Melon Farm

With the kids? Chances are you’ll be heading for the beach: head to Camber Sands (half an hour) for bucket-and-spade fun with the kids, while the vibe at Greatstone Beach (15 minutes) is quieter, with miles of grass-topped sand dunes to explore. If you all should tire of the beach, then a visit to Port Lympne Safari Park (20 minutes) to see the silverback gorillas and big cats should keep everybody happy. Fans of pottering around ancient castles will be pleased to note that the landmark Dover Castle (40 minutes) is opened for guided tours of its military museum and war-time tunnels, while dreamy, moated Leeds Castle (45 minutes) makes a full family day out, with play areas for the kids, birds of prey shows and tours of stately apartments as well as all sorts of events throughout the year. Green-fingered guests might also like to nose around Sissinghurst Castle Garden (40 minutes), lovingly created by writer Vita Sackville-West in the 1930s. You’ll find another unusual garden at Dungeness (20 minutes), home to Derek Jarmen’s Prospect Cottage, surrounded by flint, shingle and hardy plants.