Hidden gems in Kent for a day out
Smaller places worth a day out in Kent include Prospect Cottage at Dungeness, the Ramsgate Tunnels, Margate Caves and Huckleberry Woods near Faversham. They suit art lovers, history fans and families with young children, and Prospect Cottage and Huckleberry Woods both need booking ahead.
The Kent days out most families already know are the castles, cathedrals and large attractions. The places below are smaller and quieter: a former artist's home on the Dungeness shingle, a Second World War shelter system under Ramsgate and a motor museum in Rolvenden. Most take about an hour or two, so they fit alongside a bigger visit or make a day on their own.
Several need booking or a timed slot. Prospect Cottage is a guided visit of about 40 minutes that must be booked in advance, and Huckleberry Woods runs pre-booked two-hour sessions. The Kent Museum of Freemasonry opens on set days that change each month, so check before you set off.
The four sections below group the places by kind, from quirky collections to tunnels, coast and farms. Prices and opening days are the ones listed for each place, and they change, so confirm them with the venue before you travel. The Roman Painted House and the Kent Police Museum open only on set days, so fix the date first.
Every place here is checked against its official website; the latest check was on .
Quirky museums and collections
Small indoor collections, most of them under an hour, that are easy to fit into one afternoon.
Image: The C.M Booth CollectionThe C.M. Booth Collection of Historic Vehicles
The C.M. Booth Collection is a motor museum in Rolvenden, built around a unique collection of Morgan three-wheel cars from 1909 to 1935. Alongside them are vintage cars, a van, motorcycles, bicycles and cases of toy and model cars. It suits motoring fans and curious families for about an hour.
Why it's here: Eleven Morgan three-wheelers from 1909 to 1935 are normally on display, alongside a 1929 Ford Model A. Adults pay £5, children aged 4 to 14 pay £1, and it is open Monday to Saturday.
Image: Kent Police MuseumKent Police Museum
Kent Police Museum, inside Faversham's historic police station, tells real stories of crime, punishment and policing in Kent. Step into original Edwardian cells, look at genuine case files, uniforms and equipment, and try hands-on displays about how crimes were solved. It is free, suits families and takes about an hour.
Why it's here: Inside Faversham's historic police station, with original Edwardian cells and real case files. Entry is free, and it is open Thursday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm.
Image: Kent Museum of FreemasonryKent Museum of Freemasonry
The Kent Museum of Freemasonry is a free, Arts Council accredited museum near the Westgate Towers with one of the finest Masonic collections outside London. Regalia, jewels and books cover all Masonic orders through the ages, explained by friendly volunteer guides. It suits curious visitors with no prior knowledge and takes about an hour.
Why it's here: Free entry to regalia and books from all Masonic orders, explained by volunteer guides about five minutes' walk from Canterbury Cathedral. Opening days change monthly, so check before you go.
Underground and old stone
Tunnels, caves and a Roman house, all indoors, where the setting is the main attraction.
Image: The Margate CavesMargate Caves
Margate Caves is a charity-run attraction that takes you underground into chalk caves whose history runs from Iron Age settlement to their later use as a mine. It is an inexpensive, short visit that pairs well with the Shell Grotto nearby.
Why it's here: Chalk caves beneath Margate, with a history running from Iron Age settlement to later use as a mine. Adults pay £5, children under 16 pay £2.50, and children aged 3 and under go free.
Image: Ramsgate TunnelsRamsgate Tunnels
Ramsgate Tunnels runs guided explorer tours through the town's Second World War deep shelter network, which grew out of a Victorian railway tunnel. Tours begin with a short film, then go deep underground to tell how the shelters protected Ramsgate's people. It suits families with older children, teens and history fans, and takes around 90 minutes.
Why it's here: Guided explorer tours through a Second World War deep shelter network, about half a mile underground, lasting around 90 minutes. The tunnels stay at about 11C, so bring a warm layer.
Image: Roman Painted HouseRoman Painted House
The Roman Painted House is a Roman building from around AD 200, discovered in Dover in 1970 and part of the town's Roman military site. It is known for its painted wall plaster and underfloor heating, and is often described as the finest Roman house on show in Britain. It is free, takes under an hour and suits anyone curious about Roman Britain.
Why it's here: A Roman building from around AD 200 in Dover, with painted wall plaster and underfloor heating still in place. Admission is free, and the season runs from April to October, so check the open days before you go.
Wild coast and open ground
Shingle, woodland and a lighthouse, with one timed visit that needs booking ahead.
Image: Creative FolkestoneProspect Cottage
Prospect Cottage is the former home of the artist, filmmaker and gardener Derek Jarman, set on the shingle at Dungeness with his famous garden around it. Guided, timed visits let you step inside to see the rooms and artworks where he lived and worked. It suits art and film lovers and needs about an hour, with time to look at the garden afterwards.
Why it's here: Derek Jarman's former home and garden on the shingle at Dungeness, seen on a timed guided visit of about 40 minutes. Standard entry is £22, ages 6 to 25 pay £12, and the garden is free to see.
Image: The Old Lighthouse DungenessThe Old Lighthouse
The Old Lighthouse is a Grade II listed tower on the shingle at Dungeness, opened in 1904 and in service until 1960. Climb the 169 steps for panoramic views over Romney Marsh and the Channel, and see the Great Lens and Sector Light on the way. It suits families and anyone exploring Dungeness, and takes about an hour.
Why it's here: A Grade II listed tower at Dungeness, opened in 1904, with 169 steps up to views over Romney Marsh and the Channel. Adults pay £5, children aged 5 to 15 pay £4, and the family ticket for two adults and three children is £15.
Image: Explore KentThe Meads Community Woodland and The Henge
The Meads Community Woodland is a planted native woodland and meadow on the edge of Sittingbourne, with circular walks and plenty of birds, butterflies and dragonflies. Its standout feature is a replica of a Neolithic wood henge, built by volunteers in 2017 with individually carved posts set out like the original found nearby. It is a pleasant spot for a short walk with children or the dog.
Why it's here: A replica Neolithic wood henge with carved posts, built by volunteers in 2017, beside circular woodland and meadow walks on the edge of Sittingbourne. It is free and open at all times.
Farms and animal days out
Farms and animal places where the animals are the reason to go.
Image: Huckleberry WoodsHuckleberry Woods
Huckleberry Woods is a small, rustic farm near Faversham where micro pigs, miniature donkeys, teddy bear sheep, pygmy goats and alpacas roam freely around an old orchard. Book a relaxed 2-hour visit, add an experience such as a micro pig or donkey walk, then enjoy tea and cake at the mini cafe while children use the little play area. It suits families and animal lovers who want a quiet, uncrowded day out.
Why it's here: Micro pigs, miniature donkeys and alpacas roam an old orchard near Faversham. A two-hour visit costs £9.52 for children aged 2 to 16, under-2s go free, and pre-booking is essential.
Image: Kenward PlaceKenward Place
Kenward Place is a countryside charity venue near Yalding, set around a manor house, where entry to the grounds, cafe and gift shop is free. Walk the friendly alpacas, meet the goats, try archery or disc golf, or simply enjoy coffee, cake and a light lunch at Kenward Cafe. It suits families, couples and dog owners, and every visit supports Kenward Trust's work helping people recover from addiction.
Why it's here: Free entry to the grounds, café and gift shop near Yalding, with alpaca walks for £20 (£15 from 1 November to 31 March). Goat experiences and archery are also on offer.
Image: Rare Breeds CentreRare Breeds Centre
The Rare Breeds Centre is a working farm and conservation park run by the Canterbury Oast Trust charity, set in 100 acres of countryside near Ashford. Children can meet more than 200 rare and native animals, ride the tractor trailer, explore woodland walks and burn off energy in the indoor soft play and outdoor play parks. Seasonal events include Halloween and a Christmas grotto.
Why it's here: A working farm near Ashford with more than 200 rare and native animals, tractor trailer rides and indoor soft play. Parking is free, and it opens daily from April to October and on Wednesday to Sunday in winter.
Questions people ask
Do I need to book Prospect Cottage at Dungeness?
Yes. Visits to Derek Jarman's cottage are timed guided slots of about 40 minutes on set dates, and they must be booked in advance. The garden can be seen at any time without a ticket.
Which places in this guide are free?
The Kent Police Museum in Faversham, the Kent Museum of Freemasonry in Canterbury, the Roman Painted House in Dover and The Meads Community Woodland and The Henge in Sittingbourne are all free to enter.
How long is a Ramsgate Tunnels tour?
A guided explorer tour lasts around 90 minutes and goes about half a mile underground. The tunnels stay at about 11C, and under-16s must be with an adult.
Is Huckleberry Woods suitable for toddlers?
Under-2s go free at Huckleberry Woods near Faversham. The visit is entirely outdoors, there is a small play area for children, and pre-booking is essential because guest numbers are limited.