Tenterden is a Weald market town and the home of the Kent and East Sussex Railway. Smallhythe Place, Chapel Down and Hole Park Gardens are close by, with Sissinghurst Castle Garden a short drive north.
Image: Kent & East Sussex RailwayThe Kent and East Sussex Railway runs heritage trains from Tenterden Town across the county border to Bodiam, calling at Rolvenden, Wittersham Road and Northiam. A return trip makes a relaxed half day, with the Colonel Stephens Railway Museum and dining trains on selected dates. Families and rail fans will both enjoy it.
Image: Chapel DownChapel Down's estate near Tenterden is home to its vineyards, winery, shop and The Swan restaurant. Book a guided tour with a tutored tasting, or drop in to walk the vineyard on a self-guided route and order a wine flight at the tasting bar. It suits couples and groups looking for a relaxed afternoon.
Image: Smallhythe PlaceSmallhythe Place is the early 16th-century home of the Victorian actor Ellen Terry, near Tenterden. Her house is now a museum of her theatrical life, and the 17th-century thatched Barn Theatre still stages live performances. The cottage garden, rose arbour, orchard and ponds make a gentle stroll before tea.
Image: Biddenden VineyardsBiddenden Vineyards produces English wine, cider and local juice near the Wealden village of Biddenden. Take a self-guided walk through the vines with a tasting, join a guided tour in summer, or browse the shop's local and British food and drink. It suits couples and small groups, and dogs are welcome on the vineyard walks.
Image: The C.M Booth CollectionThe 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.
Image: Hole ParkHole Park is a family-owned garden near Rolvenden, cared for by the same family since 1911, with 16 acres of formal and wild gardens set in 200 acres of parkland in the High Weald. It is famous for its spring bluebell walk, magnolias, wisteria and azaleas, followed by summer borders and a woodland blaze of autumn colour. It suits garden lovers, families and dog owners, with a Coach House tearoom for lunch.
Image: Rare Breeds CentreThe 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.
Image: GusbourneGusbourne is an award-winning English sparkling wine estate at Appledore, with vineyards looking out over the Kent countryside. Choose from a self-guided tasting flight, a guided walk in the vines with a tutored tasting, or the full estate tour with a three-course lunch. It suits couples and friends celebrating, and visits run from about an hour to an afternoon.
Image: English HeritageHorne's Place Chapel is a rare private chapel built in 1366 for William Horne and attached to his timber-framed manor house, which was attacked in the Peasants' Revolt of 1381. It stands in a private garden a mile and a half north of Appledore. You can only go in on Heritage Open Days, so plan ahead.
Image: Sissinghurst Castle GardenSissinghurst is the celebrated garden created by writer Vita Sackville-West and her husband Harold Nicolson near Cranbrook. Explore its series of garden rooms, including the White Garden and Rose Garden, climb the 16th-century tower to Vita's writing room, then walk out across the 450-acre estate and farm. Garden lovers should allow at least half a day.
Image: Headcorn AerodromeHeadcorn Aerodrome, formerly RAF Lashenden, is a historic grass airfield where you can watch vintage aircraft, skydivers and wing walkers, or book a flight of your own. Explore the WW2 Lashenden Air Warfare Museum, settle into the viewing zones and refuel at the cafe, bar and restaurant. It suits aviation fans, families and thrill-seekers, and a half-day visit works well.
Image: Lashenden Air Warfare MuseumLashenden Air Warfare Museum is a volunteer-run charity museum at Headcorn Airfield, a working aerodrome, with displays on air warfare and the airfield's history. Admission is low, and you can add a tour of the main aircraft hangar for a small donation. It suits aviation fans and families, and an hour or two is plenty.
Image: Kent and East Sussex RailwayA gentle, scare-free Halloween steam train for younger children, running from Tenterden to Northiam and back. Witches, wizards and a baby dragon keep things lively on board, and every child earns a Junior Spellcaster certificate.
Image: Kent and East Sussex RailwayAn evening steam train runs from Tenterden through the dark countryside to Northiam, where drummers, a fire eater and a fireworks display wait at the station. Free Halloween activities and hot food at Tenterden make it a full evening out.
Image: Kent and East Sussex RailwayA 75-minute return steam train ride from Tenterden in decorated carriages, with Santa coming to your seat to hand over a present addressed to your child by name. Adults get a mulled wine or hot drink, and higher packages add refreshment packs and on-board entertainment. Back at the station there are free unlimited rides on the vintage gallopers.
Image: Kent & East Sussex RailwaySteam-hauled trains through the Rother Valley on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day on the Kent and East Sussex Railway, a relaxed way to see out the old year or start the new one.
Image: Canterbury Oast Trust (Rare Breeds Centre)The Rare Breeds Centre near Ashford runs a family Halloween over October half term, with farmyard frights and trick or treating alongside its 200-plus animals. It suits younger children who want Halloween fun without real scares.
Image: Canterbury Oast Trust (Rare Breeds Centre)A two-day Christmas gift market in Benson Barn at the Rare Breeds Centre, beside the car park, with free entry. It is a low-key place to start Christmas shopping, and the farm is open for a day out too.
Image: Canterbury Oast Trust (Rare Breeds Centre)The Rare Breeds Centre turns its Cattle Barn into a glittering winter wonderland walk-through leading to Father Christmas and his elves. Every child receives a gift from Santa, and there is festive snowball throwing and a craft activity to make a keepsake. SEN grotto sessions are offered alongside standard ones.
Image: Rare Breeds CentreScarecrow Shenanigans on the Farm is a family event at the Rare Breeds Centre in Woodchurch, running from 13 to 21 February 2027. It is a spring-themed celebration with scarecrow activities on the farm, suited to families and young children. Booking is recommended, and times are listed on the event page.
Image: Rare Breeds CentreA spring family event on the farm at the Rare Breeds Centre in Woodchurch, running from Friday 26 March to Sunday 11 April 2027. Times are listed on the event page, and booking is recommended. It suits families and toddlers visiting over the Easter period.
Image: Chapel DownChapel Down's estate near Tenterden is home to its vineyards, winery, shop and The Swan restaurant. Book a guided tour with a tutored tasting, or drop in to walk the vineyard on a self-guided route and order a wine flight at the tasting bar. It suits couples and groups looking for a relaxed afternoon.
Image: Smallhythe PlaceSmallhythe Place is the early 16th-century home of the Victorian actor Ellen Terry, near Tenterden. Her house is now a museum of her theatrical life, and the 17th-century thatched Barn Theatre still stages live performances. The cottage garden, rose arbour, orchard and ponds make a gentle stroll before tea.
Image: Biddenden VineyardsBiddenden Vineyards produces English wine, cider and local juice near the Wealden village of Biddenden. Take a self-guided walk through the vines with a tasting, join a guided tour in summer, or browse the shop's local and British food and drink. It suits couples and small groups, and dogs are welcome on the vineyard walks.
Image: The C.M Booth CollectionThe 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.
Image: Rare Breeds CentreThe 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.
Image: GusbourneGusbourne is an award-winning English sparkling wine estate at Appledore, with vineyards looking out over the Kent countryside. Choose from a self-guided tasting flight, a guided walk in the vines with a tutored tasting, or the full estate tour with a three-course lunch. It suits couples and friends celebrating, and visits run from about an hour to an afternoon.
Image: English HeritageHorne's Place Chapel is a rare private chapel built in 1366 for William Horne and attached to his timber-framed manor house, which was attacked in the Peasants' Revolt of 1381. It stands in a private garden a mile and a half north of Appledore. You can only go in on Heritage Open Days, so plan ahead.
Image: The Big Cat SanctuaryThe Big Cat Sanctuary near Smarden is a conservation and rescue centre for wild cats, including lions rescued from Ukraine, Amur leopards, snow leopards, jaguars and clouded leopards. Visits are by pre-booked experience only, from 90-minute keeper-led Sanctuary Tours and hand-feeding Big Cat Encounters to photography workshops, afternoon tea and overnight lodge stays. It suits wildlife lovers and families with older children, and tours include full-day access.
