Great days out in Kent this winter

No matter what the weather, Kent has a great day out lined up for you this winter. For those crisp, cold days with bright blue skies, you can wrap up warm and enjoy the fresh air on one of our winter walks, or perhaps go to see the animals in their winter coats at Howletts and Port Lympne Wild Animal Parks.

If it's just too chilly to stay outside for too long, take a trip to one of our many museums, or maybe warm your hands on an open fire in Henry II's Great Tower at Dover Castle.

Below is a selection of indoor and outdoor attractions which are open over the winter months. Please double check opening times before visiting.
 

Browse all attractions with winter opening hours

  

Dover Castle

With blazing log fires and castle chambers dressed with sumptuous tapestries, come and experience the atmosphere of a medieval royal court in winter, and discover how King Henry II and his court celebrated the festive season.

Why not celebrate Christmas with a traditional Christmas lunch in the unique setting of Dover Castle, followed by an inclusive tour of the Great Tower? Available Thursday to Monday throughout December (excludes 24-26 Dec). Book now to avoid disappointment. (All prices based on a minimum of 6 people or more). Site entry plus two course lunch - £15. Site entry plus two course lunch and guided tour - £20. For booking contact Gavin Wright on 01304 211067 or email gavin.wright@english-heritage.org.uk

Scotney Castle Gardens 

For the first time the garden at the National Trust's Scotney Castle is now open from Wednesdays to Sundays through until 20 December. Into the winter, the trees take on fascinating new forms as their bare branches glitter in the frost. Warm up in the new tearoom with some hearty food from the delicious winter menu, including home-cooked dishes using local ingredients, such as beef and Scotney Ale stew. The house will be open at weekends, decorated for Christmas, with guided tours available.

Leeds Castle 

Step back in time and enjoy a traditional Christmas at Leeds Castle. See the beautifully decorated castle rooms transformed into a world of enchantment inspired by classic fairy tales, and bring the children to meet Father Christmas in his Grotto. Fairy story characters come to life at the castle's special evening openings when the magic really works, and the castle is lit up against the dark skies. An additional charge applies for Father Christmas and special evening openings.

Lapland UK at Bewl Water 

Lapland UK offers a snowy winter experience for families with the chance to meet reindeer and husky dogs, go ice skating, write letters to Father Christmas and see the big man himself in a snowy woodland setting. You can also help the elves in the toy workshop and decorate gingerbread with Mother Christmas. Food is included in the ticket price. Open from 14 November - 24 December.

Santa's Magical Kingdom at The Hop Farm Family Park

A brand new event this year, Santa's Magical Kingdom offers families the chance to meet elves and reindeer, make Christmas decorations, watch a circus pantomime show and of course enjoy a magical meeting with Father Christmas. Outside the Kingdom there will be a Victorian Carousel, skating on a real ice rink as well as a traditional Christmas market to enjoy. Open 14 November - 24 December.

The Kent and East Sussex Railway

Enjoy a nostalgic Christmas experience with a traditional steam train ride from Tenterden station with festive drinks and mince pies, plus of course a meeting with Father Christmas. Once back at the station everyone can take a ride on the miniature locomotive and have pictures taken with the beautiful ice queen as well as ride on the Victorian Carousel. Dates: 12 - 13, 19 - 20 and 22 - 24 December.

National Trust Houses

A selection of National Trust properties will be open over the winter and decorated for Christmas. Ightham Mote will be open for 'A Victorian Christmas' Thursday - Sunday, 5th November to 20th December from 11am - 3pm. At Smallhythe Place you can see Ellen Terry's sitting room and dining room decorated ready for Christmas, from 7th to 23rd December, 12pm - 3pm (Mon, Tues & Wed only). At Chartwell, the garden, exhibition, shop and restaurant will remain open throughout the winter with events during the season including the Chartwell Christmas Market from December 4th to 6th and a visit from Father Christmas on December 12th and 13th.

Merry Saturnalia from Lullingstone Roman Villa

It is quite likely that around 2,000 years ago, the wealthy inhabitants of Lullingstone Roman Villa at Eynsford would have been getting ready for the feasting, gift-giving and general merry-making that went hand-in-hand with the pagan celebration of Saturnalia, which started in mid December each year.

In ancient Rome and in outposts of the Empire like Lullingstone, Saturnalia was a time for festive fun and over-indulgence - along similar lines to the way we mark Christmas today! Children were given a holiday from school, gambling was allowed for all - even slaves - and the halls were decked with garlands of laurel and candlelit trees.

For 100 years or more, the Roman occupants at Lullingstone probably also marked the birth of Christ each December as they hedged their bets by following both pagan and Christian faiths until the early 5th century.

The excavated villa - now boasting superb new facilities and displays - contains some of the best evidence for the transition from pagan beliefs to the adoption of Christianity in Britain. A house-church is located directly above a cult room illustrating that the villa's occupants embraced Christianity whilst still worshipping other gods. A cross-shaped chi-rho (pronounced ‘Cairo') found in the house-church is one of the earliest Christian symbols ever discovered in Britain.

Visitors can clearly see these excavated rooms and discover more about the Romans who occupied them, this festive season. There is plenty to see including thousands of artefacts excavated on site, ranging from everyday domestic items, to the remains of animals and even human skeletons, on display alongside the board games they may have played after pagan - or Christian - festive feasting during the 4th century.

Lullingstone Roman Villa is open from 10am-4pm on Wednesdays to Sundays from (closed 24-26 December and 1 January).

Browse all attractions with winter opening hours