Dating back to the 19th century, the sundowner was born in South Africa; a simple gin and tonic became the drink of choice, with its quinine-infused tonic water helping to ward off malaria while also serving as a cooling beverage after a long day in the heat. At this time, the sundowner was not just a ritual of enjoyment but also a means of survival. Today, the sundowner has evolved into a simple act of pleasure, where a day out consists of a cooling beverage and a striking sunset. Across Kent, summer months invite locals and visitors to indulge in evenings of pure leisure and entertainment. From late evening walks in the countryside to coastal views and cocktails, sundowners and summer nights in the Garden of England are a special ritual worth experiencing.

Calm Coastal Evenings

Spending a summer evening in Kent, you will see the end of the day marks a shift, a moment to unwind, while also having the chance to explore some of the county’s iconic locations in a relaxed setting. 

Starting off on the county’s north-east coastline, the vibrant seaside town of Margate offers afternoon adventures, which transition into slow evenings. When you arrive, make your way to the seafront, which is adorned with stretching views across the North Sea and colourfully painted beach huts.

From the seafront, Dreamland – Margate’s much-loved amusement park and entertainment centre – is only a few steps away, Throughout August, it’s possible to grab tickets for a number of events here including performances from The Kooks, Bastille and Nile Rodger & CHIC, which are all happening alongside food vendors and thrilling fairground rides, where you can enjoy panoramic views from the iconic Big Wheel.

After discovering Dreamland, make your way to the Pearly Cow. Only a few steps away from the beach, this brilliant restaurant offers the perfect evening pairing of a glorious Turner sunset and a modern take on a sundowner of your choice. Sitting on the terrace, you can indulge in one (or two) of Pearly Cow’s signature cocktails, from the sharp taste of Italian Rhubarb, with sweet vermouth and rhubarb liqueur, to Nineteen Twenty, serving Select Aperitivo with fresh orange juice for a botanical twist. 

Heading 40 miles south along the Kent coastline, you will arrive in the vibrant seaside town of Folkestone, a town known for its contemporary art scene and a community of indie creatives.

Start your afternoon off by heading to the Creative Quarter; widely considered the cultural heart of Folkestone, the area is made up of an eclectic group of independent shops, galleries and studios stacked up along The Old High Street. Discover vintage clothes at Bounce Vintage and contemporary art in an array of open studios including Kollectiv – with an artisan coffee shop and bar, here you can browse a selection of carefully selected world-class art.

As the evening sets in, it is a short walk to the Folkestone Harbour Arm, a historic promenade stretching into the English Channel. Walking to the end, you will see a picturesque lighthouse which is home to The Champagne Lighthouse Bar, a stylish bar with panoramic views across the White Cliffs of Dover and, most notably, the closest Champagne bar to France. Enjoy an evening sundowner with the bar’s signature Champagne or choose from one of the award-winning sparkling wines; paired with live music evenings, this is the perfect spot to relax, all while drinking in the serene coastal views.

If you’re more in the mood for a rest and reset than a tipple or two (alcohol and saunas are not recommended!), continue your evening with a walk along Folkestone Beach to Sea Scrub Sauna. The UK’s biggest beach spa, here you can unwind with the choice of two wood-fired saunas, a cold plunge tank, hot tubs and warm showers to end the evening right with the perfect sunset activity.

Late Nights Among the Vines

The rise in vineyards across the county pairs summer evenings with award-winning wine, setting the scene for a serene environment where you can be surrounded by luscious vines while relishing a delicious sundowner.

Begin your evening with a stroll through Hucking Estate, which is set in the Kent Downs. The Hucking Estate boasts a wealth of wildlife and picturesque views across the countryside. Choose between two waymarked trails, consisting of the shorter, one-mile blue circular route or the longer red route, which takes around 90 minutes. Along the walk, you may see one of the 10 threatened bird species or one of the 21 species of butterfly in the woodland including the elusive Marbled White.

After a wander through the Kent Downs, a short eight-minute drive will lead you to the quaint village of Hollingbourne, which is home to Penn Oast Vineyard. Set on an eight-acre plot, the Davis family have been running the vineyard since 2022, always making sure to put wildlife first. Resultantly, the vineyard is home to a number of insects, butterflies, wild brown hares and birds of prey which reside around the vines.

Hosting four open days across August, starting on Saturday 1 August, with food served from 5pm, you can indulge in the Defender of the Taste experience, showcasing homemade pizza cooked in a traditional wood-fired oven and paired with a perfect sundowner – a glass of Penn Oast Vineyard sparkling or still wine. Open days will also run on Saturday 8, Sunday 30 and Monday 31 August, with delicious food from Curbside Chef, who’ll be serving loaded fries and gyros alongside artisan pizzas from Joe’s Dough.

©Rother Valley Country Park

Heading across the county to Sevenoaks, a summer evening can be spent at The Mount Vineyard, a hidden vineyard nestled in the Darrent Valley. Starting at 4.30pm, the evening can begin with wine tasting and a bespoke tour of the vineyard where you can explore the grounds while sipping on the vineyard’s award-winning wine and learning about the process of vinification from vine to glass.

Later in the evening, make your way to the Courtyard Bar and Restaurant, which serves British produce with small batches of cheese including Barber’s Cheddar – the world’s oldest cheddar maker from Somerset – and Blacksticks Blue from Lancashire. Alongside stone-baked pizzas and sharing platters to complement the comprehensive wine menu, which extends beyond homegrown to international award-winning wines, this makes for the perfect evening sundowner.

Slow Sunset Walks

©Folkestone Harbour Arm

The longer summer evenings allow for late-night walks that end with a well-deserved sundowner. Starting off with an afternoon in the quaint town of Tenterden, begin your day by exploring the historic high street, which showcases an eclectic range of independent boutiques and coffee shops.

While you are there, make your way to Ethel Loves Me, an independent shop stocking a number of local artists and makers and selling everything from handpainted candles to pottery and fragrances. From there, you can begin a circular three-mile walk. Starting at The Old Railway in St Michaels, follow the old railway track and walk across rolling fields surrounded by stretching views of the Rother Valley. Edging into the evening, while the sun begins to set, you will arrive at your sundowner destination – the Old Dairy Taproom.

A father-daughter run business, the Old Dairy Taproom is based in a WWII Nissan hut next to the Kent and East Sussex Railway. Looking out over the rolling fields of the valley, the taproom offers a selection of locally crafted beer, including a bespoke range brewed by the Old Dairy Taproom themselves. Find a seat outside and take in a spectacular sunset setting over the valley, listening to live music and dancing the night away, with a variety of food trucks to choose from including fresh Thai food and artisan pizzas to accompany your sundowner of choice.

For those seeking a stroll through the countryside with spectacular views and a chance to enjoy a sundowner along the way, embark on an early evening walk to the Devil’s Kneading Trough, based in the North Downs near Ashford. There are several trails to explore, ranging from shorter three-mile trails to longer six-mile explorations, where you will experience one of the largest and most famous steep-sided dry valleys in the UK.

©Folkestone Harbour Arm

Named after its bowl-shaped appearance, the Devil’s Kneading Trough was formed in the last Ice Age, when meltwater cascaded down the slopes and formed the steep-sided valley we see today. According to legend, anyone who walks the Devil’s Kneading Trough seven times before drinking water from the natural spring will see the devil in front of them, making the route the perfect place to indulge in something a little stronger, just for good measure. 

Whether it is from the natural spring or from a drink of your choice, the location has a number of bench spots to stop off and enjoy an evening sundowner, all offering panoramic sunset views and a taste of the Kentish landscape at its finest, so you can experience a summer evening to remember.