One of the famous ‘Home Counties’, Kent stretches northwest of London through rural England right over to the Dover Straits. Take a day out of the city to discover the heritage of Canterbury, visit the hillside castles and stately homes, head to the coast for a walk along the headlands, and then dine on seafood in a seaside setting with a glass of locally grown wine.
Sounds like a good plan? As you can see, the top things to do in Kent can easily be seen on day trips from London. Follow our insiders’ guide for ideas on where to go for the best days out in Kent.
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Top Day Trips from London to Kent
Canterbury
Canterbury is a beautiful city, rich with culture and history and boasting plenty of attractions, eateries, and shopping opportunities. It’s a bustling student city but it also has a strong heritage and sense of identity. Tourists are part of the very fabric of the city and are welcomed year-round, following in the footsteps of ancient pilgrims visiting Canterbury Cathedral and the city’s other holy sites.
There’s so much to see that if you’re only visiting for the day, you’ll be spoiled for choice! Of course, no visit to Canterbury is complete without a trip to the cathedral. The ornate, Gothic structure dominates the city’s skyline and is visible for miles around. The oldest medieval buildings cluster around the cathedral precinct, with timber-framed homes and businesses jostling for space on the winding, cobbled streets.
If it’s Insta-worthy snaps you want, look no further than The King’s Mile. Taking a stroll through the heart of the city truly is like travelling back in time! Other must-see attractions in the city include St. Augustine’s Abbey, Westgate Towers, and the Grade II listed Beaney House of Art and Knowledge, home to a museum, art gallery, visitor information centre, and the city’s library.
When the weather is good, you can take a stroll through the beautifully landscaped Westgate Gardens or enjoy the scenery in Dane John Gardens. However, if the weather is not on your side, there are lots of brilliant indoor attractions too, including the Roman Museum and historic Eastbridge Hospital.
You certainly won’t go hungry here; there are plenty of independent cafés and eateries throughout the city. Some highlights include The Goods Shed, Eleto Chocolate Café, Pork & Co, Saint Smokey’s BBQ House, Burgate Coffee House, and Café Chambers.
There are also many bars and pubs if you fancy something stronger. The Dolphin, The Foundry, and the Millers Arms all come recommended.
Planning to explore a little further afield? Canterbury’s proximity to the Kentish coast also makes it the ideal base for visiting the coastal towns of Margate, Ramsgate, Dover, Deal, Walmer and Sandwich.
How to get to Canterbury from London
Distance from central London: 62 miles
Travel time by train: 1 hour
Travel time by road: 1 hour 45 minutes
If you’re visiting Canterbury on a day trip from London, you can travel by road or train. Depending whereabouts in London you’re travelling from, one of the easiest routes by road is via the M2 and the A2. If you’re travelling by train, Southeastern operates a regular service between London St. Pancras and Canterbury West stations with a journey time of approximately one hour.
Recommended by Lorna from The Writing Greyhound.
Hever Castle
Hever Castle is one of the most beautiful castles in the South of the UK. Located in Kent, a visit to Hever Castle is like stepping back in history, when the Tudors were ruling England. Hever Castle is the childhood home of Anne Boleyn and the place where Kind Henry VIII came often to court her.
Hever Castle is not very big but visiting it can take a good hour or two, depending how much time you spend observing each detail. The visit includes an audio guide which tells a very in-depth story of the castle. The oldest parts of the castle are in the beams in King Henry VIII’s bedchamber, which date from approximately 1462.
The castle also displays the original padlock Henry VIII used to travel with, to secure his room. He was always on alert that someone might assassinate him in his sleep, therefore he used to lock himself in overnight. Hever Castle also holds one of the most impressive collections of Tudor portraits, after the National Portrait Gallery in London.
Besides visiting the castle and learning about Anne Boleyn and her important role in the British history, you can also enjoy the estate. The castle has some of the most beautifully landscaped gardens you will see in the country. The Italian and the Rose gardens are oasis of relaxations, both for the eye and for the soul. There is even a lake, on which you can rent a boat and row peacefully, to enjoy the nature.
How to get to Hever Castle from London
Distance from central London: 40 miles
Travel time by train: 1 hour
Travel time by road: 1 hour 30 minutes
Getting to Hever Castle from London is very easy. If you choose to drive, it’s a straightforward one hour and a half journey via A2 and M25. If you choose public transport, there are plenty of hourly trains that leave London Bridge station towards Uckfield, stopping at Hever. The castle is located around one mile away from the castle, which you can walk to (and get to know Hever village as well) or take a taxi.
Recommended by Joanna from The World In My Pocket.
Leeds Village and Castle
Leeds village, not to be confused with the city Leeds in West Yorkshire, is a small community with only 1,000 inhabitants in the heart of the Kent countryside. The village became famous because of its beautiful castle, one of the most stunning in the world, set on two islands in a magnificent lake. Visitors come from all over the world to view this fairy-tale castle.
The best time to visit is during springtime when everything is in bloom in the exquisite gardens. Touring Leeds Castle is a must-do on a day trip. If you can get away for longer, book a classy overnight stay in the Stable Courtyard Bedrooms (this is one of Kent’s castles you can stay in) and wake-up to a full English breakfast served in the oak beamed 17th century Fairfax Hall Restaurant in the morning!
Looking for other fun activities to do in the neighbourhood? Maidstone Museum is worthy of a visit. Set up in an authentic Elizabethan Manor, the award winning museum is the best in the region and has one of the top collections of its kind in Britain – pieces on show include ancient artifacts from Egypt, Japan and Rome, as well as items from the medieval era, and a whole section on natural history.
If you are interested in a more active pursuit during your holiday, then check out Mote Park Watersports Centre. They offer paddle boarding, kayaking, canoeing, wind surfing, scuba diving, sailing, boat hire and much more.
Biddenden Vineyards is the oldest wine-growing estate in the Kent countryside. Run by the Barnes family, they have been producing white, red, rosé and sparkling English wines since 1969, and have won many prestigious awards. Pop along to see them and you will be sure of a warm welcome.
How to get to Leeds Village and Castle from London
Distance from central London: 42 miles
Travel time by train: 1 hour 10 minutes
Travel time by road: 1 hour 30 minutes
The perfect day trip from London, by car it takes around 90 minutes via the M20 or A2 to get to Leeds Castle. If you prefer travelling by public transport, catch the train from London Victoria to Bearsted (3 miles from Leeds Village); from the station, there’s an hourly shuttle bus to Leeds Castle run by Spot Travel or you can get a taxi.
Recommended by Stéphanie from Bey Of Travel
Chartwell House and Gardens
“A day away from Chartwell is a day wasted.” Sir Winston Churchill. Chartwell House and Gardens is the private family home of Sir Winston Churchill and is a really easy drive from London. Located in the pretty Kent village of Westerham, it takes about 1 to 1.5 hours to reach. The house is owned by the National Trust, so entry is free for members.
If you love history and want to learn more about the personal story and character of our famous war time Prime Minister, then a day at Chartwell is a must. The gardens are beautiful to just wander in and explore. The NT wardens in the house are happy to chat and bring the history of the house and family alive, and the house really feels like a family home and isn’t too big or grand.
I loved learning about daily life in the kitchens and was especially taken with the gorgeous dining room where the family would enjoy lunches together with views of the grounds.
Winston could often be found doing jobs in the garden like building a wall and he built an enchanting playhouse for his youngest daughter. Don’t miss Winston’s art studio, he was quite a prolific artist!
There is a lot to do for younger children too, enjoy the 80 acres of grounds and discover a WW2 bomb crater, seesaws, dormouse dens, the Canadian camp, balance beams, and Chickenham Palace inside the walled gardens.
Chartwell often has special exhibitions, currently there is an outdoor trail featuring the letters between Winston and Clementine throughout their married life, showing their love for each other especially at times when circumstances meant they were separated.
When we visited Chartwell, we made a weekend of it and went to The Historic Dockyard Chatham. This is such a fun location to explore, it has been fully restored to make it a fabulous day out for all ages. We did a Call the Midwife walking tour and saw many of the locations used for the filming of the TV series – if you are a fan you will recognise them!
You can visit a cold war submarine and a WW2 destroyer, as well as a Victorian ropery. There is plenty for the children to enjoy, and a large restaurant and outdoor seating area to take a well-deserved break.
How to get to Chartwell (Westerham) from London
Distance from central London: 25 miles
Travel time by train: 45 minutes
Travel time by road: 1 hour 30 minutes
From London, drive to Chartwell House via the A212. Or take the train from London Victoria to Hurst Green Station, where you can get a taxi to the estate (approx. 5 miles away).
Recommended by Michelle from Fifty and Fab.
Whitstable
Only 5 miles from Canterbury city, Whitstable is a seaside escape on Kent’s north coast renowned for its maritime history and sea-themed cuisine. There are lots of fun things to do in Whitstable which makes it a great day out from London or even a short weekend break.
One of the highlights of this traditional little town is the historic working harbour where you can watch the fishing boats come in, and dine on shucked rock oysters from the fresh fish market stalls. While you’re here, check out Wheeler’s Oyster Bar which is one of the most photographed ‘pink’ buildings on Instagram!
If you happen to be visiting in July, then time your trip to coincide with the yearly Oyster Festival to celebrate all things seafood!
Harbour Street has lots of quaintly-fronted shops, galleries and cafés. Nearby Harbour Market is the place to find the famous art and craft stalls which are set up in trendy black beach huts. Head down to the famous Old Neptune to try some oyster stout – yes Whitstable is also famous for its local beer! Their ‘fish & chips’ are a favourite too. The pub is located on the beach so you can have a drink whilst soaking up some gorgeous ocean views.
Combine the seaside delights of Whitstable with Canterbury’s historic sites for the perfect day out in Kent.
If it’s a sunny day then take a picnic over to Tankerton Slopes on the southern side of Whitstable, a grassy hill overlooking a long golden beach edged by colourful wooden bathers huts.
Thinking of staying the night? There are some lovely boutique hotels in town but if you’re looking for a unique experience on your trip to Kent, book into ‘Whitstable Fisherman’s Huts’ right on the beachfront – these are the original, beautifully converted fisherman’s huts!
How to get to Whitstable from London
Distance from central London: 66 miles
Travel time by train: 1 hour 20 minutes
Travel time by car: 1 hour 45 minutes
Whitstable is easy to reach from London. Take a direct train from London Victoria Station; if you’re driving take the M2.
You can visit Whitstable by train very easily from either London Victoria or London Kings Cross stations, or by car via the M2.
Recommended by Caroline from CK Travels.
Dungeness
The quirky and surreal landscape of Dungeness in Kent is the perfect place to visit on a day trip from London. Once in Dungeness you are in for treat. The landscape here is like nothing else in England. The shingle beach is the largest in Europe and is classed as the UK’s only desert!
Add to that two lighthouses, a miniature railway, England’s best fish and chip shop and a post-apocalyptic vibe, and you are close to understanding what Dungeness is like.
For photographers, Dungeness is a dream location. Weather-boarded dwellings stand amongst the stark coastal landscape, and include the famous black and yellow property once owned by the renowned film-maker Derek Jarman.
Nearby ultra-modern wooden structures listed as holiday lets show that Dungeness is moving with the times.
Head past the abandoned fishing boats and fishing paraphernalia to the Old Lighthouse and climb to the top, for amazing views of the surrounding area and, on a good day, the coastline of France.
Near to the lighthouse stands a peculiar sight – Dungeness nuclear power station (tours available if you are interested) and further on the more tranquil 1000 acre RSPB nature reserve offering visitors a gentle 2-mile circular discovery walk.
Feeling peckish? Stop for a bite to eat at The Brittania Inn next to the lighthouse or head to the Pilot Inn for the best fish and chips in England. Enjoy your feast on the vast shingle beach looking out to sea – the perfect way to finish your day out in Kent to Dungeness.
How to get to Dungeness from London
Distance from central London: 80 miles
Travel time by train & bus: 1 hour 30 minutes
Travel time by road: 2 hours
It takes just one hour by train from London St. Pancras to Rye (with a change at Ashford International) and then a 102 bus to Dungeness. By car London, you need to get on the M25, then exit onto the M20 and head for signs to Romney and Dungeness – it will take just over 2 hours.
Recommended by Angie from Where Angie Wanders.
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