KENTSTAYCATION feast , families can treat a day on the grounds as an educational day out , with the Bird of Prey Centre and the Queens with Means experience delving into the site ’ s human and natural history . For the thrillseekers , there are games of adventure golf and the Knights ’ Stronghold Playground , as well as the maze and grotto ; a unique labyrinth that ’ s popular with all ages .
PERFECT FOR NEWLYWEDS Boys Hall , Ashford boys-hall . com
Boys Hall is a stunning , family-run venue that displays its history with a modern twist . The 17th-century house is a well-loved restoration with boutique bedrooms and an attractive restaurant and pub , all of which overlook the property ’ s wild gardens . This combination of homeliness and grandeur makes for a perfect place to honeymoon . Just-married guests can escape into one of nine individually-designed suites filled with comforting touches of cotton bedlinen , fluffy towels and roll top baths .
For the best that Boys Hall has to offer , couples can dine on freshly-made dishes in the skylit restaurant or relax outside on the garden-view terrace with a glass of wine . With only the best of Kentish produce on the menus , couples will be sure to enjoy the elegance and exclusivity of a meal at Boys Hall . Memorably , there is always a range of events taking place at the house , from steak & lobster nights to wine stays , workshops for painting , floristry , ceramics and cookery . Though some come at an additional cost , they are the best way for newlyweds to embrace all that ’ s to offer at the Grade II-listed manor , which won The Good Hotel Guide ’ s César Award 2024 .
PERFECT FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS The Spa Hotel , Royal Tunbridge Wells spahotel . co . uk
From surprise engagements to summer birthdays , there are all kinds of occasions to celebrate in a location as stunning as The Spa Hotel . Set amongst 14 acres of expansive gardens , The Spa Hotel has been offering extravagant stays since 1880 . With a total of 70 rooms , guests can visit the indoor swimming pool , gyms , steam room and sauna within the purpose-built wing of the hotel .
At the SpaSpa & Health Leisure Club , patrons can make full use of facilities including gymnasiums and a floodlit , outdoor tennis court . After a day of leisure , guests can unwind in The Orangery Restaurant , a fine dining haven that boasts two AA Rosettes and beautiful terrace views of the gardens . Whatever the occasion for your visit , there is no denying the comforting elegance of The Spa Hotel ’ s 70 bedrooms . With a range of rooms to try , guests can relax in style in a contemporary setting that inspires the timeless pleasure of a holiday .
PERFECT FOR THE ADVENTUROUS Canterbury Cathedral Lodge , Canterbury canterburycathedrallodge . org
The city of Canterbury has been a site of European pilgrimage for over 800 years . A masterpiece of medieval architecture , Canterbury Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the UK ’ s most-visited historic locations , and , tucked away in a private corner of the cathedral ’ s grounds lies the Canterbury Cathedral Lodge . For anyone wanting to explore beyond and into the marvellous city , an overnight stay at the Canterbury Cathedral Lodge keeps you in the heart of Canterbury ’ s adventurous spirit .
Awarded the Silver Eco Smart Award in 2023 , the lodge is the first in Kent to receive this . With 34 bedrooms of stunning cathedral views , ensuites and complimentary Wi-Fi , guests are sure to greet comfort with open arms in an eco-conscious environment of upcycled furniture and self-sustaining gardens . Whether relaxing in the Campanile Garden or enjoying a complimentary full English breakfast in the Refectory Restaurant , guests are only ever walking distance away from Canterbury ’ s famous attractions . So , when the excitement of free entrance to the cathedral wears off , you can adventure into the city centre towards The Marlowe Theatre , The Beaney House of Art and Knowledge , and the beloved Westgate Gardens .
PERFECT FOR ANIMAL LOVERS The Mansion Hotel at Port Lympne Reserve , Hythe aspinallfoundation . org / port-lympne
Port Lympne Reserve makes a unique trip to the countryside for those curious about the animals living within and beyond it . On its grounds proudly stands The Mansion Hotel , an early 20th-century country house that pairs of visitors can stay in . On this Kentish savannah of 900 animals from over 75 species , guests can stay in one of eight rooms , each thematically based on a prestigious past guest of the hotel - such as Sir Winston Churchill or T . E . Lawrence .
The Mansion Hotel ’ s amenities include a HD TV , 24-hour concierge , indulgent cooked breakfast and complimentary golf buggy which grants exclusive access to the reserve outside of visiting hours . Guests can marvel over the Safari Experience , adventuring through South American , Asian and African Experience zones , seeing a range of wild animals closer than ever before . There is a wide array of accommodation options at Port Lympne Reserve , from the Rhino Lodge and Leopard Creek to self-catering treehouse suites . With VisitEngland ’ s four-star Rose Marque and an excess of animal-centred adventures , Port Lympne Reserve is an excellent choice for this summer ’ s getaway . www . insidekent . co . uk • 77