OUT- DOORSY
GUIDE
CULTURAL HOTSPOTS
THE AVENUE THEATRE A charming community-first theatre established in 1989, The Avenue proudly offers a diverse range of events and performances for all ages- from full-scale musicals, plays and tribute shows to heartwarming children’ s productions. For the movie-lovers, the theatre screens top blockbusters and is also available to hire for private screenings or showcases within its bar, events space and auditorium.
SITTINGBOURNE HERITAGE MUSEUM Housing many notable artefacts from Sittingbourne and surrounding villages, this free-to-enter town museum showcases fascinating changing displays, as well as established highlights such as‘ The Plough‘,
MUST-SHOP STORES
THE FORUM SHOPPING CENTRE Situated in the very heart of the town and easily accessible with nearby transport links, The Forum is a bustling shopping centre home to a range of high street and independent shops, alongside ample delicious eateries.
MOSSY’ S GARDEN CENTRE Since opening over 25 years ago, the familyrun Mossy’ s Garden Centre has stayed true to its heartfelt ambition of offering fair prices for top quality plants. Today, with its ever-changing range of stunning plants and shrubs freshly delivered weekly, alongside a glorious selection of tools, equipment and home accessories, Mossy’ s remains Sittingbourne’ s go-to for all things stylish garden and home living.
Doddington Place Gardens( top right) Cromers Wood Nature Reserve( c) Kent Wildlife Trust( bottom right)
DIVINE DINING
THE LAKES RESTAURANT An exquisite AA Rosette restaurant situated within Hempted House Hotel that boasts an array of meticulously crafted dishes. Whether you opt for a succulent steak, a spot of fresh seafood or a seasonally inspired dish packed with top local produce, expect fine dining excellence and a relaxed yet elevated ambience fit for all occasions.
GALATA MEZZE BAR RESTAURANT™ Prided on their reimagination of rich and authentic Turkish cuisine, and intending for every bite to be a celebration of culture, flavour and care, Galata’ s home-from-home dining approach and vivid dishes perfectly honour heartfelt Turkish traditions with a true sense of warmth and creative flair.
SENTADO LOUNGE Located only a stone’ s throw from Sittingbourne train station, Sentado’ s laid-back neighbourhood vibe, complemented by an effortlessly styled dining space complete with quirky floral prints and relaxed lighting, is just as popular as its vast menus of flavoursome tapas, globally inspired mains and irresistible puds.
The Lakes Restaurant( top left and bottom left)
a collection of late medieval items rescued from a demolished East Street public house. Behind the scenes, researchers continue to delve into the town’ s past and produce books on various intriguing topics which can be purchased in the museum’ s shop.
BREDGAR & WORMSHILL LIGHT RAILWAY With a mission to preserve steam locomotives in a form that allows visitors to discover just how significant this type of energy was to the industry for over 200 years, the Bredgar & Wormshill Light Railway was built from scratch by a passionate group of friends back in 1975, and has since grown into a cherished visitor attraction complete with a model railway, tea room and regular family events.
OUT- DOORSY
Spots
DODDINGTON PLACE GARDENS Delightful landscaped gardens surrounding a splendid Victorian mansion that are known and loved for its pictureperfect woodland garden, large Edwardian rock garden with pools, a formal sunk garden with herbaceous borders, and extensive lawns framed by impressively clipped yew hedges and trees. Spanning a remarkable 10 acres and lovingly cared for by a dedicated garden team, Doddington Place has also been a proud part of the National Gardens Scheme for more than 50 years.
MILTON CREEK COUNTRY PARK Sittingbourne’ s newest green space, this buzzing 128 acre country park is complete with a natural play area and a community events space, as well as an extensive network of paths through areas of different meadow, scrub and aquatic habitats. An inviting oasis for wildlife, hundreds of animal species, including those rare and of great significance, call this park home.
CROMERS WOOD NATURE RESERVE An ancient semi-natural woodland preserved by the Kent Wildlife Trust that sits on the southeast side of a dry slope valley. In the warmer months, enjoy butterfly spotting- including peacocks, red admirals and meadow browns- and in the crisp and cooler seasons, set off on an outdoor exploration of the wildlife-rich haven upon its many walking trails.
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