Kent is spoilt for choice when it comes to shopping centres, lively night-life, cinemas and places to eat out. Being so close to London means comedians and musicians often come down to Kent offering great nights out without the London prices! Whatever you like doing, from extreme water sports to fancy meals and nights out on the town Kent has it all.
Kent is in a great position. It’s got sun, sea and sand. The centre of Kent is only an hour away from the heart of London by train. France is just a ferry or shuttle ride away. The Eurostar makes weekends away to Paris, Disney Land and Amsterdam, etc easy! We also have a full range of Kent attractions from racing at Brands Hatch to zoos and modern art galleries, so there's something for everyone.
The exciting new Turner Contemporay Gallery opened on the Margate seafront in April 2011. There is no entry fee to the main gallery and they have a range of exhibitions and events throughout the year.
Kent’s Bluewater is ‘the most innovative and exciting shopping and leisure destinations in Europe today’. Bluewater over 300 stores, 40 cafes and a 13-screen cinema.
Other big shopping centres in Kent include The McArthur Glen Designer Outlet, Ashford for designer bargains, Victoria Place in Tunbridge Wells, Westwood Cross in Thanet. Other top towns for shopping include Maidstone and Canterbury. Not to mention that London, one of the world’s capitals for shopping, is only a short train ride away.
Kent towns have a vast variety of restaurants. Canterbury, Tunbridge Wells, Maidstone and Folkestone all have theatres, live music venues.
Kent has hundreds of nightclubs and bars which cater for all tastes in music, take a look at Maidstone’s offering as an example of where to go out in Kent. From bowling alleys to leisure centres and cinemas – Kent has everything to offer.
In recent years Kent has been making it's mark on the festival scene with the Hop Farm Festival pulling in huge crowds to see acts like Bob Dylan, Damien Rice, Hot Chip and Mumford & Sons. Lounge on the Farm in Canterbury, is steadily growing in popularity, showcasing many local bands and prides itself on promoting local produce.
Local festivals like The Dickens Festival in Rochester and the Whitstable Oyster Festival are long standing traditions which draw crowds from far and wide.
Photos by Tim Stubbings