Photo: Helmuc, CC BY-SA 4.0Free days out in Kent
A good day out in Kent does not have to start with a ticket. Some of the county's most rewarding places cost nothing to walk into: a Napoleonic fort above Chatham, a chalk cove near Broadstairs, a ruined abbey on the Sussex border and a lakeside park in Tunbridge Wells.
Free entry does not always mean a free day, though. Several of these charge for parking, so we have noted it where we can, and you will want a little set aside for the café.
From mid November the Christmas markets take over, and the four below are free to browse.
Free museums and galleries
Free to enter, warm and central, and each takes an hour or two.
Image: Maidstone MuseumMaidstone Museum
Maidstone Museum is a free town-centre museum with a collection of more than 600,000 objects spanning archaeology, art and natural history. Galleries range from Ancient Egypt to Victorian Maidstone, and there is a regular programme of exhibitions, workshops and family events. It is an easy free rainy-day option next to the town's shops.
Why it's here: More than 600,000 objects across archaeology, art and natural history, with toilets and baby changing. Open Wednesday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm.
Image: The Beaney House of Art & KnowledgeThe Beaney House of Art and Knowledge
The Beaney is Canterbury's free museum, art gallery and library on the High Street. Browse the art and museum collections, join a spotlight tour, and pick up visitor information for the city. It is an easy indoor stop between the cathedral and the shops.
Why it's here: Canterbury's free museum, art gallery and library on the High Street, with spotlight tours on Thursdays and Saturdays at 2.30pm.
Image: The Amelia ScottThe Amelia Scott
The Amelia Scott is Tunbridge Wells' cultural hub, bringing the town's museum collections, art galleries, library and family activities together under one roof. Entry is free, there are changing exhibitions and a cafe for a break. It is a reliable rainy-day option in the town centre.
Why it's here: Tunbridge Wells' cultural hub brings museum collections, galleries, a library and family activities together under one roof, free and open daily.
Image: Turner ContemporaryTurner Contemporary
Turner Contemporary is a free contemporary art gallery on Margate seafront, in a David Chipperfield-designed building overlooking the main sands. See the latest exhibition, join an event or workshop, and take in the sea views from the café. It is an easy rainy-day choice and pairs well with a walk along the beach.
Why it's here: Free changing exhibitions in a David Chipperfield building on Margate seafront. Donations are welcome.
Image: Rochester CathedralRochester Cathedral
Rochester Cathedral stands close to the castle in the heart of historic Rochester and is free to visit. Explore the cathedral and its medieval crypt, where there is a café, and see the Textus Roffensis exhibition. Pair it with the castle for a half day in Rochester.
Why it's here: Free to visit, with a café in the medieval crypt and the Textus Roffensis exhibition. The crypt café and exhibition are closed on Sundays.
Free parks, forts and coast
Big open spaces where the only cost is parking, if that.
Image: Mote ParkMote Park
Mote Park is one of the largest parks in the South East, a sweep of parkland, woodland and lake on the edge of Maidstone. There are three children's play areas plus a natural woodland play area, a skate park and BMX track, an adventure zone and a watersports centre, with a cafe for breaks. It is free and easily fills an afternoon.
Why it's here: One of the largest parks in the South East, with a lake, three play areas, a skate park and a BMX track. The Mote Avenue car park is free from 8am to 10am.
Image: Dunorlan ParkDunorlan Park
Dunorlan Park is a historic public park on the east side of Tunbridge Wells, centred on a large lake with a path around its edge. Hire a pedal boat, rowing boat or canoe, look out for the ornate fountain and Grecian temple, and let children loose in the natural adventure play area. It is free, dog-friendly and good for a relaxed morning or afternoon.
Why it's here: Free and open dawn to dusk every day, with a lakeside path, a natural adventure play area and meadows where dogs can run off lead. Boat hire is extra.
Image: One Tree HillOne Tree Hill
One Tree Hill is an unstaffed National Trust countryside site near Sevenoaks, with a network of woodland paths and a view south over the Weald of Kent. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, so look out for rare plants, insects and molluscs as you walk. Free and dog-friendly, it is ideal for a short countryside walk.
Why it's here: An unstaffed National Trust site near Sevenoaks with woodland paths and a view south over the Weald. Free, but the car park only takes about 20 cars.
Image: Bayham Old AbbeyBayham Old Abbey
Bayham Old Abbey is a romantic ruin of golden sandstone in the High Weald, right on the Kent and Sussex border near Lamberhurst. Much of the abbey church, the chapter house and a 14th-century gatehouse survive, set in a landscape shaped by Humphry Repton. It is free, peaceful and dog-friendly, and pairs well with nearby Scotney Castle or Bewl Water.
Why it's here: Golden sandstone ruins on the Kent and Sussex border, free to enter, with £2 parking for non-members. There are no toilets or refreshments, so bring a flask.
Image: Fort AmherstFort Amherst
Fort Amherst is a large Napoleonic fort above Chatham, built to protect the dockyard and used again in both world wars. The grounds, with ramparts, cannons and views over the Medway, are free to wander with the dog, while guided tours take you into the maze of underground tunnels. It is known locally for its long-running Halloween scare events.
Why it's here: The grounds of this Napoleonic fort above Chatham are free all year, with ramparts, cannons and views over the Medway. Tunnel tours are charged.
Photo: Nilfanion, CC BY-SA 4.0Botany Bay
Botany Bay is a sandy cove between Margate and Broadstairs, framed by white chalk cliffs and dramatic chalk stacks. Explore the rock pools and hunt for fossils, and at low tide walk round to Kingsgate Bay. There is a kiosk on the beach and seasonal lifeguards in summer.
Why it's here: A sandy cove with chalk stacks, rock pools and fossils, free at all times. Park free at Palm Bay Avenue and take the short clifftop walk.
Free festive events
Browse for nothing and pay only for what you buy.
Image: Folkestone Harbour ArmFestive Marketplace at Folkestone Harbour Arm
Folkestone Harbour Arm's festive market runs on weekends from mid November and every day in the final week before Christmas, with stalls along the harbour and its food and drink traders. It opens with the Christmas lights switch-on on Friday 13 November. After Christmas, Crimbo Limbo keeps things going from 26 December to 3 January.
Why it's here: Free to visit, with stalls along the harbour on Fridays to Sundays from 13 November and daily from 18 to 24 December. The lights switch on at 7pm on 13 November.
Image: Visit Medway (Medway Council)Rochester Dickensian Christmas Festival
Historic Rochester turns Victorian for a weekend, with costumed Dickens characters, parades and street performers filling the town centre. A Christmas market runs at Rochester Castle alongside a Bavarian-style food village and a funfair, and the organisers promise snow. Parking in the centre is limited, so the organisers recommend public transport.
Why it's here: Costumed Dickens characters, parades and a Christmas market at Rochester Castle on 5 and 6 December, 10am to 6pm, free to attend. Some rides and workshops are extra.
Image: The PantilesThe Pantiles Boutique Christmas Markets
Wooden chalets line the Georgian colonnade of the Pantiles on weekends through November and December, selling gifts from independent makers. Live musicians, community choirs and local theatre groups perform, including mini pantomime shows. The market runs every day in the final week before Christmas.
Why it's here: Wooden chalets along the Georgian colonnade, free to attend, with choirs and mini pantomime shows. Fridays to Sundays from 13 November, then daily from 18 to 24 December.
Image: Visit CanterburyCanterbury Christmas Market
Canterbury's Christmas market fills the city's streets with wooden huts selling gifts, decorations and seasonal food, with stalls reaching into the Cathedral Precincts. Families can book a Santa's Grotto, breakfast with Santa or VR experiences, and live music runs through the season. The city's lights are switched on across four stages on Friday 13 November.
Why it's here: Wooden huts across the city and into the Cathedral Precincts, free to browse until 24 December. Only extras such as Santa's Grotto need booking.
Questions people ask
What free days out are there in Kent?
Mote Park in Maidstone, Dunorlan Park in Tunbridge Wells, Botany Bay near Broadstairs and the grounds of Fort Amherst in Chatham are all free to enter. Maidstone Museum, The Beaney and Turner Contemporary are free indoor options.
Do free attractions in Kent charge for parking?
Some do. Bayham Old Abbey charges £2 for non-members, and Mote Park's Mote Avenue car park is free from 8am to 10am and charged after that. Botany Bay has free parking at Palm Bay Avenue.
Are Kent's Christmas markets free?
The Canterbury, Folkestone Harbour Arm, Pantiles and Rochester Dickensian markets are free to browse. Extras such as grottos, rides and workshops are charged.