Our April Highlights - Inspiration for what to do in Kent
- Girl About Kent
- May 4
- 6 min read
Kent is a county brimming with history, natural beauty, and exciting activities for all ages. Whether you're drawn to its stunning coastline, charming villages, or vibrant cultural events, there's always something new to discover. Each month, we explore the best that Kent has to offer—from scenic walks and historic sites to family-friendly attractions and hidden gems.
In this series, we’ll take you along on our favourite outings, sharing firsthand experiences, insider tips, and recommendations to inspire your own adventures.
Here’s a look at what we got up to in April!
Sea Scrub Sauna
Kirsty took some time to relax and unwind at Sea Scrub Sauna:
I was lucky enough to visit both Whitstable and Faversham saunas this month and have definitely become a sauna convert! Both sites offer the ultimate in Scandinavian sauna culture but are both very different.
In Whitstable, you are treated to views of the stunning Kent coast. We timed our private session with the sunset and it was absolutely magical. I never thought I’d be submerging myself in a cold plunge barrel but the mix of the hot sauna and the cold water complement each other perfectly! Some of my group were also brave enough to take a dip in the sea whilst I was happy to watch them from the warmth of the sauna.
Sea Scrub’s latest location is at Mackande in Faverhsham, complete with a sauna, cold barrels, bucket showers and my favourite part - a hot tub all overlooking the Kent countryside.
Winnie the Pooh afternoon tea
Kirsty indulged in a cute and also delicious afternoon tea at The Lane in Deal:
The Lane has become pretty famous for its themed afternoon teas over the years with past themes covering anything from Toy Story to Bridgerton and I have been desperate to try one so I was really excited to be invited to their latest theme.
As with all of the afternoon teas the attention to detail is amazing, so much effort is put into creating experiences for their diners and the Winnie the Pooh afternoon tea was no exception. We were greeted by beautifully laid out tables and gorgeous props which really delighted the children. They loved their party bags which I also loved as it kept them entertained whilst I focused on the delicious food and drink.
We ordered some gorgeous themed cocktails which were vodka based and flavoured deliciously with honey - these complemented the afternoon tea brilliantly. We had a range of savoury foods including canapes, terrines and sliders alongside a gorgeous homemade scone and an amazing spread of sweet dishes including cupcakes, carrot cake and cheesecake all beautifully decorated to match the Winnie the Pooh theme.
Safe to say the food was all delicious and despite our best attempts we had to take some home with us which is never a bad thing - I do love a slice of cake for breakfast!
You can find out the next themed afternoon tea here: https://www.thelanedeal.co.uk/afternoon-tea
Dreamland
Kirsty took the family for a fun day out at Dreamland Margate:
One of the kid’s favourite days out is a trip to Dreamland and now Dreamland have made it even easier with unlimited ride wristbands!
We had a great day exploring all of the different rides - my son is just starting to like some of the faster rides such as the Waltzers and the Rock n Rollercoaster whilst there are still lots of gentler rides for my little one to enjoy like the carousel. Included with the wristbands werre attractions like the mirror maze and the mirror house as well as mini gold which we took some time out to play.
We made a day of it and grabbed some lunch whilst watching a film on the big screen - we chose the delicious bao buns from Beastie Bao’s while the kids enjoyed some chips saving some room for an ice cream later!
Whilst we were there we also spent some time at the roller disco which was great fun! And the kids can never resist and arcade so we spent some time on the 2p machines before it was time to go back home.
The Historic Dockyard Chatham
Katy had a great family day out at The Historic Dockyard Chatham to take in their LEGO Brickwrecks exhibition:
This month, we visited The Historic Dockyard Chatham for the first time and I can’t believe it’s taken us so long!
We spent most of our time in their Brickwrecks exhibition - an incredible collection recreating some of the world’s most renowned shipwrecks using thousands of LEGO bricks.
Including replicas of the infamous RMS Titanic, HMS Erebus and HMS Pandora, as well as shipwrecks such as MV Rena and Batavia, the attention to detail and creativity is incredible. There were lots of interactive elements for the kids, and they loved building their own LEGO creations as well as exploring the multimedia elements.
We were enjoying it so much, in fact, that we didn’t have time to see much else! We didn’t even complete the Easter Egg hunt or go aboard any of the ships themselves - there was so much more to do and see. Luckily, our tickets are valid for a year so we’ll definitely be back to explore more of this amazing site.
The Brickwrecks: Sunken Ships in LEGO Bricks is at The Historic Dockyard Chatham until 31st August and is included in the admission price. It’s so impressive so I certainly recommend a visit, with or without little ones.
Howletts Elephant Encounter
Kirsty and her family got up close to the elephants at Howletts Wildlife Park:
We have done a few of the different animal encounters at both Howletts and Port Lympne and have always loved how up close you can get to the beautiful animals. We were all excited to feed the elephants as these are always one of our favourite animals to see.
We met the keeper who explained the process to us and tempted the elephants over. The children got really excited once they saw the elephants emerging. We were given bamboo to feed them and had to let go as soon as the elephants took hold as their trunks were surprisingly strong! It was amazing getting to be so close to them and watch them in action as they stripped every leaf from the branches.
The keeper was really knowledgeable, answering all of our questions, and obviously cared greatly for the animals she worked with.
Such an amazing experience and definitely one of our favourites!
Book your experience here: https://www.aspinallfoundation.org/howletts/animal-experiences-days/
Essence at The Pantiles
Katy enjoyed a special anniversary lunch at Tunbridge Wells’ chic pan-Indian restaurant, Essence at The Pantiles:
I’ve been wanting to visit Essence at The Pantiles since it opened last year and finally had the chance this week for my wedding anniversary.
Owned by Michelin starred chef Atul Kochhar, this beautiful restaurant combines opulent elegance with delicious, flavoursome food. Serving pan-Indian cuisine, the menu is extensive, and its location in the heart of The Pantiles can’t be beaten.
With two small children at home, lunch dates are much easier for us these days, so we took advantage of their brilliant midweek set lunch menu. At £24 for 2 courses / £28 for 3 courses, it’s great value for such high quality dishes.
My husband ordered the Makali Fry followed by the Chicken Lababdar, whilst I had the Aloo Tikka Chole Chaat, with the Niriyal Gosht for main. All of the food was sensational and beautifully presented. The meat was perfectly tender and full of aromatic spices.
I also treated myself to a Mirchi Margarita which was a perfectly refreshing and tangy accompaniment, and we ordered additional sides of onion bhaji and naan bread.
The food was fabulous, the setting gorgeous, and the staff very welcoming and friendly. The set menu is also brilliant value for money and full of a great variety of dishes. We can’t wait to return!
Mai’s Massage Therapy
Kirsty had some real ‘me time’ when she experienced her first ever Thai massage:
Mai, originally from Thailand, has recently opened her massage studio tucked away in Whitstable —and I was lucky enough to be invited for a session.
Mai combines traditional Thai massage techniques with more modern therapeutic touches, and the result is magic. Throughout the 90-minute session, Mai checked in with me regularly and somehow managed to find all the tight, knotted areas I didn’t even know needed attention. Her hands are seriously skilled—firm where they needed to be, gentle when it mattered.
She used oils as well, which made the whole experience even more soothing. Time honestly flew by, and by the end, I felt like I’d just come back from a mini holiday—totally recharged and much lighter.
If you’re looking for a proper treat for your body and mind, definitely give Mai’s place a try. She’s lovely, the massage was incredible, and it’s the kind of self-care you’ll be glad you made time for.
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