VISITKENT insideKENT with
Visit Kent
THE KENT BIG WEEKEND 2025
EVERY YEAR , VISIT KENT SECURES THOUSANDS OF COMPLETELY FREE TICKETS FOR OUR COUNTY ’ S TOP ATTRACTIONS SO THAT RESIDENTS CAN ENJOY AN INCREDIBLE KENTISH DAY OUT . EXCLUSIVELY FOR KENT RESIDENTS , THE BIG WEEKEND - TAKING PLACE ON SATURDAY 5 AND SUNDAY 6 APRIL 2025 - IS ALL ABOUT CELEBRATING OUR INCREDIBLE TOURISM OFFER AND SHARING IT WITH LOVED ONES . THE BIG WEEKEND WORKS ON A TICKET BALLOT SYSTEM ; BETWEEN FRIDAY 7 AND MONDAY 17 MARCH , YOU CAN APPLY FOR AS MANY TICKETS AS YOU LIKE , WITH THE WINNERS SELECTED AT RANDOM - REGISTER AND APPLY ! HERE ARE SOME OF THE GREAT ATTRACTIONS AND EXPERIENCES TAKING PART THIS YEAR ...
THE HISTORIC DOCKYARD CHATHAM
Something to wet your whistle People often think that winemaking in Kent is a new thing , but over 1,000 years ago , Bishop Gundulf planted vines and established the monastery in Rochester as England ’ s first large-scale wine producer . See how much things have grown since then with not one but six of Kent ’ s vineyards offering prizes including Gusbourne Estate , Biddenden Vineyards , Westwell Wines and Squerryes Winery , as well as newer producers Yotes Court Vineyard and Wayfarer Wines .
It ’ s not just wine on the Kent drinks trolley ; find out about Kent ’ s brewing heritage with Britain ’ s oldest brewer on the Shepherd Neame Brewery Tour or at The Curious Brewery . Or , if spirits tickle your fancy , you could opt for Maidstone Distillery or Copper Rivet . Can ’ t make up your mind ? There ’ s the best of both worlds at The Foundry Brew Pub .
42 • www . insidekent . co . uk
If you are looking to take the kids out , they will definitely be chuffed with a tractor ride at Solley ’ s Ice Cream Parlour & Café , although they ’ ll probably want a sweet treat after . Yes , you can have one too !
Adventures in the great outdoors You don ’ t have to be as adventurous as Kent explorer William Adams to discover something new . Take to the water with Canoe Wild . It ’ s doubtful you ’ ll make it to Japan like Mr . Adams , so Grove Ferry is probably far enough . Make a big splash with the Aqua Park Challenge at Action Watersports in Lydd , or hop along to Betteshanger Park to help ‘ Billy ’ find his missing Easter eggs .
For the green-fingered , Mount Ephraim Gardens , Great Comp Garden and the Brogdale Collections are all taking part and , to go full steam with your adventures , why not take a trip on the Bredgar and Wormshill Light Railway or the Kent and East Sussex Railway ? If you want to explore on foot , the Isle of Thanet is calling with Ramsgate Nordic Walking .
Although not an outdoor adventure , a trip to Faversham Pools or Chimera Climbing will definitely get your heart rate up a notch . Or , you could fly over to Eagle Heights or the Kent Falconry Centre to visit some feathery friends , test your archery skills with Joe ’ s Bows , or relish a night under canvas for a real adventure at Badgells Wood campsite . For something a little different , opt for the unique experience of the Sea Scrub Sauna in Margate .
Places with a story to tell Kent ’ s rich history means that the county is bursting with stories . With so many museums and heritage sites participating ,