Kent guides

Charing sits on the edge of the Kent Downs, halfway between Ashford and Maidstone, which puts a good slice of Kent within a short drive of The Hayloft. A castle on a lake, a cathedral city, a medieval village square and some of the best English vineyards are all inside half an hour. These are the ones we would point you to first.

Charing village

Around 5 minutes. Worth an hour on your first afternoon. The village sits on the Pilgrims' Way, and beside the church of St Peter and St Paul are the ruins of the Archbishop's Palace, a 13th century stopping place for archbishops on the road to Canterbury. The High Street has a coffee shop, a wine bar and a Londis for the basics.

Hothfield Heathlands

Around 8 minutes. A Kent Wildlife Trust reserve of roughly 200 acres of open heath and woodland, home to some of the last valley bogs in Kent. Boardwalks cross the wet ground, and there is a short, even 500 metre trail by the car park if you have a buggy or less steady legs.

Godinton House and Gardens

Around 13 minutes. A historic house just outside Ashford with formal gardens that are at their best in summer. The gardens open from spring to mid October, Tuesday to Sunday, and the house is shown by guided tour on set Fridays and Saturdays, so check the dates before you go.

Leeds Castle

Around 15 minutes. The castle sits on two islands in a lake, with parkland to walk, a maze with a grotto at its centre and birds of prey displays in season. It is a full day with children. Go early at weekends, when the car parks fill.

Chilham

Around 18 minutes. One of the best kept villages in Kent, with timber-framed houses around a square at the castle gates. The White Horse on the square does good pub food, and a cream tea on the square is the local habit.

Biddenden Vineyards

Around 22 minutes. One of the oldest commercial vineyards in England, known as much for its cider as its wine. There is a shop with tastings, and you can wander out among the vines.

Sissinghurst Castle Garden

Around 25 minutes. Vita Sackville-West's garden, now cared for by the National Trust, with the famous White Garden and a tower you can climb for the view over the Weald. Best from late spring to early autumn.

Canterbury

Around 30 minutes. The cathedral, the lanes inside the old city walls and the punts on the river make it an easy day out. Parking in the centre is tight, so the park and ride is the simplest way in.

Chapel Down and Gusbourne

Around 30 minutes each. Two of the best-known English sparkling wine producers, Chapel Down near Tenterden and Gusbourne at Appledore, both run tours and tastings. Book ahead, and pick a driver.

Practical notes

Leeds Castle, Sissinghurst and the vineyards are busiest at weekends and in school holidays, so go early or book. The lanes around Charing Heath are narrow and unlit, so allow a little extra time coming home after dark.

Push out to an hour and you reach the coast on three sides, from the oyster town of Whitstable to the white cliffs at Dover and the cobbled streets of Rye just over the Sussex border. Here are the days out we rate.

Faversham

Around 25 minutes. A market town with streets of timber-framed buildings and a creek lined with old boats. It is also home to Shepherd Neame, which calls itself Britain's oldest brewer, and its visitor centre on Court Street runs brewery tours.

Whitstable

Around 35 minutes. Oysters, a working harbour and a long pebble beach with beach huts towards Tankerton. Eat at the harbour, walk the front at sunset, and arrive early on a sunny weekend, as parking fills fast.

Port Lympne

Around 30 minutes. A big wildlife reserve above Romney Marsh where you see rhino, giraffe and big cats from a safari truck. It is a full day, and a good one for children.

Hythe

Around 30 minutes. A seaside town with a quiet shingle front and the Royal Military Canal running behind it. It is also one end of the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway, the little steam line that runs out across the marsh.

Folkestone Harbour Arm

Around 35 minutes. The old harbour railway arm, turned into a strip of food stalls, bars and benches out over the sea. On a clear day you can see France. Busiest from spring to autumn.

Dover Castle

Around 40 minutes. An English Heritage castle on top of the white cliffs, with the Secret Wartime Tunnels dug into the chalk beneath it. Allow most of a day.

Bodiam Castle

Around 40 minutes. A 14th century castle with a moat, round towers and very little else around it, looked after by the National Trust. Good for a walk and a picnic.

Rye

Around 45 minutes. A hilltop town over the Sussex border with cobbled Mermaid Street, good independent shops and Camber Sands a few minutes further on.

The Historic Dockyard Chatham

Around 45 minutes. Historic warships, a submarine and a working ropery on the Medway. Much of it is under cover, so it doubles as a rainy day.

Practical notes

Coastal car parks fill early on sunny weekends. Dover Castle, Port Lympne and the Historic Dockyard all sell tickets online, which is usually quicker and sometimes cheaper than paying on the gate.

The Hayloft has public footpaths and quiet lanes from the door, and Charing sits on both the North Downs Way and the old Pilgrims' Way to Canterbury. These are the walks we would start with. Paths on the Downs get muddy in winter, so bring boots.

To the Red Lion

From the door, around 12 minutes on foot, half a mile. A flat stroll to the village pub at Charing Heath. The lane is narrow, so walk in single file and take a torch after dark. Easy, and fine for dogs on a lead.

Charing and the Pilgrims' Way

Around 5 minutes' drive. Park in the village, look round the palace ruins and the church, then follow the Pilgrims' Way along the foot of the Downs for as long as you like and come back the same way. Mostly level and good for dogs.

The North Downs Way to Hollingbourne

From Charing, 9 to 10 miles one way. A full day along the chalk ridge, past Lenham and Harrietsham, with big views south over the Weald. Charing, Lenham, Harrietsham and Hollingbourne are all stations on the same line, so you can catch the train back, or shorten it by stopping at Lenham.

Lenham Cross

Around 8 minutes' drive. A loop of 3 to 4.5 miles from Lenham's square up to the chalk cross on the hillside, cut by villagers in 1922 as a war memorial, and back along the Pilgrims' Way. One steep pull up the slope, then easy going.

Hothfield Heathlands

Around 8 minutes' drive. Waymarked circular trails of 2 to 3 miles over heath and boardwalks, plus a 500 metre even path by the car park that suits buggies. Dogs are welcome, but the rules change from area to area, so follow the signs.

King's Wood, Challock

Around 11 minutes' drive. About 1,500 acres of Forestry England woodland on the Downs, with a waymarked 6 km circuit from the car park. Beech and sweet chestnut, bluebells in spring and a herd of fallow deer. There are no toilets or cafe, and the tracks get muddy in winter.

Dering Wood, Pluckley

Around 12 minutes' drive. An ancient wood looked after by the Woodland Trust, with waymarked loops from about 1 mile to just over 2 miles, starting from Smarden Bell Road. Mostly flat, good for dogs, and soft underfoot after rain.

Practical notes

Sheep and cattle graze parts of the Downs, so keep dogs on leads near livestock. Mobile signal can drop out in the woods, so download your map before you set off.

You are well placed for a pub. There is one a short walk from the door and several more within ten minutes, plus a couple of good places in Charing itself for coffee or a glass of wine.

The Red Lion, Charing Heath

Around 12 minutes on foot. A 16th century country pub at the end of the lane, with real ale, proper pub food and a good Sunday roast. It also has rooms, if friends come to visit. Ask behind the bar about quiz and music nights.

The Bowl Inn

Around 8 minutes' drive. A freehouse up on the Downs above Charing, with a big open fire for winter and a sun terrace for summer. A good stop at the end of a walk on the North Downs Way.

The Wagon and Horses, Charing

Around 8 minutes. A friendly local on the Faversham road, known for its pies and roasts and generous portions, with a garden for warmer days.

The Plough Inn, Stalisfield Green

Around 11 minutes. A country pub high on the North Downs, rated by the AA, with cooking a step above the usual. It is the one for a special dinner, and you will need to book.

The Dering Arms, Pluckley

Around 9 minutes. A characterful pub and restaurant in the village of Pluckley. Book for dinner, and walk off lunch in Dering Wood just down the road.

The White Horse, Chilham

Around 17 minutes. A pub on the village square with a roaring fire, a beer garden and good fish and chips. Pair it with a walk round Chilham.

Coffee and wine in Charing

Around 5 minutes. EspressBros on Middle Row does very good coffee and cakes from early morning. Along the High Street, the Charing Bar Company is a small wine bar with cheese boards, good for an early evening glass.

Perry Court Farm

Around 17 minutes, near Wye. A farm shop with its own butcher and a cafe, and a good place to stock up on local meat, fruit and veg at the start of your stay.

Shops and supermarkets

Londis on Charing High Street, around 5 minutes, covers the basics. For a big shop, Sainsbury's and Tesco Extra in Ashford are around 15 minutes away, and Tesco stays open late.

Practical notes

Country pubs book up on Friday and Saturday evenings and for Sunday lunch, so call ahead. Many kitchens close in the middle of the afternoon, so check times before you set off.

Kent does rain as well as anywhere, but there is plenty under a roof within half an hour or so of The Hayloft. These are the ones we would reach for.

Canterbury Cathedral

Around 30 minutes. The mother church of the Church of England and one of the great buildings of Europe. Allow a couple of hours for the nave, the crypt and the cloisters. Tickets are quickest booked online.

The Beaney, Canterbury

Around 30 minutes. Canterbury's museum, art gallery and library in one building on the High Street. An easy hour, and a good pairing with the cathedral.

Leeds Castle

Around 15 minutes. The castle rooms are worth seeing in their own right, and there is enough indoors, with cafes, to fill a wet morning before the weather clears for the grounds.

Shepherd Neame brewery tour, Faversham

Around 25 minutes. Tours of the brewery in the middle of Faversham, finishing with a tasting. Book ahead, and pick a driver.

The Historic Dockyard Chatham

Around 45 minutes. Warships, a submarine and the long ropery, most of it under cover. Easily a full day, and a good one with children.

Maidstone Museum

Around 25 minutes. A large town museum with wide-ranging collections, from local history to art. Good for an hour or two.

Stour Centre, Ashford

Around 16 minutes. Ashford's leisure centre, with an indoor pool for when you need to tire the children out.

Cineworld, Ashford

Around 14 minutes. A multi-screen cinema on the edge of Ashford, for a wet evening.

Designer Outlet Ashford

Around 20 minutes. A big outlet centre with discounted brand shops and places to eat, much of it under a large canopy roof.

Practical notes

Opening hours change through the year and some attractions close a day or two a week out of season, so check before you set off. Booking online is usually quicker on a busy wet day.