Christmassy days out in London/Kent

[CherLooksYoungerThanMe]

Hi,

Planning my Christmas things to do with the kids. Santa is booked, and Kew, and we're going to go on a few buses in London to see the lights (and avoid walking past Hamleys) and I'm looking for something quite low key for a Sunday. Just somewhere with a bit of Christmassy atmosphere. Santa not necessary. Kent, some of Sussex and most of central London are accessible fairly easily. Don't fancy Winter Wonderland. Oldest child is 6 and youngest is 3. Any ideas?

Leeds castle? They have a Xmas market and Xmas trails through the castle and decs in the castle. Tickets last a year so you could go in the next few weeks to save queuing in December.

Think Hever is supposed to be nice too but not gone personally as a bit further from us.

Hever is indeed nice - you won't be able to see Santa - which you dont need - but there is a lovely trail and Castle all Christmassy. Southbank will probably have a market /lights.

Rochester Castle normally has a market

We will go to Leeds this year. I think lots of NT properties dress up at
Christmas and do carols or similar. We are members so I just look things up when we have some spare time.

The reindeer centre near Ashford ( bethersdwn) is usually very nice , although I didn’t like the Kew Gardens Christmas lights thing when we went a few years ago .

Groombridge Place Enchanted Forest had some lovely Christmassy activities last year but can't see any reference to Christmas yet on their website.
Bodiam Castle
Canterbury Tales Magical Medieval Christmas
Knole Park
Bateman's (home of Rudyard Kipling)