insideKENT Magazine Issue 65 - August 2017 | Page 140

SUMMER COOL OFF THIS SUMMER cont. Dover Castle SPICY FOOD Although you might not feel like it, eating a hot curry will make you feel much cooler. It works by increasing your body temperature in line with the atmosphere, so you don’t feel the warmth quite so much. Of course, your tongue might be feeling it, but at least you will be more comfortable everywhere else. Kent is home to some exceptional curry restaurants, many of them award winning. Spice Club in Sevenoaks is one of these top restaurants, as is Cinnamon Square in Hildenborough, Kathmandu Valley in Tonbridge, Turmeric Gold in Tudeley, and The Spice in Tunbridge Wells. What do these great restaurants have in common? Fresh produce, locally sourced wherever possible, 140 and dedicated, experienced chefs to cook it all. What a delicious way to keep cool. GO UNDERGROUND No, we’re not talking about the London Underground here – that’s the last place you want to be when it’s boiling hot. We are actually talking about going underground in a literal sense at a variety of attractions all across Kent. Being beneath the earth’s surface is a good way to keep cool – assuming the walls around you are made of stone, so where in Kent can you go underground safely and have a good time while you’re doing it? Dover Castle is one of the answers. English Heritage’s fascinating castle is home to both the World War II underground tunnels, and the underground hospital. Both are truly interesting places to visit, and both are chilly compared to being up in the open air. In the summer heat, it’s an ideal activity and if you’re learning some of Kent’s amazing history at the same time, you’ve got a bonus into the deal. Margate’s intriguing Shell Grotto is another option. Discovered by accident in 1835, the marvellous Shell Grotto is a natural work of art that you are welcome to wander around. Chislehurst Caves may also provide some respite from the heat – join in a guided tour and discover more about what lies beneath your feet.