Day Itinerary
12 Activities
Day 2
108 mi3 mi
Binoculars at the Ready for Britain's Best Wildlife
If yesterday was all about green lands and their history, then today is a celebration of its wild inhabitants.
While your EV charges, you can take a stroll around Monks Wall wetlands, which will offer your first chance to spot the region's many migratory birds. You'll get another opportunity later in the day on the Isle of Sheppey, home to Peregrine falcons and marsh harriers.
Sandwiched in between your birdwatching will be a heartwarming visit to the Wildwood Trust, and some of the finest, sustainably sourced food in Kent.
While your EV charges, you can take a stroll around Monks Wall wetlands, which will offer your first chance to spot the region's many migratory birds. You'll get another opportunity later in the day on the Isle of Sheppey, home to Peregrine falcons and marsh harriers.
Sandwiched in between your birdwatching will be a heartwarming visit to the Wildwood Trust, and some of the finest, sustainably sourced food in Kent.
4.7 mi
15 min
St Margarets Bay Parking
Parking
Open Details
After breakfast in your Grade II listed guest house, make the short trip east along the coast towards St Margarets Bay.
Then get your walking boots on, for you have a 20-30 minute morning constitutional in store, powered by the fresh Channel breeze. You'll be headed towards one of Dover's more understated, yet one of its most historic, attractions.
Then get your walking boots on, for you have a 20-30 minute morning constitutional in store, powered by the fresh Channel breeze. You'll be headed towards one of Dover's more understated, yet one of its most historic, attractions.
1.2 mi
30 min
National Trust South Foreland Lighthouse
Landmark
Open Details
There's no vehicular access to this lighthouse, but be reassured it's worth the trek.
Not only is this historic lighthouse a fascinating feature in itself, having played an integral role in the development of wireless communication and mains electricity to the mainland after being built in 1846, but it also comes with one of the best views of Dover's famous White Cliffs and across the Channel. On a clear day, you can even see the town of Calais in France.
Note that in order to enter the lighthouse, you'll need to book a guided tour in advance. The lighthouse is closed during the winter. To view opening times and book a tour, head to the National Trust website.
Not only is this historic lighthouse a fascinating feature in itself, having played an integral role in the development of wireless communication and mains electricity to the mainland after being built in 1846, but it also comes with one of the best views of Dover's famous White Cliffs and across the Channel. On a clear day, you can even see the town of Calais in France.
Note that in order to enter the lighthouse, you'll need to book a guided tour in advance. The lighthouse is closed during the winter. To view opening times and book a tour, head to the National Trust website.
1.2 mi
25 min
St Margarets Bay Parking
Parking
Open Details
Make the return walk to your car before heading north - it's time to recharge. In more ways than one!
15 mi
30 min
Starbucks Discovery Park
Café
Open Details
If it's not only your car that needs re-charging but your own batteries too, then you're in luck. This re-charge point is located right next to a Starbucks, allowing you to enjoy a caffeine boost before leaving the car plugged in and strolling over to the Monks Wall Nature Reserve.
Type: CCS 3 stations, 4 plugs Power: 150-175 kW
Type: CCS 3 stations, 4 plugs Power: 150-175 kW
0.3 mi
5 min
Monks Wall Nature Reserve
Park
Open Details
This wetland habitat was opened by legendary British twitcher Bill Oddie back in 2000, and the site covers 69 acres of land reclaimed from the river by the monks of Sandwich centuries ago.
Tread quietly along the footpath and keep a keen eye out, and you should be able to catch sight of the many migratory birds that pass through, including arctic waders in winter, and breeding wildfowl in the summer. The reserve is open all year-around.
Tread quietly along the footpath and keep a keen eye out, and you should be able to catch sight of the many migratory birds that pass through, including arctic waders in winter, and breeding wildfowl in the summer. The reserve is open all year-around.
0.3 mi
5 min
Starbucks Discovery Park
Café
Open Details
If all the walking this morning has generated an appetite, then the good news is that lunch is only half an hour away. Get back in your EV and head inland to follow Chaucer's historic path into beautiful Canterbury.
12.6 mi
25 min
Queningate Car Park
Parking
Open Details
This car park is ideally located in central Canterbury, which not only means you're only five minutes from your lunch stop, but you'll also be able to enjoy the view of Canterbury's famous Cathedral on the way.
0.2 mi
5 min
The Veg Box Cafe
Restaurant
Open Details
True to the theme of your trip, this bistro boasts a menu of plant-based treats, with produce that is locally-source, organic, and fair trade. You can even grab a takeaway that comes served in compostable boxes.
Lunch is served every day between 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm, and favorites here include the daily bake – which can range from moussaka to shepherd's pie – and the hot pot. For lighter but filling nibbles including falafel, stuffed vine leaves, and artichokes, go for the sharing platter for two.
There's no obligation to book, but if you'd rather do so, you'll find the contact details on their website. The café is open 7 days a week between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm (4:00 pm on Sundays).
Lunch is served every day between 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm, and favorites here include the daily bake – which can range from moussaka to shepherd's pie – and the hot pot. For lighter but filling nibbles including falafel, stuffed vine leaves, and artichokes, go for the sharing platter for two.
There's no obligation to book, but if you'd rather do so, you'll find the contact details on their website. The café is open 7 days a week between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm (4:00 pm on Sundays).
0.2 mi
5 min
Queningate Car Park
Parking
Open Details
After a wholesome and sustainable lunch, feel free to enjoy a wander around Canterbury before returning to your car for a short hop north.
5.4 mi
15 min
Wildwood Trust
Zoo
Open Details
A charming wildlife park that will beguile adults and children alike, Kent's Wildwood Trust (there's a second park in Escot, Devon) opened in 1999 in order to protect, preserve, and rewind Britain's beloved wildlife.
As such, you'll discover an array of life on show here, from tawny owls and red deer, to brown bears, bison, and wolves.
The park is open seven days a week, all year round, including public holidays (though it is closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day). Opening hours change with the seasons, so make sure to check ahead on their website for current information, including entry prices.
As such, you'll discover an array of life on show here, from tawny owls and red deer, to brown bears, bison, and wolves.
The park is open seven days a week, all year round, including public holidays (though it is closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day). Opening hours change with the seasons, so make sure to check ahead on their website for current information, including entry prices.
40.1 mi
50 min
RSPB Capel Fleet Raptor Viewpoint
Park
Open Details
To the Isle of Sheppey now, where you should be able to enjoy this trip's final glimpses of Kent's wonderful wildlife.
The word Sheppey, as you might well guess, derives from the Old English word for sheep, but it's not our wooly friends that we've come here to see. Instead, this RSPB viewpoint is renowned for its multitude of swooping raptors hunting over the fields for their prey.
The headliners change depending on the season, but keep an eye out for merlins and marsh harriers in the autumn, and even Peregrine falcons in the summer. Also keep watch for short-eared owls and barn owls.
Entrance here is free, as is the car park (though donations to the RSPB are welcome), and it's open at all times.
The word Sheppey, as you might well guess, derives from the Old English word for sheep, but it's not our wooly friends that we've come here to see. Instead, this RSPB viewpoint is renowned for its multitude of swooping raptors hunting over the fields for their prey.
The headliners change depending on the season, but keep an eye out for merlins and marsh harriers in the autumn, and even Peregrine falcons in the summer. Also keep watch for short-eared owls and barn owls.
Entrance here is free, as is the car park (though donations to the RSPB are welcome), and it's open at all times.
31 mi
50 min
Knowle Country House Wedding Venue
Restaurant
Open Details
End your trip in real Kentish style at this grand Victorian manor in Rochester. A magnificent wedding venue also makes for a wonderful dinner setting, surrounded by rolling Kent countryside and the alluring scent of the rose garden.
Dining here is from a set à la carte menu, with slow-roasted minted lamb shank, vegetable risotto, and cider-braised belly of pork among the regular offerings.
Open every day until 11:30 pm, booking is essential and can be arranged by calling the venue on 01474 822262.
Dining here is from a set à la carte menu, with slow-roasted minted lamb shank, vegetable risotto, and cider-braised belly of pork among the regular offerings.
Open every day until 11:30 pm, booking is essential and can be arranged by calling the venue on 01474 822262.