insideKENT Magazine Issue 82 - January 2019 | Page 46

VISITKENT NEW YEAR, NEW KENT, NEW YOU CONT. LION LODGE Try Something New Get Fit, Get Active Often we fall into the trap of spending our weekends in the same places, and stuck in the same old routine. If this sounds like you, it might be time to try something new! Kent has a range of exciting new attractions opening in 2019 to shake things up a bit. No need to slog it out on the treadmill every night in January; Kent has an incredible range of action-packed outdoor activities to get your heart rate up and lose those pesky Christmas pounds. Brand new for 2019, Lion Lodge is the latest luxury overnight accommodation at Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve, providing visitors with the incredible opportunity to immerse themselves in the lives of the Reserve’s lion pride. The first of its kind worldwide, Lion Lodge is a stunning Manhattan loft-style building, set within the lion’s natural enclosure, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows so that guests will be just a whisker away from the magnificent lions. Also new this year is the Mining Heritage Centre at Bettshanger Park, a state-of-the-art visitor centre built on the site of Kent’s last working coal mine. The museum will celebrate Kent’s energy story from coal mining to sustainable energy with heritage trails, a museum, an online mining archive, special talks and events. And from March, Chapel Down will open the doors of their brand-new Curious Brewery in Ashford, a custom-built brewery open to the public for guided tours, talks on modern British brewing and home to a shop, restaurant and bar. For something a little different, take to the water to try kayaking, canoeing and paddleboard experiences on the River Stour with Canoe Wild, or take a plunge at the PADI five-star scuba diving lake at Buckland Lake Reserve where you can see the sunken double decker bus and Falcon jet aircraft. If you’d rather get fit on dry land, then grab your bicycle (or hire one) and start exploring Kent’s chalk downs and ancient woodlands on one of the excellent cycle routes. Why not check out the Crab and Winkle Way, running 7.5 miles from Canterbury to Whitstable? Or for an adrenaline-fuelled adventure, test out the 13km single-track mountain bike trail at Bedgebury Forest or the exhilarating off-road tracks along the lake-side paths at Bewl Water. Or for an action-packed adventure, head over to Carroty Wood in Tunbridge Wells, where you can test out your skills on the archery range or the high ropes obstacle course. 46 Plan A Staycation With A Twist Fancy a fairytale castle weekend? A great British seaside escape? With a huge variety of unique hotels, B&Bs, campsites and self-catered accommodation, Kent has all bases and budgets covered so its time to start planning your staycations. For a real taste of the great British seaside, head to the Fisherman’s Huts in Whitstable and enjoy a weekend of quirky coastal living. Browse Whitstable’s independent galleries and shops by day, indulge in a Fish and Chip supper on your door step and watch the sun go down over a cold bottle of Whitstable Bay lager. Alternatively, let your very own fairytale play out as you live like royalty at the Hever Castle Luxury B&B . Nestled in the glorious Kent countryside, this indulgent and luxurious Tudor-style hotel boasts sumptuous fabrics, rich panelled walls, beautiful roll-top baths and crisp linens. Spend your days delving into 700 years of Hever history at the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, taking in the magnificent moats, challenging mazes and award-winning gardens, before heading back to the hotel for an evening of luxury and elegance.