Learn About Bears, Ghosts and Murder in Canterbury

Break up the journey with a stop at Limpsfield Common, a picturesque spot to stretch your legs. Take a brief stroll through ancient woodland and keep an eye out for the local residents along the way: rabbits, foxes and badgers all live here. And if you're lucky, you might even spot the flash of a fleeing roe deer.

Head to Coffee at Kiwi House for a – yup, you guessed it – coffee. While you're enjoying your cup of joe, the kids will undoubtedly be drooling over the delicious homemade cakes. By it by the slice, or treat the family to the whole thing.

Shake off the drive with a leisurely stroll around East Blean Woods – from the car park, it’s just a short walk to the open fields. Get the kids excited about the local wildlife; there’s plenty to spot here, including rare heath fritillary butterflies and woodpeckers. Visit during spring to take a family photo among a sea of bluebells.

Continue wildlife watching at the Wildwood Trust, an animal centre that preserves and protects species native to the UK. Though there are all manner of furred and winged creatures on show, the stars are Fluffy and Scruffy: two European brown bears with a sad past. There are feedings and kid-friendly talks too – check out the timings, which should be on display just after you enter.
Monday to Sunday, 10:00 to 17:00

Plonk your car in the Pound Lane Car Park and stroll to The Goods Shed. It’s a farmer’s market, foodhall and restaurant, which means enough choice to satisfy even the fussiest in the family. The restaurant (you’ll need to book in advance) offers three-course meals and a local menu. The market specialises in local produce, with Gill’s Cafe and Delicatessen your best bet for light lunches.
Wednesday to Sunday, 12:00 to 14:30

The learning continues at Canterbury Cathedral, one of the most important religious monuments in the UK. There’s been a cathedral in this spot since 597, with multiple additions over the centuries. Though there’s plenty to see under these magnificent spires, including a second folio of William Shakespeare plays, it’s probably the brutal murder of Thomas Becket, which took place here in 1170, that will capture the imagination of the younger family members.
Monday to Saturday, 10:00 to 16:00; Sunday, 12:30 to 16:00

Come back to pick up your car.

Before you tuck into some delicious food, work up an appetite with a stop at Bushy Ruff Country Park. It's a nature reserve centred around an expansive lake, home to birds and aquatic plants. For the younger kids, there's also an adventure playground with a slide, balancing beams and a swing.

Bundle back into the car and take a half-hour drive to The White Horse in Dover. The Grade II-listed building dates to 1365 and the cellars were once used as a morgue – keep an eye out for the ghostly residents said to haunt the property. Before dinner, take a stroll next door to the ruins of a bombed Norman church. Head back after and, if it’s sunny, enjoy a meal of pub classics in the terrace garden, which has views of the church.
Wednesday, 16:00 to 22:00; Thursday, 12:00 to 22:00; Friday to Saturday, 12:00 to 23:00; Sunday, 12:00 to 17:00

End the day at the Best Western Plus in Dover Marina – there’s free parking at the De Bradelei Wharf car park with your stay. It sits inside a pretty Regency-era building, with family rooms to accommodate the whole clan. If you fancy a drink, the Waterfront Bar has views over the seafront and Dover Castle. And if you weren’t able to eat at The White Horse, visit Mr White’s English Chophouse for burgers and mixed grills.