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PUBLISHER: Adam Ready, adam @ sidewaysmedia. co. uk EDITOR: Samantha Ready, insidekent @ sidewaysmedia. co. uk
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EST. 2010 NOVEMBER 2025
DAYS OUT / DINING / ARTS + CULTURE / GETAWAYS / EVENTS
the christmas build-up begins
KENT SHINES WITH SEASONAL SPARKLE
Why hello 2026, boy am I glad to see you! There’ s something wonderfully full of promise about a brand-new year. Fresh pages, fresh plans and that quiet( or not-so-quiet) determination to make the year ahead a really good one. And where better to start than right here in Kent?
I’ m not sure that I’ ve been so relieved by the prospect of a new year reset since the dreaded‘ lockdown years’. If, like me, your 2025 was a little bit of an annus horribilis and more of a year to survive than to thrive in, I hear you- and we have you covered!
The best thing about a new year? All the exciting things you can add to your diary to look forward to! We’ re kicking things off by shining a spotlight on the best new openings across the county- from the hottest new restaurants and a seriously buzzing members’ club to a wellness collective trio- ready to fuel you beautifully into 2026. If‘ new year, new places’ is your vibe, this is where to start.
Of course, January naturally nudges us towards health and wellbeing. Not one to shy away from leading by example, team iK jumped fully on the wellbeing bandwagon( well, technically a converted horsebox) as we discovered all the benefits of sauna and cold plunging( from the iK car park on a very chilly December morning, no less) courtesy of Sauna & Wild’ s remarkable mobile sauna. Wanting to start your own new year wellbeing reset? The Life Fix 2026 rounds up the top 10 things to do in Kent to feel your very best this year, from cryotherapy and sound baths to padel, Pilates and everything in between. Pair that with our Wellness Wanderlust staycation guide- featuring mood-boosting spa retreats and away-from-it-all resets- and you’ ve got the perfect prescription for mind, body and soul.
If food is on your‘ new year, new habits’ agenda, we’ ve got that covered too. Discover the best places for a Kentish detox / food reset- all gourmet-led of course, alongside tempting recipes that prove healthy eating doesn’ t have to mean boring calorie counting. Balance, after all, is the goal.
While the tail end of 2025 was eerily mild, we all know winter still has a few chilly tricks up its sleeve, which is why we’ ve curated a brilliant selection of January days out that are all indoors. Think buzzing food halls, sensory adventures, cookery classes and gravity-defying adrenaline hits, all designed to keep you warm, entertained and inspired.
January is also the month when I start to think about the year ahead at home- so why not join me down my rabbit hole of 2026’ s top interior trends, exploring Pantone’ s Colour of the Year, and soak up plenty of real home inspiration, too.
I’ m also delighted to introduce our 2026 gardening columnist, Neil Miller, head gardener at Hever Castle, who’ ll be sharing his expert advice to help you nurture your own patch of green throughout the year. And, completing the new columnist roster is our very own iK pooch- Florrie- who’ ll share her top spots in which to place a dog-friendly paw this year ahead.
I’ m off to swap balancing an Espresso Martini with a Terry’ s Chocolate Orange for a bit of restful rebalance.
Wishing you a happy, healthy year ahead, Kent!
2025 CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE // KENT’ S FESTIVE BUCKET LIST LUXURY WINTER BOLTHOLES // SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION
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Samantha samjready insidekent
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