stories of Hastings over hundreds of years, photos, models, life size exhibitions and more besides. A wonderful tribute to the town. Wish we’d had a bit longer - spent about 45 minutes here, could be 60-90 depending on how much you want to take in. Be sure to leave a donation and don’t miss some of the outside info boards too.

Interesting museum , some interaction for kids tying knots. Free to enter.

Jam packed with quaint but low quality dioramas, photographs, and displays, with a fishing boat taking up most of the museum that had an accessible deck. Not much to see, was in and out in 5 minutes. No complaints though with free entry, some nice fridge magnets and the staff were lovely.

A charming museum packed with local history. The museum is small, one large room and a smaller one off to the side, but it really packs a lot of exhibits in. There's a really strong emphasis on reflecting the local history of Hastings and it makes for a great companion visit along with the Museum and Gallery on the other side of town. It's free to enter as well, though well worth a donation to keep it running!

Lovely little free museum (donations welcome) with lots of interesting and quirky exhibits about the the historic fishing industry in Hastings

Lovely little museum. Really interesting. Get to stand on the board in the middle which is a bonus. Free entry so can not go wrong

Great little museum, with lots of artefacts, friendly and knowledgeable staff, and free to enter. Accessible for pushchairs and wheelchair users. Some lovely little souvenirs are available to buy too. Definitely worth a visit

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.

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

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.

​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.

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.

Battle Abbey was built on the site of the Battle of Hastings. Managed by English Heritage, it's worth getting an annual membership for entry, and free parking nearby. (Use your membership card to validate the parking. The entrance to the site is through the main gate house. Once inside, you can see an independent school which uses some of the rebuilt buildings. There is a footpath made of small pebble chippings, and it's not too difficult to walk on. The footpath around the site is quite lengthy; however there are quite a number of benches along the longest section, so it's not too bad for those with reduced mobility. There is a great cafe, and an exhibition room just a short distance from the gatehouse. There are both inside and outside tables, excellent food and drink, and some very clean toilets. The footpath that runs along the rear of the site allows you to look down the hill towards the area where the Norman forces lined up before charging up the hill to attack the Saxon shield wall, just a short way back from the footpath. It looks quite steep, and it must have been an extremely challenging attack, even for fit and healthy soldiers. There are a number of buildings that were part of the Abbey that visitors can enter. Only a few have any information, but it's still worth exploring to help understand what life might have been like. It's also possible to see the site where it is believed an altar was constructed as part of the initial Abbey buildings, to commemorate the death of Harold Godwinson by William the Conqueror. I would advise asking for one of their audio guide units; they are very easy to use, and provide some really valuable insight that supplements the many signboard. I found it to be a truly interesting and enjoyable visit, despite the rather bad weather.

We used the audio guide which enhanced an enjoyable visit to the abbey. They show a 10 min film in the visitor center which helps to understand the layout of the grounds and where the battle was fought. We thought the shop had a lot of nice items but was put off buying anything by the high prices. Dogs are allowed access to all areas.

Came here without much expectations. And were suprised by the size of the grounds, all the buildings and all the things to discover. We've spent many hours here in the end. A real highlight on this years Road Trip through the UK. Parked right next to on the official carpark. Fixed price of 4£ was a fair deal (free for members). We bought tickets online before and there was next to no wait to enter. The Battle of Hastings, fought on 14 October 1066, is one of the best-known events in England’s history, when William of Normandy defeated the army of King Harold of England. William the Conqueror founded Battle Abbey. The abbey thrived as a Benedictine monastery for over 400 years, and after its suppression in 1538 the abbot’s lodging was transformed into a grand country house. Exploring the Abbey is a great and fun thing to do. There's so much history to read and to take in here. You can go to the top as well, enjoying the views. Or go explore every corner there is - you might find the old toilet here as well (it's named "garderobe"). After enjoying history at the Abbey we walked on the grounds. Checking out the Ice and Dairy House, the King Harold and High Altar Memorial and the Crypt. And a quick look at the walled garden. Then went onto the Battelfield. If you don't have an audio guide, you still can read all the info plates along the way. Really well done and informative. And the walk around the battlefield is a pretty one. With some wildlife as well. We did have our Bulldog with (and a pet stroller) without problems. Just the first section has some steps, after that it's pretty stroller-friendly. Then in the end we've visited the old Abbey ruins. Again: very impressive architecture. We had a great day here. There's so much to see and to do. Of course there's also a shop, a restaurant, a food truck and toilets. Some games for kids as well. A fantastic visit. And surely not to be missed. A must-do.

A lovely place to visit with a good climb up to the top of the gatehouse for nice views. A good little playground to keep the kids happy and a few picnic benches in the shade to enjoy lunch. The walk around the battle ground is easily done in 40 minutes with information boards around.

Fantastic place, really well laid out with a fantastic audio tour. We visited on a slightly damp day so the ground was slightly muddy and the sheep on the field added some minor obstacles in the form of poo! You can cut that out by doing the short walk but the full battlefield tour is worth it if you can handle it Parking is pretty good and it's free for English Heritage/CSSE members (English Heritage members scan their card on way out/CSSE members get a receipt at the entrance to use) Cafe to the left of the entrance is great, lovely hot chocolate and latte! Toilets at the cafe are the only ones on site so go before you walk...or join the sheep al fresco!

I haven't been here since I was a kid and brought my 9 year old as he is fascinated by history. It's amazing. The guides are friendly and very knowledgeable, we were able to tour the abbey itself which is a rare event so we dropped very lucky and Taskmaster (the TV show) had taken over the gardens with some fun and very silly games that all the kids we saw seemed to enjoy a great deal. My son loved the games, the tour and was very touched to see the Harold Stone - all in all a glorious day out and well worth the drive from Bognor (via West Yorkshire - we were on holiday from Leeds!) to take in the site.

I visited Battle Abbey with my daughter, who is passionate about history. We explored one of East Sussex's best-preserved castles, featuring medieval currency layouts, weaponry, and the vital gift presented to the monks living in the Abbey during the 1500, along with notable elements related to the Battle of Hastings, which took place in 1066 between William, Duke of Normandy, leading the Norman-French forces, and the English army led by King Harold Godwinson.

Mote Park is honestly one of my favourite places in Maidstone. It’s such a lovely spot to chill, go for walks, or just spend time with friends or family. The park is massive, with loads of open space, trees, and a beautiful lake right in the middle. It’s perfect for picnics on sunny days – you can just relax on the grass and enjoy the view. It’s also really good for kids. There’s a big playground and lots of ducks by the lake, which kids always seem to love. They even have a little machine where you can buy duck food – just tap your card and get a handful to feed them. It’s a small thing but really cute and fun, especially for families. There’s a nice café near the lake if you want a coffee or a treat, and the toilets are close by too. You can also rent pedalos or rowing boats, which is great on warm days. Loads of people go for walks, runs, or bike rides – and it still feels peaceful even though it’s close to the town centre.

Largest park in Maidstone and one of the largest in Kent. Lovely surroundings spread over several acres traversing large green spaces, lakes with boating, water sport facilities, wildlife and even some mini waterfalls. Has a miniature railway, wooded walks, nature trails, adventure playground, skate park and also a cafe. The only negative is the paid parking which can be difficult to get a space during busy periods, especially when there is an event.

Gorgeous park, huge! Different things to do as well. Lovely place for a picnic. They have a little duck food dispenser where you can get the feed for the geese, ducks and swans. Was lucky enough to see a family with their babies today also 🦢

Really nice and big park, both dog- and child-friendly. Beautiful ponds with plenty of benches, a large playground for kids, and spaces for picnics, relaxing, and enjoying some privacy. There are many spaces in the two car parks. Not far from the car park is a decent café offering beverages and snacks. On the other side of the park, there’s a van selling ice cream and drinks. A great place for a weekend walk and to spend time with family and friends.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Mote Park is my happy place! 🌳✨ I come here all the time whenever I need a bit of calm, space to breathe, or inspiration for my art. There’s just something so peaceful about it — the lake, the trees, the open air — it feels like the whole park has its own gentle energy. I’ve had some of my best creative ideas just sitting here sketching or walking around the water. 🎨💭 It’s also amazing for families! There’s so much space for kids to play, a lovely café for a little treat, and so many spots for picnics or peaceful walks. It’s one of those rare places that’s relaxing and inspiring at the same time — perfect whether you want quiet time alone or a fun day out with your family. Every visit reminds me how lucky we are to have this gem right here in Maidstone. 🌿💚 Highly, highly recommend it to anyone who needs a little reset or creative spark!

A very nice and well kept park! If you are in the area you should just come and walk through.. There are boats for the kids.. or you who am I to say what you can do. It's a classic park experience just multiplied by 10, in size. There were ice creams, lovely, and there were many trees and this nice little river that ran through the beginning of the park. A tiny little waterfall. A photogenic area! Worth a visit and worth your steps. Get your 10k here

Great park to relax, walk,Run, Cycle. Dog walking etc. There is a nice pond inside, boat rides. I couldn't see the mini train but there are boards saying that there is a train inside the park. Very beautiful and calm park to enjoy a nice stroll.

Great place to take the kids to meet some animals. The toilette area it is for adults. It is very uncomfortable for the kids to use them as they are designed only for adults. Mainly to do school trips but recommended to go with the family. I will change my review to 5 stars if the toilette issue is resolved before the end of 2025.

My Wife and I had our wedding here on the 1st August this year. The day was perfect. Lindsay was our wedding coordinator and she was amazing. Every question or worry we had was dealt with and we honestly couldn't have asked for more. She was always on hand when we needed her and guided the day perfectly. The venue was ideal and unique, we got married in the pink chapel and had the food and party in the Wagon Store and Village Hall. Food was good and all dietary requirements were catered for and there were lots of them. Overall the whole day was perfect and all the guests commented how great Kent Life was so thank you all. Leo & Kimberley

Excellent value for money, can spend hours here with my 3 year old. Animals she can actually interact with, soft play, playground for varied ages, owl show, quite often there are themed events on, tractor rides and just a nice walk. Would recommend. Getting a membership really pays off too if youre going to even come 2 or 3 times in the year

We visited yesterday having booked our tickets for one of their dinosaur days a little while ago.We were greeted by two inflatable dancing dinosaurs with adults inside and started our day with an owl event (he was called Merlin) which was really interesting and informative with the owl flying right over our heads to feed, you could really feel the whoosh of its wings ! We saw all the animals in the farmyard (you can't feed these) and met Holly the guinea pig who gave us gentle nibbly kisses to our hands.We saw the various types of hens, cockerells and turkeys nearby. We strolled up the hill to feed the sheep, goats and alpacas and met an occasionally roaring but friendly Tyrannosaurus on the way much to the delight of our Grandson.We had lunch by the tea room which was very busy.There is pot painting nearby which we didn't do as our Grandson is under 3 so still a little young for that. We had a stroll down to the carousel (£3 a go) followed by the dinosaur themed magic show in the marquee which all the kids clearly enjoyed with some even invited to participate.We went to see the other lovely owls including a snowy owl which is endangered, a skunk and several meerkats who also have some young that are fun to watch playing around.We finished our day with a brief visit to see the critters and a tractor ride after a short spell queueing (no extra charge). We had a fabulous day out at Kent Life, thankyou to all of the staff.

Perfect day out for any age. There were tractor rides, activities and talks free to attend and join as well as good information provided to give knowledge. Food was expensive but was tasty.

Took my granddaughter for the Halloween period, had a brilliant day. Plenty of activities starting almost every half an hour. The owl show was amazing. The foam disco at the end was great she’s 2 and really enjoyed it. I thought the entrance fee was very reasonable too. We enjoyed it that much I’m going again this weekend with my grandsons.

My 2 year old loved it here, took a short time to get used to all the animals and birds but once he got comfortable we couldn't keep him away. We fed the animals, entered all the old houses, played in the outdoor & indoor play area then finally topped off with an outdoor foam party!

Great for your more expensive outlets. Designer clothes, shoes, food and household. Although all designer still cheaper than in the Cities etc. Not too busy as visited on a Monday. Great shopping and great food.

Fun place for shopping at good prices, lots of options for any budget. Many places for lunch as well! We liked it and recommend to visit!

Great place to visit for big brands and save some money. Plenty of parking across the road but it does have a 6 hour max parking limit. I know this is plenty of time but if you spend the day here shopping, eating and using the cinema or swimming pool, you could easily be here longer than 6 hours. So just be conscious of time. There are disabled and parent and child spaces available. There was some building work going on in the car park today so a lot of the parent and child spaces were inaccessible but this will only be temporary. Plenty of restaurants to choose from in the retail park side and there are a few in the village too. There are some smaller vans/cafés inside the shopping area too. Only knocked off a star because there a quite a few empty units and it's really noticeable. Definitely needs some other shops opening up soon. Overall it's a great place that I'd recommend any time.

Not overly busy on a Monday lunchtime. Parking spaces are a bit tight, especially for the larger vehicles.

This place is fantastic for shopping, offering a diverse range of items. The best part? Parking is free for the first 6 hours! I couldn’t get enough of the Nike store, where you got an amazing 50% off all footwear I'll definitely be returning soon.

Great shopping outlet with plenty of both high street and designer shops so you can buy pretty much anything. There are also numerous restaurants so everybody is catered for. Ample parking and easy to get to. The shops are all outdoors so remember a coat in the winter! Will definitely go back.

I have visited this outlet location after a long time. Some stuff deserve attention but overall it's not as cheap as you expect to be for an outlet. Good vibe , a place to go out for an afternoon especially during the weekend. Avoid places like Nike outlet or any other over hyped brand, being packed with people messing everything shelved or displayed. Coffee is coffee, sweets are sweets, parking your car and getting out need skills, energy and time. If you're local, great, if not.....

Beautiful castle with nice gardens you can walk around. Lots of seating areas outside along with benches to sit on as you walk around. There are public toilets a book shop a souvenir shop and ice cream stall along with lots of parking and knowledgeable staff members in different rooms of the house to answer any questions.

Amost interesting place, so much to see...and lovely walks around estate. Walled garden in car park full of colour and some pumpkins. Hexagonal in shape and easy to walk around. Inside house reflective of being lived in and each room had costumes on display as worn by previous owners which reflects alot of achieved acquisitions not normally seen. Walk to ruin castle steep but rewarded by good views. Dont miss boat house if you are sandman fans as thus part of estate was cain and ables home! 40 min lake walk good path and easy 2 mile walk. Quarry quirky where stone for building house came from. Dont miss cat on fountain at back of house.... We thought grounds better than sissinghurst. Oh yes no toilets at bottom of hill by ruin. So make sure you go at top!! The painting in dining room of dwarves Hunting worth a muse and comment as so unusual in any old property . Volunteers most tolerant of me telling them about sandman as not many knew much about it!! Last tip house/ castle/ grounds all shut at different times so check if going for pist lunch visit.

​Scotney Castle is simply one of the most beautiful and unique National Trust properties in Kent, offering far more than a typical castle experience. It is a true triumph of landscape design, centered around two distinct periods of history. ​The absolute highlight is the romantic, 14th-century moated ruin of the Old Castle, which sits dramatically in the valley bottom. The views as you descend through the sloping gardens towards the moat, especially in autumn and spring, are breathtaking and perfectly exemplify the "Picturesque" style. It’s fascinating to learn that the ruin was deliberately created in the 1830s to serve as the ultimate centrepiece for the landscape. ​Overlooking the valley is the Victorian mansion (the "New Castle"), a warm and engaging family home filled with eclectic collections. Taking a tour gives you a real sense of the Hussey family's life, from their collection of objects to fun details like the secret door in the library. Beyond the buildings, the 780-acre estate offers wonderful woodland walks, a productive walled kitchen garden, and a fascinating Quarry Garden.

We love visiting Scotney Castle with its beautiful house and dramatic looking castle in the valley down below! First stop though of course is always the cafe for a lovely breakfast snack and drink. Upon entering the property, all staff members were excellent at telling us anything there was to know about each room with their vast knowledge. We then took a walk around the grounds enjoying the scenery and views of the castle. We would always return and recommend anyone to visit! It may be recommended to book parking, as we found out upon arrival that without prior arrangement you have to park in the additional parking section.

This a beautiful Victorian mansion house with views over an even more beautiful estate that leads down to a ruined medieval castle. There was a real bounty of flowers at this time of year and the flowers in the walled garden were spectacular. Nice cafe, shop and second hand bookstore. Well worth a visit.

Beautiful and incredibly well maintained gardens. We were lucky that we had free passes from the paper otherwise it would be very pricey. We used public transport and the bus service is hugely patchy, the access guide will say there are footpaths but there are several quite scary bits of 50mph country road. It is possible to do it via public transport but you must time everything around the bus. After 1pm the next one was at 5:15pm

A really excellent place to visit. The gardens are extensive and somehow very relaxing. We visited over the summer when there was a Summer of Play area for the kids. Perfect for play, picnics and chilling. The house was almost something out of an Agatha Christie novel. It actually had a very gentle, warm vibe. It was nice to see the drinks selection in the library! You felt it must’ve been a fun house once upon a time. Some of the rooms - particularly the bedrooms - almost felt too personal for comfort. I felt almost like I was snooping round some elderly relative’s house at times. Nonetheless, a very interesting place to visit.

I loved walking round the gardens and ponds and down to the water mill building which I did have a look in. I did not go in to the main house as my friend had her dog with her. Dogs cannot go in the mill or main house but are ok on a short lead in the rest of the grounds and gardens. The cafe was very good for food and drinks and is dog friendly. We also picked up the NT red route walk by the water mill pond which takes you round the fields and woods of the estate and is about 2 miles when you get back to the main house. Car park for non-members is £4.

Our second visit here and this time we took our daughter and 6 year old grandaughter with us. They fell in love with it just like we did when we first came here. So relaxing and great for a very chilled Sunday afternoon. I love just wandering around and granddaughter loved the mill. The house is fascinating to visit and learn more about Rudyard Kipling and the 6 year old was quite taken with all the old furniture etc and the library of over 2000 books

Absolutely amazing, If like us and you grew up with, The Jungle Book, then this is a great place to visit, a 17th-century Jacobean manor that served as Rudyard Kipling's family home from 1902 until his death in 1936. The house became a sanctuary for Kipling and the inspiration for some of his most famous works. Bateman's is maintained much as it was during the Kiplings' lifetime. There's also a statue of him on High Street burwash worth a visit.

Lovely place to visit, sadly not enough to do there. The children did have a lovely time exploring the jungle book trail. The pecan and date flapjack, was the best flapjack I have ever tasted!

Beautiful place, home of Rudyard Kipling, the gardens here are stunning. The beautiful avenue of lime trees were there when the author bought the house and the pond he put in paid for by his Nobel Prize money, along with some other landscaping. Room Guides are friendly and informative, sadly the shop staff weren't. Interesting walk to the mill, but this is only working on Wednesdays, and the flour not able to be purchased due to issues with flour bags! ... maybe another time.

Great time here. Very natural presentation of a famous man. Gardens are brilliant. Easy parking. You will enjoy, some thing for everyone.

What a beautiful property. I’ve been to many stately homes, but this is definitely one of my favourites. This property also offers excellent walks with an amazing vegetable garden, the perfect day out in the sunshine!

We had a brilliant time and could have easily spent over 5 hours here. Perfect for the summer holidays! I'd recommend booking online in advance to save around 15%. They also accept Blue Peter badges with a paying adult, which is a great bonus. There were loads of activities included – barrel rides, soft play, sand area, bounce pillow, play area, and more. We also got to enjoy a surprise foam party, which was an unexpected highlight. Great value and loads of fun for the whole family!

Absolutely fantastic night out for the whole family! 🎃 We visited Barleylands Spooky Night and were so impressed from start to finish. The atmosphere was amazing — perfectly spooky but still fun and friendly for the kids. Everywhere was decorated beautifully with lights, pumpkins, and Halloween displays, really setting the scene for an unforgettable evening. There was so much to do! The Trick or Treat trail was brilliantly organised, and the kids loved meeting all the friendly characters along the way. The fun fair rides kept everyone entertained, and the Creepy Critters area was a big hit — the staff were great at letting the children see and learn about the animals up close. The disco was full of energy and laughter, and the Pumpkin Patch was the perfect way to end the evening, with so many great photo opportunities. Food-wise, there was an excellent range of options — from burgers and hotdogs to sweet treats and drinks — something for everyone, and everything was reasonably priced. The staff and event organisers were friendly, helpful, and made sure everything ran smoothly. Overall, it was brilliant value for money, with so many activities included in the ticket price. You could easily spend hours there and still not get bored! We’ll definitely be coming back next year, and I’d highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fun, family-friendly Halloween event. 👻🕸️🧙‍♀️

Went to the Spring fair. Apart from poor signage to get in - only saw the boot fair sign, had a great day there. Very well organised and thought the prices of the food and drink were very reasonable which I understand is because the stall holders get a reasonable rate to attend. I particularly enjoyed the dogs shepherding the ducks and the birds of prey. Also loved the music stage and thought 'Taylor Swift' did a great job of singing and getting the audience involved.

Great day out. Highly recommend! Lots to do there, we fed some animals. We went to a disco and then onto a foam party. Brought a Burger and a hotdog which were both very tasty! The magic show was great, very funny. Outdoor play area for the kids was decent too.

What a lovely place to take little ones! Our 1st visit to the farm and wasn't disappointed. It really caters well for little ones. When it was too hot we got out of the sun in the play area and the animals that were inside,also the sandpit. Couple of places to eat, drinks, ice creams. A little tractor track for a small fee. Well worth the admission price.

A Truly Inclusive and Enjoyable Day Out We had a great time at Barleylands Farm Park and easily spent over 5 hours enjoying everything on offer. The accessibility features were excellent—free parking, disabled toilets, 2 accessible changing facilities with a hoist, and an accessible tractor ride. The activities were a real highlight: the foam party was brilliant, and the foam party crew were superb—friendly and full of energy. Skittleman had everyone laughing, and the magic show was a real treat. The UV party was just as much fun for parents as it was for children, and the Birds of Prey show was both informative and engaging. Barleylands clearly puts thought into making the experience inclusive and enjoyable for all. A fantastic day out for families!

We haven't been here for a couple of years and over the 6 weeks holiday myself and my sons have visited twice and booked for Halloween, we really enjoyed both our visits. Boys really enjoyed the uv and foam party extras and I loved the birds of prey display, very interesting. Would highly recommend and cant wait to return. Unfortunately the annual passes are out of our price range otherwise we would definitely be regulars

Bluewater is an amazing place, easy to find and parking, plenty of. Shop for everyone, high end or "normal". Food from loads of different countries. Places itself is just nice. Now very Christmas style so warm and cozy. What else? Just go and visit the place. Worth it😊

My nighttime visit was absolutely worth it for the photos! 🌃 The atmosphere was fantastic, and I can only imagine how lovely it would be during the day too. ✨ Highly recommend checking it out! 📸

Some of the stores closed at 8pm when online closing times are 9pm so disappointing, a lot of empty retail units, and the centre lacks visual inspiration inside lots of the features have been removed, so it's all very bland, was also very hot, if you park at John Lewis when they close you have to find alternative way out Also fire exit doors are locked a huge safety concern I have visited many times over 25 years and find it's changed but not for the better on the positive side plenty free parking, shops and food outlets, toilets worth a visit

Great place for shopping, plenty of fashion shops, eateries and entertainment, Cinema, kids climbing, Ballerz, etc. easy parking and loads of disabled spots close the entrances on each floor of the multistories.

Me and my family really enjoy day trip to Bluewater Shopping Centre it’s beautiful and find great things many stores and food halls I really recommend to visit there your day will be amazing.☺️

Great place for shopping, also has a lot of food options. Was a great opportunity to buy food from different places to try in one location as well as doing shopping. This mall is child friendly and my son loves running around! Just be careful and mindful of where you park so you don’t end up doing a full circle to go back to your car!

Bluewater is good place to shop, eat or just walk around. It has all the shops you would expect of a shopping centre and has plenty of parking. So if you’re looking for a less busy version of Westfield Stratford jump on the A2 or get one of the many buses that come here.

Fantastic day out with toddlers. If you can on a weekday in term time you can go on all the rides multiple times as practically no queues! The set up is also very walkable with animals and rides and playgrounds interspersed ergonomically. They have a great variety of animals who seem happy and healthy. It's a little pricey, but it feels worth it to give money to a nice farm. I wish their food options were healthier - especially the snacks (having some fruit on offer for the kids would be helpful!)

We visited as a family with our three girls and had such a fantastic day! There was so much to do — from seeing the animals to enjoying the rides and fun activities. Everything was really well organised, and the staff were friendly and helpful. The girls especially loved the pumpkin patch and all the little details that made the day extra special. We’ll definitely be coming back again soon! 🎃🐮

Incredible place Got there at 10:30am and received an informative welcome from reception I was happily surprised that it was not very busy . I was apprehensive about how many rides my daughter who is nearly two could go on and yet out of everything available she only missed out on 5 attractions. I love how detailed the park was and that there was just so many things to keep kids entertained for hours . Cafe was really good with large portions of food that was not salty but full of flavour. Staff loved interacting with the kids ,were really polite ,enthusiastic and took pride in their jobs. Overall Very very good value for the money and 100% worth it Will be definitely visiting again hopefully with a party of family members.

This is a fantastic place to bring your child! My little one is under 2 years old, so the free admission is a big plus. Everything is well organized, and there's the convenience of being able to eat inside. As expected from places like this, the food is more on the quick side, but it's surprisingly tasty. I've visited twice already and will definitely be coming back. One of the standout attractions is the circus – it’s a wonderful source of entertainment for both kids and adults alike. I recommend this place !

A complete package of thrill, fun and exploration for the little explorers. The farm themed park has a lot to offer starting with family friendly yet thrill rides that little ones can’t simply resist. My little one enjoyed doing the happy horses, train ride and crazy barnyard ride - of of them couple of times. It has got a decent softplay area too right at the entrance, along side the cafe and icecream bars. The animated shows run throughout the day at the show barns and the adventure playgrounds are quite massive and located at the centre of the park. There’s one little explorers playground as well with lots or animal sheds nearby offering seating areas. My little daughter couldn’t only do the doggy roller coaster as the ride closed at 4pm only strictly, but for next time sure. We had an unmissable and unforgettable adventure time her in this park in Brentwood, for sure.

Returned for our annual.years Halloween visit. Bit disappointed to find the Halloween walk through bit was closed off however realised upon checking that we were a day early. Decided to make the most of it and enjoy the rides. Took some really lovely Halloween photos of my girls lots of perfect back drops and props available throughout the park Staff were lovely especially the man on the train ride. Staff on both coffee stations were friendly and my daughter's both enjoyed a delicious custom made hot chocolates in after eight and unicorn. Animals looked happy and with plenty of space to roam around. It was lovely to see the pig foraging for plants and eating on the grass. Two lovely carousels, a rollercoaster and several other rides plus the staff make this place a really fun day out for all the family We will return

Lovely day out, we visited Old McDonald Farm with the kids to experience the Halloween Festival, we have been coming here for years but not on Halloween . Brilliant day, so nice to visit a park with just an entry fee and when you enter all rides are included, shows and activities, no hidden extras. Kids had a brilliant day, even the adults too, the kids also received a free pumpkin each. Some of the children in our family were sick, the staff at Old MacDonald Farm were brilliant - even offered to move to a different day so the kids don’t miss out (for a small fee) . Well done Old MacDonald Farm, we will definitely be coming back again !!!!

I took the Stansted Express from London Liverpool Street to Stansted Airport, and it was a smooth and comfortable journey! The train is very clean, modern, and fast, with only two short stops before reaching the airport. It's the best option if you want a direct and hassle-free trip. The ride is about 45–50 minutes, and everything runs on time. Important tip: Don’t throw away your ticket! You’ll need to scan the same QR code again when exiting at Stansted Airport. A few people forgot and had trouble getting through the gates. Overall, a very professional and efficient service – I highly recommend it for anyone flying from Stansted!

Great parking experience near Stansted Airport! Booking in advance saved me a lot, and the process was completely hassle-free. The free pick-up and drop-off service to the airport was quick and convenient — highly recommended!

Parked on longstay parking 86£ for four nights. Easy to find and the a bus will take you directly to the airport departure same as when coming back. Advise: take a photo of where you parked your car and the zone cause the parking is so big it’s easy to miss where you parked your car.

Honestly cannot complain. Took the Stansted Express four times in the past two months and had no issues whatsoever. Clean, announcements are clearly understandable, seats comfortable. Multiple working restrooms on board. There are always enough seats for everyone as these trains run every 15 mins. You won’t get bothered by staff aslong as you have a valid ticket – obviously. Signs everywhere tell you to buy the ticket in advance through the website. Book early and pay just £20 for both ways, not bad at all!

I do not recommend this train operator due to their lack of reliability and transparency in applying their own terms and conditions. The company advertises a Delay Repay scheme that guarantees compensation for delays of 15 minutes or more. However, in practice, they do not honour this promise, even in clear and well-documented cases. On 4 September 2025, there was a major signal failure/points failure which resulted in my train being delayed by over one hour. This delay was publicly displayed on station boards and confirmed by station staff. Despite this, the operator claims that “no delay of 15 minutes or more was found.” This response is unacceptable and seriously undermines trust in their compensation process. It is extremely disappointing that the company sets its own rules and then fails to follow them. Their Delay Repay scheme appears to be a promise made for marketing purposes only, without being upheld in practice. Based on my experience, I believe passengers are not treated fairly and are left without the compensation they are entitled to. I strongly advise other travellers to thoroughly document their journeys, as the operator’s system may not reflect the actual delay. Not recommended.

Ease of use and location is a plus for a train into London

I have never seen an airport like this, even in the third world. They have a lack of seats, people has to sit in the floor. They only had 2 toilets before to pass the security and they closed one of them at night . Disgusting and inhuman place .

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.

We went to Chartwell on an October weekday over the autumn half term. It proved to be a popular destination and the car parks were very full. There are toilets a fairly large, modern cafe and a gift shop close to the reception area. If you wish to see the house then it is necessary to book a time slot in order to control number of visitors inside. The house has beautiful views from the windows and is fascinating, being packed with family furniture, photos and pictures. It also contains many souvenirs and gifts received over Churchill's long and distinguished life and career as well as a collection of his many uniforms. There are helpful and knowledgeable guides in each room The gardens and grounds are extensive and were lovely even on a rather dull autumn day. In summer they must be ablaze with colour. Churchill's large studio is situated a little distance from the house and the walls are lined with many of his paintings. There is an interactive guide which gives information on each of them. The gardens are reasonably accessible but may cause a problem for the less mobile as there are quite a few steps and not all have handrails. There is a shuttle bus for those who would find the steepish journey from reception to the house too much or are tired after walking the grounds.

Excellent. The warm and convivial atmosphere of the house is palpable. This was a home, and that sense has been beautifully kept. And what a home! The walled garden is stunning in the summer months. The large estate and woods are perfect for exploring or just admiring the views. Absolutely worth repeated visits. Do book in advance, especially in the summer. It gets busy and entrance to the house is timed.

This was a very special, since Sir Churchill was someone I have been admitted and studied about. If anyone likes a history, appreciate a true beauty of British culture and their heritage as myself I would truly recommend this place. There is so much to see. The house itself has lots of room, then you got a big landscaping and trails around to hike, besides the main House there is art house - where all Sir Churchill painting are placed, cafe shop, local shop. However, my day made people who works there. Each room have a person who are very happy to answer any questions you have, full of passion and knowledge while telling the story. I was very fascinated and felt part of it. Each person was amazing, I didn't catch all names but I would love to Thank you all, especially Paul "Sir Churchill work room', two gents in art room (where I was amazed and like hypnotised listing) - indeed, everyone who I had a pleasure to meet - Thank you for your time. Highly recommend. Besides, I have met very helpful and kind people in town. Thank You - you restored my hope for kindness. For anyone who use public transport, please ensure about the bus who runs only 3x a day.

As Churchill used to say, “A day without Chartwell is a day wasted.” I understood what he meant after visiting this historical place for the first time. The estate is vast and beautifully organized. The rooms are fascinating, filled with countless items from Churchill’s life. There are also many paintings - not only by Churchill himself, but also works by artists like Claude Monet and Townsend. The house has retained its old charm; walking through it feels like stepping into a time capsule. You’ll find numerous artefacts from the Second World War - Churchill’s uniforms, documents, photographs, and gifts he received from world leaders. My favorites were his cigar boxes, Napoleon’s tea set, and the glittering gifts from Josef Stalin - silver, glass, and gem-studded fruit bowls among them. There are many other treasures from the most prominent figures of his era like General de Gaulle, King Abdul Aziz or Franklin D. Roosevelt to name few. The grounds are beautifully maintained, with scenic paths, gardens, and ponds all around. If the weather is good, don’t miss a stroll through the woods beyond the ponds - the tree house there is a highlight, and yes, even adults can fit inside! ;) There’s also plenty of practical convenience: a large car park, a spacious National Trust café, and well-run facilities. I’ve been visiting Chartwell for many years, and it always has something new to offer. Their current Halloween-themed activities are great fun for children. I’ll definitely be back - a truly inspiring place, steeped in history and nature.

What a history and what a well looked after home of great politician Winston Churchill. In fact, this looks like a very well presented exhibition how the great man lived and did. The grounds and gardens are equally beautiful. The facilities provided, like parking, cafeteria, restaurant etc are more than adequate. However, considering all the above the entry fee still seems a bit steep as compared to other similar properties of National Trust.

Visited Chartwell House on the 5th Nov. Sadly the house was closed for decorating for Christmas. However the gardens were stunning and well worth a visit in of themselves. The views were stunning and serene. A nice place to decompress. It would have been nice to see Winston Churchills home. But give me an excuse to visit again. Also sampled their spicy bean soup and had to have some apple crumble cake, made from apples from the grounds, delicious.

Absolutely fascinating glimpse into Churchill's private home life. The house is beautifully maintained, staffed by informative volunteers. The grounds are stunning. There's a great café too. Plenty of parking. Highly recommend as a day out.

Stratford Shopping Centre is a great spot in East London. It’s very accessible by train, bus, and especially convenient if you live in the East. There’s a wide variety of shops spread across different floors, along with several large food areas and cafés. The mix of indoor and outdoor spaces makes it a versatile and enjoyable place to visit. It can get quite busy at times, but overall, it’s a great facility with plenty to offer.

Westfield Stratford City, located at Montfichet Rd, London E20 1EJ, is one of the largest shopping centres in Europe. It offers a wide range of shops, restaurants, and entertainment options including a cinema and bowling. The mall is modern, clean, and well-connected by public transport. Parking is available but can get busy on weekends. Great place for shopping, dining, and leisure all in one spot.

An Essential London Retail Hub, But Little Maintenance Issues Need Attention for Redressal . . . Westfield Stratford City is an immense, modern, and efficiently designed lifestyle destination that lives up to its reputation as one of London's best shopping venue. Vast in size, it offers an exceptional retail variety, mixing high-street favorites, designer boutiques, and international brands making it a place where visitors can easily spend a full day . . The culinary options are equally impressive, ranging from diverse food court stalls and specialty parlors to full-service restaurants. Its intuitive design, featuring clear signage at every corner, makes this giant centre remarkably easy to navigate . . However, our family visit on September 7, 2024 (which included my wife, her elder sister, nephew, and his dependents), was generally positive, though a few minor flaws were observed: the common areas were periodically crowded and noisy; the excessive internal warmth made prolonged visits and walking around less comfortable; and the public washrooms were generally average in cleanliness and overcrowded across various levels . . Overall, the location remains a fantastic place with superb car parking near Stratford station, offering unparalleled convenience and an ideal day out. Nonetheless, addressing these small but critical maintenance issues is imperative for the management. Specifically, optimizing the air conditioning and improving restroom hygiene would ensure visitor comfort and fully match the premium quality of this magnificent shopping centre in the Olympic Park, East London retail hub . . .

Its a massive, well maintained shopping and entertainment complex with hundreds of stores, a vast food court offering global cuisines, and a range of entertainment options including Gravity Max and John Lewis. Its excellent transport links via nearby Stratford Station make it a convenient destination for a full day out, although it can get very crowded. While it boasts many amenities like family play areas and clean restrooms, some visitors note a lack of seating in dining areas and the potential for high traffic.

I visited Westfield Stratford City about a week ago and really enjoyed it! The place has a great atmosphere, with modern architecture and views of the Olympic structures nearby. It’s clean, lively, and full of great shops and restaurants. I even got to see Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant there, which was a nice surprise. Perfect spot for shopping, eating, or just walking around and enjoying the vibe!

Westfield Stratford City is a highly rated shopping mall in London, offering a vast array of stores, dining options, and entertainment. It's known for its size, cleanliness, and convenient location near Stratford station. While some reviewers praise its variety and overall experience, others note crowdedness and potential issues with customer service. It's well-connected to public transportation, particularly Stratford station, making it easy to reach.

Westfield London is a fantastic shopping destination! It’s clean, modern, and has a great mix of high-street and designer stores. There’s plenty of dining options, from quick bites to sit-down restaurants, and everything is super easy to find. The atmosphere is lively but never overwhelming, and the staff across the mall are always friendly and helpful. A great place to shop, eat, or just spend the day. Highly recommended!