Worth getting out of bed for...

Viewpoint

One of the most inspiring views in Kent is of bluebells carpeting the ancient forests of the High Weald: visit Hole Park Gardens (+44 (0)1580 241344) near Rolvenden in April or May for a big blue eyeful. From the top of Sissinghurst Castle tower there are views of classic Kent countryside, the horizon jagged with oast-house roofs.

Arts and culture

Some of England’s most interesting bricks-and-moats attractions are an easy drive away: pick from Ann Boleyn’s family seat (Hever Castle; www.hevercastle.co.uk), a 14th-century country manor (Penshurst Place), a deer park and pre-eminent private house (Knole), a romantic gothic castle (Chiddingstone), Winston Churchill’s home (Chartwell), and last but certainly not least, the eyeful of loveliness that is Leeds Castle. If hanky-flapping, hopping, bearded men in green tights, scary hobby horses and sticks with bells on are your thing, Kent also hosts numbers folk festivals throughout the year. The Jerwood Gallery (www.jerwoodgallery.org; +44 (0)1424 728377) on the delightfully named Rock-a-Nore Road has a rich stash of British work, produced by the likes of Augustus John, Lawrence Stephen Lowry and Sir Stanley Spencer, as well as more contemporary talent such as Maggie Hambling. The gallery holds arts events every Saturday, championing local performers as well as internationally renowned stage companies.

Something for nothing

There’s plenty to keep you busy without shelling out, not least of which is beachcombing and paddling in rock pools along the coast. The rugged path along the White Cliffs of Dover will take you past Dover Castle and the South Foreland Lighthouse, as well as give you a glimpse of France on a clear day (+44 (0)1304 202756). From Canterbury, you can follow sections of the North Downs Way, which follow part of the Pilgrim’s Way: visit National Trail (www.nationaltrail.co.uk) for route maps.

Shopping

In Tunbridge Wells, browse the Pantiles colonnade for quirky boutiques, antiques and collectibles. Dedicated followers of fashion will love Daizie Brown, 70 High Street (+44 (0)1892 528877), where they’ll find on-trend pieces by Betty Jackson and By Malene Birger, plus sweet Johnny Loves Rosie accessories. In Whitstable, pick up vintage trinkets and then have home-made ice-cream at Sundae Sundae (www.sundaesundae.co.uk) on Harbour Street; or rummage for applied arts in sweet gift boutique Frank (+44 (0)1227 262500) and homewares in Urbanista (+44 (0)1227 282852). In Broadstairs, you’ll find delicious home-made jams and cute 40s-style bathers and kitchenware among the cakes at the Oscar Road café (+44 (0)1843 872442); and funky boutique-hotel style furnishings and gifts at Found (+44 (0)1843 609478) on the High Street. When in Deal, stock up on retro sweets from the Sugar Boy (+44(0)1227 769374) at 10 Broad Street. This tiny emporium is stacked with jars and jars of old-fashioned delights such as apple-toffee bonbons, banana-split éclairs, butterscotch tablet and milk bottles. Readers and rummagers will love Golden Hind Books (+44 (0)1304 375533) at 15 Silver Street. The shop is crammed with old-fashioned postcards and ancient editions and housed in one of Deal’s oldest seafront buildings. Stock up on gifts and trinkets at Carried Away (+44 (0)1304 379167) at 183 High Street. There’s a magpie-pleasing profusion of china tea-sets, jewellery, scarves and other fripperies. Add to your antiques collection with a healthy conscience at Hoppy’s Haven (+44 (0)7814 631127) at 33 Middle Street. Proceeds go to the owner’s animal sanctuary and the wooden furniture is worth a gander. Kent’s not really a shopaholic’s dream destination though, so on the whole you’re more likely to be rewarded browsing for gastro goodies and previously loved gewgaws…

Daytripper

See how many of the Seven Wonders of the Weald (www.sevenwonders.org.uk) you can tick off your tourist check-list in one day. This chunk of the High Weald is within just eight miles of Tunbridge Wells and contains a lucky number of attractions, including Sissinghurst and Scotney Castles, Lamberhurst Vineyard and Bewl Water. Alternatively, head to Whitstable, have a look at the harbour, poke around in the fish market, and then settle in for a late lunch of fresh native oysters or smoked fish in one of the little seafront restaurants.

Best beach

Spend a day on Viking Bay’s sandy beach in quaint seaside town Broadstairs – aside from its retro tea rooms and ice-cream parlours (see Eating & Drinking), Punch & Judy and paddling-perfect main beach, there are half a dozen Blue Flag beauties close by. Hit the surf at Joss Bay, a short drive away; dig in on family-friendly Stone Bay, a mere amble from Broadstairs Harbour; or admire the flint-seamed chalk cliffs on a blustery walk westwards towards Ramsgate Harbour.

Perfect picnic

Pick up supplies in Tunbridge Wells from Carluccio’s (+44 (0)1892 614968) and take them to Calverley Park’s lawns, or all the way to Bedgebury Pinetum (+44 (0)1580 879820), where you can follow your feet or jump on a bike and find your own perfect picnic patch among the trees. Or go for the coast classic, and have fish ’n’ chips, winkles or jellied eels by the sea in Whitstable, Broadstairs or Ramsgate Harbour. If you're Deal-ing, get your organic picnic provisions from Allotment (+44 (0)1304 371719) at 119 High Street. Choose from cheeses, freshly baked breads, meats and even home-cooked curries and eat anywhere on the pretty pebbled seafront.

Walks

The Tunbridge Wells Circular loops in and out of the High Weald, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty; there are shorter sections to tackle, if a 30-mile yomp is not really your idea of weekend heaven. Or wander through Hurst Wood, just northwest of Royal Tunbridge Wells, for a briefer burst of fresh air.

Children

Water mazes, jousting, boating on the lake, hunting with cheetahs, instruments of torture and falconry make Hever Castle (www.hevercastle.co.uk) an all-day affair for fun-seeking families; and the dog-collar museum and aviary at moated Leeds Castle will entertain your animal-loving offspring – you can even arrange for them to be keeper for the day; or let them Go Ape (www.goape.co.uk) on zip slides between the tree-tops. We also love Howletts Wild Animal Park near Canterbury (www.totallywild.net).

Activities

Oenophiles could spend a day visiting some of Kent’s impressive vineyards: there are four within a 20-mile radius of Tunbridge Wells: Lamberhurst and Chapel Down (www.englishwines.com), Biddenden (+44 (0)1580 291726) and Sandhurst (+44 (0)1580 850296). Drift over the downs on a hot-air balloon ride from Hop Farm Country Park or Lamberhurst Vineyard with Out Of This World (+44 (0)1622 873050; www.airborneballoons.co.uk). Primp, preen and be pampered at the Royal Day Spa in Tunbridge Wells (+44 (0)1892 616191). Spot seals on a cruise aboard the Mona Lisa from Ramsgate Harbour (www.galleoncruises.com). Go surfing: have lessons or hire kit from Joss Bay Surf School (+44 (0)7812 991195; www.jossbay.co.uk); they also rent out kayaks, if you prefer more sedentary sea views…

And

At Riverhill House (www.riverhillgardens.co.uk) near Sevenoaks, there’s a spectacular hillside garden (only open from Easter till mid-summer) with wide-ranging vistas to the south; take a cheese, chutney and cider picnic there, and go when the bluebells are in full blue-m.