VISITS AND VACATIONS

 Hello ladies and gents this is the Viking telling you that today we are talking about

THINGS TO DO IN KENT

• Even if it's tipping down with rain, there's indoor attractions too.
• Places in Kent you need to take the kids if they're obsessed with dinosaurs
• You can take a look fighter planes or enjoy the great outdoors.

RAF Manston Spitfire & Hurricane Memorial Museum

Take it all in at the RAF Manston Spitfire & Hurricane Memorial Museum

The museum is located at the historic RAF airfield at Manston in Kent - now known as Kent International Airport.

The building contains two halls housing the Spitfire MK XVI (LF) and Hurricane IIC, complemented by a vast array of other artefacts.

There's ample free parking for both cars and coaches.

And the museum sells a range of souvenirs, model kits and books in the shop, open during the same hours as the museum.

The Merlin café, adjoining the museum, has views across the airfield and is a great pit stop for a bite to eat.

The museum also has its very own Spitfire simulator, but you'll have to pay to give it a go.

Address

The Spitfire & Hurricane Memorial Museum

The Airfield

Manston Road

Ramsgate

CT12 5DF

Opening hours

10am - 4pm, daily.

January and February closed Mondays.

The Crab and Winkle Way

This cycle path takes its name from the railway line which ran between Canterbury and Whitstable from the early part of the nineteenth century.

Along the way you can take in the sites of Canterbury Cathedral, St Augustine’s Abbey, Canterbury museum, the picturesque village of Blean,Clowes and Blean woods and Whitstable harbour.

The track offers seven miles of almost traffic-free cycling, and is signed from Canterbury West station, joining National Cycle Route 1 through the town near the river at Pound Lane.

From Harbledown the route is mostly traffic free, following the old railway line from the Winding Pond - a great picnic spot - to the outskirts of Whitstable.

And if you don’t have a bike of your own it won’t stop you from enjoying the beautiful scenic route, as there are plenty cycle hire options for riders of all ages most of the year round.

Starting place

CT1 2AH, CT5 1SD, near Canterbury West

Ashford Outlet Adventure Playground

This digitally-enhanced playground features immersive augmented reality play experiences and includes one of the UK’s tallest open space Robinia tree house towers. 

Designed and installed by Kompan, Europe’s largest provider of outdoor play equipment, the new playground at the Ashford Outlet has been customised to deliver a one-of-a-kind experience for younger visitors, featuring a bespoke ‘Garden of England’ theme.

The SMART Playground’s innovative technology means that through QR codes placed on the playground equipment – or via the Apple or Android App Store – children can download the Hans Christian Andersen Play Gate app.

When the app is opened children will enjoy digital versions of their favourite fairy tales, sparking their imaginations and opening the door for themed play. With augmented reality, The Play Gate app also allows fairy tale characters to 'magically' appears on the playground, where adults can encourage children to interact with the character and promote role play in the playground.

The ‘Garden of England’ theme is further brought to life through bright flowers and butterflies, giant grass blades and an abundance of greenery. The new playground delivers a world-class play space for children of all abilities and includes wheelchair accessible equipment to ensure every child has equal access to the best play opportunities.

Address

Kimberley Way

Ashford

TN24 0SD

And as always have a chilled day from the Viking