Things to do in Kent

[Obi Wan]

I’m gonna be Canterbury for about 4-5 days visiting family during the first week of December but in between family visits does anyone have any recommendations on what to do?

Suggestions on food places would be most welcome.

[Where2Guv]

Breakfast: The Goods Shed, Refectory, Kitch.

Dinner: Corner House, Pig at Bridge, Fordwich Arms.

Pubs: The Parrot, The monument, The Unicorn.

[Drooles]

If you’ve never been before, Canterbury Cathedral is well worth a look. Slightly further afield, Dover Castle is a good trip if the weather is nice

[Hammer67]

A few miles from Canterbury but very very good.

The Tiger Inn, Stowting.

[Nick Forest]

If the weather is pants then a Spa Day at Eastwell Manor just outside Ashford is a good way to win some brownie points.

[Hammer67]

Also the Kings Arms at Elham.

[Vasco]

France.

[dontlookdown]

Battle of Britain Museum at Manston. About 30 min drive and very well worth seeing if you like military history.

Not a bad cafe either - the chef makes a fine soup. Had a memorably tasty bowl of cauliflower veloute there one cold Sunday last winter.

[Dohnut]

Leeds Castle.
Punt on the river Stour.
Pantomime at the Marlowe Theatre.

[Obi Wan]

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

I’ve had a quick look on the food suggestions and most of them look appealing. The goods shed breakfast menu looks tasty. Dover castle and Canterbury cathedral will be worth checking out but war museums aren’t really our thing. Looking at the Marlowe theatre website there’s nothing I would want to see during my time there. A spa day at a manor sounds amazing but I’m not sure my other family members would want to do that.

I think a trip to Margate while we’re there is on the cards. Our there any good driving roads or car things to do around the area?

[sleepezy]

Where2Guv said:

Pubs: The Parrot, The monument, The Unicorn.

Not the Thomas Tallis? Never been a big fan of the parrot myself, but agree on Monument.

Quite like the Cafe des Amis too, definitely agree on Corner Houee.

[dontlookdown]

Re car stuff, the circuit at Lydden Hill is not far away. It's quite a busy little spot but not sure there will be much on in December.

[joshcowin]

Fringe and Ginge in Canterbury for a coffee, their sandwiches are good also. For me the best coffee for miles around.

Kings Arms Elham - Sunday roast only or pint after a walk

Bridge Arms - Good food, great guiness

Loads of nice walks local, train to the coast or faversham.

Food in Canterbury town is a bit meh you will have to travel out, saying that the corner house is ok

Cork is a wine bar that's pretty cool if that's your thing.

[Driversmatter]

B Road Hunting Club @ The Stag TN25 4B&B

[williamp]

Whitstable for the oysters.

Can you get a day crossing and pop over to France? Thats a whole load of fun for a family. a supermarket with everything in French!!

[LeeM135i]

Driversmatter said:

B Road Hunting Club @ The Stag TN25 4B&B

Good shout, food is good and there's usually something interesting in the car park to walk around. Depending on which weekend you are coming there are car shows at the Dog House Micro Pub in Ashford.

Oysters / sea food in Whitstable is awesome. Folkestone harbour has a great pop up food stall / market which often has something going on but check when it's open during the Autumn/Winter.

Leeds castle, Dover Castle / Canterbury cathedral, Rochester/Upnor Castles all good to walk around if you are into that kind of thing. Can get expensive.

[ATG]

MYOB said:

If you’re willing to drive 20 minutes to Seasalter (near Whitstable), there’s a Michelin one star rated restaurant that I highly recommend:

http://www.thesportsmanseasalter.co.uk/index.php

Haven't be there for years, but it certainly used to be the gastro pub to end all gastro pubs. Serious food, but really relaxed.

Alternative in that area, Wheelers Oyster bar on high street in Whitstable. You don't have to eat oysters. Tiny, brilliant, mental place. Bring your own booze. Off licence across the road. Absolutely first class cooking.

[joshcowin]

ATG said:

MYOB said:

If you’re willing to drive 20 minutes to Seasalter (near Whitstable), there’s a Michelin one star rated restaurant that I highly recommend:

http://www.thesportsmanseasalter.co.uk/index.php

Haven't be there for years, but it certainly used to be the gastro pub to end all gastro pubs. Serious food, but really relaxed.

Alternative in that area, Wheelers Oyster bar on high street in Whitstable. You don't have to eat oysters. Tiny, brilliant, mental place. Bring your own booze. Off licence across the road. Absolutely first class cooking.

Agree with ATG on this one! Wheelers is better now, completely unique experience!

Really like the sportsman but haven't been for a few years now!

[Obi Wan]

I like my coffee so Fringe and Ginge I will check out. We may pop over to France for a day I’ve never been before but sounds like fun ditto b road hunting club and Folkestone harbour. I’ve been to the Motorist up north a few times so I’m keen to see what the southern equivalent is like. I think I’ll have to pass on the Michelan star restaurant unfortunately it seems a little pricey.

[vikingaero]

I am caver so a little biased:

Margate
Shell Grotto
Margate Caves
Turner Contemporary, if you must

Ramsgate
Ramsgate Tunnels tour
The Royal Victoria Pavilion Wetherspoons

Deal
Deal Castle
Walmer Castle
Dover Castle
Nice day - walk on Samphire Hoe

Zoos
Port Lympne or Howletts

Further down - Hythe & The Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway. Drive down to Dungeness for a beach walk, tour of the Lighthouse etc