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September has always felt a little like the second New Year of the year to me. The schools go back, the crazy summer holiday juggle( and accompanying mum guilt!) finally begins to subside, some semblance of normal service resumes and yet- if we’ re lucky- we’ re still blessed with warm days, balmy evenings and plenty of excuses to get out and explore in the Garden of England.
With backpacks packed and pencil cases replenished, what better time for our second Education Special Feature of the year? From award-winning nurseries and preparing for prep to navigating secondary school transitions and those allimportant back-to-school must-haves, we’ re shining a spotlight on educational excellence across Kent from p153.
September also marks one of the most exciting moments in Kent’ s foodie calendar as harvest begins across our plentiful vineyards. So, naturally, we’ ve used it as the perfect excuse to shine a great big grape-shaped spotlight on the people cultivating the vines, making the wines and, importantly, some of the very best places across the county to raise a glass( or two) to their hard work.
As the frenetic pace of summer starts to ease, it seems only right to slow down our travels a little too. Did you know Kent boasts 108 train stations? Nope, me either! So, in association with our friends at Southeastern, we’ re ditching the car keys and taking to the tracks with some fabulous routes to explore. From nostalgic steam journeys and high-speed connections to tiny hamlets just waiting to be discovered, read on and start planning your own day out by rail.
Talking of which, I recently had the pleasure of hopping aboard the High Speed from our Ashford HQ to Ebbsfleet, followed by a short onward journey to Silverhand Estate for a rather special Strawberries & Cream Rosé picnic amongst the vines. And yes, it was every bit as delicious as it sounds. Read all about it on p110.
If, after the madness of summer, relaxation and serenity are firmly at the top of your September to-do list, how about an adult-only staycation? We’ ve rounded up some blissfully grown-up escapes from p62, perfect for switching off and enjoying a little uninterrupted indulgence. So long“ Can I have another snack please?”, hello“ Yes please, that canapé sounds wonderful.”
And, as always, these pages are jam-packed with the very Best of Kent ® and beyond- from days out and events to food and drink hotspots, interior inspiration and the inside stories of the brilliant local businesses that make our county what it is.
Here’ s to fresh starts, new discoveries, slower adventures and maybe learning a thing or two along the way.
Keep learning, Kent!
EST. 2010 SEPTEMBER 2026 FREE
DAYS OUT / DINING / ARTS + CULTURE / GETAWAYS / EVENTS
Samantha bright futures
INSPIRING MINDS ACROSS KENT
SLOW TRAVEL IN KENT // VINEYARD DISCOVERY ADULT-ONLY ESCAPES // THE GREAT KENTISH BAKE OFF
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