Places to see and things to do   In nearby Hythe there is the Royal Military Canal, where you can hire boats, enjoy cycling and walking along its newly refurbished footpath, or ride on the smallest public railway in the world, the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch miniature steam railway all the way to Dungeness, over the historic Romney Marsh. There you can go up the old lighthouse, visit Dungeness Power Station, the late Derek Jarman's garden, the RSPB bird reserve or just take in the desolate beauty of the area and its varied and specialised flora and fauna. On the other hand, if you prefer a full size steam train it's off to Tenterden for the Kent & East Sussex Railway or the Bluebell Line in Surrey.

Why not visit Rye, one of the seven Cinque Ports, or Sandgate, with their antique shops. If wildlife is more your scene then visit the local wild life parks of Port Lympne and Howletts or, for British wildlife, Wild Wood near Herne Bay. Near Canterbury there are also Blean Bird Park, Wingham Bird Park and a bird reserve at Sandwich. For walkers there are the Pilgrim's Way, the Saxon Shore Way, the North Downs Way, the Stour Valley, the Elham Valley Way and many other walks (copies of which you may borrow) in the local area. For children there are so many attractions, amusement parks, children's farms, wildlife parks, fun pools, play and skateboard parks, cinemas, bowling etc.

With excellent links to the continent nearby, you may possibly want to visit France where you can shop till you drop at Cite Europe, or enjoy the markets in Calais and Boulogne. Maybe it's chocolates you are after? If so, Belgium is the place for a day trip. There are ferries from where you can see the White Cliffs of Dover as you cross the Channel, but if you prefer to travel through the Channel Tunnel, then Wayside Cottage is for you. For those who wish to keep their feet on English soil but want to say they have seen the tunnel, there are coach trips around the site.

Within minutes you have Lympne Castle, Dover Castle and the Roman Villa, as well as the White Cliffs Experience and the Bronze Age boat. Then a bit further a field is Deal with Walmer Castle, once the home of the late Queen Mother and Tides Leisure Pool for water fun. Leeds Castle often has special events from medieval tournaments to open air opera, whilst Bodiam Castle, Hever Castle and many National Trust and English Heritage properties are within easy reach.

For city life and history, then only 20 minutes away is Canterbury with its Cathedral, the Pilgrim's Tales exhibition, two theatres and shops. For those wanting even more shopping opportunities there is the Designer Outlet near the Ashford International Station, only 15 minutes away and, further afield, Bluewater and Lakeside. London is less than 70 miles away and the international airports of Gatwick and Heathrow between 1 and 2 hours drive.

There are many sporting facilities in the area and for those of you who enjoy golf the Golf Open Championship is periodically held at Sandwich, only 30 minutes away. Folkestone Rugby Club is very close and so is Folkestone Race Course.

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