Historic and scenic county with rich heritage, dramatic coast, and vibrant culture.
Lamb House is an 18th-century writer's house museum in Rye, East Sussex, showcasing the home and garden of renowned authors like Henry James. Visitors can explore the historic interiors and the walled garden, enjoying both indoor and outdoor heritage experiences.
9–13 Oct, 16–20 Oct…
An exhibition exploring the connection between Max Beerbohm and Henry James, featuring Beerbohm’s caricatures of James alongside sketches by William Rothenstein and John Singer Sargent.
Rye is a picturesque historic town in East Sussex, known for its medieval streets, cobbled lanes, and rich maritime history as a former Cinque Port. It offers a vibrant arts scene, cultural festivals, and local seafood specialties, making it a popular tourist destination.
Quebec House is a Grade I listed historic house museum in Westerham, Kent, featuring exhibitions and memorabilia related to General James Wolfe. Visitors can explore the historic interiors, 18th century styled gardens, and enjoy a tea room and bookshop on site.
7–11 Oct, 14–18 Oct…
An exhibition at Quebec House explores the story of children cared for by the Westerham branch of the Foundling Hospital and the tokens their mothers left with them. It also displays tokens made by local schoolchildren in response to the story.
Westerham is a historic market town in Kent known for its medieval church, connections to Winston Churchill, and featuring picturesque streets and cultural heritage sites.
The White Cliffs of Dover are iconic chalk sea cliffs on the Kent coastline facing the Strait of Dover and France, offering stunning natural views, wildlife habitats, and cultural history including nearby Dover Castle. Visitors can explore outdoor trails, enjoy the National Trust visitor centre with food facilities, and learn about the area's ecology and heritage.
10 Oct (this Saturday)
Join a volunteer-led walk along the White Cliffs of Dover to South Foreland Lighthouse, hearing about the cliffs’ natural and human history and seeing wartime remains and coastal views. At the lighthouse, the guide gives a brief introduction before visitors can explore the grounds and make their own way back.
Bodiam Castle is a 14th-century moated castle in East Sussex, England, known for its distinctive quadrangular design with towers and battlements. Set in a landscaped environment with an ornamental moat, it showcases medieval architecture and history. The castle is a ruin open to the public under the care of the National Trust and has been featured in films and television.
10 Oct–1 Nov (next week)
Families can follow a magical, Halloween-themed trail around Bodiam Castle, making potions, discovering spells and taking part in activities. On weekends, visitors can also enter a spooky best-dressed costume competition in the castle courtyard.
Dymchurch Martello Tower is a historic coastal defence tower in Kent, England, now serving as a museum showcasing the history of Martello towers. Visitors can explore the restored tower and learn about its role in protecting the coastline during the early 19th century.
Chartwell is a historic English country house near Westerham, Kent, best known as the home of Sir Winston Churchill for over forty years. Visitors can explore the restored interiors, including Churchill's study and memorabilia, as well as extensive gardens and lakes designed by Churchill himself. The site includes a restaurant, shop, and exhibitions reflecting the life and legacy of Churchill.
7 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
Visitors can explore the restored Uniform Room at Chartwell and view Sir Winston Churchill’s recently conserved uniforms and other clothing, including his Siren Suit.
Bateman's is a 17th-century Jacobean house in Burwash, East Sussex, known as the home of Rudyard Kipling. Visitors can explore the house preserved as it was in Kipling's time, including his study and collections, as well as the garden and the historic water mill on the estate.
6–30 Oct (another 21 days)
A short outdoor introductory talk gives an overview of Rudyard Kipling’s life, family and writing, and explains his connection to Bateman’s before visitors go inside the house.
Maison Dieu is a historic timber framed building in Kent, England, commissioned in 1234 by King Henry III. It served as a hospital, monastery, hostel, and royal lodge and now functions as a museum displaying Roman artefacts. The venue is managed by English Heritage and open to visitors primarily on weekends and Bank Holidays from Good Friday to October.
14 Oct (next Wednesday)
Participants make a seasonal herbal spiced tincture and discuss simple kitchen remedies, then explore the herb beds to discover plants for a home garden pharmacy.
Faversham is a historic market town in Kent with rich Roman heritage, medieval landmarks, a vibrant market, notable brewing history, and scenic riverside setting.
Temple Manor is a Grade I listed historic house in Strood, Kent, originally built by the Knights Templar around 1240. It features a stone vaulted undercroft supporting a first-floor hall and has been restored and preserved by English Heritage. The manor is open to the public on weekends during the season and offers an indoor historic experience showcasing medieval architecture and history.
Rochester is a historic port town in Kent, England, known for its Roman origins, medieval castle and cathedral, and strong literary connections to Charles Dickens. It offers a rich blend of historic architecture, cultural festivals, and riverfront charm.
Battle Abbey is a historic Benedictine abbey site in East Sussex, England, built on the site of the Battle of Hastings. Visitors can explore the abbey ruins, enjoy the visitor centre with exhibitions and film, participate in audio tours of the battlefield, and use child-friendly facilities including a discovery room and playground.
10–11 Oct (this weekend)
A large-scale re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings, with Saxon and Norman soldiers, living history camps, falconry displays, traditional music and a performance telling the story of the Bayeux Tapestry. Children can take part in sword school and a re-creation of the battle.
Battle is a historic market town in East Sussex famous for the 1066 Battle of Hastings and its medieval abbey, with a charming high street, cultural heritage, and scenic walking opportunities.
Milton Chantry is a historic 14th-century chantry chapel in Gravesend, Kent, now housing the Chantry Heritage Centre museum with exhibits about the local area, set within Fort Gardens park. The site offers both indoor museum experiences and outdoor historic park surroundings.
Gravesend is a historic riverside town in Kent, England, with significant maritime heritage, notable landmarks including piera and town hall, and a vibrant cultural scene with markets and festivals. It offers walkable town centre, rail access, and local public transport for tourists to explore its rich history and river views.
Dover Castle is a medieval Norman castle in Dover, Kent, England, notable for its extensive history from the Iron Age through the Roman era to the present. Visitors can explore both the castle's interiors including the keep and regimental museum, as well as outdoor defensive structures and historic tunnels used in World War II.
Dover is a historic English town and major ferry port in Kent, known for its White Cliffs, castle, maritime heritage, and vibrant cultural and retail scene, accessible by train and local transport.
Tilbury Fort is a historic 17th-century artillery fort in Essex with star-shaped defenses, water-filled moats, and extensive military history, now a tourist site operated by English Heritage featuring original magazines, barracks, and gun emplacements.
St Augustine's Abbey in Canterbury, Kent, is the ruins of a historic Benedictine monastery founded in 598 AD, notable for its extensive archaeological remains and historical significance as part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors explore the outdoor abbey ruins, which reflect over 900 years of monastic history and royal connections.
Deal Castle is a well-preserved 16th century artillery fort in Kent, England, featuring stone bastions, a moat, and a historic keep. Built by Henry VIII to defend the Downs anchorage, it offers visitors both indoor historical exhibits and outdoor exploration of the castle grounds and fortifications.
Deal is a historic coastal town in Kent, England, known for its maritime heritage, Tudor castles, and vibrant arts and cultural scene. It offers a walkable town centre, museums, a pier, and a seaside resort atmosphere attracting tourists.
Old Soar Manor is a small 13th century stone manor house in Kent, England, now owned by English Heritage and the National Trust, featuring historic rooms such as the solar, latrine, and chapel for visitors to explore.
14 Oct (next Wednesday)
A guided tour of Ightham Mote’s walled garden, led by garden volunteers. Hear about its history, seasonal planting, sustainable growing and plans for its future.
Down House is the historic home of naturalist Charles Darwin where he developed his theory of evolution. Visitors can explore the restored Georgian house with original furnishings, Darwin's greenhouse, and extensive gardens including the Sandwalk woodland path. The site offers both indoor historical exhibits and outdoor natural landscapes.
Eltham Palace in southeast London is a historic royal residence featuring a medieval great hall with the third-largest hammerbeam roof in England and an attached Art Deco house from the 1930s. Visitors can explore both the indoor period rooms and outdoor gardens with ruins, making it a unique architectural and historic experience.
Smallhythe Place is a Tudor-era historic house and theatre museum in Kent, dedicated to Victorian actress Ellen Terry, featuring her theatrical collection, costume displays, beautiful gardens, and an active barn theatre hosting numerous productions annually.
7–11 Oct, 14–18 Oct…
A display at Smallhythe Place traces changes in women’s fashion from the late 1800s into the 1900s, using clothing, photographs and paintings to explore changing attitudes and the lives of some of the house’s residents.
Upnor Castle is an Elizabethan artillery fort on the River Medway in Kent, originally built to protect the Chatham Dockyard and now serving as a historic site managed by English Heritage. Visitors can explore its fortified buildings and river-facing gun platforms, learning about its military history including its role in the 1667 Dutch Raid on the Medway.
Gillingham is a historic town in Kent, England, known for its rich naval heritage, diverse cultural attractions, and its role as a regional retail and community hub with extensive sports and leisure facilities.
Lullingstone Roman Villa is an archaeological site and museum featuring a Romano-British villa from the 1st to 5th century AD, notable for its early Christian chapel murals, intricate mosaics, and marble busts. Visitors can explore both the villa ruins and the surrounding grounds, gaining insight into Roman Britain's history and early Christianity.
Red House in Bexleyheath, London is a seminal Arts and Crafts building designed by William Morris and Philip Webb, featuring medieval-inspired architecture and original Pre-Raphaelite art. It serves as a historic house museum managed by the National Trust, showcasing Morris' pioneering design ethos and craftsmanship.
Walmer Castle in Kent is a historic 16th-century artillery fort built by Henry VIII, now managed by English Heritage. Visitors can explore its well-preserved interiors with exhibitions on military and political history, enjoy extensive formal gardens including the Queen Mother's Garden, and dine at tea rooms within the castle grounds.