Swift Farm

The seaside town of Deal (15 minutes' drive) has several miles of pebbly beach fringed by wild fennel and a long promenade with a cycling path. In addition to two centuries-old fortresses (Deal Castle and Walmer Castle, where you can see the Duke of Wellington’s boots), the town has a lively high street with independent shops and cafés. You can hand-feed lemurs and anteaters at Howletts Wild Animal Park (20 minutes), and get to know the habits of other residents, including rhinos, gorillas and Sumatran tigers. The Animals of the Ice Age exhibition displays life-size dinosaurs in an atmospheric wooded setting. With its spectacular stained-glass windows, imposing vaults and the martyrdom site of Thomas Becket, the cathedral in Canterbury (half an hour) is well worth a visit. The lively university city also has a handful of good museums, including The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge, with local history displays, plus rotating exhibitions.