Can anyone tell me about Whitstable or Herne Bay?

[georgeclooneyfan]

We are stuck for holidays this year and we were thinking of flying from Aberdeen to London and staying in London for a while and then driving towards Kent, (am I right by saying this would be over an hours drive from London?) I wondered if Whitstable and Herne Bay are nice places? We looked at self catering in Canterbury. We would also be looking for things to do with kids aged 10 and 7. Thanks in advance

And MML mentioned Hastings, which has the Old Town - one of the main locations for Foyle's War
Sweet Shop in Rye gone On The List

I have really fond memories of Weymouth Zinaide. We are going to Dorset this summer with my family, staying near Bridport. Think we'll venture into Weymouth then.

Broadstairs 3, Zinaide!

Hastings is nice too- went there when I was pg and had some excellent chips from the front which cured that days bout of morning sickness

Forgot to mention the copious wonderful tea shops for scones too! And the Inkermans Arms pub in Rye habour for freshly caught and cooked cod and chips!

SoMuchToBits
Dorset is so beautiful Rachie, I agree Durdle Door, Golden Cap, Studland etc - but in such high demand/cost in the school hols we have never made it there since the dcs turned five
We used to stay at Charmouth when I was little...

Yes there is a fantastic chippy in Hastings and I can't remember its name...

Zinaide I think I just dragged Dh into the first one we found, it was only tiny but the chips were so good. Dorset hols are expensive, we've been really lucky as my mum is treating us as ds is her first grandchild and he's only 7 months so it will be her first holiday with him. Think we'll be saving the pennies for next year or just day tripping to all of Maureen's suggestions

We are...doing a Kent Staycation this year. Can you tell
Some of those fabulous places we have not been to for at least three years, so lucky to have it on our doorsteps!

I know, everytime we venture into Kent dh and I always say "oh we should come more often" but then get stuck in London life. We're hopefully going to Leeds Castle tomorrow, a bit pricey but I've just seen on their website that the tickets are valid for a year so we could go lots of times

Don't go to Hastings. Unspeakably grim. Lived there for a couple of years and quite enjoyed it (even met dh there!) so not knocking in per se, but would NEVER go there on holiday. Rye gorgeous, Camber Sands - great beach and am a huge fan of Dungeness - perhaps pass through Hastings via the chippy, but don't stay there.

Thank you to everyone for all your ideas and recommendations they all sound really good away to look into it more.

Have a great trip GCF!

I cut and paste this into emails all the time when my London colleagues ask about trips to kent...

Here are the details of Farming World farming

If you were to bring the kids down on a good sunny day, you could combine it with any of the following for a really good day out -

1. Whitstable - 5 miles further down the A299. Good for the Harbour see here, the Oyster Restaurant (you can also book B&B in the original fisherman's huts here or just kicking round the beach.

2. Wildwood - about 15 mins from Farming World, again down the A299 and then A291 wildwood which is a park/zoo dedicated to species which are/were indigenous to the UK. It has appeared a few times on Cbeebies (with Justin Fletcher) and on Countryfile.

3. The 'Lower Leas' Coastal Park folkestone is the largest outdoor playground in the south east. Lots of 'sunken pirate ships' and similar for children to climb over, and a surprisingly good café in the middle. Free. And really, really good for young children who like climbing. About 30-40 minutes on from Farming world. Take the A2 toward Dover then follow signs to Folkestone, and when in the town centre look for signs to the harbour, and take the low road out to the right past the harbour entrance (right next to the seafront) - there is a large car park at the end of this road which is the entrance to the coastal park.

4. If you are near Folkestone anyway, then add an hour for the miniature steam railway railway

5. For older kids if you want to give them a really amazing treat then you can book an evening/overnight 'safari' for them at Port Lympe. PL is a wildlife park that is dedicated to reintroducing breeds back into their natural habitat - the park is very large and the welfare is very high. Friends say that the safari is pretty good

Whitstable is a good place to stay, Cantebrury ismore expensive. If you like camping one of the best campsites in the south east is in Folkestone - we go quite often and love it - it is here in this list at no.6 the warren

You can tell that this is not the first time I have been asked about things to do with kids round Kent?

Anyone know a good place to stay in Broadstairs with a 1yr old? Would just be one night rather than a whole week etc. Baby-listening is the dream but maybe too much to expect?!