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.
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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.