21 unforgettable gift experiences in Kent
If the past few years have taught us anything, it’s that making memories with the ones we love is something we should never take for granted. Most of us have plenty of “stuff”, so when it comes to gift buying, it’s lovely to receive something that will create some special and unique moments.
With this in mind, here are 21 unforgettable gift experiences in Kent to treat your loved ones to. From TV location tours to seal spotting; candle making to helicopter lessons, there’s something for everyone on the list to inspire some creative Christmas shopping.
Kent Cookery School
Whether you’re a complete novice or secret Mary Berry in the kitchen, Kent Cookery School’s courses make a great gift experience for any foodies.
I was lucky enough to experience one of their Prosecco & Tapas evenings earlier this year (see my review in the link at the bottom of the page) and it was so much fun. It’s such a brilliant opportunity to learn some new dishes in a fun and lively group setting – plus the team themselves are fabulous!
Gift vouchers for either half or full day courses are available on their website and are valid for 12 months. From Thai Street Food and Sushi Masterclasses, to The Bread Course and Doughnut Workshop, there’s a huge range to choose from.
Call The Midwife Tour
Fans of the hit TV show, Call The Midwife, will love this gift experience. Walk in the footsteps of Nurse Trixie Franklin, Sister Julienne and Dr Turner, and go behind the scenes with this official location tour of the popular BBC series.
Led by your very own costumed midwife, the walking tour will show you how Neal Street Productions transformed Chatham Dockyard into 1950s and 60s East London. It includes familiar buildings of ‘Poplar’, as well as Grosvenor Hotel and ‘Chummy’s Hill’, with a picture book and exclusive exhibition to bring the areas to life.
Tours run between March – October 2023 and gift vouchers are available to purchase on the Chatham Dockyard website.
Wine Tours Of Kent
What could be better than a day of sampling local wines whilst being chauffeured around the beautiful Kent countryside? If this sounds up your loved one’s street, a wine tour with Wine Tours Of Kent would make for an ideal gift.
I can safely say from first hand experience that this is a really special day out. Visiting three wonderful wineries in Kent, tours include all transport, tastings and a delicious lunch at a country pub, as well as a friendly and knowledgeable guide. More details are available in my review (see link at the bottom of the page).
Potential vineyards to visit include Gusbourne, Balfour, Chapel Down, Herbert Hall and Biddenden, amongst others. Gift vouchers are available on their website.
Dover Sea Safari
Did you know that there are seals living on the Kent coast? Wildlife lovers can enjoy a 2 hour RHIB boat trip from Dover Marina to see these ‘secret seals’ in their natural habitat with Dover Sea Safari.
Cruising under the iconic White Cliffs of Dover and along the coastline, the boat trip takes visitors across to Pegwell Bay nature reserve where there’s the chance to spot Common Harbour Seals basking on the river bank.
Trips to Goodwin Sands and the White Cliffs of Dover are also available and vouchers can be applied to any bookings. Please see their website for more details.
The Outdoor Candle Company
Based just outside of Tunbridge Wells, The Outdoor Candle Company creates beautiful scented candles and offers the memorable opportunity to create your very own, in a 2-hour candle making workshop.
Learning about the history of candle making and selecting your scent from a wide range of fragrances, the workshop gives the chance for the recipient to make a bespoke soy wax candle as a special addition to any home. They run on select mornings and evenings with refreshments provided at The Outdoor Candle Company’s studio in Pembury.
Gift vouchers are available on the website, as well as candle making gift sets to make at home.
I’ll Be Mother
If you’re yet to visit one of the I’ll Be Mother restaurants in Kent, you’re in for a treat. I absolutely love all three of their sites – The Beacon in Tunbridge Wells, Kingdom in Penshurst and The Swan at Chapel Down – and they all have a unique style and feel.
With a focus on creating meaningful memories with loved ones, the I’ll Be Mother brand is all about good food and good times. Gift vouchers are redeemable at any of the three locations, so the recipient could treat themselves to a woodland breakfast at Kingdom Cafe, sumptuous fireside dinner at The Beacon’s Hearth Restaurant or a wine-paired lunch at Chapel Down’s The Swan.
Gift vouchers are available on the I’ll Be Mother website and are valid for 12 months.
Canoe Wild
Children or adults will love a memorable day out on the water with Canoe Wild. Based just outside of Canterbury, their kayak and canoe tours are a relaxing and picturesque way of enjoying the River Stour and surrounding countryside.
Gift vouchers are valid for 12 months and can be redeemed to book one of Canoe Wild’s brilliant guided tours (including their Wildlife Sunset Tours and Guided Paddles), or private hire of a canoe or kayak to paddle from the pretty town of Fordwich to Grove Ferry.
Please see more details on their website or Instagram page about Canoe Wild’s gift experiences in Kent.
Brighton i360
This one is cheating a bit as it’s not actually in Kent, but I have to include it. Standing pride of place on the Brighton seafront, the British Airways i360 offers spectacular views across the south coast and makes for a great gift for thrillseekers and romantic alike.
Get the gift of an adrenaline-fuelled 360 degree open air walk around the top of the futuristic-looking pod for those who like to live on the edge. Walks last an hour and a half and include two souvenir photos to download.
Alternatively, for something a little more laid back, how about a Sparkling Afternoon Tea gift experience? Take in stunning panoramic views from 450ft above sea level whilst sipping Nyetimber wine and devouring decadent scones.
Gift vouchers for these and other i360 experiences are available on the website. See my full review (link at the bottom of the page) for more information about Brighton’s British Airways i360.
Maidstone Distillery
Treat the gin lover in your life to either a cocktail masterclass or distillery tour and tasting at Maidstone Distillery.
Tour guests are welcomed with a large gin and tonic, before learning about the fascinating history of distilling in Kent and the processes they use to make their craft gins today. The tour ends with a tutored tasting of some of their award-winning gins, making it a fabulous gift experience in Kent.
For more of an evening event, their cocktail masterclass and canapés vouchers give guests the opportunity to get hands-on experience, learning the art of mixology and create three delicious cocktails.
Gift vouchers are available on the website and valid for 12 months.
Green Farm
There’s no better way to get away from it all than with a spa day in the heart of the Kent countryside. Green Farm in Shadoxhurst provides a rural retreat to relax, unwind and soak up your surroundings in a beautifully restored farmhouse.
With on-site spa treatments, accommodation, yoga and meditation classes, it is an idyllic place to treat someone to an indulgent escape. Gift cards are available for day retreats or longer stays, with the day retreat including two classes, a guided country walk, lunch and use of the spa facilities.
All details are available on the Green Farm website.
Kent Life Heritage Farm
If you’re looking for a gift for the whole family, Kent Life Heritage Farm offers annual membership which will no doubt provide some great days out throughout the year.
They also have the option to adopt an animal which would make a lovely gift for youngsters. Choose from alpacas, donkeys, goats, pigs, horses, rabbits or sheep and receive an adoption pack which includes a photo of the recipient’s furry friend along with a certificate and complimentary entry ticket.
An annual pass for a family of 4 is £125 whilst adopting an animal is just £25. See my review (link at the bottom of the page) for more details about Kent Life Heritage Farm.
One Warwick Park
Located just a stone’s throw from the historic Pantiles, One Warwick Park in Tunbridge Wells is a gorgeous spot to escape to for either a meal or night away.
Treat your loved one to a bottomless brunch or afternoon tea at the luxury hotel with their gift vouchers. With menus jam-packed with fluffy pancakes, breakfast burritos, home-baked scones and luscious cakes, you’ll be begging to be their plus one.
Gift vouchers are available on their website and valid for 12 months.
Hever Castle Membership
As the former home of Anne Boleyn, this historic castle is bursting with history. With events throughout the year and seasonally evolving beautiful gardens, annual membership at Hever Castle is a great gift for anyone who lives locally.
Including discounts at the on-site cafes and shops, as well priority booking for key events, we had the membership this year and certainly made the most of it. From the daffodils blooming in March right through to the Christmas light trails in December, it makes for some wonderful days out.
All details are available on the Hever Castle website. You can choose from a Gardens Only ticket or one that also includes the castle itself.
Thurston Helicopter Tour
For an epic and truly unforgettable experience, how about a scenic flight over Kent in a helicopter?
Departing from their airfield in Headcorn, Thurston Helicopters offer 25, 40 or 60 minute pleasure flights taking in panoramic views of locations including Leeds Castle, Scotney Castle and Bodiam Castle. Alternatively, they also run trial lessons for those who’d like to get behind the wheel.
Gift vouchers are valid for 6 months and are available via the Thurston Helicopters website.
Another wonderful spot for a sumptuous afternoon tea is the charming The Tulip Tree in Chiddingstone.
Dating back to 1453, this historic cobbled courtyard hosts a tea room and shop in the beautiful National Trust owned village. Treat your loved ones to an afternoon tea for two complete with sandwiches, sausage rolls, scones and homemade cakes. You can also upgrade to an Prosecco afternoon tea if you fancy adding a bit of sparkle!
They also have gift cards available for the shop, all of which are available on the website. Gift vouchers are valid for 24 months.
The Tulip Tree
Brogdale
Located near Faversham, Brogdale is the home of the National Fruit Collection and a wonderful place for visitors of all ages.
Their Orchard Passes give access to unlimited orchard walks and guided tours during their open season (April-October) whilst self-guided walks can be enjoyed all year round. You can also purchase gift vouchers which can be used against any of their horticultural courses, events or festivals as well as annual or day passes.
Orchard passes start from £6 for children and are just £28 for a family pass. Please see more details on the Brogdale webs
Kent & East Sussex Railway
A day out on a steam train is a great gift for all ages. With railway experiences and a regular timetable throughout the year, a gift card for Kent & East Sussex Railway is a chance to make some unforgettable memories.
Travelling between the picturesque market town of Tenterden and historic Bodiam, Kent & East Sussex Railway operate heritage steam and diesel trains through the Kent countryside. Events during the year include their Junior Engineering Experience and Teddy Bear’s Picnics.
More details are available on the Kent & East Sussex Railway website.
Flyboarding Lesson
For something really different, how about a gift voucher for a flyboarding lesson on the Kent coast?
Based in Lydd, Action Water Sports offer flyboarding, water skiing and SUP paddle boarding. Their flyboard experience offers the chance to glide through the water at speed before raising up out of the water like a superhero. The voucher includes 2 x 15 minute lessons on the water as well as all equipment needed.
More details of this and other water sports are available on the Action Water Sports website.
Boys Hall
Located just outside of Ashford, the newly refurbished Boys Hall is a beautiful boutique hotel to stay or eat at. Dating back to the 17th century, this historic building has been lovingly restored, boasting luxury rooms, cosy bars and a restaurant serving local produce.
Gift vouchers are available to purchase through the website and are valid for 12 months. They can be put towards meals in their stylish restaurant, an overnight stay in a boutique suite or cocktails in the lounge.
Shepherd Neame Brewery Tour
Go behind the scenes of Britain’s oldest brewery with a tour of Shepherd Neame in Faversham.
This award-winning tour gives visitors a chance to learn about the history of beer brewing in Kent and visit the Old Brewery Store before enjoying a tutored tasting of some of the beers themselves. They also have evening tours available, as well as beer and food matching evenings.
Please see the Shepherd Neame website for more details.
Elmley Nature reserve
Spanning over 3,000 acres of breathtakingly beautiful wilderness, Elmley Nature Reserve is an idyllic place to connect with nature.
Treat your loved one to a safari experience on the two mile entry track through roaming cattle, winding waterways and wildlife. Visitors have the chance to spot hares, marsh harrier, egrets and lapwings in the stunning reserve. The gift voucher also includes lunch and a hot drink in the on-site cafe.
Vouchers can be booked via the website and are valid for 12 months.
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