Get Ready For Visit Kent’s The Kent Big Weekend 2025!
Every year, Visit Kent secures thousands of COMPLETELY FREE tickets for our county’s top attractions so that residents can enjoy an incredible Kentish day out.
Exclusively for Kent residents, THE BIG WEEKEND – taking place on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 April 2025 – is all about celebrating our incredible tourism offer and sharing it with loved ones. The Big Weekend works on a ticket ballot system; between Friday 7 and Monday 17 March, you can apply for as many tickets as you like, with the winners selected at random – register and apply! Here are some of the great attractions and experiences taking part this year…
Something to wet your whistle
People often think that winemaking in Kent is a new thing, but over 1,000 years ago, Bishop Gundulf planted vines and established the monastery in Rochester as England’s first large-scale wine producer. See how much things have grown since then with not one but six of Kent’s vineyards offering prizes including the Gusbourne Estate, Biddenden Vineyards, Westwell Wines and Squerryes Winery, as well as newer producers Yotes Court Vineyard and Wayfarer Wines.
It’s not just wine on the Kent drinks’ trolley; find out about Kent’s brewing heritage with Britain’s oldest brewer on the Shepherd Neame Brewery Tour or at The Curious Brewery. Or, if spirits tickle your fancy, you could opt for Maidstone Distillery or Copper Rivet. Can’t make up your mind? There’s the best of both worlds at The Foundry Brew Pub.
If you are looking to take the kids out, they will definitely be chuffed with a tractor ride at Solley’s Ice Cream Parlour & Café, although they’ll probably want a sweet treat after. Yes, you can have one too!
Adventures in the great outdoors
You don’t have to be as adventurous as Kent explorer William Adams to discover something new. Take to the water with Canoe Wild. It’s doubtful you’ll make it to Japan like Mr. Adams, so Grove Ferry is probably far enough. Make a big splash with the Aqua Park Challenge at Action Watersports in Lydd, or hop along to Betteshanger Park to help ‘Billy’ find his missing Easter eggs.
For the green-fingered, Mount Ephraim Gardens, Great Comp Garden and Brogdale Collections are all taking part and to go full steam with your adventures, why not take a trip on the Bredgar and Wormshill Light Railway or the Kent and East Sussex Railway? If you want to explore on foot, the Isle of Thanet is calling with Ramsgate Nordic Walking.
Although not an outdoor adventure, a trip to Faversham Swimming Pools or Chimera Climbing will definitely get your heart rate up a notch. Or you could fly over to Eagle Heights or the Kent Falconry Centre to visit some feathery friends; test your archery skills with Joe’s Bows; or relish a night under canvas for a real adventure at Badgells Wood campsite. For something a little different, opt for the unique experience of the Sea Scrub Sauna in Margate.
Places with a story to tell
Kent’s rich history means that the county is bursting with stories. With so many museums and heritage sites participating, you’re spoilt for choice. The wonderful thing about the Big Weekend is you don’t have to pick a favourite – you can enter for as many prizes as you like.
If it’s a museum you want, how about Ashford Borough Museum, The Guildhall Museum Rochester, or Walpole Bay Hotel and Museum? Museums often reflect the passions of the people that started them and this is clearly on display at The Powell-Cotton Museum and The C. M. Booth collection of historic vehicles. If military aviation history is more your thing, try the Battle of Britain Memorial or RAF Manston History Museum. It’s not just the skies over Kent that played their part; learn about Kent’s contribution to the sea at The Historic Dockyard Chatham or visit South Foreland Lighthouse, perfectly placed on the cliffs to help ships navigate the Strait of Dover.
Speaking of coastal defences, some of Kent’s most spectacular castles and forts are also participating. Dover Castle, Walmer Castle, Deal Castle and Rochester Castle all have their place in defending the country. Fort Amherst and Richborough Roman Forts also have unique stories. To complete our collection, head inland to visit Scotney Castle, Chiddingstone Castle or Leeds Castle.
Historic houses provide incredible tales courtesy of the people that lived there. There’s Down House – home of Charles Darwin; Chartwell, the beloved home of Winston Churchill; Knole, which sits magnificently within Kent’s last medieval deer park; and Penshurst Place, Henry VIII’s hunting lodge.
Canterbury has been a central character in England’s story. Why not allow Canterbury Guided Tours to show you the sights or explore Canterbury Cathedral and St Augustine’s Abbey.
As every Womble knows, there are a few stories to be found if you head underground. Do just that at the Fan Bay Deep Shelter, the Ramsgate Tunnels or the Margate Caves.
That’s entertainment
There have been a few blockbusters filmed in Kent over the years; from The Avengers to Mission Impossible, why not enjoy the big screen at the Avenue Theatre in Sittingbourne? If you fancy the thrill of big machinery, Diggerland could be just the ticket. Some people like their engines a little smaller – if that’s you, the WonderWorks in Margate has what you need.
Phew, after all of that we need a lie down. And for one lucky Big Weekend winner they can do just that at the Best Western Abbots Barton Hotel in Canterbury.
Head over to kentbigweekend.co.uk from 7 March and enter for your chance to win an unforgettable Kentish weekend.
