15 Free Things to Do in Kent: Top activities & attractions for all ages

Kent is full of incredible places to visit, and you don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy the best of what this beautiful county offers.

As someone who’s been exploring Kent for nearly 30 years, I can confidently say there are plenty of fantastic free attractions and experiences just waiting to be discovered.

Whether you’re after a relaxing walk, a bit of history, or a day out with the family, Kent offers something for everyone—and your wallet will thank you.

In this post, I’ll share some of my favourite 15 free things to do in Kent, so you can make the most of your time here without breaking the bank.

1. Rochester Cathedral

Founded in 604 AD by King Ethelberht of Kent, Rochester Cathedral is the second oldest cathedral in England after Canterbury and it’s also very large – the space inside is just amazing. Its first bishop, Justus, was one of the missionaries sent by Pope Gregory the Great to convert the Anglo-Saxons to Christianity.

The original building was a simple stone church, but after the Norman Conquest, Bishop Gundulf began reconstructing the cathedral in 1080 in Romanesque style. There used to be also a Benedictine priory in the grounds until the dissolution of the monasteries in the 16th century, and the medieval crypt and chapter house still survived to this day.

The cathedral puts on regular exhibitions, which are free to enter. Last time I visited I had the chance to see a refurbished plane right inside the cathedral as part of the history exhibition about local airplane building company Short Brothers.

My Local Tip: Don’t forget to visit the cathedral cafe, which serves homemade sandwiches, cakes and other treats. It’s tucked away in the cathedral crypt and in the summer there is also lovely table seating in the garden.

Address: The Precinct, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1SX
Opening Times: Monday to Saturday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, Sunday: 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm

2. Bayham Old Abbey

Bayham Abbey was founded around 1207 by the Premonstratensian order, also known as the White Canons, because they had white woollen habits.

For more than 300 years, Bayham Old Abbey became one of the most important religious houses in the south-east with up to 20 canons at one point.

But, it was also one of the very first abbeys in England to be dissolved, interestingly not by Henry VIII! Cardinal Thomas Wolsey shut it down in 1525, almost a decade before the main Dissolution of the Monasteries, to fund his new colleges at Oxford and Ipswich. The locals were so unhappy about it that a small uprising briefly reinstated the canons, though it didn’t last long.

After the dissolution, the ruins were left to decay until the 18th century, when the Pratt family acquired the estate. They commissioned the famous landscape designer Humphry Repton in 1800 to redesign the grounds, turning the medieval ruins into a romantic garden. The nearby Dower House was built around the same time.

My Local Tip: Parking and access is free, but the site is unstaffed. There are no facilities (not even toilets), so make sure you bring food and drink with you. There is small self-service second-hand book shop in one small little room, which used to be the ticket office.

Address: Bayham Old Abbey, Bayham Road, Lamberhurst, Kent, TN3 8DE
Opening times: Open daily during daylight hours (the site is unstaffed, so access is generally dawn to dusk)

3. Maidstone Museum

Maidstone Museum sits right in the centre of town, and it’s totally free to visit. If you’re into history, art, or just want somewhere interesting to take the kids, this place is worth a look.

The museum lives in a beautiful old Elizabethan manor, but there’s a modern extension too. Inside, you’ll find over 600,000 artefacts, including fine art, local history displays and archaeology finds.

My favourite finds inside the museum include: Kent’s only human mummy called Ta-Kesh, who’s 2,700 years old, Japanese artworks and dinosaur fossils and ancient Egyptian history displays.

The museum runs temporary exhibitions and family workshops all year. You can wander the galleries at your own pace—there’s no rush and no time limits. There’s a small café if you need a break, plus a gift shop for souvenirs.

My Local Tip: You can follow the Medway Valley Walk in any directions and get a train back to Maidstone depending on how far you walk. It’s peaceful and fairly quite walking towards Wateringburry or if you walk towards Aylesford, you can see the Allington Castle (on the other side of the river) and Allington Locks.

Address: Maidstone Museum, St Faith’s Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1LH
Opening times: Tuesday–Saturday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (closed Sunday, Monday & Bank Holidays)

4. Beaney House of Art & Knowledge

The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge Museum is right in Canterbury’s historic centre. It’s a museum, gallery, and library rolled into one, and it’s always free to get in.

The displays cover everything from natural history to local heritage and even pieces from around the world, including hands on and interactive displays.

My favourite displays include the works by Victorian animal painter Thomas Sidney Cooper, locally found Anglo-Saxon jewellery, Roman artefacts, and ancient Egyptian objects.

There’s also a library area for reading or a quiet break.

My local tip: The Beaney puts on regular exhibitions, so it’s worth popping in even if you’ve already visited before.

Address: The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge, 18 High Street, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2RA
Opening times: Tuesday–Saturday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm; Sunday, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm (closed Monday)

5. Turner Contemporary Gallery

Turner Contemporary is definitely one of Kent’s top art spots. Anyone can walk in for free, whether you’re into modern art or just curious to see what’s inside.

Exhibitions change regularly and feature artists from Kent and beyond. The exhibitions often tackle current issues or bold ideas, so you never quite know what you’ll find. Last time I’ve seen a whole exhibition made out of real flowers, trees and apples – the whole point was to see how they change during the months on display.

Kids and families are welcome and there are creative activities most weeks, especially during school holidays.

The gallery was opened in 2011 and named after a landscape painter J.M.W. Turner, who frequently visited Margate throughout his life. It was designed by architect David Chipperfield and built on the site of a boarding house where Turner once stayed.

My Local Tip: The gallery cafe has amazing sourdough bread toasties and if you fancy more food choice, you can also pop in to the Old Kent Market across the road.

Address: Turner Contemporary, Rendezvous, Margate, Kent, CT9 1HG
Opening times: Tuesday–Sunday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (closed Monday)

6. Kent Vineyard Self-Guided Tours

Most vineyards in Kent offer guided tours, but these are usually payable. Since I’ve already been on a few paid guided tours of some of the best vineyards in Kent I was keen on visiting more vineyards and finding out more about them for myself.

What is good as well, is that these four vineyards are fairly close together (around 10 miles or so from each other), so once you are in the area, you could see more than just one vineyard in a day (just make sure you have somebody, who is happy to drive as public transport in this area is a bit sparse).

My favourite thing is to walk around the vineyard, browse the wine cellar shop and buy a bottle to take home with me (since I’m the designated driver).

You can also buy self-guided wine tasting, which includes a selection of wines in small glasses from the vineyard for a special price. This is of course, not completely free day out, but it’s a budget way to taste the wines, if you are not sure which type you like.

Chapel Down

Chapel Down is the biggest vineyard in Kent and also the biggest producer in England and the good news is that you can visit and explore their beautiful vineyards for free. You can pick up a map from the shop and stroll at your own pace. The shop and restaurant are also open to all.

Address: Chapel Down Vineyard, Small Hythe Road, Tenterden, Kent, TN30 7NG
Opening times: Daily, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Biddenden Vineyards

Whilst Biddenden Vineyards self-guided tours are no longer free, they are still a super good value at £12 as they also include 3 wine tastings. The staff will give you an information pack with your wines and are happy to answer any questions, before you take a walk around the vineyard.

There are two different options (longer and shorter walk). The walks are well signposted and no booking is required. You can turn up during opening hours, but at least 1 hr before closing time, collect a map, and enjoy the walk. You can also taste more wine and buy some to take back home with you at the vineyard’s shop.

Address: Biddenden Vineyards, Gribble Bridge Lane, Biddenden, Ashford, Kent, TN27 8DF
Opening times: Monday–Saturday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm; Sunday, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm

Gusbourne Vineyard

Gusbourne was founded in 2004 by Andrew Weeber, who had a vision to create high-quality English sparkling wines that could rival the best in the world. You can walk around some of their 90 hectares and learn more about sparkling wine production. There is free parking and the cellar door and shop is also open for tastings and wine purchases.

Address: Gusbourne Vineyard, Kenardington Road, Appledore, Ashford, Kent, TN26 2BE
Opening times: Daily, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Balfour Winery (Hush Heath Estate)

Once you report to the reception, you’ll be given a little map of the estate and you can start your walk straight from the vineyard restaurant. You can choose from two different trails – shorter one is about 30 minutes and the longer one about 60 minutes. The trails are clearly marked around the estate and the map has information about which type of vines are planted in each section. The longer walk will also take you through apple orchards and a woodland.

The tasting room, restaurant, and shop are open if you wish to purchase wine tastings, food, or bottles of wine to take home. The restaurant has direct view of the first vineyard and there is plenty of seating under large umbrellas. There is also free parking onsite and everyone is super friendly.

Address: Balfour Winery, Hush Heath Estate, Five Oak Lane, Staplehurst, Kent, TN12 0HT
Opening times: Daily, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

7. Knole Park

Knole Park covers more than 1,000 acres and surrounds the impressive Knole House. It’s a very special place with deer roaming around, rolling landscapes and woodland on the sides of the park.

There is a charge if you want to visit the Knole House, but the entry to the park is completely free (especially if you walk in and don’t park in the National Trust car park (unless you are member, in which case your parking will be free too). You can bring a picnic, wander for hours, or just sit and watch the wild deer.

Knole Park’s easy to reach from Sevenoaks town centre and the train station and there are plenty of designated parking places in the town itself.

During the house opening hours, you can also visit the onsite café and the toilets, which are located on the side of the house, so that you don’t need to pay to get in.

My local tip: In the summer when the days are long, you can easily park outside the park (in Sevenoaks or on the outskirts of the town) and walk into the park any time. After 6 pm, you’ll only meet the locals here and you can enjoy a very peaceful walk around the whole park. The walking it’s particularly lovely as the ground is so soft under foot and the whole circle (depending how wide you go) can take anything up to 1-2 hours.

Address: Knole Park, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN15 0RP
Opening times: Park open daily for car parking, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm (last entry 5:30 pm); opening times may vary seasonally. There are no time restrictions if you just walk in

8. Reculver Tower and Fort

Reculver Towers and the Roman Fort was originally Roman fort called Regulbium which was built around the late 2nd century AD to guard the northern entrance of the Wantsum Channel. The fort was part of the Saxon Shore defences, built to protect the coast from invaders.

After the Romans, the site became a monastery in the 7th century and later St Mary’s Church. The church’s twin towers were added in the 12th century and became an important navigation landmark for ships at sea.

Although much of the original fort and medieval church were lost to coastal erosion and deliberate demolition in the 19th century, the dramatic twin towers and remnants of the Roman walls still stand and definitely great to explore.

My Tip: Reculver Country Park surrounds the site and is great for wildlife and coastal walks. You can walk to Herne Bay or follow the Wantsum Walk inland.

Address: Reculver Towers and Roman Fort, Reculver Lane, Reculver, Herne Bay, Kent, CT6 6SS
Opening times: Grounds are open all the time, Park Visitors Centre and Cafe open daily, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

9. The Battle of Britain Memorial, Folkestone

The Battle of Britain Memorial honours the pilots and crew from the 1940 air campaign. The site sits on the cliffs with sweeping views across the English Channel.

You can visit the memorial grounds for free, any day of the year. Walk among open-air monuments, take in the peaceful setting, and explore the history at your own pace.

Whilst the outside is free to enter, the Scramble Experience inside, which is an interactive exhibition with audio and video is payable. You can also visit the souvenir shop and café, which has more amazing views over the memorial.

There is a small car, which is payable, but there are also regular buses from Folkestone.

My Local Tip: I visited the memorial, whilst walking the coastal walk from Folkestone to Dover, which is part of the Saxon Shore Way and it was a very humbling experience to walk up there and then continue to walk along the coast.

Address: Battle of Britain Memorial, Capel-le-Ferne, Folkestone, Kent, CT18 7JJ
Opening times: Memorial site open daily, 10:00 am – dusk; The Wing visitor centre open daily, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

10. Dover Museum

The museum covers Dover’s history from ancient to modern times. The big draw is the famous Bronze Age Boat, an archaeological discovery over 3,000 years old and the world’s oldest known sea boat.

The museum also has displays on Roman Dover, Saxon and medieval artefacts, and interactive exhibits that bring to life the town’s maritime and military heritage.

Address: Dover Museum, Market Square, Dover, Kent, CT16 1PH
Opening times: Monday–Saturday, 9:30 am – 5:00 pm; Sunday, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (April–September); Monday–Saturday, 9:30 am – 5:00 pm; closed Sundays (October–March)

11. Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara

Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara is one of Europe’s largest gurdwaras – the complex includes three meditation halls, two langar halls, and library, lecture theatre, and computer room.

The gurdwara is open to all for free and you are welcome to explore the beautiful architecture and calm atmosphere.

There are also free guided tours, usually held on weekends, which give you more of a background into Sikh beliefs, the code of conduct, and the gurdwara’s history. If you’re curious, it’s definitely worth joining one.

Everyone is invited to the langar (communal meal), prepared daily and open to all, no matter your background or beliefs. Please dress modestly and cover your head while inside. Scarves and head coverings are available at the entrance if you need one.

Address: Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara, Guru Nanak Marg, Gravesend, Kent, DA12 1AG
Opening times: Daily, 4:00 am – 8:30 pm

12. Kent Mining Museum (Betteshanger)

The Kent Mining Museum is in the visitors building in the Betteshanger Country Park, which used to be the site of the old Betteshanger Colliery near Deal. This colliery was the largest and last operational coal mine in the Kent coalfield, opening in 1927 and closing in 1989.

You can learn about the coal mining history in Kent and how it shaped the local communities, including building new towns, miners moving to the area and miners strikes in the 70s and 80s.

The museum is really nicely done and you will find mining tools, equipment and other artefacts, interactive displays, and multimedia exhibits. Stories from miners and their families are a great way to bring the whole experience together.

My Local Tip: Betteshanger Country Park itself has walking trails, a children’s play area and there is also a cafe. You can start the circular Miners Way Trail walk from there and explore more of the mining history in the area.

Address: Kent Mining Museum, Betteshanger Park, Sandwich Road, Deal, Kent, CT14 0BF
Opening times: Wednesday–Sunday, 9:30 am – 4:00 pm (closed Monday and Tuesday)

13. Whitstable Castle

Whitstable Castle was originally called Tankerton Towers and built in 1790 by local businessman Pearson Thompson as a private residence. In 1935, the Whitstable Urban District Council purchased the castle for the town and opened it to general public.

There is a super cosy tearoom inside the castle and there are also often various free events, such as craft fairs or concerts. You can can walk around the castle and the pretty gardens during the opening hours.

My Tip: The Whitstable Tankerton beach is down the hill from the castle and only a short stroll away you are in the Whitstable Harbour. There are plenty of other things to do in Whitstable and some completely free, so you can easily combine them together for a great day out at the seaside.

Address: Whitstable Castle, Tower Hill, Whitstable, Kent, CT5 2BW
Opening times: Monday–Sunday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

14. Dreamland, Margate

Dreamland in Margate is one of Britain’s oldest surviving amusement parks going back to the late 1860s when the site was first used as an entertainment venue after the closure of a railway terminal.

The site is free to enter and you can wander through the park, soak up the lively atmosphere, and see the art installations. Dreamland leans into its retro vibe, with classic amusements and vintage décor everywhere.

There’s a mix of vintage rides, all on a pay-per-ride basis. Pick what you want to try and pay as you go.

There are often free events here, such as live music, entertainment and street food stalls.

My tip: The beautiful Margate sandy beach is just across the road from Dreamland and the free Turner Gallery is a little further away, so you can easily spend the whole day in Margate.

Address: Dreamland, 49-51 Marine Terrace, Margate, Kent, CT9 1XJ
Opening times: Opening times vary seasonally and by event; typically open weekends and school holidays from 10:30 am – 6:00 pm (check ahead for specific dates and events)

15. Eynsford Castle

Eynsford Castle is a rare example of an early Norman enclosure castle, built between 1085 and 1087 by William de Eynsford on the site of an earlier Anglo-Saxon fortification.

The castle’s most distinctive feature is its substantial stone curtain wall, which encloses a central courtyard where you would have originally found timber buildings. Remarkably, Eynsford Castle remained largely unaltered by later medieval developments, so it kept it’s original Norman layout.

Over the centuries, it served as a residence for the local lord and played a role in regional disputes, but by the 14th century, it fell into disuse and eventually became a ruin.

My Local Tip: Just before you turn to the path to the castle, there is a lovely local food shop with homemade sandwiches, take out coffee and locally produced ice-cream. A perfect place to pick up a picnic supplies!

Eynsford village is also very pretty to walk around and you can join the Darent Valley Walk to continue walking towards Lullingstone Country Park.

Address: Eynsford Castle, Off High Street, Eynsford, Dartford, Kent, DA4 0AA
Opening times: Daily, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm (April–October); 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (November–March)

This blog post was originally published on 17 September 2025 and last updated on 4 June 2026