DAYSOUT
Off the Beaten Track cont... routes from a wealth of Kent stations including Canterbury West and St. Pancras International for those making their way to the coast from the capital.
Start your day right with a fresh cup of coffee from seafront gem Big Shot, before making your way along the coastline to popular visitor attraction, Turner Contemporary, a spirited, free-to-enter gallery inspired by the life and work of celebrated artist, J. M. W. Turner. Looking for an adrenaline-rush? Head to Dreamland( open over the weekends this month) for thrilling vintage-themed rides, arcade games and even Roller Disco grooving. Or, if you’ re searching for something slightly less daring but still offering heaps of fun and light-hearted competition, nearby Lost Island Adventure Golf’ s immersive mini golf course and interactive AR dart boards await you.
A visit to this vivid coastal destination wouldn’ t be complete without sampling some fantastic local cuisine from the wealth of culinary visionaries that call this town home. Try Sargasso on Margate Harbour Arm for flavourful small plates and wine pairings, Buoy and Oyster for the freshest seafood, or No. 42’ s Pearly Cow for fresh-from-the-grill seafood and steaks alongside delicious complementary cocktails and unrivalled terrace views.
SANDWICH
Brimming with medieval charm and all under an hour’ s train ride away from Folkestone, Ashford, Ramsgate and Canterbury stations, the small yet glorious town of Sandwich is a must-visit for those after an idyllic Kentish outing serving up both history and modernity in equal measure.
Upon arrival, make your way towards the town centre, admiring the fascinating architecture en route before making your first stop at Sandwich Guildhall Museum. Offering free admission and telling the illustrious story of Sandwich through the ages, this treasured town museum houses unmissable finds including the 1300 AD Sandwich Magna Carta and artefacts dating back to the Mesolithic period. When it comes to dining options here, visitors are certainly spoilt for choice. If you’ re looking for a characterful pub to cosy up in, The Crispin Inn makes for a splendid choice with its popular offerings and warming dishes of locally sourced ingredients. For fans of authentic, fresh and tasty Italian cuisine, welcoming, locally loved restaurant Luigi’ s is calling your name.
With an array of incredible independents lining its well-trodden streets, a spot of shopping here also comes highly recommended. The perfect way to spend an afternoon before journeying home, browse gorgeous womenswear, childrenswear and home accessories from dreamy boutique Effie McLean, delight in handmade fresh water pearl jewellery from Pearls & Daughters, and stock up on your refill musthaves and gifts galore at Mango House.
ROCHESTER
If walking in the same footsteps as Rochester-inspired Victorian novelist Charles Dickens has long been on your Kentish bucket list, why not plan a visit to the Medway jewel by rail? With Rochester station conveniently located just a three minute walk from some of the town’ s most adored city centre sights, it couldn’ t be simpler to embark on an adventure here than by a swift and breezy train journey.
Start on Rochester High Street, with its characterful cobbles and quirky indies, and spend your morning leisurely exploring all these story-rich lanes have to offer. From one-of-a-kind vintage finds from sweet boutique Kiss Kiss Heart and Nordic-style homewares from Capture the Castle, to the finest local and global wines and spirits from Dickens House Emporium, not to mention plentiful cafés, restaurants and bars to retreat to such as art-lover’ s haven Café Nucleus, Brettington’ s Steak & Lobster House and Fish at 55- this is certainly the place to be.
For the history buffs among us, Rochester boasts no shortage of past treasures and towering architectural landmarks to discover. Marvel at the imposing fortress of Rochester Castle, which stands proudly at the town’ s heart sharing its complex history of defence and rebuilding, or just steps away, Rochester Cathedral dazzles with its dramatic and enduring stature, offering free admission and a diverse programme of events to look forward to.
SEVENOAKS
With extraordinary vistas, stunning green spaces and family-friendly hotspots aplenty, and proudly boasting excellent rail links- being less than a 25 minute journey from London Bridge and under an hour’ s trip from the likes of Ashford International- it comes at no surprise as to why the splendid town of Sevenoaks also regularly tops the list of Kentish boltholes fit for those travelling by track.
Following a quaint midday peruse of the latest novels at Sevenoaks Bookshop, browsing the latest fashion at shopping hub Bligh’ s Meadow, stopping for a famously good breakfast bite at restaurant and bar Life on High, or catching a spectacular showcase at The Stag Theatre, step off the buzzing high street and into the sweeping countryside and stately grandeur of Knole Park- Kent’ s last medieval deer park and a magnificent 600-year-old estate with courtyards, showrooms, a Gatehouse Tower and acres of pretty parkland. Make sure to climb the spiral staircase to take in panoramic estate views from the rooftop!
MARGATE
ROCHESTER
48 • www. insidekent. co. uk