Summer is well and truly here and while we aren’t out of the woods yet regarding Covid-19, people are starting to head out and enjoy a little bit of what summer has to offer. If you’re anything like me then you may be beginning to think about UK Staycations – be it somewhere new or somewhere familiar and close to home.
As a Kent girl born and bred, I would recommend my county as a great place for a staycation. It has a little bit of everything – countryside, coast, great pubs and attractions. Plus it is under an hour away from the bright lights of London!
Given that the weather is warm and many indoor attractions are still closed due to government guidelines, I can recommend many wonderful outdoor places to go. I recently wrote about a few beautiful countryside gardens which are open for business. They have also introduced one-way systems to ensure safety for staff and visitors. Some elements may be closed (such as castles and country houses). But there are still lots of walks to enjoy, flowers to admire and ice cream to eat! Kent has an abundance of lovely gardens, which isn’t surprising given its nickname as ‘The Garden of England’.
If you’re more of a beach babe than a plant lover, then you can head down to the coast. Of course the likes of Folkestone, Margate and Broadstairs are ever popular. But one of my favourite coastal walks is from Seasalter into Whitstable. Seasalter is the quieter, more tranquil cousin of Whitstable so is the ideal place to park up, then take a stroll along the pebble beach. Reward yourself with a yummy fish and chip lunch once you reach bustling Whitstable!
Kent also has an excellent selection of zoos and animal parks for a great family day out. One of my personal favourites (because I used to volunteer there) is Howletts Wild Animal Park. They put in tremendous efforts towards the conservation of endangered species. It is also on the doorstep to Canterbury which is a tourist haven in itself with the cathedral, theatre, shops, cafes and river punting.
I could go on forever about what Kent has to offer for UK Staycations but we don’t have all day so I would say go check it out for yourself. Just be sure to follow government social distancing guidelines and check each attraction’s website for up to date information.
Disclaimer: In collaboration with Hotels.com, but all views are my own.
