More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
The economy is still on the mend and money is tight but families need time to enjoy themselves. Good job What’s On has got a round up of the 10 best places to visit for free in Kent.
Biddenden vineyards tour
The county’s oldest family-owned vineyard is located outside the picturesque village near Cranbrook. The grapes are grown on a 22-acre plot on a gentle south-facing slope in a shallow, sheltered valley. They also produce Biddenden cider and apple juices as well as wine. Enjoy a free tour and tasting of their white, red, rosé and sparkling wines.
Take a fascinating glimpse into the past art of making gunpowder at this factory a mile west of Faversham. Explosives manufacture began in the town in the 17th century and by 1900 it was the main centre of the UK industry, with plants producing gunpowder, TNT and dynamite. By 1934, all three factories were closed because their location close to Europe made them vulnerable in the event of war. This is one of the best-preserved factories of its kind in the UK and is now a place for waterside and woodland strolls. The Works are scheduled as an Ancient Monument, having been recognised by the Royal Commission on Historical Monuments.
Crabble Corn Mill, Dover
Located in the village of River on the outskirts of Dover, this Grade II* listed Georgian water mill is among the finest working examples of its type in Europe. The mill was rescued from demolition by its owners the Crabble Corn Mill Trust and opened to the public in 1990. The current structure was built in 1812 alongside an existing mill which was later demolished to allow for additional storage space. This is now the exhibition area on the ground floor and the tea rooms. Records show that there has been a mill on this site since at least 1227 when Henry III granted a Charter of Confirmation to St. Radigund’s Abbey, the ruins of which can still be seen today on the hill above the village.
Folkestone Triennial
The second ever triennial kicks off on Friday, June 25, giving art fans and the curious onlooker alike three months to see works in the town’s streets, squares, beaches and historic buildings. Many works from the first triennial have become part of the fabric of Folkestone, such as Mark Wallinger’s Folk Stones and Tracey Emin’s Baby Things. This year’s theme is A Million Miles from Home, with highlights from the 19 international artists including a bronze mermaid made by Cornelia Parker.
www.folkestonetriennial.org.uk
Maidstone Museum’s East Wing Gallery
The new giant, golden extension to the museum is due to open this summer and will give it a third more space for its displays. The design of the £3.7 million project has courted some controversy, with its diamond-shaped copper-alloy panels. Whether a fan of the eye-catching extension or not, visitors will appreciate the opportunity to see more of the museum’s Japanese Edo-period art, natural history specimens and Anglo Saxon exhibits. Before its construction just two per cent of its 600,000 artefacts and specimens were on show at one time.
The North Downs Way
You have to go out of the county to take on this 153- mile trek in the manner that pilgrims have used it to walk to the shrine of Sir Thomas Beckett at Canterbury Cathedral. Beginning in Farnham in Surrey, the route takes ramblers past Guildford, Redhill and Caterham before crossing the Kent border near Westerham. At Snodland, walkers veer north towards Rochester to bypass Blue Bell Hill, before heading south east past Lenham and Charing. Just before Wye, the route forks, taking pilgrims either up to Canterbury or down to Folkestone, where trekkers can loop around Dover before heading up to the final destination.
www.nationaltrail.co.uk/northdowns
Reculver Towers, near Herne Bay
The Reculver Towers are a landmark and Scheduled Ancient Monument that can be seen across the coastline from Herne Bay to Birchington. The twin 12th century towers of the ruined church stand amid the remains of a Saxon monastery and an important Roman Saxon Shore fort, which used to guard the channel which ran between Kent and the Isle of Thanet. The towers can be seen at any time within daylight hours and stand next to Reculver Country Park, an area run by Kent Wildlife Trust, which is a stop-off point for thousands of migrating birds to and from the Arctic each year.
www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/reculver-towers-and-roman-fort
Rochester Cathedral
The Cathedral became a major place of pilgrimage in the 13th century, following the death of William of Perth, a Scottish baker who was murdered nearby. His body was brought to the Cathedral and at his shrine, of which no trace remains, miracles were reported. Modern pilgrims who journey to the Cathedral still climb the Pilgrim Steps, now worn by the many thousands of medieval pilgrims visiting the shrine, often lighting candles at the William of Perth prayer-station in front of the oratory. The Cathedral is open daily from 7.30am to 6pm (5pm on Saturdays) with tours available from 10am to 4.30pm.
Standing resolutely on the seafront of Kent’s most renowned seaside town, this £17 million art gallery has been in the headlines after opening this year. Named after the English romantic landscape painter JMW Turner, who painted much of his work in Margate, it is the largest exhibition space in the South East outside of London. Designed to let in the light which inspired Turner to paint some of his most inspired work, the opening exhibition entitled Revealed: Turner Contemporary Opens runs until the end of September and includes some of the artist’s paintings alongside six other contemporary artists. Later in the year look out for the arrival of Rodin’s The Kiss.
Viking Coastal Trail
For the experienced or novice cyclist, this 27-mile route is ideal to take on at once or break into stages to discover what Margate, Ramsgate and Broadstairs have to offer. It winds its way past sandy beaches and bays, chalk cliffs, seaside resorts and quiet country villages. Try the Six Churches Ride, History, Art and Architecture Ride, Historic Broadstairs Ride, The Path of St Augustine Ride, Smugglers’ Haunts Ride or the Beaches and Bays Ride.
