Kent, a county southeast of London, provides numerous opportunities for a day trip if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the English capital. It has something for everyone: a coastline, hiking trails, castles and historic cities. Today, I put together a list of 8 day trip ideas in Kent you can go on from London. They’re all public transport friendly, as I don’t own a car and always rely on trains.

1. Canterbury

Starting with one of the most iconic cities in England outside of London – Canterbury. Home to one of the best known cathedrals in the country, and a charming Old Town. Located less than an hour away from London, it’s a great choice if you fancy a bit of sightseeing with plenty of options for a relaxing cup of coffee and a slice of cake. You can read about my visit to Canterbury in this post – I made sure to make the most of that day and explored all of the museums and gardens. I visited this charming city in winter and had a great time, but I imagine Canterbury would be particularly stunning in late spring, when the green spaces fill up with colourful flowers.

2. Rochester

Rochester, a city just outside of London, was one of my favourite discoveries in the UK. It’s a true hidden gem in Kent, with its stunning cathedral open to visitors free of charge, unlike most famous cathedrals in the country. There are also ruins of Rochester Castle right next to the Cathedral, and a charming high street with lots of small shops and cafes. I visited Rochester a few weeks before Christmas, during the annual Christmas market that takes place on the castle grounds. It was one of my favourite Christmas markets in the UK, with a good variety of food options and lots of gift shopping opportunities. If you have a chance, go visit Rochester in the festive season!

3. Folkestone

Folkestone is one of my favourite coastal towns in the UK. Underrated and not as filled with tourists as Brighton or Margate, and therefore more enjoyable. I’ve been to Folkestone multiple times and always look forward to the next visit. The Old High Street is filled with cafes and independent shops, perfect when you’re gift shopping. The beaches near the harbour are great for a relaxing stroll, and there are also food and drink places in that area. My favourite visit to Folkestone was on a crisp, sunny winter day – you can read about it here.

4. Folkestone to Dover Hike

If having a relaxing stroll around Folkestone isn’t enough for you, consider embarking on a hike from Folkestone to Dover. I completed it twice. The first time, I ended up walking at beach level most of the trip – you can read about it here. The second time, I managed to find the right trail and did a proper hike following the clifftops. It was an enjoyable walk with stunning views! If you’re a hiker and need ideas for a somewhat demanding hike near London, I recommend walking from Folkestone to Dover (and back, if one way isn’t enough to satisfy your hiking needs).

5. Dover

Dover is best known for being a transit hub for those travelling to mainland Europe via the Eurotunnel or the ferries. However, Dover is also a great place for a day trip! Dover Castle is the largest castle I’ve visited in the UK, and it’s well maintained. It’s much more than ruins – it’s a place where you can learn about English history centuries ago, but also in more recent times, as Dover Castle played an important part during WWII. And after a few hours at the castle, why not have a quick hike on the famous white cliffs of Dover? You can read about my day trip to Dover in this post.

6. Hiking in Wye

One day, I was looking at Google Maps, searching for a new place to explore. A large, green patch drew my attention – Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, I quickly googled things to do in Kent Downs and decided to go hiking near Wye. It’s a fantastic place for a nature walk, away from the crowds – perfect if you want to relax after a busy week. During the whole trip I only saw a handful of walkers, but I enjoyed plenty of stunning views! I followed a trail to Devil’s Kneading Trough – one of the landmarks in this area – and then just walked around without a plan. You can read more about that trip here.

7. Margate

Margate is one of Londoners’ favourite coastal towns for a city break, and rightly so. Less busy than Brighton, it still delivers a proper seaside experience. Expect to find fish and chips and ice cream shops, gaming arcades and maybe even a small Ferris wheel in the summer. One of the best things about Margate is its sandy beach – a rarity in the south east of England, where most of the coastline is covered with pebbles. I spent my very first weekend afternoon in Margate after I moved to the UK, and have some fond memories from that trip.

8. Ramsgate to Margate Hike

Last – but by no means least – is a walk from Ramsgate to Margate. It was a bit of a random idea that came to my head, as I was looking for new day trip opportunities, but it turned out to make a great trip. On my walk from Ramsgate to Margate, I had a chance to see some interesting cliff structures – much more impressive in real life than in photos. I completed that walk in winter, so if you’re looking for things to do in cold weather, save this idea! Just make sure to wrap up, as it can be windy near the sea. And if you want to have a chance to walk up to the most iconic cliffs, make sure to check tide times.

Happy travelling!

So here it is – my list of 8 day trip ideas in Kent that you can go on by train from London. Have you completed any of these yourself? Or maybe there’s something else you would add to this list? Let us know!

Also see:

• Travel