First making a name for itself as a wool trading and shipbuilding center in the 13th century, the historic village of Tenterden is today best known as the starting point of the Kent & East Sussex Railway. Here, visitors can take a ride on one of England’s best preserved steam heritage railways—but not before exploring Tenterden’s shops, wood-beamed cottages, and Victorian townhouses.
Docked in Southampton, the SS Shieldhall is the one of largest working steamboats in all of the United Kingdom, and stands as a tribute to British maritime history. Here, visitors can view the unique inner workings of classic steamship machinery frozen in time, both above and below deck, learn about how most ocean-going ships worked in the 19th and 20th centuries, and take to the sea.
Sandwiched between Weston Woods and the headland at Sand Point, Sand Bay in Somerset is a sweeping sand and shingle beach backed by unspoiled dunes. A favorite for hiking, horseback riding, dog walking, and seaside strolling—as well as birdwatching at Sand Point—Sand Bay also offers vistas of the River Severn and its two suspension bridges on a clear day.
Inspire young minds and have a fun, as well as educational, day out at the Look Out Discovery Centre. Hands-on science and nature exhibits and shows teach kids all about the way the world works. Children can learn from more than 90 activities, from launching a hydrogen rocket to playing with boats or building a house.
A small nature reserve with views of the sea and Dover’s white chalk cliffs, Samphire Hoe is home to wildflowers, including orchids, hundreds of moths and butterfly species, a wealth of birdlife, and grazing livestock in season. A network of well-maintained paths crisscross the reserve, providing several short walks for you to take to see its wildlife wonders.
