Places of interest
Canterbury Cathedral
Cathedral House, 11 The Precincts, Canterbury CT1 2EE, 01227 762862
The Mother Church of the Anglican Communion and an outstanding example of English ecclesiastical architecture. Founded by St. Augustine in 597AD it was the country’s first cathedral.
The building is particularly renowned for superb examples of 13th Century stained glass windows. Visitors can view the Crypt, the Tomb of The Black Prince and – most famously – the tomb of Archbishop Thomas Becket. The spot where Becket was murdered is marked in the cathedral.
The Cathedral precincts are also of interest, as are the medieval streets and Buttermarket that surround it. It’s open all year, but subject to regular entry restrictions for services and special circumstances. If you get the chance to visit for a service, take the opportunity – you won’t regret it! The building is particularly renowned for superb examples of 13th Century stained glass windows. Visitors can view the Crypt, the Tomb of The Black Prince and – most famously – the tomb of Archbishop Thomas Becket. The spot where Becket was murdered is marked in the cathedral.The Cathedral precincts are also of interest, as are the medieval streets and Buttermarket that surround it. It’s open all year, but subject to regular entry restrictions for services and special circumstances. If you get the chance to visit for a service, take the opportunity – you won’t regret it!
St Augustines Abbey
Longport, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 1PF
Situated just outside the city walls, opposite Canterbury Cathedral.
In the year 598, Saint Augustine was sent to England by Pope Gregory I, on what might nowadays be called a revival mission. King of Kent at this time was Ethelbert, who happened to be married to a Christian, Bertha. Whether or not his spouse influenced him isn’t known, but he allowed Augustine to found the first monastery in Britain just outside the city walls of Canterbury. It was originally created as a burial place for the Anglo-Saxon kings of Kent and is part of the Canterbury World Heritage Site, (along with the cathedral and St Martin’s Church).
It opens from Wednesday – Sunday between April and June, daily in July and August, and at weekends only for the rest of the year.
Howletts zoo
Bekesbourne Road, Bekesbourne Road, Bekesbourne, Canterbury CT4 5JL
A world-class wild animal park set in ninety acres of beautiful ancient park land. It has a superb collection of exhibits including lions, tigers, elephants, and apes.
The park, which was founded by John Aspinall, is also respected for its successful breeding programmes – along with its sister park at Port Lympne near Hythe.
Wingham Wildlife park
Rusham Road, Canterbury, CT3 1JL
Wingham Wildlife Park first opened its doors as Wingham Bird Park in 1986, changing its name to Wingham Wildlife Park approximately 15 years later. The park is now so much more than birds and offer a full package of fun for all the family to enjoy from play areas, mini diggers and go-karts to hands on encounters, museum exhibits and beautiful picnic locations.
Different tour operators offer punting along the River Stour with different routes and prices. Details can be found on google.
Dover Castle
Dover Castle is a medieval castle in Dover, Kent, England. It was founded in the 11th century and has been described as the “Key to England” due to its defensive significance throughout history. It is the largest castle in England.
A widely recognised national landmark of Britain, the White Cliffs of Dover are just 16 miles from the lodge. There aren’t many places in the world where you can see white cliffs, this is what makes the crags of Dover pretty spectacular.
Barnsole Vineyard – Situated just a few miles from the lodge (10 minute drive) visitors welcome to this small, but beautifully formed vineyard and winery. Barnsole Vineyard produce sparkling English wine, still white and red wines that are available for tasting and for sale directly from the winery door.
Barnsole vineyard, Fleming Road, Staple, Canterbury CT3 1LG
Chartham Vineyard is situated just 7 miles from the lodge (15-20 min drive) available to for wine tasting and tours.
Chartham vineyard, Burnt House Farm, Station Rd, Chartham CT4 7HU
Fordwich CT2 0BW
Located 3 miles from the lodge, you can hire canoes, kayaks and paddleboards to explore the river Stour. With a couple of pubs along the route it’s a great day out for all the family.
Wildwood Trust
Herne Common, Herne Bay, Kent
Wildwood is a unique woodland discovery park. It occupies 40 acres of ancient woodland, with easy access and lots to do and explore. From owls to otters, bees to beavers, and wild boar to wolves, you can experience close encounters with native wildlife in an environment that is close to nature.
The life of Wildwood constantly changes with the seasons; as the animals give birth a whole host of young animals can be spotted, which means every visit is a new experience. You can also travel back to Saxon times to meet the local residents and find out how humans and nature got along. Catch a live demonstration of their ancient crafts and skills from the UK’s leading re-enactment society.
Port Lympne
Aldington Road, Lympne, Hythe CT21 4LR
Set over 600 acres, Port Lympne is home to the UK’s most authentic safari experience, The African Experience – 100 acres alive with African animals. Join our safari vehicles to see animals including zebras and giraffes wandering freely then head off on foot around the rest of the park to see the big cats and primates. Look out for the baby giraffe and rhino born in 2016!
Visitors to Port Lympne throughout the year are promised a super, natural and epic day out as they explore wooded pathways to discover where the wild things are and see the UK’s largest herd of black rhino, big cats, small cats, primates, western lowland gorillas and more.
Tankerton slopes and beach
The cliff-top lawns of Tankerton Slopes, with their colourful beach huts, roll gently towards the sea and provide an excellent vantage point to watch the nautical world go by. The coastline provides a lovely walk for miles or just find a place to relax on the shingle beach. There are far reaching views across the estuary towards Southend. A long thin spit of shingle is exposed at high tide locally known as ‘The Street’, which is quickly covered at high tide. During the winter months the slopes are a popular place for sledging!
Broadstairs
Broadstairs is popular for its award-winning Blue Flag sandy beaches, delightful range of independent shops and cliff top walks to neighbouring Ramsgate and Margate.
Whitstable
Whitstable is like no other town by the sea. Its traditional charms, strong arts culture and rich maritime history complement Whitstable’s modern appeal.
Whitstable’s main claim to fame is its oysters which remain an intrinsic part of this sea town’s character and are celebrated every July at the Oyster Festival. Oysters and other delicacies from the sea can be enjoyed at the local restaurants and pubs or taken home from the fresh fish market at the harbour.
Our favourite time to visit Whitstable is in the evening. We often sit by the beach with fish and chips and watch the amazing sunset. It’s blissful!
An exciting, interactive adventure for groups or teams who must work together against the clock, solving puzzles, finding clues and cracking codes to complete challenges in a themed room or online setting.