Canterbury Cathedral is a hallowed place of pilgrimage with church buildings that date back to 597AD, and one of England's most glorious sights. A long line of distinguished archbishops has kept the church on its spiritual feet for nearly 1500 years.
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Daily
Located below the city walls, the Dane John Gardens is a historic site with a burial mound dating from the Iron Age. A nearby stone castle was constructed in 1086 and transformed into a conical structure in the 18th century.
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Daily
The Canterbury Tales gives visitors the chance to immerse themselves in the world of 14th-century England and is an amusing way to introduce children to the delights of Geoffrey Chaucer, one of English literature's most important writers.
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Daily
Local culture vultures flock to the Marlowe Theatre, named after Canterbury-born Elizabethan playwright Christopher Marlowe, to applaud everything from classic Shakespeare to modern musicals and offbeat stand-up. Beat interval queues by phoning the café/bar with orders in advance.
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Daily
This abbey in Canterbury was founded by St Augustine in AD597, marking the rebirth of Christianity in southern England. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a museum and a free audio tour.
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Daily
Don your wellies and head to Lounge on the Farm music festival in Kent. Established artists and new talent make up the excellent line-up performing across seven stages at Canterbury's green Merton Farm.
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Jul 2013 (annual)
Kent is the home of Britain's hops production and the Kent Beer Festival at Merton Farm is the second-oldest in England. Try brews from the county's independent breweries, including Shepherd Neame, Goachers, Hopdeamon and Whitstable.
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Jul 2013 (annual)
One of the biggest family festivals in England's South East, the Herne Bay Festival has 50 separate events. Alongside exhibitions and live music for adults, kids compete in talent contests and enjoy workshops, before coming together for the all-important fireworks.
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Aug 2013 (annual)
Local ingredients - Faversham free-range chicken and freshly caught skate - are served up with French flair at Beau Rivage in Tankerton, Whitstable. Pick rosé or white from the wine list - the perfect partner for seafood.
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Daily; not Mon or Sun
You can still 'be beside the seaside' on a rainy day in the contemporary Herne Bay Museum and Gallery. Get to the roots of 'kiss-me-quick' Victorian seaside history and meet the local artists of today.
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Daily; not Sun
Faversham, called the "market town of kings", is taken over by a selection of the most beautiful classic cars in the south of England. Live music, craft stalls, trade stands and competitions transform the town during this popular annual show.
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May 2013 (annual)
This hop-mad event pulls in the crowds with promises of morris dancing, live music, local crafts, beer...and more beer. The two-day festival takes over Faversham's medieval square and streets to celebrate the market town's hop-picking tradition.
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Sep 2013 (annual)
The Publican's Managed Pub Company of the Year 2005, Shepherd Neame opens its doors for Brewery Tours and a chance to sample its finest ales. Your taste buds could not be in safer hands - this is Britain's oldest brewer!
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Daily; not Sun
Brogdale Farm in Kent celebrates the recent revival of interest in cider with the Brogdale Farm Autumn Cider Festival. As well as offering dozens of ciders to sample, experts give advice on making cider at home.
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Sep 2011 (annual)
Fruit trees stand two by two at the National Fruit Collection - a 150-acre orchard of thousands of rare varieties of British apples, pears, plums and more. See Brogdale Farm's blossom in spring or visit in autumn for fruit tasting.
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Daily
A 13th-century haven founded by Henry III, which served as a Royal Lodge, pilgrims' hostel, hospital and almshouses for retired royal retainers, Maison Dieu is now a museum. Beautifully restored, it houses Roman and medieval objects excavated from nearby sites.
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Apr - Nov 2013; Weekends only (annual)
Kids love watching the resident miller grind corn at Willesborough Windmill near Ashford, a Grade II-listed landmark which has been restored to full working order. Tours of the 19th-century structure run at weekends and on Wednesday during the summer.
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Apr - Sep 2013; Weekends only (annual)
Walk among butterflies past fields of orchids on Folkestone Downs - rolling hills of ancient chalk grassland. Rich in wildlife, the Downs are protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and as a Special Area for Conservation.
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Daily
Delve into Ashford's history at the Ashford Borough Museum, which houses local archaeological and geological artefacts. There's also a fascinating range of black-and-white photography featuring old Ashford, and a special exhibition entitled Ashford at War.
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Mar - Oct 2013; not Sun (annual)
Join a guided tour of the Jacobean Godinton House mansion and explore the stunning medieval hall and beautifully restored labyrinth of rooms. The house is surrounded by 12 acres of beautiful landscaped grounds including a rose garden.
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Mar - Nov 2013 (annual)
Port Lympne in Kent is a 350-acre safari park with an historic stately home and gardens at its centre. Between the wars Winston Churchill, Lloyd George, Charlie Chaplin and Lawrence of Arabia were entertained by the builder and owner of the house, Sir Philip Sassoon MP.
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Daily
The circular turrets of Deal Castle ensured that a gun could be fired from every angle. This fortress was part of Henry VIII's chain of coastal defences and once had 119 weapons ready to ward off channel-crossing enemies.
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Daily
Dover Castle is steeped in history - there's a Roman lighthouse, Norman keep and Saxon church on the site. Visit the very rooms where the Dunkirk escape was masterminded or tour the secret tunnels that served as a war hospital.
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Daily
Henry VIII built Walmer Castle's battlements to defend from potential European invaders. Now with Lord Warden in residence it stands peacefully as a stately home. Head to Deal for the glorious gardens and afternoon tea on the grounds.
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Mar - Oct 2013 (annual)
During Broadstairs Folk Week the small town is completely taken over by music and dancing, from Cajun to traditional folk and ceilidhs. Performance venues range from parks and pubs to gardens, beaches, restaurants and the promenade.
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Aug 2013 (annual)
The Broadstairs Dickens Festival turns Kent back into a Victorian holiday destination. This heritage event features a dramatic adaptation of a Dickens novel performed in the Dickens House Museum, a Victorian cricket match, talks and walking tours of the town.
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Jun 2013 (annual)
Heralded by resounding fanfares and the thunder of galloping hooves, knights stage dramatic battles on horseback twice daily. Daredevil stunts, falls and fights are all part of the spectacular Jousting Tournament held in the grounds of Leeds Castle.
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Jun 2013 (annual)
The Kent Show, held on Kent Showground in Detling, features livestock classes, judging competitions, agricultural presentations, a flower show and arena demonstrations. The six-acre Forestry Area is the setting for exhibits on wildlife, conservation, country crafts and the environment.
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Jul 2013 (annual)
The spring and autumn Kent Garden Shows take place at the dedicated Kent Showground in Detling, surrounded by the hat-shaped oast houses characteristic of the Kentish countryside. Over 300 exhibitors display everything for the garden, from plants to outdoor furniture.
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Jun 2013 (various dates)
This Christmas, families hop on board a steam train at Tenterden Town Station for a fun ride and an important meeting with Santa Claus. Santa's pixie helpers serve refreshments and presents are given out by the big man himself.
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Dec 2013; Weekends only (various dates)
Deep in the heart of the Garden of England, Biddenden Vineyards & Cider Works produces several varieties of wine, cider and apple juice. Walk through the vineyards, learn how they press the apples and of course, sample the local tipple.
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Daily
Southend-on-Sea's Kursaal Complex retains some of its original grandeur and is affectionately used as a point of reference by both locals and visitors. These days it contains a bowling alley, casino, amusement arcade and a popular fast-food restaurant.
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Daily
Whoever scoffs at the idea of sharks and piranhas residing off England's coastline will have to eat their words at Southend's Sealife Adventure. Children and adults alike spend hours getting close to and admiring unknown underwater life.
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Daily
Set in 450 acres of parkland, Mote Park features football pitches, a pitch and putt golf course and a children's play area. The large lake in the middle of the park offers opportunities for sailing, fishing and model boating.
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Daily
Southend's pride and joy is undoubtedly its pier, the longest pleasure pier in the world at 1.33 miles. Dating back to 1830, it has amazingly survived countless fires and boat collisions, the area's economic hardship as well as two world wars.
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Daily
Screams of delight ring out from Southend-on-Sea's Adventure Island, where children run between rides like Jumping Jolly Roger's, Pharoah's Fury and Dragon's Claw. The rides and entry fee are categorised by height and divided into Mini, Junior and Big Adventures.
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Daily
There are at least some benefits to the nights getting darker earlier in winter. On Saturdays from October to November Southend's Seafront is illuminated by a free and fabulous fireworks display. Local bands entertain spectators at ground level.
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Oct - Nov 2013; Sat only (annual)
Southend's seafront is always a good place for a party and one of the biggest is the Ganesh Hindu Festival. Attracting thousands annually, it celebrates the birthday of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god. Events are concentrated on Shoebury East Beach.
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Sep 2013 (annual)
The carnival is a highlight of Southend-on-Sea's summer festivities. A week of fun is capped by an illuminated procession on the last day, when the seafront lights are switched on and a spectacular fireworks display takes place.
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Aug 2013 (annual)
The Southend Festival of the Air is one of Europe's largest free air shows. Aerial demonstrations and wing walkers fly high over Southend's seafront. On the ground there are exhibitions by the RAF, Royal Navy and Army, giant inflatables and more.
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May 2013 (annual)
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