Top 10 winter holiday ideas in Kent

Kent, with its landscape of rolling hills and wooded valleys dotted with orchards, vineyards and hop gardens, picturesque villages and historic sites is the perfect location for a UK short break.

Known as the 'Garden of England', the county – home to the historic towns of Rochester and Canterbury, and nominally bordering with France through the Channel Tunnel – has plenty to offer whatever the season.

And winter is no exception, with a host of family activities available right on the doorstep. Here travelbite.co.uk takes a look at the top ten adventures to be had in the home county.

Top Ten Holiday Ideas in Kent

With the holiday season fast approaching, guests are invited to experience the ultimate Christmas experience, Lapland UK - hosted by Bewl Water Estate in Lamberhurst.

Offering an ecologically minded alternative to flying to Lapland, the snow covered village has a real ice rink, toy factory, gingerbread house and a log cabin restaurant. Included in the ticket price are a two course meal, gifts, and a personalised private audience for the family with Father Christmas in his snowy woodland home.

Open from November 10th to December 24th, tickets to the four hour experience cost between £55 and £85 per person, including parking.

In a similar vein, Leeds Castle will become a fairytale winter wonderland from December 1st to January 4th this year.

The rooms of the castle will be transformed into scenes from The Nutcracker Suite, complete with vignette performances by young dancers.

Visitors can also book evening tours (taking place on December 15th, 16th, 17th and 22nd between 16:00 and 18:00) - which include a magical walk through the illuminated wood garden and a tour of the castle where dancers come to life in each room.

Delicious festive treats are also included.

If the family simply cannot wait for Christmas, they can enjoy an evening of festive fun at the Tonbridge Christmas Festival on November 30th.

The town will be illuminated as the Christmas lights are switched on, followed by a Christmas procession down the High Street before a beautiful display of fireworks explodes over Tonbridge Castle.

Even earlier, the Watergate will be bustling with shoppers buying early Christmas presents from stall holders selling seasonal gifts and local produce on November 29th, while Tonbridge Philharmonic Choir perform throughout the day.

Throughout December Hever Castle will also be beautifully decorated with traditional Christmas trees and seasonal decorations, and as night falls the grounds will be lit up with hundreds of lights so visitors can enjoy a romantic evening stroll.

There is even a chance to experience the grounds on an exciting Husky dog ride. Booking is advised, with slots available at weekends between 11:00 – 15:30, £10 per two person ride.

Among the most famous sites in Kent is the picturesque town of Royal Tunbridge Wells.

On weekends all through December The Pantiles – the town's 18th century colonnaded shopping street - will be filled with shoppers taking advantage of the boutique shops, numerous cafés and the sparkling Christmas markets.

Each week visitors will also be entertained with new attractions; including Father Christmas and Christmas carols sung by the Tunbridge Wells Orpheus Male Voice Choir.

Take a look at Heart of Kent for information on times and locations.

Just down the road at Paddock Wood, the Hop Farm will be transformed into a twinkling winter wonderland with exciting treats for families at weekends from November 29th to December 23rd.

Children can feed their favourite reindeer and meet Father Christmas in his grotto. New for this year, the Hop Farm also has a beautifully restored carousel and England’s first ever magic factory.

Family tickets, for two adults and three children can be purchased in advance for £30.

For something with an historical bent, the Kent and East Sussex Railway will operate a unique Christmas themed train ride out of Tenterden Station.

Guests will be greeted by a traditional seasonally decorated steam train which will take them on an hour’s train ride.

On board there will be drinks and chocolate for the children and port or sherry with a mince pie for grown-ups, while Father Christmas meets every child with a special present, all included in the ticket price.

Once back at the station, guests can make full use of the free Victorian carousel - ideal for smaller children - and the delicious food on offer.

Tickets can be bought from Tenterden station, with prices starting from £10.50.

For a free day out, the Museum of Kent Life will this year host the Cobtree Christmas Fayre on November 29th and 30th.

Families can enjoy free entry to the museum and a wide variety of Christmas stalls. Children can also visit Father Christmas in his grotto and see the museum’s very own living nativity in a farmyard.

There will also be a wreath making class.

Finally, Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest will play host to an arts and crafts day for children on December 6th.

Designed for children aged from four to 12, guests can enjoy an afternoon of fresh air as they hunt on the forest floor in the Pinetum for treasures of the forest to use to make Christmas cards.

More Information

For more information on all the events mentioned here, as well as a one stop shop for everything in the county head over to Heart of Kent.

Chris O'Toole