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PUBLISHER: Adam Ready, adam @ sidewaysmedia. co. uk
EDITOR: Samantha Ready, insidekent @ sidewaysmedia. co. uk
EDITORIAL: Deputy Editor: Polly Humphris Features Writer: Emily Sturgeon
OPERATIONS: Operations Manager: Karlene Gannon
DESIGN: Design Director: Lorna Morris Designers: Maisey Wilson, Nic Craig, Melissa Boxall
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DIGITAL: Digital Content & Marketing Assistant: Sophie Shorter
SIDEWAYS ACADEMY: Intern: Jennifer Smith
Contributors: Aaron Spencer, Hayley Kingsnorth, Jill Sargent, Jo Ginn, Jon Butterworth, Oli Webb, Photowall, Rosie Percy, Stefano Cuomo
Cover: The King’ s Head, Wye
insideKENT Magazine is published by Sideways Media Ltd, Sideways Studios, Unit 3 Eden Business Centre, South Stour Avenue, Ashford, Kent, TN23 7RS
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© Copyright 2026. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher. Neither the publisher nor any other person associated with the production and publication of this magazine make any guarantees, warranties or claims as to the accuracy, currency or truthfulness of any of the contents of this magazine. No part of this magazine may be copied, reproduced or transmitted in any form without the publisher’ s written consent. No responsibility is taken for unsolicited editorial, images or photographs published. While every care is taken, prices and details are subject to change and the publisher takes no responsibility for omissions or errors. Publisher is not responsible for any variation in image colour due to printing processes.
EST. 2010 SEPTEMBER 2026
DAYS OUT / DINING / ARTS + CULTURE / GETAWAYS / EVENTS
EST. 2010 OCTOBER 2026 FREE
DAYS OUT / DINING / ARTS + CULTURE / GETAWAYS / EVENTS
Autumn has officially arrived in the Garden of England and with it comes crisp mornings, cosy nights, a little more license to indulge in comfort food and, apparently, the perfectly acceptable opportunity to shout“ Oh yes it is!” at complete strangers( well at least across the office at iKHQ). It can mean only one thing … Panto season is coming!
Our annual‘ Oh Yes It Is!’ feature is back as we reveal what’ s hitting Kent’ s stages this festive season. From larger-than-life dames and dastardly villains to plenty of audience participation( this actually sounds like iKHQ, too …), consider this your cue to get those all-important tickets booked- it’ s the law!
Before Christmas completely takes over, however, there’ s the small matter of Halloween. We’ ve rounded up Kent’ s best spooky happenings and, because one person’ s frightfully good fun is another’ s absolutely-not-a-chance, we’ ve put them through our very own iK Scare-Ometer. Whether you’ re after gentle pumpkin-filled fun or something that might have you sleeping with the lights on, there’ s a fright level for everyone from p30.
For something a little more cultured, our Autumn Arts Trail takes you from galleries and creative quarters to fabulous independents, with plenty of opportunities to discover local artists, pick up something beautiful for your home or even, dare we say it, start that Christmas shopping early.
As the temperature drops( or goes wild thanks to the Super El Nino!), our staycations are getting cosier too. In fact, this month the staycay becomes a Pubcaytion. Because what could be better than a classic country pub or characterful inn, a pint of real ale, some seriously good food and, crucially, a bedroom just a few steps away when you’ re finished? We’ ve raised the bar( ha!) with Kent’ s best places to dine, drink and doze this autumn.
And, if you prefer your dining companions on four legs, And Pup Came Too … is dedicated to the best places to eat with your canine crew in tow. From coffee and cake pit stops to proper meals out, we’ ve sniffed out some fabulous dog-friendly destinations so nobody has to be left at home.
We’ re also upping the flavour stakes this month with a journey through some of Kent’ s best cultural cuisine, celebrating dishes, chefs and restaurants bringing flavours from around the globe to our corner of the country. And, we’ ve also got some rather exciting seasonal sneak peeks at what should be in your diary this winter, as well as a run down of this year’ s Taste of Kent Award’ s finalists ahead of the winner’ s announcements on 8 October!
Talking of booking something fun, we can highly recommend gathering your team, friends or family for a trip to Hugo’ s at The Board Room at Folkestone Harbour Arm. Yes, we were rubbish at darts and even worse at shuffleboard, but we know how to smash a loaded burger and have a good laugh, and this place is ideal- regardless of your social sporting prowess. Find out more on p70.
As always, there’ s plenty more packed into these pages, bringing you the very Best of Kent ® with the best places to go, things to do, food to devour, interiors to inspire and brilliant local businesses to discover.
I’ m off to cheer on the winners at the Taste of Kent Awards and get my fright on at The Gannon House …
Stay spooky, Kent! bright futures
INSPIRING MINDS ACROSS KENT
SLOW TRAVEL IN KENT // VINEYARD DISCOVERY ADULT-ONLY ESCAPES // THE GREAT KENTISH BAKE OFF fall in love with kent
GET COSY IN THE GARDEN OF ENGLAND THIS AUTUMN
KENT PUBCAYTIONS // OH YES IT IS! PANTO SEASON CULTURAL CUISINE // KENT’ S CAFFEINE CREW // SPA SPECIAL
Samantha
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