Things to do on a budget this summer in Kent

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Known as the “Garden of England’ thanks to its abundance of beautiful countryside, the south-eastern UK county of Kent makes for a magical summer destination.

Performers at the Canterbury Shakespeare Festival (Photo: Canterbury Shakespeare Festival)

The hottest temperature ever recorded in the UK was in Kent, in the historic market town of Faversham. It came as no surprise to residents of England’s largest county, who have long basked in its micro-climate that many attribute to its proximity to mainland Europe. Whatever the explanation, it’s the somewhat untypically English weather, together with miles of coastline and a busy annual calendar of top-class events, that helps make Kent a fabulous place to visit during summertime. Here are 10 great things to do here this summer that won’t hit you too hard in the pocket.

Canterbury Shakespeare Festival

The famous cathedral city of Canterbury in East Kent has a rich literary heritage – and each summer the city plays host to an open-air theatre festival that celebrates arguably Britain’s biggest literary icon: Shakespeare. For over three weeks,  a varied line-up of Shakespearean plays are staged at venues across Canterbury featuring a mix of well-known productions and more experimental shows. There are also academic talks as well as interactive activities, including creative writing workshops, to add to the occasion. Show tickets vary, but start at around £7.

Venues across Canterbury / 22 July – 14 August

White Cliffs of Dover

(Photo: leo.wan via Flickr / CC BY 2.0 DEED)

The white chalk faces of the White Cliffs of Dover are among Kent’s most distinctive landmarks and their beauty can be enjoyed throughout the year. But a dramatic cliff-top walk here is perhaps best enjoyed with the summer sun on your back, offsetting the often bracing winds that drift over from the channel. Among the most popular walking trails takes you to the South Foreland Lighthouse, where you can soak up the spectacular views across to the French coast (on a clear day) and stop off for refreshments at a quaint tea room.

Hop Festival

Nowhere exemplifies Kent’s reputation for beer more than the market town of Faversham, home to the UK’s oldest brewery: Shepherd Neame. For many years the brewery, which owns pubs across the southwest of England, has played a major role in hosting the town’s annual Hop Festival, an action-packed weekend event featuring live stage music, food stalls, and lashings of amber nectar produced courtesy of the region’s eponymous hops. The festival attracts visitors from far and wide, with some even camping on the town’s borders so they can make the most of things. To really enter the spirit of the occasion, decorate yourself with a hat made of hops. The festival is free to enter.

Venues across Faversham / September each year

Medieval Pageant and Trail 

Canterbury’s hugely popular Medieval Pageant returns this July for its 9th edition. One of the most eagerly awaited events on the city’s summer calendar, it once again promises a full day of merriment and fun, with the centrepiece attraction a parade of jaunty pilgrims leading the pageant through the city. Knights on horseback, re-enactment groups, historical characters and medieval animals will all play their part in the procession, accompanied by rapturous fanfares and medieval music. Another highlight is the annual Family Trail, which invites visitors to set off on a journey of discovery throughout the medieval city. Admission to the event is free.

Canterbury City Centre / 6 July

Shell Grotto

(Photo: Martin Hearn via Flickr / CC BY 2.0 DEED)

UK summers aren’t always reliable when it comes to good weather, and what better place to take refuge during one of ifs unseasonal rainy days than in an underground grotto lined with eye-catching shells and mosaics? Located in the Kent beach town of Margate, the ornate subterranean grotto, with its winding passages decorated with some 4.6 million shells – arranged as mysterious images and patterns – was first discovered in 1835, and theories over the precise nature of its origins have been debated ever since. Some believe its creation is rooted in ancient Paganism, while others claim it dates to the Regency or Victorian eras. But whatever its provenance, one thing is certain: the grotto remains one of Kent’s most unique attractions. Admission is £4.50 for adults and £2 for children.

33 Grotto Hill, Cliftonville, Margate / Weds-Sun 10am-5pm Closed Mon-Tues

JAM on the Marsh 

Taking place on Romney Marsh in the beautiful, rural countryside of Kent, this renowned music and arts festival has been a staple on the county’s cultural calendar for a decade now. Featuring a packed programme of concerts, exhibitions and performances, the 11-day festival routinely draws some of the world’s biggest names in jazz, classical music, opera, theatre and the visual arts – as well as emerging local talent. Events are hosted in a range of venues across the area, including some in atmospheric medieval churches. Show prices vary, but start at around £20.

Venues across Romney Marsh / 4-14 July

Broadstairs Folk Week

(Photo: Broadstairs Folk Week)

Each summer, the charming coastal town of Broadstairs gives itself over to a magical Folk Week. Over the course of eight full days, the town brims with song, music and dance, with over 400 events scheduled. There are live concerts, along with workshops, a parade, dances and ceilidhs, and a craft and music fair. On the roster are plenty of child-friendly activities too, and with one of Kent’s best stretches of sand nearby it all adds up to a true family occasion. Prices depend on the activity or event, with concert tickets starting at around £9.

Venues across Broadstairs / 9-16 August

Mote Park

Spanning 450 acres of mature parkland close to the town of Maidstone, the award-winning Mote Park is a great place to head on a warm summer’s day in Kent. Originally a country estate, it was converted into a landscaped parkland at the tail-end of the 18th century and has since become one of the region’s most popular outdoor spaces. As well as the vast expanse of greenery to enjoy, there are also woodland rivers, a scenic lake and tons of activities including kids’ play areas, a skate park, a climbing wall, a water sports centre, and a 9-hole dinosaur-themed golf course. Park entrance is free but some activities are chargeable.

Botany Bay

(Photo: Michael Camilleri via Flickr / CC BY 2.0 DEED)

On hot summer days, Kent’s beaches tend to resemble a game of sardines – but if you’re blessed with insider knowledge, there are some ways to escape the crowds. Among its lesser-known sandy gems is Botany Bay in Broadstairs (see above), the northernmost of seven bays which offer stunning views of white cliffs and beautiful chalk stacks. When the tide is out, the beach is also a prime spot for fossil hunting and exploring rock pools. Owning to its relatively secluded setting, amenities are limited, so you may want to bring your own food and drink.

Crab and Winkle Way

Kent is home to some of the country’s most historic walking and cycling trails, and among the most well-trodden is the Crab and Winkle Way. Taking its name from the pioneering railway line which ran between Canterbury and Whitstable from the early part of the 19th century, the route extends through a World Heritage Site, passing ancient landmarks including Canterbury Cathedral, St Augustine’s Abbey and the 13th-century Church of St Cosmus and St Damian. The journey also takes you through the Blean Woods RSPB nature reserve and the conifer-dominated woodland of Clowes Wood before finishing in the quaint fishing town of Whitstable, where many choose to re-energise by sampling the town’s famous seafood.

By Paul Joseph