Kent - Chartwell or Leeds Castle?

[crazycrofter]

We’re staying near Dover for a week at the beginning of the holidays. Already planning to get English Heritage membership and do Dover Castle.

Which of these two would be most interesting? Dh and I enjoy history. In theory so do the teens (15 and 13) but they’ll no doubt get a bit grumpy if dragged round for too long.

Where else is worth a visit in Kent? And is there anything teen friendly to appease them?!

There is an escape room at Dover castle that you may be able to book . Leeds castle has a Go Ape attached to it so you could do that on the same day . Chartwell is a lovely house with nice grounds for a walk and I prefer it to Leeds but it’s personal preference really . Ramsgate has some tunnels ( I’ve not been so can’t comment) .

Just to add if you have EH then Walmer castle is worth a visit and it may be worth looking on the Gulbenkian website to see if they have anyone on for an evening out . Canterbury is quite nice for a visit to the cathedral and you can do a punt tour of the river .

Go to Dover Museum and see the oldest sea-going boat in the world.

Dover better for that age

The Romney, Dymchurch and Hythe railway is worth a visit. Tiny steam train which takes you to Dungeness. It’s a bit quirky and my DS spent half his childhood going up and down that railway as he loved it so much. He’s 19 now and I think he is secretly hoping we might mention we are going on it again and he will offer to come along. Not because he likes it of course 😀

Leeds Castle is lovely and so is Hever Castle. Also, Groombridge Place is quite nice although not sure if the Enchanted Forest will be too young for your DC now.

My DS still loves the crazy golf at Hastings too!

As previous poster said, Canterbury is lovely and full of history. Usually full of students (DS is at Uni there) but they have all finished now for the year so should be a bit quieter.

Thanks for all the tips! Are there any nice, expansive, relatively quiet beaches?

Canterbury is also worth a visit. Ashford is good if you like shopping aswell for the designer outlet, Rochester have a castle too but a bit unsure in what they have there x

Joss bay is a nice beach - relatively calm during school dsys but likely to be busy at weekends.

Reculver beach is nice. A ruin, a big beach with lots of rock pools if you like that type of beach. And an ice cream shop/ cafe.

Minnis bay is nice , excellent free parking , a beach cafe and a bar and brasserie . The tide does swallow up the beach at times but here is a wide promenade that you can move onto . There is a kite school that operates from the beach as well if you are sporty . On the Westgate end there is a tidal pool that is excellent for crab fishing if yours aren’t too old for that . Personally I wouldn’t bother with Rochester , the castle is quite small and the town is fairly grim , it has the cathedral of course but if you are going to do a cathedral Canterbury is better .

Chartwell is nice but unless you are a small child running wild in the woods or a fan of Churchill I wouldn't bother unless you have NT membership. We have been there lots of times but for a one-off I wouldn't pay the high entry fee.

Leeds is nice, Hever Castle as well. We like Canterbury, Rye (not Kent but nicely nearby) is nice for a stroll and stop for afternoon cake and tea.

I agree with Joss Bay, nice and sandy but will be busy in good weather.

The Go-Ape at Leeds Castle can be very busy, if you do it plan a couple of days in advance and be flexible with timing. I think DH and DD spend around 2 hours there without the castle.

Can I butt in?

We have been vaguely thinking of a week in Kent in October but haven't decided yet. Possibly just DH and I. I like the sound of the above but we also like walking - any recommendations for good walks?