Maidstone has a host of brilliant places to visit, things to do and much to see, but within 40 minutes drive you will also find a wealth of castles including Dover, Hever, Upnor, Rochester, Bodiam, Sissinghurst and Lamberhurst (Scotney Castle). Other famous historic buildings within range are Penshurst Place, Canterbury Cathedral, Ightham Mote and Knole Park. Beyond the built heritage of the area there are other amazing places to visit including Chatham Historic Dockyard, with its amazing history of protecting the nation and its current film location work.
The Kent countryside has long attracted film and TV producers looking for authentic buildings and beautiful scenery to stage their productions. It has also provided inspiration to authors such as Charles Dickens and Jane Austen. Now you can explore some of the most iconic locations on a series of trails (some will require a car to drive between stops, while others can be done by bike or on foot). Visit Kent Movie Map and select the trail you're interested in for more details.
Port Lympne Wild Animal Park, with their mountain gorillas; Howletts and Wildwood Animal Parks; Diggerland at Strood; the Spa Valley Railway and the Kent and East Sussex Railway all make for a brilliant family day out, or alternatively you can head to the coast at Margate and enjoy the sands and the famous Turner Contemporary Gallery.
Look out for food with the Produced in Kent Label for that unique local flavour, such as the Shepherd Neame Brewery in Faversham, famous for Spitfire beer, or one of the amazing award-winning vineyards such as Chapel Down, Biddenden, Hush Heath and East Sutton.
Brogdale, home of the National Fruit Collection at Faversham, or East Malling Research Station provide a very flavoursome and interesting day out.
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