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Wanderlog staff Updated • updatedApr 7, 2023
How long is the drive from Chatham to Bruges?
The direct drive from Chatham to Bruges is 147 mi (236 km), and should have a drive time of 3 hrs 26 mins in normal traffic.
If you’re going on a road trip from Chatham to Bruges, we did the research for you and compiled some great stops along the way — with Ieper (Ypres), Canterbury, Hastings, Southend-on-Sea, Dover, Boulogne-sur-Mer, Ostend, Calais, Rye, and Dunkirk, as well as top places to visit like Hastings Old Town and Kent & East Sussex Railway - (Tenterden Town, Station), or the ever-popular Battle Abbey.
The top cities between Chatham and Bruges are Ieper (Ypres), Canterbury, Hastings, Southend-on-Sea, Dover, Boulogne-sur-Mer, Ostend, Calais, Rye, and Dunkirk. Ieper (Ypres) is the most popular city on the route. It's 3 hours from Chatham and less than an hour from Bruges.
Canterbury, a city located in southeastern England, is renowned for its significance as a pilgrimage site during the Middle Ages. The medieval center of the city is surrounded by ancient walls that were initially built by the Romans and consist of cobbled streets and timber-framed houses. One of the most notable attractions in Canterbury is its beautiful cathedral, founded in 597 A.D., which serves as the headquarters for both the Church of England and Anglican Communion.
89% as popular as Ieper (Ypres)
4 minutes off the main route, 16% of way to Bruges
Southend-on-Sea is a borough in southeastern Essex, England that doubles as a resort town located on the Thames Estuary. It boasts of several attractions such as Adventure Island, an amusement park with thrilling fairground rides and water slides for visitors. The area's coastline offers breathtaking views best seen through the century-old funicular Cliff Lift or by taking a leisurely stroll along the long Southend Pier where visitors can explore its museum at the shore end.
58% as popular as Ieper (Ypres)
55 minutes off the main route, 19% of way to Bruges
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Rye is a town situated in East Sussex, England, close to the coast. The area boasts an old-world charm with cobbled streets like Mermaid Street featuring medieval structures made from half-timbered materials. Lamb House, constructed of red brick, was once owned by renowned writer Henry James. Norman St. Mary's Church dominates the town and dates back to the 11th century.
30% as popular as Ieper (Ypres)
24 minutes off the main route, 21% of way to Bruges
Dover, a coastal town in Kent, England, is a significant port for ferries to Calais, France. The medieval Dover Castle overlooks the town and contains the extensive Secret Wartime Tunnels. Symbolizing Britain's proximity to continental Europe, the iconic White Cliffs of Dover stand as historic safeguards. Despite being a bustling port town with occasional transit-related issues making headlines, it offers a stretch of beach on the Esplanade and invigorating seafront walks.
Hastings is a coastal town in southeastern England that gained fame for the Battle of Hastings in 1066, fought on a nearby field where the now-standing Battle Abbey is located. Tourists can visit the ruins of Hastings Castle, which was once occupied by William the Conqueror and overlooks the English Channel. The maritime history of the area is documented at both Hastings Fishermen’s Museum and Shipwreck Museum, located along Stade beach's shingle seafront.
60% as popular as Ieper (Ypres)
45 minutes off the main route, 24% of way to Bruges
I'll never travel to Bruges without this trip planner again
Boulogne-sur-Mer, located on the north coast of France, is a city renowned for its major fishing port and rich history. The fortified old town features attractions such as Notre-Dame Basilica with its ornate crypt and the 12th-century belfry that was once part of a Norman-era castle. The Castle Museum showcases ancient Egyptian and Greek artifacts within a 13th-century chateau.
33% as popular as Ieper (Ypres)
20 minutes off the main route, 66% of way to Bruges
Calais is a bustling port city located in the Pas-de-Calais department, serving as its subprefecture. Despite being the largest city in Pas-de-Calais, it's interesting to note that Arras is actually the department's prefecture. The city itself has a population of 67,544, while the urban area boasts 144,625 residents. Calais is also where the Channel Tunnel connects France and Britain.
21% as popular as Ieper (Ypres)
1 minute off the main route, 67% of way to Bruges
8
Dunkirk
Transportation
Ferries
Dunkirk is a coastal city in northern France. The Dunkirk 1940 Museum documents Operation Dynamo, the WWII evacuation of Allied soldiers from the city's beaches. The waterside Musée Portuaire (Port Museum) has historic ships, including the Duchesse Anne, a 3-masted sailing ship built in 1901. The striking LAAC is a contemporary art museum with a sculpture garden. Resorts line the soft sands of Malo-les-Bains beach.
13% as popular as Ieper (Ypres)
5 minutes off the main route, 78% of way to Bruges
Ypres, situated in the West Flanders province of Belgium, is a town that has been rebuilt with great care after being destroyed in World War I. The area is renowned for the Ypres Salient battlefields where various war museums, cemeteries and memorials pay homage to the battles fought during WWI. Gothic-style Sint-Maartenskathedraal (St.
Most popular city on this route
25 minutes off the main route, 80% of way to Bruges
Ostend is a coastal city in Belgium, renowned for its lengthy beach and boardwalk. The Mercator, a three-masted ship from the 1930s that serves as a floating museum, is docked in the marina. Belgian art dating back to the 1830s is on display at Mu.ZEE. The Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, built in neo-Gothic style with towering spires and unique stained-glass windows, is nearby.
32% as popular as Ieper (Ypres)
8 minutes off the main route, 89% of way to Bruges
Best stops along Chatham to Bruges drive
The top stops along the way from Chatham to Bruges (with short detours) are Canterbury Cathedral, Menin Gate, and Nausicaa Centre National De La Mer. Other popular stops include Adventure Island, Hastings Old Town, and LeShuttle Freight.
Battle Abbey is a historical landmark that features medieval ruins and a battlefield site. It offers an interactive exhibition, a film about 1066, and a cafe. The place is significant for its role in the history of England as it was where the famous Battle of Hastings took place. Despite being wet and cold on some days, visitors find it fascinating to see the actual location where those historical events happened. The staff are friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable about the history behind the abbey.
A wet and cold day in March, so there were not too many people around, which helped to get around and see things. Fascinating to finally see the actual place that those history lessons taught us about. I wouldn't have fancied running up that hill into a hail of arrows, so if I were Duke William, England would still be Anglo-Saxon! Very interesting. Recommended.
Paul Schwer — Google review
Large places to explore including walls around the Battle site and around the buildings and remains. Quite good explanations on the boards and the free audio tour. Loads of stairs and hills to navigate. Even then remains can be a challenge to get around although there is a wheelchair track around the site. Well worth a visit. We were there for 4 hours but did not finish it. There is a visitor centre which is particularly good for children. The cage head a variety of food including vegan and gluten free. We were lucky to see inside battle school since it is school holidays.
Denis Parker — Google review
Pricey to get in, unless you're a member. Luckily my mum is a member, so my children and I got in with her. We were lucky with the weather. Spent a few hours here. Walked all around, read a few bits. Kids enjoyed it. Nice play park for the kids to enjoy at the end.
Natalie Arnold — Google review
Great day out with the kids! Amazing place and history lesson! Staff are friendly, helpful and knowledgeable about the history behind the Abbey. Walked around the battlefield, climbed up the tower and looked over the whole town. A must see for the family!
DragonBear — Google review
A memorable and educational day out. The atmospheric abbey ruins are brought to life by an informative handheld audio guide. A well presented exhibition includes interactive displays and a short film.
The ruins have been well preserved, while still granting access to most areas. The grounds also include a quaint dairy, walled garden and memorial. Climbing the spiral staircase to the top of the gatehouse tower affords excellent views over Battle and the surrounding countryside.
Excellent facilities, with a large café, gift shop, play area, toilets and on-site parking (paid, but free for English Heritage members). The whole site is dog friendly, including indoor areas.
The battlefield was closed at the time of my visit due to recent heavy rain - worth checking the website in advance if you want to be sure this is open.
Fairly quiet on an overcast Saturday in winter, but being one of the best English Heritage properties in the area, it's a good idea to arrive early in peak season.
Andrew Thomas — Google review
Historic and well maintained. Plenty of parking space outside the property a short walk away from main entrance that is free for EH members. Great kids play area and nice trail to walk through the battlefield. The tower climbs are a little steep but offers great views.
Pramod Nair — Google review
This was a fascinating place, so full of history, well worth the visit. The shop wasn't astronomical in price either. Not cheap, obviously, but not silly money for a lot of the stuff. They are very welcoming and encourage guests to explore. The whole experience was far better than I ever imagined.
K — Google review
Had a great day at Battel Abbey walking around taking in all the historical sights & information. Everything is well laid out. The staff at the Information point were very helpful and convinced us to become members as we are interested in going to other Heritage sites. The whole area is kept clean. The restaurant area was clean and there was a range of food available. The staff there were friendly & helpful. Had a great time walking around and spent a few hours enjoying the sights. The staff at the shop were really friendly & helpfull aswell. Allround a day well spent.👍👌😁
PS : Although there is a good large Carpark there, it does not showup on Google Maps 🤔
Malcolm Chinoy — Google review
We are English Heritage members so got free entry but would've paid full price as it was great! Super dog friendly - we assumed she'd only be allowed in the grounds but was told she could go everywhere including the inside rooms and towers! The audio guide (free!) was very informative and the entire place was excellently looked after. Dropped a star because the woodland park walk was closed so we couldn't walk around the battlefield which would've been nice. Despite not being able to access a large area of the site, we still spent a couple of hours there and had a great time!
Frances Davies-Walsh — Google review
Visited as a English Heritage member.
This is also a private school so you will see uniformed students
Free audio machines to use, restaurant and toilets on site.
Great look into the history of Hastings
Robin Vass — Google review
Exactly as you remember it from your childhood school trips! But dare I say more fun as an adult! Great place to spend an afternoon, short or long walking tours with the shorter tour wheelchair accessible. The staff put on a great little show which explains the story of the battle of Hastings, it's aimed at kids but I loved it. The very best thing about this heritage site is that they are more than happy for you to bring your dogs along, they can even go all the way upto the rooftop view point! Splendid way to spend a day out with furry friends.
Leanne Smith — Google review
Great day out. They had themed events going on and the actors were fab. The walk around was interesting. Kids are 5 and 9 and they seemed to enjoy it. Definitely recommend a visit. The volunteers and staff were very attentive. We took a picnic but there is a cafe and food was reasonably priced and popular.
E “Laineyblue” C — Google review
We really liked it here. We had a guided tour by Robert, a very enthusiastic volunteer, who was knowledgeable and entertaining. The castle is very charming and we felt the history brought alive by his commentary. Looking across the battle field was quite poignant and much of the castle was accessible. The cafe was very nice. The view from the tower was extensive and the little town of Battle pleasant. Loved the little knitted bollard covers.
Judith Hope — Google review
Fantastic example of architecture at its best.
A truly remarkable and very well preserved castle emanating historic significance. Extremely well kept.
Welcoming staff are pleasant, helpful, friendly and professional.
A great place to visit if you want to learn about the great Battle of 1066.
Well worth a visit, following the castle there is a wonderful quaint characteristic high street to visit with a great array of shops and eateries.
Lord Brett McLean — Google review
Fabulous place to visit, even my kids found it interesting! Make sure you use the audio guides! Only down side was the cafe was a little on the expensive side, £3.50 for a rice crispy cake!
phillip gibb — Google review
One of the most important sites in British history and it doesn't dissapoint. From the information films, animations, archaeology, the buildings ruins and battlefield . EH has done brilliantly, information is to the point and not too much, you can use headsets if this is easier. A trip to the top of the gatehouse tower offers panoramic views over the town and wider countryside. Its just dripping in history and is a must visit. Please note on wet days the battlefield walk may be closed due to dangerous conditions underfoot
kevin mills — Google review
Wow. Always wanted to go here. Mum is English Heritage member so was lovely to visit with her. Booked online for me as slightly cheaper. No queue and parked in the car park right next to the entrance. Enjoyed a coffee before the Battlefield walk. Not cheap but was good coffee. Be warned!! Only one toilet right at start so make sure you go! The long walk is worth it and grab your audio guide at the start for the immersive experience! Had a fantastic 4 hours exploring. Well worth the money.
Vikki Strachan — Google review
Great walk around, alot of interesting history information. Good for all ages. Especially like the walk around the battlefield.
Benjamin Murtagh (Benjamin Murtagh) — Google review
Absolutely amazing place to visit. Even if you don't like history it's worth a visit..but if your into history etc you will be amazed..they have audio if you want to follow it on...they have a disabled access around the grounds if you need to use wheelchair or walking aids you are given a map..gift shop,seating all around the area..walks you can go on..actors doing displays not allowed to take photos of them doing it..put you can take them around the rest of the abbey..staff are very knowable and very helpful and friendly..gift shops..
dawn dinsley — Google review
4.6
(3713)
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4.5
(2167)
Butter Cross, High St, Battle TN33 0AE, United Kingdom
Nestled between two cliffs and accessible via funicular railways, Hastings Old Town is a delightful blend of traditional seaside charm and Tudor architecture. Visitors can explore the vibrant arts scene, browse quaint shops on George Street, and enjoy lively pubs on High Street. A shingle beach dotted with wooden fishermen's huts offers a picturesque backdrop for tourists who come to admire the Bluereef Aquarium or take in the sights at the Hastings Fishermen's Museum.
4.5
(2747)
Hastings, TN34 3AR, UK
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Kent & East Sussex Railway - (Tenterden Town, Station)
The heritage railway in Tenterden offers journeys on vintage steam and diesel trains, some with dining service. If you're looking for a unique dining experience, book a seat on the Wealdon Pullman between April and October. Your meal is served in the perfectly preserved Pullman cars by Pullman attendants in authentic attire.
We went on a 70 minute steam train ride on 18th December, Santa came along with his elves to talk to the children and give them a wrapped gift with their names on it which they loved. One of the elves pulled his mask down and poked his tongue out at my daughter and that was the highlight of her day!!
The magician that visited our first class carriage was also brilliant!
The station staff were all friendly, there was a lovely carousel ride, family photo was taken in front of a lovely fireplace and there was mulled wine on offer, all included in the price!
The model railway on the way put was also lovely and just after that the kid's could write their letter to Santa and put it in the post box. Overall a lovely way of taking the kids to see Santa, different from the usual grotto!
Josiie Hall — Google review
So much fun! Riding the stream train was awesome. Staff are friendly and really nice. The food was great and the picnic plough.ans was delicious as was the cream tea box. Also tiny bottles of processo and cans of gin and tonic were very cheap indeed.
The views from the train were stunning and each station was as cute as the next.
On the table top of our train seats was a "what animals you might see" during your train ride, pri Ted on to the table top and we were luckily surprised that we did see many of those animals, exactly where the map said, including deer!!
We went to Bodiam and alighted. Walked for 3 mins and we were at a lovely pub for a quick bevvie and some slap up yummy grub! We had soft pulled chicken tacos, deep fried hallumi bites and some cheesy chips for the kids.
Then we crossed over the road to go to Bodiam Castle which was a nice quick walk around, climb to the top, looked at the kou and ducks in the pond and headed back to the pub.
The price of the entrance to the g
Castle wasn't cheap for what it was but it didn't break the bank either.
After a swift drink in the pub we walked back to catch the last train back to Tenterden.
The weather was beautiful, so were the people and the surroundings! All in all a brilliant day!
Tickets for the steam train were decently priced but not what I would call a very cheap day out. I got the tickets as a fathers day gift from our boys, as he loves steam trains. He was overjoyed and so excited. He said the pullman carriage was his favourite.
Jodi Roscow — Google review
A wonderful place to experience the days of steam, with services running from here to Bodiam in just under an hour (where you will find a country pub and castle to explore).
The station is full of character, including a model railway and lots of enthusiastic staff who do their best to ensure everyone enjoys their experience.
Tenderden station opened in the spring of 1900, finally closing just 61 years later. Thankfully a little over a decade later it reopened with the service through to Bodiam running since 2000.
Although you can buy full fare tickets immediately before boarding it is well worth booking discounted “Freedom Tickets” up until midnight the day before travel, allowing you to board any train you wish both there and back.
The specific timetable depends upon the day and season (check the website), but typically if the railway is open there are five services in each direction with the first around 10:20am and the final return around 4:45pm.
If you found my review or photos helpful please leave a quick thumbs up 👍 Thank you!
Sam Saltwell — Google review
We visited the Kent & East Sussex Railway as part of our honeymoon, as my wife loves trains. We booked Freedom passes, and spent a whole day riding the railway, and visiting the nearby museum.
The engine and carriages seem really well cared for, and we had a lovely day out.
The really special part for us was the staff, who were absolutely lovely, with one of the engineers in particular taking some time out of his day (I fear I interrupted his break) to make this truly special, and he absolutely made my wife's day.
A truly wonderful experience.
Magnus Druitt — Google review
Had a really nice family afternoon on the railway. Scenery was fantastic and all the staff were helpful. Has been the best steam train visit we have done. Can recommend highly enough!
Graeme S — Google review
This was my very first heritage line visit in all my life, and being born and bread Londoner, I've never had a chance to venture out of my comfort zone until now.
As a train spotter inside me comes out, it was a surprise how the level of detail this place is. It was like you've been transported back in time. The sights and smell of the engines were awesome & as for the views, a long the line it was scenic, like you see in a post card.
If I had time spare time, I'd surely come back again. I recommend this place place highly and it was worth the 2 hour drive.
Melvin Bartolome — Google review
We had an amazing afternoon here at Kent & Sussex railway. We took the train from Tenterden to Bodiam and return. It felt very good traveling in these heritage trains, all well preserved.
It was very delightful to see how passionate all employees/ volunteers seemed to be about their job, always smiling.
The views from the train are also amazing, although we had a very rainy afternoon, we still enjoyed it.
This is a must to do in Kent/ East Sussex.
Highly recommended.
Sónia Martins — Google review
Went here just before Christmas for the Santa train ride experience with the kids. An excellent afternoon, a great day for the kids to meet Santa on a real fully working operational steam train! The whole journey lasts about 90mins with Santa giving presents to the children, and a magician on board for the return journey. There's a carousel ride for all and stalls selling hot/cold food and drink.
You can easily spend around 3/4hrs here, including the train ride!
The staff were also excellent and make the whole experience magical for all.
Highly recommended and will definitely be back again!
Sam Charlesworth — Google review
OMG, what can i not say about this treat. Highly recommend to do this fabulous treat. As a gift we had the evening dinner experience. Everyone at Tenterden Station, on the train, on the lines, museums and platform our volunteers. Absolutely amazing, well done each and everyone who has put so much time, love and restoration into this little world of joy.
We are very much into 1940s/50s so we went dressed for the fun and splendour. The service: Polite and couldn't do more for you to enjoy the experience. Food: All cooked and prepared on board, just fabulous.
Do book somewhere to stay overnight as you get back late. Plus the Village is lovely to visit to.
This is a must do. Great for a gift.
Julie Pilcher — Google review
A beautifully kept station full of pride at Tenterden and Bodiam where we got off for a trip to a favourite pub of ours.You can feel the love that the volunteers and their knowledge. We were lucky to have 1 very clued up older Scottish gent looking very dapper give us a talk on the surrounding countryside on our return from Bodiam. A real history lesson! The staff work hard and are eager to make your experience a happy one. We enjoyed it very much as first timers though we've lived locally for years. Definitely worth a day out.
Sheryl — Google review
An amazing place for lovers of trains, steam trains, history, science, museums, nature, heritage, old times. Visited with my parents (who are in their late 60s now) during 1940s weekend where customs of era were so well presented and performed - my parents, my toddler (3yo) and I, loved every minute. Everything was at our fingertips to explore, staff very friendly, informative and entertaining. Good facilities, good and affordable prices when you want to ride a train, free museum, extra attractions in a nearby town and surroundings. Marvellous trip by steam train from Tenderdem to Bodiam through fields of outstanding beauty. My parents got very emotional as the day brought them back to times when they were under 10 and travelled themselves this way.
We also visited a nearby castle in Bodiam, a cherry on top as the surrounds were fabulous.
A sunny and warm spring day with blue skies made a fabulous day out to remember and made new memories. Thank you K&ESR team. You are a gem of Kent!
Dorota Trapl — Google review
Very pleasant steam train ride from Tenterden to Bodiam and back. Wonderful views from the carriage windows. Saw whole host of butterflies at one stop. A herd of Fallow deer and a Little Egret were also spotted. A luxury was a drinks and snack trolley wheeled through carriages. Loved it. As we caught the last train of the day there wasn't time to get off and explore the stations along the way. We are going again and give ourselves plenty more time explore.
AS — Google review
What an amazing day. First time on a steam train and absolutely loved it.
Also what made the day special was all the staff were very friendly and a good laugh. Highly recommend visiting this place. We did the train from Tenterden to Bodiam and it was such a lovely ride even though it was super hot 🥵 haha. Great day! A must go! ❤️
Kimberley A — Google review
We had a fantastic day out and would highly recommend a day out at K&ESR. The whole team there from the lovely lady at the ticket office, the train driver - who invited our little boy into the train cab - the platform staff, the conductors on the train and the lovely lady in the gift shop are really nice and very helpful with their customer service just as good. We will definitely be going back again. Thank you for a fantastic day.
CJ “Space Runner” Paine — Google review
A worthwhile visit. Families and train lovers. Good prices for everyone. Park at Bodham castle and a short walk to the railway. Or Tenderden Town at the other. They ran 2 steam locomotives on Saturday. 50min one way. All ages
sarah lawrence — Google review
We just love the KESR. We’ve been twice just this year- once in April for the Pullman dining experience and today for the Santa Special. I can’t explain it but it’s something really heartwarming- yes it is expensive but the value is there- they go above and beyond to make it a magical experience. We had a first class compartment and they had laid out a little bag with treats in for the ride, and came to check we had everything we needed. We have been before and had a table in a regular compartment and had an equally lovely time, but the private compartment really was that little bit extra special. We had free hot drinks, unlimited rides on the carousel and a photograph included- honestly it’s really good value when you break it all down, and the train ride alone is an hour long. They’re just great people and we can’t recommend them enough.
Sophie De-Roe — Google review
Had a fantastic ride ,thoroughly enjoyed it. Great idea with the trolley ladies. All very friendly and accommodating. Had a lovely informative conversation with one of the staff.
Can highly recommend this trip.
Helvy — Google review
If you love trains, you will love this railway. The line takes five stops, around 50 minutes in one way. With a freedom ticket, you can change at any reason any time.
For us, it was a really good day.
Attila Farago — Google review
A beautiful trip in best weather for us and our little daughter. She was fascinated and having fun. We are delighted that such a nice little piece of transport history is being preserved for people to experience. It was just a pity that the museum closed very quickly after the last train. I will definitely look at it again with more time when we come back to the area.
Steffen Fritsch — Google review
4.7
(2380)
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4.5
(1220)
Tenterden Town Station, Station Rd, Tenterden TN30 6HE, United Kingdom
The pier is a well-known landmark in Southend-on-Sea and is home to a museum with displays of historic railway cars, slot machines and costumes from the early 19th century to the early 20th. The pier also has an electric train that takes you all the way to the end, where you can find a lifeboat centre, cafe and shop.
A great historical landmark and the longest pier in the world! The heritage train ride on the Thames Estuary is amazing and a great view on a sunny day. Worth the price and the queue.
You can also walk if you want to.
You have a lot of options for food and drinks in the middle of the river.
The train and the railway was maintained properly, staff professional as usual.
You must head to the pier if you are around
Joydeep Pal — Google review
Visited 21/04/22 bought tickets to walk down the pier and get the train back. It was a lovely sunny day but rather windy. Got to the end of the pier had a wander round only the Costa cafe was open this was previously Jamie and Jimmy's cafe. Out of the wind it was really nice and warm sitting on seats at the pier head. Got the new electric train back. These are a lot better than the old trains one.of which had been converted into shelters on the platform and other locations nearby.
Matt Cook — Google review
A really interesting place to visit from how long the pier is and that it has a railway along it I would have loved to get the chance to travel on the new trains they have but they weren't running and only had the old train running.
I did find there wasn't really much at the end of the pier but it's perfect for those who want to go to the end and just sit and relax watching the ships passing.
It's definitely a place to visit at least once to say you have been.
Katie Thayer — Google review
Pretty impressive pier considering the age and length! Nice stroll and reasonably priced. Only downfall was very limited shops open at the end of pier. Would have been good to have been informed before setting off, otherwise pretty cool for a afternoon trip!!! Would advise going in high tide, didn’t consider that! You can travel one way and walk back or just buy the return for a bit more on the ticket. The views are pretty impressive on a clear day.
James Shipman — Google review
I was here with my wife on Saturday, 06/04/24. It was a very windy and cloudy day but not so cold. Best to go on a hot day. The train departs towards the sea every 30 minutes at 00 and 30 minutes past the hour. Return train departs every 30 minutes at 15 and 45 minutes past the hour. The return ticket costs £7.50. The pier is just over a mile long and the train journey saves you the long walk in the wind. There is a Life Boats building at the end of the pier with a higher level offering beautiful views. The gift shop has many beautiful items on sale. There's also many food and drinks outlets at the end of the pier. The sea is very dirty and the end of the pier would look much better by removing some junk to create more space.
Abdullah Yildirim — Google review
A fantastic experience - took the train out and walked back - 1.33 miles long. Train is so modern and an unusual brilliant thing on a pier. The pier has the RNLI shop and view at the very end - worth a visit and a donation for the great things they do. Also a fantastic little cafe there that does amazing cake and yummy coffee. A pity its costs to go on the pier but suppose it takes a lot to maintain such a long pier.
Mark Broadbent — Google review
It’s not just a walk. It’s meditation, contentment. Made my day.
Bonus point for the humble professionals on the ticket counter. Thanks a lot to James for his kindness.
Do lock your cycle away as cycles are not allowed. James offered to hold my foldable in the office.
Praveen Pandey — Google review
This was our first visit to Southend, and we loved it. The seafront is a traditional British resort but is well cared for and clean.
The pier was the highlight of our visit. Access is through a modern glass frontage with very helpful staff. You can either walk both ways, take the little light train both ways or what we did, walk out, and train back. All prices were reasonable.
The actual pier is wooden and arout a mile and a third long. It is a delightful walk with plenty or areas to sit if you need to.
We were there as the tide began to come in, and it was great watching the shoals of fish (whitening) following the incoming water.
At the end of the pier, there is the cafe used in the Jamie Oliver TV programme. It's much smaller than you would think
There are also two cafes that share a modern building with outside and inside seating.
The pier invested in modern electric trains, but they broke down after days, so they still use the old engines. To my mind, they are better than the new electric stock.
A great way to spend a morning!
martin cox — Google review
Brilliant and unique railway on one of the longest pier's in the UK. A gentle and scenic journey to the end of the pier and back. One can travel one way and walk back or just buy the return for a bit more on the ticket. At the end of the pier, there is a cafe, shops and entertainment things. The views are amazing.
Richard Allen — Google review
My visit to Southend-on-Sea was nothing short of magical, and the highlight of my trip was undoubtedly the iconic pier train ride. As the longest pleasure pier in the world, Southend-on-Sea offers breathtaking views of the estuary, and the train ride allows you to experience these scenic vistas in a unique and relaxing way. The gentle journey along the pier was a serene experience, providing a perfect blend of historical charm and natural beauty. Whether you're a local or a tourist, this attraction is a must-visit for anyone looking to create lasting memories.
But the wonders of Southend-on-Sea don't stop at the pier! The surrounding area is rich with attractions, beautiful beaches, and delicious dining options that cater to every taste. To capture the essence of our adventure and to share more about what Southend-on-Sea has to offer, we've put together a detailed YouTube video. From the tranquil shores to the lively town center, join us as we explore the many facets of this enchanting seaside town.
For a closer look at our journey and to discover more hidden gems in Southend-on-Sea, make sure to watch our YouTube video. We dive deeper into our experiences, offering tips and insights that could help plan your perfect visit. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more travel content!
Sanjee With Randi — Google review
Worth the long walk to the Pier itself and especially on an overcast day as the colour of the sea really stands out during this time. You can get the train across but really, there is a serene pleasure to walking across and hearing the calm of the ocean around you. Will come back in the Summer to capture the Pier glazed under peachy evening skies.
Sadek Miah — Google review
Loved the views from the pier and the history behind it. The railway track running in parallel to the walkway adds on to the beauty. We bought the walkway return ticket and it costed us each £2.50. They are concessions for some group of people.
The only suggestion is to have some more varieties of food at the end of the pier( has awesome ice cream collections though!). Definitely one of the must visit spots when you are in Southend !
Mithra Radhakrishnan — Google review
This is an awesome pier! The deck is beautifully maintained with new boards as necessary. It's a lovely walk to the far end. But sadly, there is very little to do once you're there. We had tea and cake in the café where "Jamie & Jimmy's Friday Night Feast" is filmed. The cakes were commercial - nothing special. There are toilets are the 'land' end. Two temporary toilets - with a queue and the hand-drier not working. A lovely heritage pier - and the best is not being made of it. Needs more amenities and things to occupy you at the far end.
MartinR — Google review
Fantastic view from the tram overlooking the open sea, and the cost is likely under 20 pounds for two adults and a child. Highly recommended for a summer visit to enjoy the beach.
Jain — Google review
Great little trains to take you to the end of the pier and back. You can walk if you prefer or train one way walk the other £7.50 for a return journey. They go back and forth fairly regularly. We didn't wait either journey but that could've been luck. Plenty of space on board for wheel chair users too.
Louise — Google review
Home to the longest railway pier in the world! Southend pier is a must visit in Southend! Trains do leave every 30 minutes. The pier itself has a cool view of Southend from afar! They also have my favorite fish and chip shop at Southend! Its extremely windy at the end of the pier! There's also a gift shop and a cafe at the end! Highly recommend!
Leo Papadopoulos — Google review
Enjoyed a nice walk along the pier on a sunny summer day and a relaxing train ride back. The pier is in great condition and the entrance fee is completely reasonable. Not particularly busy but a short queue for the train that appears to run a little infrequently.
Recommend for a visit when in the area!
Tom Daff — Google review
Southend pier has changed so much over the last 10 years. I visited at the weekend and took the train to the end. Wow completely different to 10 years ago. A flash new train. £6 per adult return on the train. New restaurant at the bottom and a lovely little cafe at the end. Beautiful coloured beach huts at the end and amazing views. Very cold at the end on an overcast late October day.
Kristel Goldsmith — Google review
Love Southend-on-Sea, the pier is beautiful and even on a rainy day, is a fun walk. Also found some of the most incredible wall art I've seen in a while. Great coastal town to visit on the weekend.
Vanessa Warren — Google review
Had a wonderful experience here. They offer a wheelchair for a £50 cash deposit, which they return when you have finished with the chair, and we were able to take it everywhere off the pier also. The train ride was bumpy and noisy as expected and the chips at the end of the journey from the hut at the end were lovey and hot, just what was needed, but mind the gulls, who did mostly stay away.
The pavilion was handy for drinks and toilets. Then the pier was lovely to sit and enjoy watching the sky and water change. I couldn't access the lifeboat section as it was all stairs.
Mat — Google review
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Western Esplanade, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 1EE, United Kingdom
Adventure Island is a free-admission fun park with more than 40 rides and attractions from rollercoasters to ghost trains. It’s centrally located in the Southend experience for families and adults who are young at heart, with 32 rides in all. Blue rides include Big Adventure rides, Junior Rides are green rides and Mini Ride are red rides.
We had such a brilliant day here today. So much fun we ended up upgrading to an annual pass! Kids loved it. Such a great variety of rides for all ages, sizes and fears! The staff were all really energetic and helpful and the park was spotlessly clean. Can't wait to come back.
Kerry Santucci — Google review
I came twice. First I bought the tickets and it is one per ride any ride so no complications. Second I got a band as it means all twice completely paid for. The staff were enthusiastic the whole time and had good banter for the day and kept the joy of the day going with not one going to a phone each keeping engaged with what's going on.
Would recommend for the day as it is a mix of big rides and children's thst adults can still go on so great for a family
Ali R — Google review
We had a great day out at Adventure Island. Entry is free. However, it is recommended to buy the day wristband if possible online as it's much cheaper (yesterday it was 28 in the ticket office but 20 online). Single ticket rides are £3.5. Lots of rides to go on, kids get measured in the entrance and if they are over 120cm they can ride on their own. Under 120cm they will need an adult but the adult will go in the rides for free. Lots of food places inside too.
Isabel Escano — Google review
Kids loved it every moment, they had an incredible time at Adventure Island! From thrilling rides to delicious food, it exceeded my expectations. The staff were friendly and helpful, and the park was clean and well-maintained, with no more than 10 minutes waiting time for the rides.I can't wait to visit again! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Mehul Maru — Google review
Had a wonderful time with our little one there. we went there over the weekend so the place was a bit crowded, however that was to be expected when the weather was nice and sunny. Some rides had a bit of a queue ( around 10-20 minutes wait), but it was worth it for our little one.
Plenty of food to grab and i would say more than ok seating areas to sit and relax over a cup of coffee/tea.
No parking available there, so you would need to find either road parking or look for pay and display parking spots around.
It was great to see that they also have an indoor play area (soft play) and some arcade games in case the weather is not playing nice.
Overall great day out and we had loads of fun.
Roxana P — Google review
I took my young baby there to the soft play play stack area and she loved it. She enjoyed going through the obstacles, the slides and really loved the ball pit that she didn't want to leave!!!
There's a cafe, arcade stuff for the adults which all the adults enjoyed doing whilst i was inside with my baby.
Definitely a must for any parents
We went at new years so there was lots of Christmas decorations which were all beautiful and my baby enjoyed looking at them!!
Aisha Ahmed — Google review
Was a great day out that we all loved and would love to do again. Atmosphere was great and lots of different rides for adults and kids, even some calmer rides for smaller kids. Some nice places to get food & drink also. Not too long waiting in queues apart from a couple of popular rides.
A thoroughly great day
Mike S — Google review
It's nice to enter and walk around without having to pay an entry fee. We walked around on a Thursday and it wasn't too busy but got there too late to purchase tickets to get our money's worth. However on the Friday , a public holiday, we decided we will do the half price from 5pm and we had til 10 pm closing time. The park was very busy throughout the day with queues. By the time we got our tickets, the rides were getting less busy which was great. We got to ride each roller coaster at least twice. Rage is the most adult one and though I don't like a full drop, I went on it twice, cause why not. The queues were short. By 9pm we were cold and had enough. But it was time well spent and so much fun.
L Jo — Google review
Not necessarily a place for adults, but children go crazy when here. I took my students on a school trip to Adventure Island, and they had a blast. They ran, they rode, they sang, and they enjoyed every second of the trip.
The place has some fast-food options to eat and many sweets available.
A big shout out to the call centre team that made the booking system very easy, and they supported me all the way. Thank you!
I think AI is a great place for any school trip.
cristi cristian — Google review
Great small park that appeals to both older thrill seekers and younger families. Could definitely do with a few more thrilling attractions. I would love to see a new rollercoaster but it's great as it is.
Be aware some rides advertised on the website are removed or not open (including their biggest ride time machine), plus it's unclear on how to buy tickets online.
TCE — Google review
Wish I could give six stars to bring their rating up. Let's start with the good the park is well set out with loads to do for the kids and grown ups alike. Paid for wristbands in advance to save a few quid but even at the gate price they are fantastic value. All the food outlets we tried were great well priced and well staffed. The park was clean and tidy. Now let's move onto the bad.... There was non just even better I have always said the right staff can make a good place great and the excellent staff here make this already great place absolutely fantastic. Every member of staff where working a stall, food outlet, ride or even just walking around all had a smile on their faces on both of our visits. Interacting with the kids when on rides often dancing at the side honestly if you have any bad staff they were hidden on both these days. My at the end of the 1st visit my son came to me and said "we are definitely going here again the staff are lovely" now on our 2nd visit my mam has just said "the staff on this site are unbelievable so happy and helpful". Keep doing what you are doing.
M B — Google review
This place offers fantastic fun for both kids and adults. Normally, I tend to avoid such places due to long queues, but when we arrived around 11:30 on a Sunday morning, there were no queues at all. The staff is exceptionally helpful and friendly, and there's a wide variety of enjoyable rides to keep you entertained all day.
What's even more impressive is that it's very budget-friendly.
Ahsan Jalil — Google review
Extremely good place suitable for any age and for rainy weather there is an Indoor place with a play area a swinging boat and more you can get an annual pass for 60 pounds and all you have to do is show them and you go in for free there are a lot of places to get food and drink And a day pass is 20 pounds hope this helps
Layla Atherton — Google review
Superb way to spend a whole day with a little one. Plenty of rides and stuff to do throughout the park for an entire day out. Plenty of places to buy food from and somewhat ok seating areas. The place does get quite crowded during busy times and some ride queues have waits of upwards of 10-20 minutes for only like 3 minutes rides. Superb atmosphere and i like that the place also has an "indoor" area where there's soft play and some arcade games in case the weather is not suitable. Parking is a different story as they don't have dedicated parking places so you will have to either find a car park or street parking. Nearby theres loads of them but during busy times it gets quite crowded.
Adrian Stefan Iancu — Google review
Oooh Wow it was a beautiful experience, an amusement park with lots of amazing rides, scary and mild ones, we had so much fun and a lot to eat to, and just by sea, you can have picnics at the sea shore, as at evening the tide had gone down and the water at the banks had gone back to the sea, we could even walk on the sea beds and pick shells. I will sure visit again in the future, it was fun with the children and adults alike.
Egy Daniels — Google review
We weren't too sure what to expect from here (picture thoughts of typical seaside amusement parks) but we were pleasantly surprised.
The entry was quite expensive (£22.50) but the super saver wrist band worked out good value if you try enough of the rides. Take your child's Blue Peter badge if they have one for 2-4-1 entry.
Unlike normal theme parks, it's very easy to come and go as you please so easy to pop out for food (plenty of options within 2 minute's walk). The facilities inside the park didn't get great reviews.
We visited on Halloween weekend and the staff were really getting into the spirit!
Plenty of places to park nearby, but the Royal's shopping centre seemed particularly good value.
Rides are good for all ages. Lots of amusements, facilities and also a mini golf course (though this costs extra).
All in all, a good fun day out.
Adam Sewell — Google review
I have really enjoyed my time over there . It's a small heaven for kids .. all the fun games and rides seem really enjoyable..I had a fun time just watching all those kids enjoying themselves. It felt like it was reducing my by with their joyfulness. And the nearby Pier gave me a peaceful walking experience. I will definitely go there in Summer In sha Allah .
abul basher — Google review
Great local fun park. A few good teen/young adult rides. More aimed at primary school age. I observed that security and other staff were friendly & professional. Lots of fun to be had, especially with a day wristband pass. The bonus was the good weather. 22°C.
I'd advise taking a packed lunch. Hour long queue for food. The queue was chaos. It started out as three single orderly lines to each order point but slowly became a morrass of bodies pushing in, that melded into a formless crowd clamouring for overpriced hotdogs, burgers (3 mm thick), chicken nuggets or vegetable wedges. The servers were working so hard but the quality of what they're working with is IMHO substandard. The price doesn't bear any relation to what you receive. I had two bites of the hotdog with onion, mild mustard & ketchup but could eat no more. I reminded me of the 1970s. The kids were disappointed too. They're not snobs but can detect a rip off very well. If you have a severe food allergy, have coeliac disease or are a vegan, be very cautious. Call them up when planning to visit.
Having said all that, I still recommend the park for a few hours. Queues for rides varied between a few minutes to a ½ an hour, so not too bad.
The park is split in two by the pier. A passage takes you under the pier, past an amusement arcade and into the part with the more adventurous rides.
Have fun!
The Williams — Google review
Great place to take the kids. Adults go on free with any kids under 110cm which meant it was a cheap day out with a wristband
Kids had a particularly great time as we timed our visit to a superhero day and the staff engaged our children with genuine enthusiasm.
Only let down was the food situation, tasteless but at a reasonable price compared to many places along the seafront.
Buy tickets in advance (save £8 per daily wristband if bought online in advance... )
Jonathon Lawrence — Google review
Went on public holiday, the wrist band is worth it as you can go on all the rides and depending on how busy it gets you can go on some rides more then once. You can purchase online and save or you can purchase wrist band on the day. If the adventure land is open until 10:30 you can get the wrist band half price after 5pm. You can purchase individual tickets which works out £3.50 for a ride if you know your little on or your self is just going on one or two rides. It’s a great idea to measure your little one hight so you know exactly how much rides they can go on.
They have wheelchair friendly rides.
Staff are amazing and full of energy which is always a great bonus.
They have drinks and snack which you can purchase.
Toilet are available, you may need to wait in a queue depending on how busy it gets.
They have arcade play, you do need to pay separate for that.
Car parking available near the resort how ever it can get really busy, after 6pm parking is free.
This is over all a good place for family and children to enjoy.
In holidays it can get busy but I think they manage it well. The wait time for rides wasn’t bad at all, the longest I had to wait for a ride was 20 min. Which is reasonable considering it was packed.
Nazma Patel — Google review
Great fun for all the family. Lots of rides for big and little kids. Big wheel, roller coaster etc. Lots of staff/security around too if you need them. Plenty of food options. A good place to visit even on a grey day.
Louise — Google review
1. Good value for children and families
2. Can spend the whole day
3. Indoor ride is good for younger children and have soft play
4. Annual pass is a must
Tracy But — Google review
Variety of rides available with comparatively low waiting period. Totally worth it with full day pass. Park staff is also nice, they interact with kids on ride and keep them engaged.
Yogesh Pardeshi — Google review
Wonderful fun for all ages and weather. A day pass is £28 (or £14 after 5pm), but if you book online it's only £20! 😃 A year's pass is great value at £56 if you'll visit more than twice. Lots of fun rides to keep the kids amused, plenty of places to sit, eat and drink, and toilets around the area
Sarah Littleboy — Google review
If you’re going for the whole day, get tickets online. It’s cheaper. However if going after 5 get on the till. Entry is free. But u need either wrist bands or individual ride tickets to go in the rides. The opening and closing hours are updated daily so make sure to check the website. The website is quite informative and easy to navigate. We had a lot of fun in all the rides and there are some good spots to eat in and around the adventure island.
Izza — Google review
Good selection of rides and activities, lots of fun for all the family.
Sol Nawaz — Google review
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4.5
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Western Esplanade, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 1EE, United Kingdom
This beach, located in Sussex, is perfect for relaxing and spending time with family. The sand is golden and the water is blue, making it a popular spot for swimming. The beach also has lifeguards and parking nearby.
beautiful wide beach off Rye (took a short bus ride). fine soft sand and lovely walk - definitely walk along the higher sand dunes if you get the chance - better views especially at sunset! would definitely come back in summer to enjoy the water!!
Carolyn Cheng — Google review
Spent a lovely morning/afternoon there, even though it is winter and windy and places were closed it was still a lovely walk along the beach and we still had a bite to eat at the little café on the beach. Will definitely be back
Wendy Truebody — Google review
Beautiful, sandy beach, not too far from London. The tide can get very low, but listen to lifeguards calls regarding the tide changes. There are also a few beach bars where you can grab some food and refreshments.
ioli katsani — Google review
Parking is not cheap at £20 per day at the Western Car Park. There is a very steep dune to get over to reach the beach. It is not suitable for buggies or anything wheeled unless you’re superman. The beach itself is beautiful and there’s plenty of room.
Martin Jones — Google review
This beach is an exception in this part of England (South coast of Kent) as it is a sandy beach not pebbles. Furthermore, it's a large expanse of beach stretching for a number of miles. It's a lovely place to relax and enjoy the sun (when it shows itself). Furthermore there are at least a couple of car parks close to the beach, along with some amenities to buy food and drink.
George Williams — Google review
Stunning beach and massive massive dunes. Lots of parking but super expensive during peak hours. £16 for 4 hours!?! A few places to eat and drink. Highly recommended for everyone. Well worth a visit
Matt Wallace — Google review
Lovely sandy beach that the dogs adore. Dunes in and out a bit of a challenge for folk with walking difficulties but it is what it is
Neil Moulding — Google review
Beautiful shoreline with plenty of beach for you to catch some sun and enjoy a swim. Even though it gets busy on warmer summer days, the beach itself doesn't feel too crowded. There is a bit of a walk over the dunes to get from the car park to the beach which can be a challenge for some.
Nethin Maharaj — Google review
Camber Sands is a stunning beach destination that offers miles of golden sandy shores and mesmerizing coastal beauty. The vast expanse of the beach provides ample space for sunbathing, sandcastle building, and leisurely walks. The dunes and natural landscapes surrounding the beach add to its charm and create a sense of tranquility. The clear waters and gentle waves make it an ideal spot for swimming and water sports activities. The beach's picturesque setting and breathtaking sunsets make it a photographer's dream. Camber Sands is a must-visit for beach lovers seeking a serene and picturesque coastal retreat.
Dante Freeman — Google review
I’ve been visiting Camber Sands beach for over 30 years and this is the first at sunrise. Wrap up warm and be delighted by the vastness of the landscape. It is my favourite beach in the world even beating Varadero in Cuba!
JulieAnn — Google review
Awsome day with my kids and family... The landscape was unbelievable the kids loved exploring the dunes and running into the sea.. all in all a perfect day out.. memories made ❤️
Rajesh Ahir — Google review
Camber is a great beach to go to, also, you don't need to pay the high fees of parking. Further along the beach, there is a huge free car park. You'll know you're in the right place as there is The Kitesuef Centre. A fifteen minute walk will take you to the more popular part of the beach where it is really sandy, however, the whole beach is really nice.
Sam Swindells — Google review
Beautiful big sandy beach. Kids love it all the time. I prefer going there slightly later so able to catch the sunset too.
Ahnaful A — Google review
For me this is the best sandy beach in uk! We enjoyed so much, the water was so nice on a hot summer day! 😎
Nicely equipped with parking, we went to Rye a town nearby to get fish and chips because it was highly rated on google.
Naba Omer — Google review
Lovely beach. Loved the dunes. Such a nice walk down the beach with the tide so low.
Clara Fernandez — Google review
“A sandy (barefoot-safe) beach”
This is currently the best sandy beach i’ve visited so far because I find it hard to walk in pebbly beach as my feet gets hurt and is very uncomfortable.
Very convenient parking (Apart from the parking charges) as restrooms are close by and easy to see. I find it handy as i don’t need to look around to find a toilet.
The cafe has a friendly staff and environment. Also check out the bar as they have a variety of drinks to choose.
I highly recommend the place especially if you are looking for place to chill with a beach vibe.
k0rb3e — Google review
Stunning beach. Lovely early morning stroll stroll along the beach and dunes.
Kerry Bradburn — Google review
It's such a cool beach and only two hours from London! Quite busy but entirely bareable, especially when compared to other Sussex beaches like Brighton.
Try finding an empty spot on one of the sand dunes for pure relaxation 😌
Yosef Citron — Google review
Parking: The western car park is a much better option than the central car park, as it is much cheaper (£4 per hour) and it is not as crowded. However, you do have to walk over a steep dune to get to the beach from the western car park.
Beach: The beach is absolutely stunning. It is very expansive, with soft golden sand that stretches for miles. The lifeguards were on duty, and there were beach huts where you could purchase things. The beach was very flat, so it was easy to walk around. When the tide was out, you could walk far out into the sea.
Overall: Camber Sands beach is a great place to spend a day. It is beautiful, it is family-friendly, and it is not too crowded. I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a great beach day.
The Shepherd Neame Shop & Visitor Centre offers a diverse range of experiences for visitors. From Saffa Bru to Oceans Fish N Fry, and Rad Burger, there's something for everyone. The renowned Cinque Ports Pub on the seafront serves up Mexican-inspired dishes. Visitors can enjoy an evening brewery tour and a two-course set meal, learning about the brewing process and the company itself.
We had an excellent tour of the brewery led by Sarah. Tasting afterwards was most informative and enjoyable.
Mark Gately — Google review
Had a great night, definitely recommend going.. had the tour and the meal.
Beer was lovely, Laura our tour guide was really good, full of information, and made us all feel very welcome.
The food was really nice, so yes, do give it a go.. I did it as a gift for my husband and we both really enjoyed it..
Marchia Condon — Google review
A nice selection of beer and merchandise. What a little disappointed that the whole range wasn't available - particularly the Strong Pale Ale - the brewery shop should really have good availability at all times.
Soul Searcher — Google review
Very interesting tour, Nick was a great guide. But the piece de resistance was the beer tasting. Really enjoyed it, hence the before and after pics
ben harding — Google review
A very informative tour of Britain's oldest brewery. The tour guide made us welcome from the start and explained the whole brewing process and the history of the site. The tasting was great, and a tasty meal finished off a lovely evening. Well worth it!
David Seabrook — Google review
Excellent, well worth booking a tour. Avoid driving so you can fully sample the wide variety of fantastic beers and ales.
David Baldwin — Google review
Fantastic! Really informative tour and a knowledgeable tour guide in Glynn, the tasting was a tastebud joy. The town of Faversham is a delight too so all in all a great day out.
James O'Kane — Google review
Thoroughly enjoyable experience, lovely grub at the end & a good shop for some memorabilia. I'd highly recommend the tour 👍
Richie G — Google review
We attended the brewery tour yesterday, absolutely brilliant would highly recommend! Martin the tour guide was fabulous! Thankyou Ruth & Bob
Ruth May — Google review
I recently visited the Shepherd Neame brewery for an evening brewery tour and 2 course set meal. I would highly recommend this tour/dinner combination if you’re looking for something a little different. I learnt a lot of interesting facts about the process of brewing larger and ale but also about the company itself. We visited on a Friday and as no beer is brewed on that day, you can see the machinery up close without any workers around. Our tour guide was friendly and knowledgeable and we finished the tour in the museum/ function room area which also shows off some old vehicles used for delivery back in the day! After the tour we were given a flight of beers to sample and a delicious two course set meal. Ours was chicken with risotto and asparagus followed by a fresh strawberry tart. Another free beer was included with the meal and the bar was open for anything else you may fancy.
All in all a lovely evening in a pretty town learning some new facts about the oldest brewer in Britain!
The tour is popular and would recommend buying way in advance, the menu appears to change with the seasons but all options looked lovely.
Lisa King — Google review
Nick was lovely, funny and informative. Thorough brewery tour with lots of interesting facts and stories. Had a great time!
Anastasia Svedco — Google review
If you like ale then get yourself on this tour, amazing. Very knowledgeable guide with a tasting at the end. Highly recommended. If you book at The Sun Inn (weekdays) you get the tour included.
Sam B — Google review
Amazing visit of one of England's brewery. Funny enough i wasnt born when the the brewery was founded.
The Port Lympne Reserve in Lympne near Hythe is a wildlife park home to some fantastic animals from tigers and elephants to gorillas and big cats. You can stay overnight in one of the safari-themed hotel suites, cabins or treehouses on site. The reserve is also linked to Howletts Wildlife Park through the Aspinall Foundation and offers 20% online ticket discount.
Absolutely brilliant day out. No queues anywhere, lots of well kept animals, really lovely setting and a great safari ride. The walking route was quite long which was fab. We were there for 5 1/2 hours and still didn’t quite make it around everything. Highly recommend.
Alexandra Julian — Google review
We weren’t sure what to expect before arriving there as it was our first time. But we had a great time there. The one hour truck ride was fun and different as no other places that we’ve been to do this. We managed to see many animals on the tour. We also walked around the park to see the animals up close and we weren’t disappointed as you can see from the photos. The park is very well kept and clean too. Staff are friendly. Highly recommended for families with young or old children or even adults.
Weemee Liew — Google review
We have just got home from a day at a safari. Park and grounds are beautiful and well kept. Animals seem happy and well looked after.
We booked the Safari and have been on a few safari type experiences in the UK. This by far, was the most boring. We barely see any animals and when we did most were at a great distance except for the giraffes. It was a glorified taxi service around the grounds.
If you are a wheelchair user or buggy user then forget it! It’s all uphill and lots of stairs to climb. I can imagine children getting very tired.
The food and drinks were ok and overpriced.
All in all, we had a good day. But there are far more interactive experiences with animals around the UK at a similar price. I feel even some zoo’s you get a closer look at the animals. We won’t be returning.
Ky88 — Google review
Though it has wheelchair access and parking, not all of the areas are wheelchair friendly. We had to ask for the mini bus to pick us up and take us to places. There are buggies, but they were fully booked. It was a hot day, so some animals were keeping inside to stay cool.
There are a few places to eat and get ice cream or drinks. It also has a play area for children.
Sandra Lawrence — Google review
We stayed here overnight in a small hut 🛖 in the pinewood area. The hut had two normal beds and a fold out futon, adequate lighting and a few sockets one of which powered a small oil filled heater. We really loved our accommodation.
Some people commented that they couldn't sleep because of the loins roaring, but when the door is shut you can't really hear them.
The park itself is fantastic. All of the animals came out to see us, so there was no lack of things to see. We also did a safari trip on one of the troop carriers they have and that was brilliant too.
The whole site is built onto the side of a hill, so if you go around and see everything, be prepared to do a lot of climbing to get back to the top.
There are two restaurants on site which you will have to book early for but the food is lovely (if not rather expensive).
Overall we really enjoyed our visit and would definitely go back here again!
Matthew Chard — Google review
Stayed in the Pinewood pods for a night. Facilities were great, immaculately clean, and well heated. Food is not cheap, but very nice.
A great zoo if you enjoy looking at big cats and gorillas. Only downfall was that some of the zoo is off-limits to pedestrians, and some enclosures can only be seen on the safari. Additionally, we could not view the leopard enclosure as it was gated off for leopard creek guests and animal encounter guests only, which was slightly disappointing.
However, the zoo is clearly well maintained, and the animals well looked after. I’d definitely stay here again.
Chloe Bassett — Google review
Stayed at Lion Lodge overnight and wow, what an experience.....
The lodge was pure luxury and being able to sit next to the lions was amazing.
All the staff were so helpful and friendly and made this a truly memorable time.
Also booked a AAA Safari - this is highly recommended. Will, our ranger, was so knowledgeable, funny and friendly. The real highlight for me was hand feeding the black rhino and stroking the white rhino.
A most enjoyable 2.5 hours roaming the reserve.
Karl Davies — Google review
The Safari was such an enjoyable experience for all of us, suitable for all age. Some of the animals have a spacious natural ground to explore around, I suppose similar to their natural habitat. So don’t think of this park like an ordinary zoo please.
The restaurant’s interior was most fond by me, 30-40 for two adult plus a child which is acceptable. Applause for the chefs here, the beef burger and lamb kofta were absolutely amazing!
Great (free) parking space, though the extended grass parking could be very muddy and splashy around the wheels after the rain.
The staff were lovely and polite, attentive and happy to offer info to new visitors. A good selection of souvenirs.
Louis S — Google review
We didn't stay here as we live fairly near by. We had the most incredible day. The dinosaur forest is incredible and the best thing ever for any Dino loving life ones. The safari is great, bumpy but, very informative and it's lovely to hear about the reintroduction of animals into the wild. If you do go on the safari, try to sit on the left!
Maxine Morgan — Google review
Amazing wildlife park, so professional and well kept, animals have vast well thought out enclosures. They breed and return animals to the wild to their natural habitat to repopulate endangered animal communities. Recommend paying extra for the close encounters. We fed the gorillas and it was magical. The park is set in beautiful countryside, with views to the sea
Josh L — Google review
Wow!!! Port Lympne Safari Park is amazing!! We had the best day here. So much to see and the safari is so good. We got very close to the giraffes and our guide was very knowledgeable. What I will say is the safari park is built on a hill so make sure you wear comfy footwear. The grounds are beautiful. With the gardens and the orangery you will have plenty of photo ops. The accommodation looks amazing and we are absolutely going back to stay!
Becky Price — Google review
Wonderful day out with my fiancé here! The AAA safari was incredible with our guide Casey bringing the whole tour to life with his extensive knowledge of all things animal related.
We were able to feed the Rhinos and Giraffe and could not have been happier with the overall experience. Before hand, we were able to walk the ground a little ourselves and see some of the animals who all looked in great condition and well fed! This place truly loves their animals and keeps them in great health and perfect living conditions.
Can't wait to go back.
Jakeus 25 — Google review
Had a stay at Port Lympne for my husbands birthday and they have been nothing but exceptional the whole time. They allowed me to drop my husbands present down a week early with some decorations and a cake to decorated our wigwam helped advice us on the best animal experience and time to take the safari and alway on hand to answer questions on the animals. Food in the garden restaurant was amazing! Big shout out to Amy down at the gorilla for spending 30minuets with us answering questions and telling us about all the girls in the cage! Thank you to Candy for the best experience with the white rhinos! The team from start to finish went above and beyond! Will recommend to anyone who will listen! Will definitely be back!
Katiejane Quinn — Google review
Had an absolutely fab weekend away to celebrate some birthdays. The service is fantastic, the staff was so friendly and made us feel so welcome and special each step of the way. The accomodation is great value, we stayed at the Bear Lodge and it was lovely. The safaris were so educational and you get one for each night of your stay so we made the most out of it! I could honestly have spent a whole week here exploring and trying out the different activities! We'll definitely be back and I've recommended it to everyone!
Catarina Fattori — Google review
This is a review of the Reserve . No one likes to see animals in captivity but at least here you know that the philosophy behind the Reserve is all good . The Aspinall Foundation does great work in conservation and getting animals back in the wild . This it was doing long before it was trendy to care about wildlife .
It's great to know that the admission fee helps support the good works of the Foundation.
As a destination it's a lovely place for a day out . Set in a great location with wonderful views .
The ' big house ' and gardens would be a nice destination even without the associated animal reserve.
There seems to be plenty of facilities to eat and drink , or picnic if you bring your own food .
All in all a great day out .
Michael Dillon — Google review
Just back from a lovely day out . The car park was smaller than we thought and the staff explained that in the winter months no one parks on the grass , but in the summer months many more spaces are available. This place was amazing, right at the start was greeting by a friendly boy in the gift shop who helped as with all of our questions.
We had booked the safari which was very interesting and great as you got up close to most of the animals. Well worth the £6 per person for the hour on safari. So much to see and do in this reserve , will definitely be coming back again .
Julie craker — Google review
Fantastic day at Port Lympne. I was amazed how knowledgeable the lady that took us on the safari was.
I would 100 per cent recommend. The safari took about an hour. Driving round at about 5mph. Information on all animals and the zoo. The ride was very comfortable and the animals are clearly seen. Some animals standing around in front the truck very funny.
Rosanna — Google review
More than expected. From the start the staff were friendly and helpful. The park was muddy and a lot of walking was involved, but we don't have mobility issues so this was fine.
1st class service. Beautiful park with well cared for animals. Good project to support. It was the little details that made it perfect. Would recommend to anyone that can walk well.
Anita Beukes — Google review
Absolutely enjoyed my time here. It was a lovely experience to see the animals, especially the tour which they provide taking you closer to the giraffes. someone from our group touched the giraffe which made one of a staff a bit sentimental. she kept bringing the topic out during rest of the safari to make her point.
Driving the gold cart was fun. the restaurant near the entrance was absolutely fantastic. overall, if you love animals than i would definitely recommend to go there. Best to take your kids and not at summer time. there were no air cons at the outdoor cabin which can make kids a bit hot tempered.
i will visit again under pleasant circumstances.
Delta Young — Google review
My grandsons, 7 n 13 , me n my friend , had an amazing day at the port Lympne safari Park today! Saw lots of animals close up on the safari.such wonderful, friendly, informative staff ...relaxing atmosphere . We all said great value for money.well worth a visit. Highly recommend doing the safari , Mel was brill ! Well done staff ....perfect day out !
Jayne Brookssherman — Google review
Myself and my partner went here for a day out and had the most amazing time. The safari is a must, for no extra cost, it was great to see so many different animals in such a massive amount of space. It lasted around an hour and we got to get some nice close ups of some of the animals. The zoo itself is very big and there's lots to see although it was tiring with all the hills. The gardens were also very beautiful and great to have picnics or to take a break.
Sometimes it was a little confusing knowing where we could walk, as you would have the buggy only pathways and the map didn't have the full list of animals on there, which would have been nice. The location was not very tourist friendly if you're not driving in, we are from Birmingham so found it hard to get there by bus from our hotel and did have to walk quite a distance to get to the park.
Overall, the zoo is definitely one to go and see and we had a wonderful day.
Kristal Ramdeen — Google review
Stayed for 2 nights at the Tiger Lodge all the family were super excited to see the Tiger.
We stayed here as part of a special holiday after a bereavement of a parent
Port lymph contacted us the day before we left to inform us that the safari experience that we had booked would be cancelled on the Thursday due to bad weather conditions and made arrangements to move the experience to half an hour after we checked in on the day of arrival this was all super efficient and a great experience
However what they failed to say was that the tiger would be locked away due to the bad weather for our whole visit apart from the last 4 hours before we left!!!
The staff on reception were very informative and helpful but nothing seemed to follow through with bookings we had made
There was just a lack of ‘finishing touches’ which would have made the holiday
I don’t think I would recommend
higgy — Google review
My son and I have returned from a night and two days at Port Lympne. We stayed in Leopard Creek in one of the huts (most beautiful hut I have ever seen!). We have had a fantastic time. The animals are fascinating and have so much space and care - they seem so happy and content - and the devotion to the animals from all the team is clear. And that’s what put shine on the trip - every single person working at the Park was so kind, helpful and knowledgeable. Had an amazing time.
Chloe Bradley — Google review
Very cold wet and windy day to be visiting. Lunch at the Garden Room was one of the best roasts we have had. Highly recommend the beef followed by apple crumble. Well priced and a lovely setting. Service was good, a little slow at times but a busy Sunday lunch so to be expected. Kindly accommodated us earlier than scheduled. Thank you, will be back to explore in the warmer months. Great day out for both couples and families. The guide on our safari was very knowledgeable and friendly.
Hannah Smith — Google review
I visited here for as was staying nearby for my birthday and loved it. Great zoo, we did the safari truck tour and the two staff members were great so glad we did it as saw more animals. The reserve itself is massive and loads options if you wanted to stay! Great for walking lovers. Reasonably priced and could have stayed even longer. Recommend to all visiting. Thank you.
Amber Wrentmore — Google review
We had an absolute memory of a lifetime experience staying in lion Lodge. it was absolutely incredible the Lions were right up to our window face to face Close, remarkable. the actual Lodge accommodation was truly five star and we were treated in such an amazing way as if we were really special it's a memory that will stay with me for a lifetime. the actual Safari Park is really good it's large and the work they're doing is excellent we did the safari on the trucks sadly it was raining but we still saw lots and lots of animals. the only thing I would say is we had pizza delivered to the room which was extraordinarily expensive but that would be my only gripe. I highly recommend it if you ever get the chance to stay at Lion Lodge it really really is worth the investment.
sandra philip — Google review
Absolutely fantastic day out from start to finish. We went on Safari with our Ranger (Will) who was brilliant and we saw some incredible animals, we were very lucky as there was only 2 other people in the vehicle so it really felt like a personal experience. Will's knowledge of all the animals and their personalities was second to none he gave an excellent experience and was an absolute star not to mention had a great sense of humour too. Every member of staff was extremely helpful and friendly, all the places to eat were great and the food was extremely tasty and restaurants were kept very clean and tidy even though is was very busy. Would definitely recommend! 5*
Rob — Google review
We had an enjoyable 2 night stay here to celebrate our 40th anniversary. We stayed in a shepherds hut which was very comfortable and cosy. We had the opportunity of a log burner inside or an outdoor chimnea, neither of which we took advantage of (but a lovely added touch).
Our cabin was a fair distance from the restaurants and other places but the addition of a golf cart made it an even more enjoyable stay. The golf cart was big enough to carry all our luggage and the 2 of us (they also had larger ones for larger parties).
The safari was OK but personally I enjoyed the ranger tour a lot more. The Safari allowed us to see many animals but felt very much like they had to be back in time to do the next trip. The Ranger tour was a lot more relaxed with the opportunity to ask questions and take many more photos. (It probably helped that there were only 4 of us on this tour).
All in all a very enjoyable stay with the added bonus of knowing the animals, both on site and in their natural environment, are being cared for and protected for future generations.
diana roach — Google review
Amazing. My partner and I had a great day out. The glory of the park has no comparison. Zoos don't come close to this for animal welfare, habitat and experience. Can't recommend highly enough.
Jack Collins — Google review
If you book a safari and are late by two minutes you miss your jeep. We had arrived about ten minutes before our slot but the queue to get in took too long. Total disappointment. Drove all the way from London. They send hundreds of marketing emails but nothing to highlight you need to be early for the safari. Waste of time and money. won't be back. The walk about part is really nothing special. Other places do that much better. Walked around in about an hour and a half. No real wow moments. No giraffes on foot trail.
Stephen Leonard — Google review
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Aldington Rd, Lympne, Hythe CT21 4LR, United Kingdom
The Canterbury Tales pub is a welcoming and relaxing place with an open log fire, serving traditional English ales and cocktails. The attraction features animatronic tableaux that bring the sights, smells and sounds of 14th century Kent and Canterbury to life. It's an excellent way to learn more about one of the world's most famous collections of stories.
Great place. I go from time to time and am never disappointed. This time I arrived in Ceilidh night. Which was completely awesome.
John Crook — Google review
Convenient to The Marlowe Theatre. Pricey and the staff depending which one you get depends on the level of service you receive
Jacqueline Wilton — Google review
Ridiculous pub. Barmaid smashing bottles for fun at 6.30pm!
Gavin Kibble — Google review
Got to experience folk music at its finest. Quaint bar worth a visit
Steve Da Cunha — Google review
It’s not sure if it’s a pub or a disco/nightclub. No ales available. £6.40 a pint! You’re having a laugh! We’re in Canterbury, not London. One mouthful of substandard ipa and left. Please let someone who actually cares about their clientele take over.
Thomas Rye — Google review
Excellent service, pretty good selection, open late. Nice simple traditional pub as they should be.
george kelly-rosser — Google review
Really interesting, the guides add humour and makes it an enjoyable experience...
Vincent Douglas — Google review
Great location and simple in design and offerings. Definitely more of a "student vibe" but have to say they try their best to accommodate all.
Stick to what's on tap and don't deviate to cocktails and you'll be fine!
Del Salhi — Google review
Fantastic opportunity to see how normal people lived between 11-12 century. Thanks a lot for all history!
Just one think if is possible for the future to add more language translators include Bulgarian or Russian language. I am lucky, because my wife translate all.
Danail Marinov — Google review
Absolutely dead. The barman was lovely but the drinks all round were awful! I'd go again on a busier night maybe but not my first choice.
Kallie Dunham — Google review
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12 The Friars, Canterbury, CT1 2AS, United Kingdom
One of the oldest and most important churches in England, Canterbury Cathedral is visited by millions of people each year. With rich history dating back more than 1,400 years, the cathedral contains some beautiful historical collections and is home to the Church of England. The main attraction is the crypt which was about to hold a wedding when it was visited.
Amazing experience. So much history and experienced guides who delight in imparting this history. We took a break after an hour or so and went for refreshments. Came back and spent another couple of hours there, a good way to see the Cathedral if you have time. Ticket allows you to return again during the year of issue, excellent value.
Florence Wise — Google review
Sadly on this visit could not go inside the main cathedral because of a private event we could only go to the crypt and the gardens but for a mere £5 it was worth it. You still get to see the stunning architecture of the cathedral from the outside and the crypt has lots of great things to see with such a stunning herb garden. I would recommend that you always check for events before you have you heart set on seeing the cathedral just in case but this was still a lovely option!
D A — Google review
Canterbury Cathedral is an absolute marvel of architecture and history, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. From the moment you set foot on the grounds, you are transported to another time and place, surrounded by stunning Gothic architecture and steeped in the rich cultural and religious history of England.
Every detail of the cathedral is breathtaking, from the intricate carvings and stained glass windows to the soaring vaulted ceilings and meticulously maintained gardens. The sense of peace and serenity that permeates the cathedral is truly awe-inspiring, and I found myself completely absorbed in the beauty and history of the place.
The knowledgeable and friendly staff are a testament to the cathedral's commitment to hospitality, and their willingness to share their expertise and passion for the cathedral's history and significance only adds to the overall experience. Whether you are a history buff, a religious pilgrim, or simply a lover of architecture and beauty, Canterbury Cathedral is an absolute must-see destination. I cannot imagine a more perfect way to spend a day than exploring this magnificent cathedral and all that it has to offer.
Piotr Czajka — Google review
Beautiful and ancient cathedral. Stunning stained glass windows.. the cathedral is easily accessible from London and a high speed train takes you to Canterbury in about an hour. The cathedral is easy walking distance from the train station and an easy day trip to cover most of the town. Right now there is a quaint little Christmas market in the city Centre that’s fun to visit.
divya tiwari — Google review
We were a bit unsure about buying tickets to enter, but trust me, it's totally worth it! 😊 It's not just the church you get to see; it's the entire surrounding area, including beautiful gardens. Inside, you'll find unique pieces of history displayed in the crypt and picturesque ruins of the former monastery. It took us about an hour and a half to explore everything fully. Plus, it's a UNESCO World Heritage site! 🌟🏛️
María De Abreu — Google review
Lucky to have visited during a concert rehearsal and viewed the Cathedral with an epic orchestra & choir backing. Such a treat! Absolutely massive Cathedral full of history even for a non religious person as myself the architecture & stained glass are particular highlights. Tickets with gift aid donations are valid for a year of return visits.
James Ponter — Google review
Enjoyed the day roaming around Canterbury city center and Canterbury Cathedral. Although we had visited before, this time we went for our 1st boat trip around the canals. Really enjoyed the canal trip. Also enjoyed walking through the Free Libary and Art Gallery in the Oldest building. Enjoyed the Pubs and had a fab meal. Most people & staff were very friendly.
Malcolm Chinoy — Google review
I beautiful old cathedral built in the Romanesque style. It is 1000 years old and absolutely amazing. The acoustics are incredible. A choir was singing and we could hear the songs even in the crypt. The don’t build them like this any more.
The cathedral has great history (even a grisly murder) and famous people buried within.
You approach the castle through the town of Canterbury, which has lots of shopping and food options. The town and cathedral draw a lot of traffic, so be prepared to wait in the weekends. We rented a car and made the drive ourselves and it wasn’t bad but if the thought of driving on the wrong side of the road isn’t appealing, there are many tour groups who go to Canterbury.
The trip was fun and I would recommend a visit.
Shane Giddings — Google review
A very grand cathedral and easy access for anyone, dog friendly and you pay once and can go free for an entire year. You can buy tickets on entry. Under 18s are free to enter. There's grounds around the cathedral which are nice to have a walk around with it usually being fairly quiet. The streets around the cathedral are slightly busier but filled with cute shops and independent restaurants.
Olivia Hibbert — Google review
Canterbury Cathedral is an awe-inspiring historic masterpiece that truly takes your breath away with its remarkable architecture and profound sense of history. Stepping inside its ancient walls is an experience that transcends time, leaving you with an overwhelming sense of wonder.
The cathedral's architecture is nothing short of amazing. Its soaring spires, intricate stained glass windows, and meticulously carved stone details are a testament to the skill and craftsmanship of the builders who created this sacred marvel. Every corner of the cathedral holds a piece of history, and the Gothic and Romanesque elements blend seamlessly to create a visually stunning masterpiece.
Walking through the cathedral's hallowed halls and cloisters is an experience that words can hardly describe. The weight of centuries of history presses down on you, and you can't help but be moved by the sense of reverence and spirituality that permeates the air. It's a place where time seems to stand still, and you can't help but feel a profound connection to the past.
I wholeheartedly recommend visiting Canterbury Cathedral to anyone who has the opportunity. It's not just a place of worship; it's a living testament to human achievement and spiritual devotion. Whether you're a history enthusiast, an architecture lover, or simply seeking a moment of reflection, Canterbury Cathedral is an absolute must-see. The feeling you experience when you walk through its old walls is truly unbelievable, and it's an experience that will stay with you long after you've left.
Ivan Bilic — Google review
An absolutely beautiful cathedral riddled in such significant history! The staffers at the visitor center are so helpful and kind. Purchase a ticket there (you have to top up £5 for an audio guide) before you head in to the cathedral.
The cathedral itself has plentiful stain glass windows and a direct link to how the England church was born.
Do note that while strollers/buggies are allowed inside, there are still quite a number of stairs around which require you to carry your stroller/buggy up/down.
The crypt was closed in the morning so we went for lunch nearby and came back just in time for it to be open. Photography isn’t allowed in the crypt.
Beverly - — Google review
Visited Canterbury Cathedral on a sunny day, January 16, 2024. Paid £17 for an adult ticket, opted for the full experience. Noticed ongoing restoration work, a testament to preservation efforts. The cathedral boasts extensive history; dedicated a few hours to explore, amidst the grey surroundings. The sound of someone playing the organs added a sublime touch, enhancing the overall experience.
aleksander linkowski — Google review
Beautiful cathedral. It’s undergoing a lot of renovation work currently and there are some interesting updates on this around the building. It’s not a very serene space as there are lots of tourists around and about but it is still a vast and impressive space. Be warned lots of steps, it’s quite cold even in the summer and it is very expensive to get in
Jo Simpson — Google review
It was chilly but sunny weather. Beautiful cathedral, incredibly built and decorated. We had a great historical time and enjoyed. If you do gift aid when you buy the ticket, you can have 1year anytime visiting ticket. Inside out side it took around 2hours for us. It’s worth to pay and visit. Great 👍
J ANNA — Google review
Entry fee is £14 for an adult. Absolutely stunning Cathedral. You can almost feel the history! You can have a guided tour or an audio/ media tour. The guides really know their stuff! Or you can just wander on your own. Thoroughly enjoyed our afternoon here. Would highly recommend a visit.
Emma Chase — Google review
Beautiful Cathedral! I was here for a ceremony so didn't get a chance to explore the building but the main sanctuary is beautiful. Quick note, there are no toilets in the Cathedral but they have a very clean washroom in separate building just 3 minutes from the entrance.
Lucy Todd — Google review
Such a stunning Cathedral. We spent around 3 hours inside, there is so much to see and admire. In the Crypt no photos or videos are allowed, and it's a silent prayerful space. One can take photos in the rest of the massive cathedral.
There is only a small kiosk for coffee and tea on the property, but so many restaurants and Coffee shops are very close.
The Cathedral is undergoing constant restoration and maintenance, parts of it outside were covered by scaffolding. There are some beautifully restored, clean walls where the workmen have already done their magic. The cathedral requires £18,000 per DAY to run, so donations are welcome.
Liesel Teversham — Google review
The cathedral is nice looking and the grounds are well maintained. Inside the cathedral the guides are not proactive and don't share information on the site unless prompted (a lot). The day of our visit we saw students graduating, surrounded by their very proud parents. The atmosphere was a little chaotic and but I am sure that this is not usually the case. Whilst viewing an exhibit, there was a fire alarm, I asked the guide if we should leave and where the muster point was. She didn't have an answer. I made the call to evacuate. The fire alarm stopped sounding, so we went back to touring the cathedral. About five minutes later, the alarm sounded again. At this point another of the cathedral's guides came running in and shouting "get out, get out!". The tourists began running. My children were very scared. We CALMLY walked out and when we (again) asked where the muster point was, was told to follow the crowd (!) Unbelievable. We waited until the alarm went off and then when the crowds started piling back in, we asked a guide if we could return. She looked around and said: "I guess so". Upon entering the cathedral, we saw the guide who incited the panic and reminded him that panic causes more accidents. He informed us that the way he behaved this was company protocol!
The rest of the visit was spent viewing the cathedral and using Google as my guide. Definitely not worth the money. Particularly, as the staff are not trained in what to do and how to behave in emergencies.
Carissa Tolmie — Google review
Canterbury is a place where history and modern life coexist harmoniously. It’s a journey through time and a delightful destination for anyone seeking a taste of old-world charm in the UK.
Beyond the cathedral, the city’s cobbled streets and medieval buildings create an enchanting atmosphere. The Canterbury Tales attraction brings Chaucer’s tales to life, and you can explore the medieval architecture of Westgate Towers.
Finally, Canterbury’s friendly and welcoming atmosphere makes it an ideal destination for travelers seeking both history and contemporary experiences. Whether you’re wandering its ancient streets or enjoying a meal in one of its charming restaurants, Canterbury invites you to savor the best of the past and present.
Punting tours in Canterbury often take you past several iconic landmarks, including the stunning Canterbury Cathedral, historic buildings, and beautiful gardens.
Highly recommended place to visit!
Pooja Prasad — Google review
Unmissable experience for first time visitors, it's no coincidence that this has been a site of pilgrimage for over a millennium.
The cathedral with it's iconic mixture of centuries of building styles is worth the price of admission on its own, and the daily services, performances and special events make return trips well worth it.
Note that an admission ticket is good for a full year.
Martin Hansen — Google review
Amazing Cathedral; spare minimum 2 hours to enjoy . It’s the second time We visited; both times We were accompanied by our dog. Yes; this is a Dog Friendly attraction just for that 5 Stars . We wanted to take the tours they have available but unfortunately they don’t allow dogs on the guided tours . We payed for the audio tour and it was really good and easy to navigate ; they have it available in few languages ( No Spanish ) .
All in all very happy with the service and be able to visit an architectural wonder; while visiting Canterbury.
HL JV — Google review
So much to see!
The precincts and gardens should not be missed either.
So much history to catch up with around the cathedral.
Pride of place the story of Thomas Beckett. Also a must see is the Anthony Gormley in the crypt.
Melvyn Ede — Google review
Really nice day out in Canterbury. The cathedral is not the most beautiful in the UK but very impressive with its Romanesque architecture. Plenty to see - took 1.5 hours without audio guide. £17 to get in and that’s an annual ticket which is good value. Kitch will worth a visit too for something for eat.
Carl Argent — Google review
Amazing Cathedral; spare minimum 2 hours to enjoy and see the entire cathedral
England’s first Cathedral and one of the most visited historic sites.
Paid £17 for an adult ticket. Beautiful and ancient cathedral
You must see when you coming in Canterbury
Catalinka — Google review
Our visit to Canterbury Cathedral was nothing short of glorious; every step within its hallowed halls felt like a blessing. As we marveled at the intricate craftsmanship of its Gothic architecture and the ethereal glow of its stained glass windows, we couldn’t help but feel a profound sense of reverence for the centuries of history and faith that permeated the space. It was a pilgrimage of the soul, filled with moments of quiet contemplation and overwhelming gratitude for the opportunity to witness such magnificence.
From the tranquil cloisters to the resplendent choir, every corner of Canterbury Cathedral seemed to radiate with a divine presence, enveloping us in a sense of peace and joy that lingered long after our visit had ended. It was truly one of the best experiences of our lives, leaving us feeling both humbled and uplifted by the sheer majesty of this sacred place. Canterbury Cathedral is indeed a must-visit destination—a glorious testament to the enduring power of faith and the beauty of human creativity.
As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Canterbury Cathedral’s significance transcends national boundaries, embodying universal values of cultural and historical importance.
Canterbury Cathedral holds a special place in the cultural heritage of England. It has inspired countless works of literature, including Geoffrey Chaucer’s iconic Canterbury Tales, which immortalizes the journey of pilgrims to this sacred site. Today, visitors from around the world flock to Canterbury Cathedral to marvel at its architectural splendor, explore its rich history, and experience a sense of awe and wonder in its hallowed halls. A visit to this monumental landmark is not just an encounter with the past but a journey into the very heart of England’s spiritual and cultural identity.
Nibu George Thomas — Google review
Canterbury Cathedral is not just a building; it's a living testament to over 1,400 years of history, faith, and artistry. Stepping through its grand entrance is akin to stepping into a time machine, transporting you from the modern world to a realm steeped in medieval grandeur and spiritual significance.
The sheer scale and intricate details of the cathedral are awe-inspiring. From the soaring Gothic arches and stained glass windows that shimmer with vibrant colors to the Romanesque crypt with its echoing silence, every corner whispers stories of the past. Wandering through the cloisters, with their tranquil gardens and peaceful atmosphere, provides a moment of respite and reflection.
Canterbury Cathedral is a must-visit for anyone interested in history, architecture, or simply seeking a unique and uplifting experience. It's a place that resonates with the soul, leaving you with a sense of awe and wonder long after you leave its hallowed halls.
Kwok Lau — Google review
Canterbury Cathedral is a magnificent example of medieval architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors are consistently impressed by its grandeur, intricate details, and spiritual ambiance. The cathedral's historical significance as the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury and its connection to the Canterbury Tales add depth to the visitor experience. Whether you're interested in religious history, architecture, or simply appreciating awe-inspiring beauty, Canterbury Cathedral is a must-visit destination.
Annu Singh — Google review
Historical cathedral with some good activities inside. Once you get inside you can see the herb garden, dark room, tombs of ancient people and so on. You also have a prayer room inside. You can spend some time peacefully.
Ajay Aravindakshan — Google review
An amazing piece of history and well worth a visit. It costs £17 to get in but this is valid for a whole year. I paid £5 to go on a guided tour which was 1.5 hours. Worth every penny. Our guide was Kirsten, a very knowledgeable and good humoured lady. I felt very engaged and learned a great deal.
The cathedral is enormous and I could easily of spent the whole day there as there is so much to see.
Thomas Becket,The Black Prince and the influence of William of Normandy and many others give this cathedral a long and very rich history.
It is a working cathedral and its open for various services and also for private reflection and prayers.
W W Howe — Google review
Fabulous historic cathedral (see Thomas Becket) plus plenty of interesting memorials to curious people. Monument to Becket is striking. Stained glass and cloisters beautiful. Tea shop was closed by 4pm (so no comment and no comment-err? Such a British tradition to close doors to cafés when visitors are in greatest need) but the visitors’ shop was open and had good stuff.
Catherine Rudd — Google review
I think the entrance fee can be off-putting to a few people. However, you can go back as many times as you like for a year, so it evens out. We live near Canterbury, so now have the year's pass.
How many times do you want to visit the same place? I thought that, but each time we go, you see something different. Also, there are a number of very knowledgeable guides there. One of these, Michael, gave us a real insight of a specific time/part of the Cathedral. Very interesting.
Michael J “Bulldog” Ranger — Google review
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(7282)
Cathedral House, 11 The Precincts, Canterbury CT1 2EH, United Kingdom
WELL DONE Eurotunnel. I was booked on the 13:54 today. We had a quite long time in the car park BUT we didn't get blown up. Thank you to whoever kept us safe.
Mike Gibbs — Google review
The money being generated by this monstrosity of a company, you'd of thought that by now they would have brought new train carriages for drivers with fully working air conditioning a refreshments bar to get a drink or 2, but no this is euro tunnels cattle mover for freight drivers, though cattle get much better conditions in transit, mooo moo ⛔️❗️❗️❗️❗️
Rich Goode — Google review
every year it gets worse and worse.
the amount of time you have to spend on check-ins, etc., keeps getting longer
being already in the queue and waiting to board the train, it turns out that we will be going much later than according to the schedule in the application.
Many times there are long queues and the train is only or maybe half full.
the toilets smelly and very dirty. no water is standard.
Pawel STE — Google review
Great logistics on moving the volume of freight, reduce the train availability per hour from 4 down to 2 ! Now that should clear the queues !
Great planning 😡😡😡😡😡😡
George adair — Google review
2 hour delay on euro tunnel was not impressed other than that great journey as usual
Del Smith — Google review
Effortless, quick and reliable transfer. Friendly staff
Alex Alex — Google review
Nice facilities but their time tracking is not accurate. There was hardly anyone in today, we followed the indications to the letter. What happened? Slow passport control and pointless security control, and we missed our train. If this was an airport, the airlines would go out of business.
Albert — Google review
We were travelling to Belguim. The booking was simple and the arrival procedures were effortless. We visited the duty free and food hall. We were given uptodate advise on our duty free entitlement. The WC was visited which was clean and well maintained. The trips were effortless.
John Davis — Google review
Sometimes it’s brilliant, sometimes it’s not. Completely random. I gave four stars because it has got better I think.
Jonathan G — Google review
Delays possible (imminent 2hrs ) but thanks for being there, thanks for talking to us and letting us know! Thanks to all the staff border force Douanne, Control Frontaliers terminal staff for keeping it together in the horrible weather and making it possible to travel
Bonne fêtes de fin d'année - Happy New year!
Mark Osborne — Google review
Merry Christmas!
Samuel Stoica — Google review
3.1
(201)
•
3.5
(2670)
Eurotunnel, Ashford Rd, Folkestone, CT18 8XX, United Kingdom
The Folkestone Harbour Arm is a beautiful and relaxed day out in the sun with plenty of food options, as well as live music stages and seasonal events. The view of the far stretched blue waters of the English Channel is simply stunning and is open every day.
Clearly money and time are being spent on renovating the old platforms, and the surrounding goods yards, to make it a food, and a art hub.
It is easy to see the history of both the station and harbour.
A visit in season and on a fine day would show of the work and allow you to enjoy food and drink whilst watching the sea or looking at the exhibits rather than a cold wet day in March!
Barry Benton — Google review
A stunning area to do some recreational fishing. Plenty of nice eateries and places to get drinks. Easy to park, a real good day out!
Oliver Blake — Google review
Beautiful stress free day in the sun nit very crowded, had some fresh food on the harbour and a long walk, recommended to everyone that wants to escape the concrete jungle
Mr.coffeeuk — Google review
A very unique centre which offers the perfect viewing platform for the White cliffs of Dover, boasts a number of culinary options including a pub based in a light house, various vendors including the big Greek Bus, it also provided a great solution to re-using an old train station and turning it into an arts and culture centre as well as a gateway / entrance to the harbour arm.
Definitely worth a visit.
Lord Brett McLean — Google review
Beautiful place to spend on a sunny day. Great views of the channel, and a lovely stretch of shingle beach. Water was clear, warm and inviting.
Andrew Callaghan — Google review
So lovely to see care and money being spent on Folkestone! Lovely walk along the harbour arm with some quirky pop up eateries dotted around.
Charlotte Willcox — Google review
Great place for a stroll lots of food choices, little shops and entertainment. A really smart conversion from a dilapidated ferry terminal and train sidings to a vibrant full of life vistor attraction! Just watch toddlers as the fencing into the harbour is not kid proof!
mike grainge — Google review
Really enjoyed our (very windy) walk along the harbour arm. The eateries weren't open, but can imagine it gets busy on a weekend. The views and scenery were lovely. Really liked that the old train station has been kept and maintained.
Jemma Curran — Google review
I really enjoyed the visit to Folkstone .Great use of the old train station and platform. Eclectic mix of food and drink stalls. Live music.Huge screen showing the football. Amazing views across Folkestone. Look forward to our next visit.
Rita Driver — Google review
Excellent stalls in the marketplace. Which is open weekends and some stalls on Fridays too. Stalls open also during school holidays. Excellent range of food available enough the goods yard along with huge screen for sporting events.
Live music, details of which can be found on the harbour arm website. Some excellent artists are performing free in a great setting. Carparking available, although an easy walk across the harbour from the town and old high street. Well worth a visit.
Fergus Presswell — Google review
Bright and breezy (very breezy!) Sunday afternoon to visit to the Harbour Arm, luckily the autumnal rain kept at bay. Shared a fab K-Chicken Bao Bun from Baoboba whilst my daughter enjoyed her Apple and Cherry Bob's Tea. Wanted to grab a drink but my daughter (her again!) insisted on going to DessertFolks for S'Mores Cookie and Mint Ice-cream; the cookie was huge and very, very good!
Sean Moran — Google review
Great place for sea side walks with lots of food and drink vendors and a small market.
Beautiful views of the cliffs and surrounding areas and lot of boats to watch.
Lee — Google review
4.6
(3276)
•
4.0
(1426)
Harbour Approach Rd, Folkestone, CT20 1QH, United Kingdom
The Turner Contemporary is an impressive art gallery in Kent that showcases works by renowned artists such as JMW Turner and contemporary creators. Its modern architecture provides a versatile backdrop for weddings, with breathtaking views of the sea adding to its appeal. The venue features two rooms, the Foyle Rooms and Clore Studio, which can be customized to suit individual tastes and styles for a dream wedding in Margate, Kent.
I'm not a very big gallery visitor but would highly recommend this one! A lot of the gallery explores race very uniquely and accessibly, also includes a history of video games with the chance to play all consoles, a great shop full of great souvenirs and also a contemporary section too. Free entry also!
Sagar Haria — Google review
The building itself is great; the exhibition's can be mixed. Seems to be focusing on social engineering at the moment: when an artist spends more time explaining his art than on making it got have got to worry.
James Stephen Medes — Google review
Fantastic gallery in a marvellous location looking over Margate beach. Great exhibition on when we visited. Nice shop too with postcards and art books👍No need to book as FREE entry😀
Pandora Martin — Google review
Beautifully designed contemporary art gallery. There is permanent collection, which we’d seen before but is worth a second visit.
The shop is interesting and eclectic. The cafe is good quality, although a little pricey.
The real star here though is the beautiful building overlooking the harbour. Even though it’s very different to the Georgian town it fits beautifully. We’ll worth a visit.
Peter Hall — Google review
It’s a nice place to visit in Margate and it’s a really interesting building. I wasn’t too impressed by what was in there though - the building itself is huge but the exhibitions are quite small. They had a selection of works by local artists which I enjoyed even though you have to search for online information/ a booklet to find any information (even the artists name)
Ella Hillyard — Google review
Unfortunately the gallery was between exhibitions so we didn't see much art but the staff were friendly and though the attached shop was small it was open plan and easy to access even in my wheelchair. Outside there is easy access with a ramp to the big entrance doors. There is an outside installation by Anthony gormley called another time but if the tide is in be aware its submerged.
Joy Gartside — Google review
Fantastic art gallery for all age group. One of Michael Craig Martin's work is installed in the shop. Tracy Emin's print is available to buy. Definitely worth visiting.
PA Jos — Google review
The place to go to for art lovers, last chance to see Beatriz Milhazes exhibition which ends on the 10 of September 2023. It is a squeaky clean venue, well organised, cheerful and cultural. Make sure to have a word with the available staff, they have a wealth of information on everything arty. Only reason for the 4 not 5 stars is the limited amount of exhibits. Suggestion, give a permanent space for local artists, you won’t regret it.
Khalid Abdalla — Google review
While the gallery is not huge, it has a well presented and accessible exhibition. I found it quite pleasant to wander around and take in the art. The internal 1st floor balcony offers a nice view onto the sea.
Parking is available right next to it.
Mark P — Google review
A fantastic art gallery and wonderful resource for the town. It's free to enter, which makes it very accessible and allows for long or short visits, as you feel. The exhibitions are innovative and provocative. Although the exhibition space isn't as big as the galleries in London (for instance), it punches well above its weight. A must visit if you're in Margate.
Shadow Cast — Google review
It's a beautiful building and the cafe and shop are both fab but I'll admit I was pretty underwhelmed by the collection. I'm not sure if we visited on a bad day but the whole gallery seem to be given over to one exhibit (Brazilian contemporary artist Beatriz Milhazes). Whilst this was a good exhibition, I was left a bit disappointed there was no permanent collection of local art 😕
Lizzie Chapman — Google review
I've been to the Turner Contemporary many times, often with my daughter. It's always been a wonderful artistic experience. The penultimate visit included a crazy animated silver alien that seemed to track you as you walked around the room with its neck and eyes.
This time a brilliant show of the work of Beatriz Milhazes, a Brazilian artist. The works take over five galleries, and given space, they shine.
I'm never disappointed when I visit. Free, but worth donating, or buying from the shop. Great rebooted cafe as well.
Patrick McDougall — Google review
Interesting pieces of art! Love that the gallery faces the ocean as well—upper floor is great for taking pictures. Best of all is that it’s free.
Leung — Google review
Wonderful space! The exhibit changes every season, and the one I got to see was of 50 women artists through the last 60 decades. Some of the abstract pieces were remarkable.
Personally abstract art isn't for me, so this was a miss, but if you love sculptures, installations and abstract art - this is a definite must see!
Lovely cafe right at the entrance. Turner Contemporary does not have a permanent exhibit so check their website to see what's on!
Mash Mala — Google review
On the positive it's a lovely location as the photos show, right in the heart of Margate's harbour area. There are now loads of bars and restaurants around the area and places to sit. Entry is free but you can make donations, the staff were clearly interested and friendly. It's a bright, clean and welcoming building so very pleased we visited. I'll be honest I didn't understand the art in the slightest, neither the artist blurbs or pieces but it was open, welcoming and with the visit. Others visiting were clearly engaged with the art so it must be good if you understand it.
wobbly woz — Google review
The current exhibition features an enormous breadth of work by history’s best female abstract artists. Complementing last year’s joyous Beatriz Milhazes exhibition.
The galleries are spacious, the staff super friendly and it’s free. Ignore the negative reviews and immerse yourself.
Alison Medd — Google review
As a local wedding photographer and videographer team we know that the Turner Contemporary is absolutely the BEST wedding venue in Margate.
We love shooting here and we can't wait to be back!
This Modern Revelry — Google review
Excellent free gallery with interesting exhibitions, a pleasant cafe with view of the sea, and shop selling cards and gift items. I visit regularly.
Will Wooderson — Google review
Lovely gallery and my 6 year old loved the sensory bags which each room has, kept her really engaged!
Ramsgate Tunnels is a historical tourist attraction that offers guided tours of its subterranean tunnel system used as a shelter for 60,000 people during WWII air raids. The friendly staff and knowledgeable guides provide an interesting and accessible experience without dumbing down the information. Visitors can learn about local history, including the role of Ramsgate Tunnel during the war.
This was a very pleasant surprise. Very friendly staff to greet you and the guide was great speaker. He made everything interesting and accessible without dumbing down. We had a guide at the back for safety and he too was knowledgeable and really friendly. I would highly recommend this.
Alison Roberts — Google review
An absolutely hidden gem! I never even knew these tunnels existed let alone the history of them. The guided tour was fascinating and the guide very passionate and knowledgeable. I would definitely recommend!!
Andrew Clough — Google review
Absolutely astonishing place. Had amazing guide, so informative and knowledgeable. I found this place absolutely breath taking with all the stories and information. Very worthy to visit. Highly recommended
And very nice cafe with beautiful coffee and carrot cake
Mia Stephens — Google review
Excellent tour! Very informative and interesting to learn about the important role the tunnels played during WW2. Just make sure you have appropriate footwear as the ground is uneven. Well worth a visit!
Jessica Ives — Google review
Fabulous local history. All staff were so nice. Delicious cake from cafe. Our guide Colin was very informative. Highly recommended. Wear sensible shoes!
Sophie C-L — Google review
Good experience and very informative. Lived in Kent all my life and only heard about the tunnels last year. Hard hats to be warned as a health and safety precaution. Our tour guide was quiet fast paced with approx 25 ppl on the tour but a lot of ground was covered. 6 children were on the tour and appeared engaged. Worth a visit. Family ticket is cheaper than 2 adults and 1 child making it affordable. There is a small museum worth visiting whilst waiting for tour but equally accessible after tour if you don't have time. There is a small cafe serving drinks and cakes, although we didn't stay for this. Looks nice.
Alyson French — Google review
Absolutely brilliant place to visit👍the museum part, free, is excellent...but the tour, well worth the £8, is unbelievable...the story's bring everything to life and highlight the struggles our parents/grandparents went through....highly recommend...don't miss it👍👍👍
Lee Mallard-Mchugh — Google review
If your in Ramsgate, then one of your must see experiences is to take a guided tour of the Ramsgate wartime Tunnels. Our two hour tour took us deep into the tunnels. Our volunteer guide told us the story of why the tunnels were built and used during the war period. For all ages even my grandsons loved it as well.
Steve Marsh — Google review
excellent guided tour of a unique feature of a town that the Germans in both WWs dumped their bombs as for many it was the first and last place they flew over in England. Thanks to a visionary mayor (they did once exist) these tunnels were dug under the main streets to enable quick refuge by the townsfolk during raids.
Marcus Swalwell — Google review
Its been a good experience, especially learning about the history of the Ramsgate Tunnel. Tour guides were very informative and helpful. Recommended to family and friends! I got more photos inside the tunnel but its up for you to see and experience as well!
John Michael De Vera — Google review
We visited Ramsgate Tunnels for the evening 'Railway Tour' in August 2022. The evening started with a quick H&S brief and then an information film in an underground hut. The tour was guided through the old Victorian railway tunnel. The tour guides (three) were all friendly and knowledgeable in terms of the tunnel system and local history. One tour guide assistant, Georgie, was excellent. Deep into the tour, some visitors were spooked and wanted to get out of there, so Georgie guided them all the way back to the entrance and out to the esplanade, then she came all the way back alone through the dark tunnel system. Very impressive!
Overall, it was a very enjoyable and informative evening. I would recommend it to everyone, but probably not for children under ten years old because it's dark in the tunnels and the terrain is quite uneven.
Albena Smith — Google review
When we went we weren't able to go inside the tunnel. It was blocked due to some beer festivals. However it's a must visit tunnel. Next to the tunnel there is a stairs where you can climb up and see the amazing view of the sea from the top. It looks beautiful.
Pavan Kumar KP — Google review
If you only do one thing in Ramsgate, then do this guided Tunnels tour. What a truly wonderful visitor experience it is too and well worth the poultry admission charge.
The whole experience was made extra special by our Guide, local historian Bruce and his wife Lois, it's very clear how passionate Bruce is about this network of tunnels. His passion is real and captivating as he unfolds the history and human stories behind this fascinating labyrinth of tunnels that literally saved the lives of thousands of Ramsgate residents that horrific day in 1940.
The 1hr30min tour was the highlight of our three day stay in Ramsgate.
For all you who don't find history interesting I challenge you to take this tour with Bruce... I guarantee that you will find it utterly engaging.
Mark Bray — Google review
An amazing attraction hidden in Ramsgate near the beach. Fascinating 1.5 hour tour taken by a very knowledgeable guide learning about its history. I would certainly recommend this unique attraction.
Daren Kenward — Google review
Very informative and sobering experience. Thought provocative. Excellent tour guide Mick. Knowledgeable and passionate about the subject. Also very funny and charismatic. 😊
Ione Sa — Google review
Went last year, great tour, alot of interesting history around the tunnels. Would come again! Thank you to tour guide Steve
Benjamin Murtagh (Benjamin Murtagh) — Google review
What a great way to spend a wet and windy day, inside the tunnels keeping dry .
.Very informative and interesting facts given. Interesting for both adults and children, I'd recommend this experience to all and especially home ed kids.
I took my teenage son to learn more about the war times. An outside class room experience to really get an understanding of some of our English history
Elle Aerts — Google review
I highly recommend this trip. It's a fascinating look into the history of wartime Britain.
The guides are super helpful and explain everything. It is 2 hours well worth spending and worth a trip. Of course, once you finish the guided tour, there are plenty of things to do in Ramsgate.
You get to experience the tunnel system and how it helped save lives during the bombings. The tunnels run deep and cold. Be prepared to walk a fair bit.
I got to experience total darkness as the guide Steve demonstrated to us how the people in the tunnel must have felt when the lights went out.
Highly recommended.
Cajetan Barretto — Google review
We had a really pleasant time visiting the free museum and following the guided tour. Mick is an excellent storyteller and managed to keep a large and very age-diverse group entertained throughout.
Amazing work by the volunteers here! Thank you 👏🏼
Diego Magrini — Google review
Excellent tour with Mick - a really engaging and informative talk. You can tell he's super passionate about preserving the heritage and memory of the tunnels. A fascinating and moving walk through history!
Tom C — Google review
4.6
(2211)
•
5.0
(1833)
Marina Esplanade, Ramsgate, CT11 8FH, United Kingdom
Site of a legendary motocross race, this historic commune is home to vibrant villas & a sandy beach.
Lovely place to spend time. Lovely drive and cool water. The sunset looked great and mesmerizing. Recommend to visit this beach. There is setup for kids to play around. City is super close as well.
Bhawana Motiwala — Google review
Great city... beautiful , high security level, and you can be totaly change your mind and be relax after few days stay.
Beach is wonderful, you can walk for hours, sximming, or get a drink and watch beautiful sunset...
So lovely...
Chakameh Bozorgmehr — Google review
Fantastic place to visit ,Went there a few years ago ,Terrific bars and restaurants ,Great beaches ,Gets busy on bank Holidays the it seems half of Paris turns up
Steven Johnson — Google review
Where Parisians have second homes and has it's own airport.. Lovely place to spend a few days.
Ed — Google review
Unique premise and atmosphere here. Very grand buildings on outskirts and in surrounding forests, becoming more modern towards the seafront. Beautifully manicured areas outside of impressive hotels and apartment blocks. Rue Saint Jean is main pedestrian thoroughfare to the beach area with designer shops inland, giving way to bars and boutiques towards the seafront. Different every time we come, but always fantastic. The beach is very large and clean, with sunbeds and parasols available in season, with an adventure complex and various eateries and bars.
Lee Vincent — Google review
Nice city, great beach, but very touristy.
Kim steentofte — Google review
The loveliest beach ever, huge so not crowded, not a place you have to worry about setting your bag down, my family absolutely loved it
Courtney Richards — Google review
Cool place.
Went for the first time during Easter this year and will undoubtedly visit again.
Only an hour’s drive from Calais too.
Robert Atherton — Google review
Beautiful seaside resort amazing beaches and loads of great restaurants in town. Very busy in peak periods
Alan Forder — Google review
Beautiful beach! Especially the side with the dunes and the park/ forest. Town center is very cute. The only downside is finding a table in a restaurant. Make sure you make a reservation before heading to town. They have very specific times for the kitchen.
ioana iacob — Google review
Beautiful soft and deep sand that went on for miles and miles. Very spacious. We were there early morning and basically had the beach to ourselves. We found some free parking on the residential streets a few roads down from the pay and display streets and only walked about 10 mins from car to beach. Lovely quaint restaurant/cafes and shops. And also a market selling clothes, crystals bags and food etc. Was a lovely day trip. Would recommend.
Melissa — Google review
Lovely town, lots of good places to eat and drink. Some lovely buildings let down a little by the abandoned water park on the seafront. Still good for a sunset though ☀️
Paul O'Brien — Google review
Lovely beach, nice super fine sand, lots of sunbeds and volleyball space
Amelia Boyd — Google review
4.4
(5634)
•
4.5
(1857)
France
I'll never travel to Bruges without this trip planner again
The Centre national de la Mer in Boulogne-sur-Mer houses a large aquarium with sharks, sea lions and penguins, as well as a tropical lagoon full of colorful coral. This is a great attraction for children who can see some of the more exotic fish species at the aquarium. The historic sites and port of Boulogne-sur-Mer are also worth a visit while in Boulogne.
A truly wonderful day out. During our 6 hour visit we saw everything there was too sea 😉 and enjoyed every minute of it. We have many highlights to share with our family and friends. The auditorium is like the biggest and best TV you will ever see - truly stunning. Could have spent all day there alone, just watching.
My wife is slightly disabled, and being able (for free) to have use of a wheelchair (secured with your ID) made the day possible. And with at least 97% accessible with a wheelchair we missed nothing (other 3% you could still see, just not quite as close). Lifts (with notifications giving priority to wheelchair users) are plentiful and like everything else clean, and to a very high standard - and even some nice surprise.
Food, maybe is the only negative, we had a crepe for lunch and a coffee (no problems with that), as we planned a restaurant meal that evening, but the other offerings did seem excessively expensive and not that good.
In conclusion for a day out of memories, under €30 entry it is well worth a visit.
Ian Steel — Google review
It's a nice aquarium but a but expensive for what it was. We where done in 2 hours. Drove especially from Luxembourg for it which didn't seem to be worth it. Only nice if you are already in the area. Tickets should be maybe only 15 euro per person not 24.
Anusha Mian — Google review
This is a really big aquarium, with a huge central "pool" and then smaller aquariums all around. Lots of floors all having different topics about marine life. Very educational and fun, great family outing. Was quite crowded, but rightfully so. If you so fancy, the sand beach is right outside to build sand castles after (or swim in the sea).
Simon Willems — Google review
Fantastic experience. My view on jellyfish completely changed :) So beautiful... So much to see. Beautiful aquarium. Take it slow and pay lots of attention to what you can find in the aquarium. There is so much going on. Every fish sort had its own behavior. Unique. Never saw something like this before wrt aquariums.
Joost Maltha — Google review
Summary - a pretty damn good aquarium with lots to see and do for kids and adults. It makes The Deep (an aquarium in Hull) seem tiny!
We only went here as it was raining but we were certainly glad we did. The first point to note is that the ‘official’ car park has a height restriction so is no good for camper vans.
The place itself has two main exhibitions plus a penguin exhibition. The first one has a huge tank with sharks, sting rays and lots of lots of fish. This also has a tunnel through it was is good. There are lots and lots of smaller tanks and exhibits.
The second one is based on the coast and, again, has loads of small tanks and exhibitions. However the main attraction are the seals and you can only see these through a wall in their tank. This means that you can see them swim under water.
The third area is the penguins and these are in a relatively small area. However we were tired by this point so didn’t stay long.
There is the obligatory cafe (warning - expensive) and gift shop (reasonably priced).
In all we spent 4 hours there which ain’t bad for the €70 or so it cost. Well worth it.
James C — Google review
Lots of fish, as we walked the fish tanks never stopped! Recommend the large main tank with the manta ray, very cool and curious! The seals were very cool also!
Good crepes and hot chocolates
Zinc Rich — Google review
Nausicaa is truly an experience to take your kids once, to prepare them for the future and climate change. Even though the tariff is high, and yes some reviews do feel it is a glorified sea tank. However given the context we live in this project is remarkable and opens your eyes to the synergies between man and sea in a setting so interactive for kids and adult. Special packages can be introduced to make this accessible to all.
Ruchita Sharma — Google review
I have always wanted to go since I was a kid and we finally managed to get there. Absolutely amazing place, if you love an aquarium trip then you will love this place! Only advice I can offer is give yourself plenty of time to get around it as it's huge!
Stevie Bates — Google review
A great experience, lovely staff and an overall value for money visit. The variety is great too. They have penguins, seals and a large number of sealife including sharks and stingrays. I went with a school trip that I helped organise and can only say that I will be doing this in future! Visit if you can, you won't be disappointed.
Shabazz Siddiq — Google review
It’s very big and beautiful, their seal 🦭 show was pretty nice and the visiting steps are super interesting, they’ve got many fish i’ve never heard of, and a great sea experience!!!
joseph kettaneh — Google review
Great family day out. We spent 5 hours there with 3 kids and they were all entertained. The first part of the exhibition is very digital and tech heavy and there didn't seem to be many fish, but it greatly improved as we moved on to a different exhibition. Food options seemed limited, but the crepes were fresh and tasty.
Laura — Google review
We made a special visit to go as birthday present for our son. You can buy an additional day ticket for only €5 which is excellent value. We spent the second day seeing things we were too tired to appreciate the first day!
This is the best aquarium I’ve ever been to and highly recommend it. The welfare of the animals is paramount and it is obvious how well cared for they are.
The cafe is mediocre and quite expensive but functional and has the best view over the beach.
Best part is the huge deep water tank based on a site off Columbia in Pacific. The giant manta ray is particularly impressive.
Only downside was trying to buy an ice cream at the end and the staff member laughed with her colleagues at my poor French. I left customer feedback for that to raise training need but it meant that I left on a down note after 2 brilliant visits.
Please visit and enjoy but I can’t recommend the ice creams!
Rosemary Bolton — Google review
An excellent attraction with a huge array of marine life.
There are lockers that accept one euro or one pound coins. But they get used up quickly so try to arrive early.
The giant mantaray is the highlight but there are various outstanding examples of marine life from sharks to seals, jellyfish, and much more.
Be warned, there are two main sections, so you might want to arrive early and do one side before lunch at the excellent onsite restaurant. Overall, it takes around 3 - 4hrs to get round unless you want to rush through!
The aquarium is also an educational resource, and has a lot on conservation and the changing world.
gavin white — Google review
Very friendly personnel and also very helpful. The aquarium itself is quite big and split up in 2 main parts. It took us 4 hours and 30 to get through it all, at a slow though, which is not bad I think. The place is very clean and modern and there was not a lot of people so it was very comfortable, being a Saturday this was a little bit surprising. The big tank is amazing and is definitely a show stopper. Be sure to check out the giant manta, it's amazing. Parking is located on either side of the facility and is a Qparking. Be mindful however that the beach side parking 'la plage' didn't have Maestro working, so you were only able to pay there with cash, Visa, or Mastercard.
crazedentity — Google review
I didn't really think that this place lived up to the expectations. I would visit if I lived in the town, but wouldn't say its worth a long trip to see. The large centre aquarium is quite amazing but there were a lot of areas that just have screens and tv's. Personally, if I go to an aquarium I don't want to see screens... I want to see the real thing! Knocked off some stars for this reason, otherwise there's a wide variety of fish and cool things to see!
E M — Google review
It was an ok experience. I expected more than just one big fish tank and tiny sea lion and penguin areas. I feel bad about the animals, though, because they look very crammed. The penguins and sea lions enclosures, especially, looked so tiny! Loads of space for people to walk but not enough for the animals.
There were restaurants and a smoking area. I'd advise against using the loo if you can hold it because there are some shocking things to see, apparently. My husband went and came back traumatised 🤣
Yuliya Mulvaney — Google review
We spent around 2 hours here, one Sunday. It is an incredible place to visit. Definitely take your time to read all the interesting material that is on offer. The Aquarium is huge and very impressive, with a large array of fish & rare creatures. I would recommend this for all visitors in the area!
Terry Caton — Google review
Such a great experience to visit this aquarium! you can see different kinds of animals there in very close distance, I was so impressive. Highly recommend people to visit !
T Leung — Google review
Really cool and big aquarium with lots of animals to see. We spent 2h here and that was perfect! We visited on a very sunny and warm Sunday 2.5h before the closing so the aquarium was very empty and that made the experience even better! The sea lions show was stunning! And my favourite thing was the biggest aquarium. That one just leaves you speechless.
The only downside is that the ticket prices are quite expensive and I definitely wouldn’t want to visit on a rainy day as there are most likely be too many screaming children around. Additionally, there isn’t much interesting information about the animals.
Eva Meglič — Google review
Absolutely impressive. Huge aquarium/sea life center. I have visited many sea life centres in the world but this one definitely stands out. It has 3 distinct exhibitions: mankind & shores, journey on the high seas and in the eye of the climate. It’s a real deep dive into the ocean world, the aquaria are all super nice, the information is complete and the tone of the exhibition is informational, encouraging and positive. Instead of feeling depressed about the current state of the planet (which can be the case after visiting earth-related exhibitions) you walk out of this place with an informed, positive and motivated mindset, all thanks to the ‘both sides of the story’ perspective of the exhibition.
Due to its recency (it was completed in 2018) it feels very up to date.
The giant aquarium is super impressive (holding a 4m span manta ray), it has a great restaurant, and never felt extremely busy although we went on a holiday and there were many people inside. Throughout all 3 exhibitions nice and calm music helps set the tone, it’s very nice. We visited with 2 kids aged 10 and 12, and they absolutely loved it. Walked in at 11am, finished the tours at 4.30pm with a 1 hour lunch break. Very good value for money, highly recommended!!
Ilya Chardome — Google review
A great family day out while staying in the area. The huge tank where the bulk of the sea-life live can be seen from several places, including from above. We spent around 3 hours there. Parking in the nearby Q-Park Nausicaa is discounted if you're visiting the aquarium.
Ben Clarkson — Google review
Lovely day out for all the family. Went for a day trip from the UK. Used the eurotunnel to get from Folkestone to Calais. From there, it's a straight forward 30 minute drive to Nausicaa. Spent a good 5-6 hours there and then drove back. The aquarium itself is fantastic and the staff helpful and friendly. Would definitely do this again.
Stephanie John-Baptiste — Google review
Aquarium Nausicaa offers a large collection of marine life, making it a worthwhile visit for nature enthusiasts. The exhibits are well-presented (French and English) and provide educational insights into the ocean's ecosystems and the importance of conservation efforts. However, it's worth noting that the admission fee is relatively high. Parking options are available in nearby garages, but on weekends, the area can get quite crowded, which is to be expected.
Overall, Aquarium Nausicaa provides an immersive journey into the underwater world, despite some considerations regarding pricing and weekend crowds.
Nikita — Google review
Incredible aquarium. Easily the best one I've been to in France, and even rivals some I've been to in the US. The large tank which houses the stingrays and sharks and whatnot was definitely the highlight of the aquarium, I could have stayed there for hours just watching. Overall the aquarium was a great experience, lots to see and would definitely go back. Went on a Monday and there was hardly anybody there, with no wait line to get in.
Levi Merrill — Google review
Loved it . We bought tickets in advance online and no issues to get in. Nice place, very well looked after. A lot of interesting information and visual presentation.
msmula19 — Google review
The most amazing aquarium I have ever seen. The centre care about their animals !! The place is massive and such great exhibits from different areas of the world.
Cité Europe is a popular shopping center located in Coquelles, Pas-de-Calais. The city gained prominence due to the Channel Tunnel, which serves as its entry point. Tourists can explore various shops within the city, catering to the daily influx of tunnel users. Additionally, visitors can savor classic French cuisine at the on-site restaurant and bar. For those seeking an authentic experience, the Centre Ville offers a more genuine taste of local culture.
To be honest, for me it's one of the nicest and cleanest mall in France. It's a large one with a wide variety of shops to have a great shopping experience 🛍️ ☺️. I would say the most common international brands have a store in this Mall. From Zara to Primark.
I really enjoyed my experience there with so many choices. The parking is easy to access and park. it's a nice place to have dinner or lunch 🍽️ with different type of restaurants.
Nice job!! U would highly recommend this mall.
Youssef — Google review
It is amazing shopping mall and my kids love it. Very clean and several shopping stores.
Mulugeta Haile — Google review
If you have been in the Eurotunnel then no doubt you have been here. Shopping centre just outside the Eurotunnel terminal. Shops, entertainment and places to eat and drink. Has a big Carrefour, ideal for last min gifts on the way back to the UK or snacks for an onward journey into Europe. Free parking.
Phil Wheeler — Google review
I have been visiting Cité Europe since it opened.
When I visit this part of France and Calais I always make a point in visiting.
You will find a great selection of stores, restaurants, bars and choices for everyone.
It was great to see electric car chargers being installed on the car park. This is a great positive sign of this site adding extra services.
I really look forward to visiting again soon
James Need — Google review
Cité Europe is a good place to do some shopping before or after crossing the Channel Tunnel. The prices are generally competitive, and there is a wide range of shops to choose from. The shopping center is also clean and well-maintained.
Brian Chipungu — Google review
It's amazingly big mall, there are so many stores and restaurants (that we can't find in our own city that we're living) what a nice experienced! Cité Europe is one of our favorite place to go, definitely love to come again
Schattenjager19 — Google review
Some of the shops are a bit meh, but the food options are varied enough, Steak & Shake is where I picked and absolutely awesome.
Carrefour in the mall is gargantuan, picked up a few last minute European goods at keen prices.
Connor (Condawg) — Google review
We were on our way to Brugge and visited to obtain some rations. This large mall has a variety of shops which would suite all tastes. Good parking, very clean and easy to visit. Well worth a visit. Comfy shoes a must!
John Davis — Google review
This amazing hypermarket is dominated by the Carrefour Supermarket but there's also an excellent range of shops and restaurants.
Prices in Carrefour, especially for UK customers buying alcoholic drinks, are very competitive. Only a few metres from the tunnel terminal but the anti-immigrant barriers make it several minutes drive away.
Mervyn Passmore — Google review
Massive shopping centre. Therein lies the problem of too much choice. A lot of time wasted trying to decide what's best to get on the wine front. Prepacked lunches were a bit soggy and bland. But if you go in knowing what you want to buy it is fine.
mark foster — Google review
Very big and beautiful shopping mall..lot's of stores and on thé ground floor a variety of restaurants.. Thé toilets are thé finest I've seen in Europe. I'm deffinitely coming back..
Alma Palafox — Google review
Cité Europe, 1001 Bd du Kent, Coquelles, France (+33 3 21 46 47 48) A vast Supermarket which opens everyday (10 am - 8 pm) except Sundays with huge selection of wine from cheap to expensive one. There are more than 140 boutiques and an incomparable "Gourmet City" with great restaurants catering for diverse tastes. It is also worth visiting Carrefour Cité Europe, one of the largest hypermarkets in the region and an international shopping centre, an essential tourist stop for those crossing The Channel.
Tai Huynh — Google review
To be fair this pretty good with a good selection of eating places, although if visiting a country know for its gastronomy eating here may be "sacrilegious". The selection of retail shops is good too, parking is very easy, and access for disabled people is also very good. Staff friendly and helpful!
Good location if arriving from Channel Tunnel, be aware there is a police speed trap on the A16 as you leave! It cost me and that was only a few weeks ago!
john Hippisley — Google review
Everything under 1 roof, what's not to love? Check out the supermarket Carrforre* (*probably spelt wrong) it's a supermarket with some of the most excellent French food finds. Also, the beers and wines should not be overlooked. There is a vast selection of everything.
Emily Graham — Google review
Same as always..not much charge. The supermarket looked overstocked but not that many customers. Guess the weather( snow)melting was not safe for driving, Most people may have stayed indoors. Shopped @ Primark and shoppers were flooding in. Got some good bargains on kids and teen wear. I am well pleased with my purchase, and my daughter's friends liked her Christmas jumper.
Glena Mason — Google review
Large shopping spaces and seating areas, toilets are clean and tastefully designed with lots of space. Great food court and lots of variety. And the kids can stay all day, entertainment are endless and fun. Ample parking two levels for you to choose, great mall...
Jered Guy — Google review
Amazing mall! So many great shops, always suggest parking on the upper level, especially brits.
The staff at the ferry crossings at both Calais and Dover speak French and English, and they make the entire process very easy. I selected the premium lounge option as well as priority parking, and I was not disappointed in the experience at all whatsoever.
Christopher Combest — Google review
We had a pleasant time on board P&O ferry. Its the only ferry that provides Pet Lounge so our fluffy one can be with us. There is also complimentary soft drinks available in the pet lounge. Would strongly recommend travel with P&O ferries and book their Pet Lounge for a small fee.
Kevin Mao — Google review
We cross to Calais by foot and overall the experience was simple and enjoyable. You need to consider the check in, as it needs to be completed 90 min before the departure time. Once in Calais it was Sunday and there's no taxis/buses and you will have to walk
Daniel Picado — Google review
We took the boat to Dover via P&O Ferries, and from here to our accommodation in Robertsbridge. P&O Ferries is very good and we also had some delicious fish and chips here. I would recommend it to everyone.
On board there are several things to do, like a play area for kids, a supermarket and even a casino. There's also plenty of dining options and the food is of a high quality. Changing money is quick and easy on board.
We had a nice view over the sea and our car was safely parked downstairs. We didn't worry about anything, and we certainly didn't need to. It felt very safe on board!
Timo van den Berg — Google review
We took the Pride of Kent back and forth from Dover. Both in calais and Dover, there was a bit of a wait at the border (40min wait). Boarding was nice and easy. The ferry on itself is a bit old and was not exactly clean. The club lounge does offer a bit of quietness but toilets were really dirty (overall I would take that upgrade again).
Dunstan R. Alexander — Google review
Always fast and efficient.
Nicer experience than the other ferry companies that cross the Channel.
Staff very polite and welcoming when onboard.
GiggleBox Van — Google review
Travelled out on the Spirit of France and back to the UK on the Spirit of Britain, on the Dover/ Calais crossing, using the Pet Lounge both ways. The personnel were brilliant both ways and I would highly recommend the Pet Lounge when travelling with your dog. With free refreshments in the lounge and an outside exercise area for the dogs you can’t fault it! Well done P&O 👍
David Orritt — Google review
I'm stalk during orkan Eunice came. Spend two night on parking ,close next to armatores office ( after first check in gates). Toailet and shower available . Customer service P&O very friendly. Thank You.
Ez ZE — Google review
Good ferry service
Lounge clean
Starbucks and range of restaurants
Magic show and free balloons for kids
JO UFFU — Google review
We had a great experience with the ferry from Dover to Calais and back again. The ferry was nice and there were plenty of food options. Ran on time. Smooth experience
Jason Miller — Google review
We travelled on the P&O Pioneer ferry, which is one of the new ferries with beautiful interior. The pet lounge on the Pioneer is really big with lots of seating and a very nice outside area with seating, too. There was free tea, coffee, water and coke in the Pet Lounge and of course lots of bowls for water and food for dogs. Most seats also have a plug and charging point for mobiles and a hook under the table for dog leads.
Our dog definitely seemed to enjoy the crossing and far better than having to leave your dog in the car for the whole journey. You do have to book the pet lounge in advance for an extra cost, which I think is around £12, but considering the offer of free drinks it is very good value for money.
M T — Google review
When our Eurostar train from Paris to London was cancelled, made our way north to Calais and took the ferry from Calais to Dover. All ferries were booked up but we managed to get on the foot passenger waitlist, and were able to get on a ferry with the help of some wonderful staff at the Calais port (big shout out to Virginie - she was amazingly helpful). Once aboard, the ferry experience was great - huge ship, with several restaurants, bars, gambling areas, duty free shopping. Was very impressed with the quality of the travel experience.
Josh Levey — Google review
I am writing to express my disappointment with the level of preparedness exhibited by your staff in verifying documents for dogs arriving from Brazil. Despite presenting our official document issued by the responsible authority in Brazil, it was refused by your staff.This refusal resulted in additional expenses for us, as we had to spend an extra €250 to cross via the Eurotunnel. Upon arrival, all reception personnel at the pet checkpoint confirmed that our document was indeed correct and valid.Such a lack of competence and knowledge among your staff not only inconvenienced us but also led to unnecessary financial burdens. We expect better service and competence in document verification procedures to avoid such issues in the future.I urge you to address this matter promptly and ensure that your staff are adequately trained and equipped to handle document verification procedures effectively.
Adriane Malaquia — Google review
The staff were lovely, not a lot of seating available for waiting, coach was good, the actual ferry was not as comfortable as the one I arrived on but very clean, well organised. Good boarding and disembarking.
Samantha T — Google review
I highly recommend P&O Ferries than DFDS. I recently took a ferry from Dover to Calais and was impressed with the service and amenities. There are always long queues for security check and immigration checkpoints so I recommend you to get there earlier. Once on board, I was pleasantly surprised by the spacious seating areas and the variety of dining options available. The food was tasty and reasonably priced, and there were plenty of options for all dietary preferences. The ferry itself was clean and well-maintained, and there were plenty of restrooms available. The crossing was smooth and comfortable, and I arrived in Calais feeling relaxed and refreshed. Overall, I highly recommend P&O Ferries for anyone looking for a hassle-free and enjoyable way to cross the English Channel.
WanderLensBiker “WanderLensBiker” — Google review
Over the new cross channel ferries. The staff are very friendly and helpful. The prices were very reasonable and for Club Class, I went in Club class and you can have unlimited things to eat and drink, including wine and champagne and tea and coffee. For breakfast you can have cooked breakfast and crossiants or cereal and tea and coffee. For dinner you can have a cooked dinner like beef casserole and roasted vegetables and potatoes, and also quiche and salad. The lounge is lovely with comfy chairs and tables and also an outside deck with sun loungers.
The crossing didn't take long, about an hour and a half and you have to get there an hour and half before you sail, to get through customs.
Venetia Cattroll — Google review
Very efficient and fast moving terminal. Prices are the best around, we checked!
Huge Nazi concrete bunker, originally a missile base & now housing exhibits about WWII history.
You have to visit the place to see and feel the enormous amount of work that went into the construction of the building. With all WW2 artifacts, information boards, audio and video clips you get a real feeling of the horror's of war.
Hot and cold drinks available.
Toilets
Edmond Bourke — Google review
This place is simply amazing and should be on the list for anyone interested in WW2 or engineering. I like both so, for me, this is a fabulous place to visit.
Firstly it’s really well laid out and managed. Really well. The paths are well marked and maintained. There are also excellent audio narrations at certain points which are certainly worth listening too.
On the way to the main exhibit (a simply enormous WW2 bunker) there are lots of exhibits from artillery pieces to train carriages, bombs, Radar and even a submarine.
And then there is the bunker itself which was built to be a V2 launch site but got bombed by the Allies so never actually was used. Half is in pristine condition and the other half is derelict and shows clearly the effect of the bombs. It is really really impressive.
You can also go inside the pristine portion and see the scale of what was being built. This portion was meant to be an oxygen production site to be used as fuel for the V2.
You should go. Just go.
James C — Google review
A must see. From this site many V1 and V2 bombs were launched and hit many targets in Britain. Awful history of prison workers and concentration camps but we must learn and acknowledge history even if its not palatable to us. Inside the structure was incredible. The only negative is that although it's all wheelchair accessible the gravel pathways through the site are not easy for disabled/mobility scooters.
Carol Lewis — Google review
A really interesting place. Not especially heavily advertised but it's definitely worth visiting. The bunker is an engineering feat in itself and it has an interesting and often chilling story to tell. V1 and V2 rocket exhibits on site too.
There's an audio tour in several languages. You walk around the site but it's not too strenuous. Highly recommended
Chris P — Google review
Very nice place to visit. It’s very interesting. I’d recommend.
Fabiano S — Google review
What a place. and only a short hop from the Ferry at Calais. I was thoroughly amazed by this tour, not just because of the excellent and professional layout of the exhibits, and the time they clearly put into maintaining the exhibits, but also because they have gone to great lengths to ensure the 'human' story is being told. It's quite harrowing the story of the workers used during this period to construct such things as this bunker, but the team here have done a brilliant job ensuring that the story is being heard and acknowledged.
The Bunker for the V2 rockets is just insane! I had no idea. I'm very interested in War history, and this blew me away. We toured all the way round the bunker and inside. For anyone interested in this period of history, the stories behind it's construction, how Britain's RAF combated the incoming rockets, and it's eventual destruction, you'll spend your 10 euros very wisely. Oh, very helpful motorcycle area outfront with a locker system to lock helmets away. So handy.
Jon Page — Google review
German V2 rocket base, this is one of the best museum if have done! This property is in private hands, cool interactive museum! The dark past makes for a grim atmosphere! Pictures can not make u feel this place, the bunker is immense! Must visit!
Pieter-Jan Elias — Google review
Impressive building. I've been there 5 or 6 times now, generally on the way back to Calais and it never fails to inspire awe when you turn a corner after walking through the woods and it just confronts you.Rest of the museum is good as well with lots of info.
If you are on a motorbike then they also have a parking area for the bikes with lockers to put your crash helmet / backpacks in! Never seen that at a museum, so very bike friendly (but then France generally is)!
You could do the site in about an hour but if you want to read the boards and take in the atmosphere then 1.5 to 2 hours would be better.
Highly recommended.
Birdies Bikes — Google review
Went many years ago and there has been a lot of work done with the audiovisual setup. Very informative. Well worth the visit.
Paul Devall (InvictaMoto) — Google review
An incredible place, sends you shivers to realise the sheer operation and amount of destruction such rocket installation had done.
Definitely a must visit place for anyone with interests in WWII
Frederic Demay — Google review
Fascinating, engaging. The whole family loved the experience. Very well organised. You can visit at your own pace. Thoroughly recommended. 🚀
Laurence Relton — Google review
Surprising museum, you start outside with some information about the start of World War 2. There was a deportation train where you could imagine how it was during the war. After a walk in the museum garden, you come across a giant bunker! It looks abandoned (little bit urbex) but you can visit the inside of the bunker where an old car is hiding. There is a V2 diplay in the bunker (still not sure if it is a 2D or 3D rocket) and a short documentary in a language by choice. Outside the bunker is a V1 and V2 display. It's impressive to see.
I would recommend this museum (and the shop too!). The people who work here are doing their best at English:)
Multimedia, museum of WWII & French occupation, plus 3D planetarium in huge, 1940s rocket bunker.
One of the larger nazi bunkers in the world. It was constructed in only 10 months, but never became operational. After the allied forces destroyed most of it, some of it has been preserved and turned into this museum dedicated to the development of the V2 bomb. Interesting to visit for those who like rocket science and space and who want to learn more about the history of it.
Thomas B — Google review
Great historical WOII site. A V2 launching site built in a couple of months. From life in the area during occupation, through to horrible images of forced labor in the German rocket factories by prisoners in concentration/death camps.
Luckily, you can easily skip the parts unsuited for sensitive children.
Michiel Kerstens — Google review
This is amazing place to visit. The WW2 buildings are both amazing (size, scale, speed of construction) and horrifying in equals measures. The museums are good and certainly tell the history well.
So why not 5 stars? Well the planetarium is good and the 3D affects amazing. However the movie we saw was advertised as being in English as well as French. They give you headphone for the English which is fine. What is not fine is that only 15 minutes of the 45 minutes is in English and the rest is in French. If they had told me that upfront I would have saved my money (and I did ask).
In summary the WW2 building and muse
is amazing. The planetarium is also amazing….as long as you can speak French.
James C — Google review
One of the best museum I have visited! Great multimedia and real size rockets. Definitely recommended!
Bartek Dyras — Google review
Excellent historical museum. Shows the development of the German WW2 rocket programme in a massive concrete bunker. Fascinating place would visit again. The audio visual tour was fantastic and good value for money
Chris Meadows — Google review
This centre is amazing, the French have done a fantastic job on this architecture of destruction. It's set on a few levels with a built in elevator that makes getting around easy. They have a doodlebug V1 full size a V2 full size, dicriptive videos and curators dotted about to answer any questions. The site is well worth a visit especially if your following the WWII scenes as we as a group are, and we were not disappointed with our findings. There was still the untouched damage that was left by the Brits in the bombing runs that cascaded down. Definitely a visiting center that shouldn't be missed. If you enjoyed this review then please give me a like. Many thanks Marcus 👍
Marcus Simpson — Google review
A museum I recommend. Reasons: 3 distinctive parts: 1). La Coupole: who/what/where/why - 2). Peenemunde (for those who have not visited the site in Germany you receive a nice recap - 3). The NASA era after the war.
Geert Lambrechts — Google review
An amazing place with historical significance. I found it lovely how everything was in french and English. Beware that the temperature inside is very low, don’t go wearing a t-shirt like I did, you’re gonna freeze.
Theseas — Google review
Great find. Nestled in the French countryside this little gem. Be warned some of the videos and pictures are more graphic than perhaps we are used to in the UK. Very informative and at time very thought provoking.
Kevin Colclough — Google review
This is a real hidden gem in the French countryside. We arrived not quite knowing what to expect but we're pleasantly surprised.! You can quite easily spend a full day there and they allow overnight stops with a motorhome, free of charge too..
The 360 Planétarium shows different films thouout the day say you do need to plan your day there..
I would suggest that some of the museum in not for small children.
A really Informative day out and I highly recommend it. Cafe area and shop are very well stocked. Overall, great value for money.
Allen Molloy — Google review
Never knew about this place until we saw it on the history show on Disney Plus. What an amazing experience. Make sure you catch the DDay show at the planetarium.
Frances Salas — Google review
Wonderful memorial and museum. V1 and V2 missiles on display as well as footage from the occupation. Thoughtfully laid out and hugely interesting. Shocked at how war criminals were pardoned after the conflict and set to work in American and Russian space programs.
Didn't have time (ferry to catch) to do the planetarium so can't comment on that but it did look cool.
Derek Crabtree — Google review
Wow awesome find on the way to Lille. So much history and not for the feint hearted . Our kids who are eight years old liked the rockets didn’t understand the war history. Plenty of footage that runs for 20+ minutes all around the bunker - dozen or so videos is my guess. We had to miss so much history cause they were bored. Graphic photos and footage but the cafe at the end helped. Didn’t see the 3D cinema but looked great. We purchased the family pass plus 1 child. 28EU and well worth it.
Jimmy Lee — Google review
Fantastic visit, great value at 10.50 euros each.
Incredible museum and display.
Thank you to the multi lingual staff.
Motorhomingmadness — Google review
What a fascinating museum to visit. I couldn't recommend this place enough if you love history. Not too far from Calais either.
Barry Hodge — Google review
Very interesting museum for all ages with some films, displays and original items to guide you through the museums. Not really under 5 yo friendly apart for the rockets and car hanging and the film / display on concentration camps are definitely not for them but they can sit next to the film projection and not see anything. I was warned by the friendly staff beforehand which was very helpful.
Highly recommend visiting this WWII memory site.
Audrey Larrive — Google review
Very nice maintained WWII site. Most of the explanation was available in multiple languages.
The audio guide is good, but has some errors. The gift shop and cafetaria is good too. We saw the show of the falling stars, that's a pitty it was only available in French.
Had a great day and learned a lot about terrible weapons. Seems like humanity didn't learn a thing from the past
Small, tranquil zoo featuring around 50 species of wild & domestic animals from Europe.
A rather small zoo, but enjoyable nonetheless. Surprisingly, on the day of my visit, it was pretty empty most of the time with very little visitors. Some of the habitats could definitely be a bit bigger, but generally, the animals do have a nice home here. Employees are friendly, but be advised that most of them speak little to no English, so you’d better brush up on your French. The ticket prices are really cheap - which actually surprises me with the amount of animals they harbor. There’s free parking, too.
Overall, this is a nice place and I liked coming here.
Selina — Google review
Nice little zoo, really clean, smart and modern and good for an hour or so of entertainment for the kids.
Paul Sewell — Google review
Great zoo, nice surprising find. Great animals and seem to be very well treated. Easy to navigate and the kids had a lot of fun. Extremely reasonable entry price! Thanks
Raz — Google review
Really impressed with this zoo and surprised it isn't more recommended. My children loved seeing the red pandas, flamingo, lynx, monkeys and all the other animals. All the animals looked well looked after in spacious areas.
We also visited a free graffiti workshop for children. The staff was so helpful communicating in English with my children.
The tickets were very cheap too. I would recommend to go there when in the area.
Kerstin Barthelmes — Google review
Really nice for the small price. We could easily spend 3 hours there, the animal habitats were well kept and quite big. There even is a petting zoo where we could play with the goats!
Flo Tomlinson — Google review
Very cheap day out, yes some of the enclosures are empty at the moment but value for money very very good 👍
Chris Vertigan — Google review
Great place to visit €4 each we spent about an hour or so there but with kids I guess a while longer there's a few activities centers for them and picnic tables half way round by the unisex toilets and the gift shop at the end.
nathy nate — Google review
A very small zoo for the number of animals and low cost are all red flags. We went nevertheless with the hope of being wrong. It is sadly not a place that I would recommend. The enclosures are too small, the animals exhibited signs of boredom and distress. There was zero entertainment for the animals to replace what would they have lost being captive. We left after 30 mins feeling saddened. I’m sorry we went.
Chenali Senanayake — Google review
I love this zoo: it’s a medium sized zoo with a couple of interesting animals. Sea seals, red pandas, griffons. An area with a few contact farm animals is also there.
Artur Ihorovich — Google review
Very good price and clean small zoo but worth a visit.
Free car park.
Nice walk round .
Dawn Hedges — Google review
Great place to visit wonderful to see the enjoyment it brings to the faces of the French School children on thier educational visit's. Staff are helpful and polite .. it's a small compact Zoo surrounded by house's.
Return visit 1st December 22. Still a lovely place to visit and enjoy. Bird flu means isolation for a few of the species..
Jack Peters — Google review
Lovely place for families,with young children, good variety of animals in clean spacious enclosures. The staff were very helpful and polite. Giant thumbs up to the 50c coffee machine by the kids play space👍👍👍
Jennifer Anderson-Haysom — Google review
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Rue des Droits de l'Homme, 59430 Dunkerque, France
It is a very Beautiful, clean beach. I would Highly recommend to visit with family. Great ambiance with the shops around of all kinds of food. Waffles, ice cream, fries, restaurants and so many shops to rent the bicycles and mini scooters for children. There were little music groups for the entertainment. There was a full group of safe guards on the shore. There was a big wheel near the beach and many other sports like kite surfing. It was a weekend and a good weather day but still it was not so over packed.
Charu Jindal — Google review
You will find out about nicer beach I guess . The pictures are amazing because the sunset is amazing.
I don’t like the 70’s constructions without charm for tourists to rent but except that part a good spot to enjoy the seaside, the beach , a drink to eat and just rest 😜
Rockia Kebet — Google review
Amazing clean wide beach
Janka Dolezal — Google review
Beautiful sandy beach, need to be lucky with the weather though. Nice relaxing place to visit.
Tim Husain — Google review
It is really nice sandy beach. You can walk, swim, and shower. Parking is not easy in a busy hot summer day. You can walk with wheelchair/Stroller but cannot go to the beach close to the water.
Atiqe Rahman — Google review
One of my favourite beaches, lovely long promenade with cafe's, bars, shops and restaurants. Lots of activities for the kids, including trampolines, bouncy castles, bike and go kart rental, lovely for a day out or a vacation with loads of apartments to rent for holidays.
Angela Vancauwenbergh — Google review
This is seriously nice seaside, huge place and beautiful, lot of attractions for kids, restaurants, unfortunately we struggle to find fish and chip shop.
Bolaji Ogunbiyi — Google review
Plenty of places for food and drinks big beach big alea for people walking and bicycles Very nice place! I recommend it
Rayko Nenchev — Google review
It was a nice beach but the time we visited it was too windy
Indranil Das Roy — Google review
I like thi beach more than the Oostende, because its less crowded and the restaurants and bars are comparable.
Theme park based around TV characters with everything from roller coasters to rides for toddlers.
A Wonderful Day Out
Well worth the long distance travel from the UK, such an amazing park with lots of rides to keep you entertained.
Excellent themes around the park, all family friendly.
Top class selection of coasters including House of Anubis and the Excellent, frankly insane ride to happiness, absolutely my number one having managed 8 rides in total during my visit.
Food and drink is all reasonable priced, except for water which per litre is literally more expensive than beer? not that i am complaining. Hot dog and Drink came to under 10.00 euro, so fairly standard park pricing.
Staff are all super friendly, positive and really add to the guest experience.
Tickets are best purchased offline, using the bid and buy feature which provides a fairly decent discount on purchases, although it does appear to be genuinely random.
Lockers are available on site for varying costs depending on the size that you require.
Paul Hayes — Google review
Very fun place especially for little kids. Lots of additional playgrounds, fountains to play in, small, fun rides. No long lines or none at all when visiting on Wednesday off season. We'd come back in back to De Panne... Buy your tickets online and Google a discount t rate. There are promotions going on all the time
Bartosz — Google review
Really a nice theme park. The park is well maintained, relatively large and the staff is very friendly and helpful. We had a very nice and unforgettable day. The atmosphere was so pleasant and both staff and guests were very relaxed and friendly.
C J — Google review
the attractions are great, the decorations also but it is very very expensive (5€ the bottle of water). the waiting time can sometimes be a bit long and it would be great to have a real way to know them.
vladimir lorent — Google review
The price of drinks was insane! Doesn't feel as nice as our last visit a couple of years ago, so much emphasis on sponsors now! Heidi is an amazing ride though!! Great for young kids. Ride to happiness was painfully slow to get on to and uncomfortable to ride. The park is very clean though.
Becca Cairns — Google review
Wonderful theme park built around the many Belgian cartoon characters famous from TV such as Plop,Maya the bee and others.
Plenty of rides to choose from also for toddlers.
Don't miss the musical shows ,usually performed in Dutch and French simultaneously.
Parking is 15 euro.
Note:arm yourself with patience, waiting lines can be a bit lengthy.
Sufficient sanitary opportunities around with quality paper towels instead of those annoying heaters.
R_ASD ASD — Google review
We enjoyed this park, a great variety of rides for both adults and kids. We were lucky and lines weren't long for the rides on the day we visited, this made our experience very positive. But I can imagine when lines are long it can be very frustrating and completely changes the experience. Food and drinks are ridiculously expensive and disproportionately priced, in some cases more expensive than in Disneyland. One coffee and an ice cream €12. Ironically large beer on tap was only €6.
Ilya M — Google review
Visited during the off-season, and truly appreciated how the major coasters operated 2 or more trains making the queue even much shorter. The staff were very warm and hospitable - always serving with a smile. Park was conveniently located near the coastal tram stop, making it easy for tourists to visit via public transport from the major cities of Belgium. Went to Belgium just for The Ride to Happiness extreme spinning coaster and it totally exceeded my expectations! That coaster lived up to its name - it was a beast, and every re-ride was a completely different experience. Highly recommended for coaster enthusiasts out there!
Charles Mandy Ayran — Google review
Spent 2 days here, I believe it’s better than summer busy days, the line is not very long. The food and drinks are really expensive, better to bring some food and drinks if you want to stay a long day here. We spent more than €900 for the hotel and entrance fee , I think it’s totally ok, the hotel room is really interesting and very attractive to children. But I don’t want to pay €5,5 for a cola, it cost more than a fancy restaurant. it’s wicked to ask people pay so much higher to meet their basic need, it is not just.
Hao Yu — Google review
Small but really enjoyable theme park!
Ride to hapyness is one the best rides I tried! Also in love with the Heidi, a good wooden coaster.
Park Can be visited in a single day
Jean Christophe Beyer — Google review
Large amusement park with many rides for different ages. Sufficient places to eat so not a lot of waiting times around lunch time.
A bit of traffic building up to enter the park do plan for this. Public transportation is very close as alternative
Rosca George — Google review
The food price is freaking expensive ( way too overpriced ) compared to Phantasialand in Germany.
The best thing about the park is that there weren't huge queues to play games.
We were able to play almost all games before 16h00.
Exept for one that was closed due to the wind.
All in all good experience ,Recommended.
For the food better bring it with you.
Mohamed ANIBA — Google review
What a grate place to have some fun with you friends and family. Good vide. Plenty of games to ride and play. Best is to come early as possible like 6-7AM and then you have enough time to go through everything because it might be so busy at each game queues.
Bugs BunnyEh — Google review
We love our stay in Plopsaland! Hotel is nice : food are delicious. Dinner is included in our stays but the drinks are not (extra payment). Plopsaqua is also nice, our kids favorite in Plopsaland. We were booked Plopsa hotel in the weekend, so the prace are inclusive Plopsaland, Plopsaqua, parking and dinner. Every service went smooth. We enjoyed our short holiday.
Karuna Visser — Google review
Fantastic theme park. Visited on a Saturday in January over from England. No queues were longer than 2 minutes. Everything very clean, staff polite and my daughter had an amazing day here. Prices were high but no higher than an other similar attraction.
Glenn Kennedy — Google review
Fantastic theme park. Some rides are really amazing. Kids loved it.
Wait times got better to almost no wait time towards the end of the day on the Wednesday.
You can get a good deal if u buy ticket in advance. Note that they are quite strict on kids height, if below threshold, they will not let them go.
Imran Khan — Google review
Very nice amusement park, clean and spacious. We were there on Friday ( in April), it was not full, and some roller-coasters we could enter without waiting time.
However, for the biggest one ( Ride to Happiness) we were waiting about 30-40 min in the first half of the day. In the evening waiting time reduced to about 15-20 minutes. Our children ( aged between 8 and 12) were totally happy. However, the entrance price is incredibly high for a family. We were lucky and got a discount using Groupon ;)
Small notice: The park is almost on the sea side, and the wind was quite cold. So my advise is to have a little bit warmer clothes, than you would wear normally at such weather.
Maria Matveeva — Google review
The Best Thème Park for the whole family everyone find à suitable ride for himself!The park is clean ,there are micro wave at each picnic point ,many tasty restaurants and snacks , there is a farmhouse where you can feed goats .
You can find facilities everywhere.
If you are a family with babies and adolescents, this is the place where everyone can have fun . The staff is really kind as well.
(Translated by Google) The coastal tram is the best means of transport to get from A to B on the coast
(Original)
De kusttram is het beste vervoermiddel om van A naar B te verplaatsen aan de kust
BVBA HET BROCANTJE — Google review
Stop promoting this as a tourist transportation! It's a regular tram, very crowded and uncomfortable. Yes, it takes you from one place to another, but don't hope for nice view or something interesting to see.
Andreea Preda — Google review
(Translated by Google) It's really scandalous how full the trams are, really overcrowded...You can't get on or off...and 1 tram every 15 minutes, really not possible...What if something happens on such an overcrowded tram? ??
(Original)
Echt schandalig hoe vol de trammen zitten, echt overvol ...Je kan er niet bij en niet af ...en om de 15min 1 tram, echt niet te doen ...Wat als er iets gebeurt op zo'n overvolle tram???
Sylvia Somers — Google review
(Translated by Google) It is not responsible that there are so many people on the tram, it is also dangerous, people have already fallen, also because the tram abruptly left, it's a pity I don't like the tram
(Original)
Het is niet verantwoord dat er zoveel volk op de tram zit het is ook gevaarlijk er zijn al mensen gevallen ook omdat de tram brut vertrek spijtig ik vind dr tram nirt leuk
Godelieve Schippers — Google review
(Translated by Google) The coastal tram!!!!!! A real shame!!!!! Here people are crammed into the tram, animals are treated better
(Original)
De kusttram !!!!!! Een echte schande!!!!! Hier worden mensen in de tram opeen gestampt, dieren worden beter behandeld
Dirk Van der Kelen — Google review
(Translated by Google) Unfortunately it's always overcrowded. The fun of driving falls by the wayside.
(Original)
Leider jedes mal überfüllt. Da bleibt der Fahrspaß auf der Strecke.
Borderspitz — Google review
(Translated by Google) Congratulations on your new coastal trams, best regards, Jmbonje
(Original)
Proficiat met je nieuwe kusttrams beste groet jmbonje
Jean Marie Bonje (Super ket) — Google review
(Translated by Google) Dépôt and repair facility for trams
(Original)
Dépôt en herstelolaats voor trams
John Cornand — Google review
2.8
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4.0
(1272)
Nieuwpoortsesteenweg 110, 8400 Oostende, Belgium
I'll never travel to Bruges without this trip planner again
The In Flanders Fields Museum in Ypres, Belgium is a museum that covers the history of World War I in the Flanders region. The museum provides a comprehensive look at the war, from the details of campaigns to everyday lives of soldiers to impact on locals who were displaced. The museum encourages visitors to reflect on the major historical events and personal stories of individuals.
Beautiful church, was nice to learn the history of this town. Very sad but very informative; a true testimony to the war and the tragedy that befell the city and the victims of this war.
Cecilia Orozco — Google review
This is an excellent museum and well worth the price (you can get a joint ticket with the Ypres museum but this one is better).
It’s all about WW1 and is excellent. The tech is amazing with wristbands used as a access card for various displays. It works very well.
You can also pay an extra Euro 2 for an audio tour (we didn’t) and the same to go up the belfry which is really good.
If you’re interested in WW1 then go here before you is the tours of the battlefields and cemeteries as you’ll bet a better understanding of the absolute horror of what went on in the area.
It’s really worth the money (there is also an absolutely amazing ice cream and waffle shop across the road from the entrance!). Note that the museum cafe is very expensive. Best eat elsewhere off the main square.
James C — Google review
A wealth of information and genuine exhibits from the WWI era. Wireless touch points scattered throughout the displays enable visitors to receive more detail in a selection of languages. This enables visitors to explore beyond the basic information texts explaining exhibits. There is also a cafe. Also access to the clock tower and outside on the roof to admire the impressive views.
mark foster — Google review
The museum is housed in a beautiful building. It provides extensive information about the course of the war and displays some beautiful artifacts. There's also plenty of interactive opportunities with the wristband provided. Parking is available everywhere. Audio tours are available for €2. The staff is friendly and helpful.
Nikita — Google review
Great museum. Only downside is some of the information boards at the bottom of some of the displays are too bright making the actual displays a little difficult to see.
Carlos Alcaraz — Google review
An absolutely fabulous museum. So well done - we spent two and a half hours here and could have spent more but we had a ferry to catch. Absolutely go for the audio tour - so much information and it brought the exhibits to life. Going up to the bell tower was a great extra too - amazing 360 degree views across the roofs of Ypres.
Nicki Barker — Google review
A must visit if you're ever visiting Ypres, there is a small charge with a discount for those of us over 60. I totally recommend getting the audio assistance (only an extra €2) this will give you a commentary in English at each of the exhibits throughout as you go. You can also pay a little extra to go up to visit the Belfry (231 steps up) this is best for the reasonably fit BUT TOTALLY worth the effort.
I have visited the Museum & Belfry a good number of times, seen something new, & learned more on each visit. 'Lest We Forget' has become a saying we all know, the In Flanders Fields Museum really helps to truly explain the sayings importance.
Bob Burns — Google review
This place was a must-see. The museum itself was very interesting. The entrance of the gallery offers a well-written descriptions of situation in the years before 1914 (belle époque). We paid for access to the bells and views of the city, which was entirely worth it. We also were given wrist bands so that the exhibitions would be tailored to a particular identity. Unfortunately I did not take much advantage of it but would if I had more time.
Matt Wong — Google review
This is the best museum I have ever visited in my life, now 81 years so far. It uses audio visual media with remarkable success. Fact, drama and emotion combine for a powerful experience. Expect to be moved. I wish all politicians took the time to visit and learn. Very worthwhile.
Hugh PC — Google review
Wow! An extraordinarily good museum about the First World War! The exhibition uses many different media such as videos, audio tours, and classic showcases in order to get the information across. This is especially practical while travelling with kids, because it never gets boring. I also love how the museum contains historical artifacts from various countries, so that everybody can find something in their native language. I would advise paying the two euros to go to the tower, the view truly is astonishing! I spent two and a half hours here and I was not disappointed. Huge recommendation!
Clara V. — Google review
Great museum! It really humanizes the history of the Great War and makes it approachable. There are many videos and descriptions present. The trip to the bell tower is great too for only extra €2.
Mark — Google review
so very well done - we spent 4 1/2 hours going round. Profoundly moving
Great view from the top of the Bell tower - time it for the hour to watch and hear the carillon.
Ali Bakewell — Google review
I loved this museum. I spent around two hours inside and the audiotour was excellent for an additional €2; it enriched the whole experience.
There were three levels of detail to the tour- children’s (marked with poppies), the basic tour (shorter spiels) and then a greater depth version. Whatbi loved is that I could pick and choose based on what I’m interested in, I.e. learn more about the weapons, artists and trench life but could skip the actor’s monologues.
We also paid the extra €2 each to climb to the top of the tower. There were ~250 steps but the view was worth it.
The museum wasn’t too busy, though it was a Monday morning. The cafe wasn’t open and the gift shop was okay- prices weren’t too bad compared to other museums.
A great morning out!
Lauren Austin — Google review
Part of a history trip I've been on for a few years. Great museum and interactive areas which give greater insight into horrors of WW1. Certainly worth a visit and Ypres Town is beautiful
Linda Prendergast — Google review
This is a must to add to your itinerary. This museum has great displays with so much information and videos of actors telling real peoples stories, they were very moving and sombering. There are audio guides for different language options.
You can also climb to the top of the tower, not for the faint of heart but there are some lovely views.
The gift shop was great and staff were friendly.
Vanessa Becker — Google review
Contemporary approach to a very sobering topic. The building itself was beautiful and my children (11) loved the interactivity learning about the lives of different soldiers on the screens. We followed the visit by a short drive out to Tyne Cot cemetery which was beautiful and a sight to behold.
Can also highly recommend the waffle House opposite the museum- very reasonable and the ice cream was delicious
Peter Everett — Google review
This museum was memorable and moving. They have managed to create an engaging exhibit that commemorates the tragedy in Flanders while still sharing the fascinating history surrounding ww1
Ingrid Cunningham — Google review
A must see museum that shows the true horror that soldiers and civilians endured in the 1st world war. Including life in the trenches, free time, equipment, uniforms (of all involved) and medical care. Lots of awful statistics too. Very emotion and moving at times. Be good for the younger generation to learn all about the war and what happened. 10 euro entrance fee and we here here 3 half hours so good value for money. We paid extra 2 euro to go up bell tower. Their was also another exhibition at the end all about the military cemeteries. I took no photos as it did not seem right, just some from the bell tower. It was housed in a beautiful building that is undergoing renovations.
Sheila Brooks — Google review
Located inside the Cloth Hall this is an excellent museum with many interesting exhibits. It takes you through the war from start to finish.
The Albert I-promenade is a picturesque seaside walkway located in Oostende, Belgium. It offers stunning views of the beach and the North Sea, making it a popular spot for leisurely strolls and relaxation. The promenade is lined with charming cafes, restaurants, and shops, providing plenty of opportunities to take in the beautiful surroundings while enjoying some local cuisine or shopping for souvenirs.
The Menin Gate is a British war memorial located in the town of Ypres, Belgium. The gate is inscribed with the names of 54,896 military personnel who have lost their lives in battle here during World War I and II. It serves as a place of remembrance for those who have died, and it is also the location of a daily Last Post ceremony.
Excellent a sobering experience to see so many names from so many continents called to war.
There were pipers who marched though this evening and we listened to the last post. A truly humbling time on a beautiful sunny evening.
Andy Parsons — Google review
A wonderful memorial. Spend some time here to reflect on the men who walked through on their way to war and never returned. Be sure to catch "The Last Post" ceremony at 8:00 every evening. Be there 30 minutes early to catch a good viewing point.
Kevin Meier — Google review
Went to the last lost ceremony. What a service. A genuinely beautiful thing. It is under construction at the moment as the stone has become a bit weathered, i think. It is still a strengely beautiful place. If you're in the area...8pm every evening... get yourself there for the last post ceremony.
Craig Wood — Google review
Currently under major renovation so most of memorial under cover. Last Post at 8pm each night. Work will take a couple of years at present. Still a magical, thought-provoking place
Paula Vance — Google review
This is an absolute must visit along with the beautiful town of Ypres, whether a history buff or a casual visitor. Don't miss the the Last Post at the Menin Gate a ceremony that has been performed every evening since the Menin Gate memorial was opened. Plenty of accommodation and restaurants in Ypres.⁹
To the memory of the fallen.
Lest we forget ❤️ 🌹
gav perry — Google review
This is a WW1 memorial in Ypres, Belgium dedicated to the soldiers of British and Commonwealth whose graves are unknown. I & Family read there aloud a poem The Flanders Fields by John McCrae and we all were very moved visiting this monument and various Military Cementaries.
EllyO — Google review
Excellent. A fitting & moving monument to the soldiers & service men & women of The Great War. The daily evening service provides a few minutes to reflect & ponder the past as well as the future.
The thought of so many with unknown graves is so sad. The people of Flanders & in particular Ypres to maintain such a monument & tradition is testimony to their gratitude to those who died.
Tim Griffiths — Google review
Important!
The site is undergoing maintenance for all of 2023 so the gate is covered with scaffolding.
The site is astounding and worth a visit if you're in the city.
Every evening they pay tribute to those named here and lay wreaths to the fallen with buglers performing the last post. This tends to get very busy so be sure to arrive early.
Leon M — Google review
Was such a great atmosphere! The evening last post ceremony was incredible and something I will never ever forget. Would definitely recommend watching the ceremony as it's amazing to witness. The only reason for the 4/5 instead of 5/5 stars was because unfortunately when we visited there was scaffolding up but that can't be helped-hoping to visit again when the scaffolding is gone!
Gemma Hollingworth — Google review
A very sobering experience. To see the 50,000+ names makes them people and not just part of a statistic. The remembrance ceremony at 20.00hrs each day is very well done, is somber, and they do ask people not to applaud.
Point and shoot pics — Google review
Such an evocative place.
So, many names of those who have no known grave and from so many different nations.
It is a sobering experience just to see so many names, ranks, regiments.
On the right hand side (if approaching from town) and just before you go under the gate there is a slope, if you walk up there you can find the Indian and the Ghurka memorials. There is also a fabulous scale model of the Menin Gate with Braille panels for those with a visual impairment.
You won't be disappointed and if in the area it is a must see monument to those who gave their tomorrow's for our today's.
Shona Floyd — Google review
Amazing experience this. Playing of the last post. Every night at 8pm. Loads of people came to see it. Very moving experience. Something you must see in your life. Highly recommend. Would even of made a long trip to see it.
Greg Vizer — Google review
Our generation need to remember and salute those who fought but had no future themselves.
The quiet restrained experience of listening to those 3 bugles makes you feel humble in this torrid world.
"Give peace a chance" If only !
Michael Stewart — Google review
We attended the Last Post Ceremony which takes place at 8pm daily. A very moving act if remembrance. Get there early so you can see what's going on.
Lyam Galpin — Google review
Only reason for 4 stars is scaffolding is up so couldnt see the actual gate but went there for armistice day and watched the last post ceremony from the town centre and it was a beautiful service
0d3LL — Google review
A truly humbling experience. This was the highlight of our short trip to Belgium. A must visit for those wishing to pay their respects.
John Busby — Google review
I already visited the Menin Gate many times in my life and when I did yesterday 26.09.23 I found the Gate currently being restored which of course was a shame. However, I fully understand the necessity of doing so and look forward to see the Gate again in its full beauty.
The Poppies wreath is to be found in front of the Gate about 50 mtrs further down the road.
Lest we forget 🏵️
Tyne Cot Cemetery is the largest Commonwealth military cemetery in the world. It contains graves of thousands of soldiers who died during World War I. The cemetery also has a visitor centre where people can learn more about the war and the soldiers who fought in it.
The biggest Common Wealth memorial cemetery. It has a moving contrast between what happened here 100 years ago and the now quiet surrounding. 12.000 soldiers are buried here and another 35.000 names engraved.
Bart Eekhaut — Google review
There are many war graves in this area of northern Belgium but Tyne Cot is one of the largest. It is the place of rest for almost 12,000 Commonwealth servicemen who fell in the great war, over 8,000 of them unidentified.
It is immaculately kept by the War Graves Commission it is probably the most haunting place I have ever visited. As well as the usual ranks of headstones there is an excellent museum that has a permanently rolling video of photos and details of all the young men lost on the Ypres Salient.
Whatever your views on war are this is a very important location and deserves all the upkeep it needs. It is also very near many smaller cemeteries as well as Ypres and the Menin Gate.
Ian Seville — Google review
Absolutely sobering place. You never realize the staggering numbers of soldiers who lost thier lives until you visit Tybe Cot and other cemeteries in the area.
al leclaire — Google review
Largest CWGC cemetery in the world. Very moving. It is beautifully kept. We parked on the back side, lots of parking. We walked around to the front entrance and exited through the back which is in the center alcove. I went back in the morning and found the grave of Canadian VC winner James Peter Robertson, in Plot 58.
Rob Woolsey — Google review
A visit to Tyne Cot takes all words from you, there are no adjectives to describe the horrors that these men must have endured before their untimely slaughter. Nearly 8 and half thousand of the 11,000 + are nameless unidentified souls. With some headstones marking the resting place of several men. And yet as large as it is, Tyne Cot only represents a fraction of the 9.7 million soldiers who died during the Great War. The cross and sword memorial is built atop a German blockhouse. You can see the concrete of the original structure through the wreath that celebrates its capture by the 3rd Australian Division.
Jamie Cooksey — Google review
❤️ Lest we forget ❤️
It wasn't my first visit today at Tyne Cot Cemetery but every time I do it silences me completely. To think and realise that so many brave men gave their (young) lives so we could live in freedom... RESPECT!
Bless them all 🏵️
Tyne Cot Cemetery is the largest Commonwealth Cemetery worldwide. Very beautiful and superbly well maintained.
Thank you all!
Pascale S. — Google review
A harrowing experience. Having never been to a cemetery of this size, I was blown away by the shear scale of it all. The place was very well upkept with all grass cut short and all of the large plaques kept clean like they were new. A must go for any coach holiday passing through and any tourists in the region. Only issue it's the toilets which you pay for, otherwise it is all free
Edward Hagreen — Google review
Such a very solemn place. Entering as they asked us definitely took our breath away. The numerous head stones all lined up- some named and some not. While we were here they had finally layer to rest a soldier last Friday that had been discovered.. so its truly breath taking and definitely shows the sacrifice to the Great War nations gave. Please take the tour- the tour guides are definitely knowledgeable and gave us more information than we had already thought we knew of this area.
Rob T — Google review
A great place of remembrance that symbolises the loss in war, very heart touching and beautiful to watch but sad to see many lives lost in the war. But we may never forget them!
M21 — Google review
Tyne Cot Cemetery is a beautiful and yet solemn place of rest for thousands of young men who, over a hundred years ago, left their homes to fight so we can have our today. Thousands more with just their names etched on the wall who are still missing where they fought and died. Expertly and lovingly kept by the CWGC.
Simon Knott — Google review
The scale of conflict in the Great War is made starkly apparent at Tyne Cot, where the rows of crisp white Commonwealth Graves face the poppy fields of Flanders where the war was fought. A small visitor centre outlines the history of the site. Toilets cost €2.
Tim Nutt — Google review
A very sobering spot, the visitors centre is well done and a good introduction to the memorial and cemetery. For a NZer seeing the panels with all the names of NZ soldiers whose bodies were never found brought a tear to the eye.
kiwisflythecoop nz — Google review
Incredibly sobering, but a beautiful calm place to pay respect.
United Kingdom units are inscribed on Panels arranged by Regiment under their respective Ranks, helpful for locating lost ancestors.
Jo G — Google review
The largest Commonwealth war cemetery of the Great War. So many names, so many missing, so many without a known resting place. Such a moving cemetery, well maintained and with a register & plan (like many of the larger Commonwealth cemeteries) making it easy to find a family member's grave.
I was able to find a family member on the wall, died in 1917, and who my Uncle researched and wrote a book about 'To Grow Young'; the story, albeit very short, tells the story of Sergeant Major Fred Talbot, a cavalryman in 1914. He went to war in 1914 and was killed in 1917, a Captain in the Tank Corp.
So little is known about so many. The sheer size left me with an almost overwhelming feeling of sadness but also anger that so many gave their lives when it was so unnecessary. Listening for just a few minutes to the commentary of names as you enter the visitor centre is very poignant. I can't imagine what it must be like to hear the name of your loved one, your family member as you enter the centre. It must be so chilling.
Even on a late autumnal afternoon it was very moving to visit the cemetery. We visited, a small group of 8 friends, each there for our own reason, separated and wandered around for an hour, on a chilly afternoon with the sun falling in the west.
Tyne Cot Cemetery & Visitor is well worth visiting. It's also a good idea to pick up some leaflets, maybe even some maps, like the old trench maps, each of which provides a little more information and a little piece of a far larger jigsaw. I enjoyed our visit very much. There are toilets on the site by the main car park which is free, but there is a small charge of 50 cents for the toilets. There is also a disabled toilet 🚻.
Tim Griffiths — Google review
Visited in July 2022.
Beautiful, peaceful, thought-provoking.
An absolute recommendation.
Ness Robinson — Google review
Such an important site in British military history. The scale of the tragedy that occurred here cannot be understood without visiting here and seeing the thousands of inscribed names of the lost and missing.
Was also nice to find that there are several graves of German men who were buried, after all they're only human too and their graves are equally respectfully maintained.
La Piscine - Musée d'art et d'industrie André Diligent de Roubaix is a unique museum housed in a former art deco swimming pool. It offers visitors an impressive collection of fine art and science exhibits organized in a well-structured manner. The introductory texts are primarily in French, however the content is still easily understandable. While there is usually an admission fee, free entrance was available on the day of visit.
Well organized. The theme itself is unique. Even though the introductory texts were all in French, I still felt content. I am not sure why it’s free entrance today. Otherwise reduced price is 9€, full price 11€. Also there were some pieces, not the most famous ones, by Pablo Picasso displayed here. I was very surprised a small city like Roubaix had such a good quality museum.
??? — Google review
Bigger than we thought, it could be at least half a day spent at the place if I haven't planned to go somewhere else first. Apart from the bath which is the highlight, around the room there are many art pieces and most of them are cool! There are so many rooms to explore, also there is another upper floor with more pieces! The entry fee is worth the price, now I understand why many local people spend the money to visit the place!
Chan Pichitwattana — Google review
It was fabulous and easily reached by metro from the centre of Lille. It was an amazing art deco swimming pool built in 1932 which unfortunately had to close in 1985. Luckily it was rescued from demolition and a great museum/art gallery space has been created around the beautiful pool area.
Nelson Collier — Google review
.I recently visited the Roubaix swimming pool and was delighted with my experience. The place is not just a space for aquatic relaxation but also a real museum, with its impressive sculptures. Towards the end, I was captivated by the beautiful collection of paintings. A minor downside: a lack of explanations about these works and the crowd at the ticket counter. Despite this, I highly recommend this unique pool
joseph — Google review
The main gallery — housed in a former swimming pool — is truly stunning and worth a visit. Few museums can boast such a beautiful setting to showcase their art. This alone means it is worth the price of admission.
The rest of the museum was interesting to an extent but not necessarily recommended or essential.
There are facilities, a café, toilets, and a small garden.
R S — Google review
The museum boasts an impressive collection of decorative art and design objects, ranging from ceramics and glassware to furniture and textiles. The exhibits are well-chosen and give a fascinating insight into the evolution of art and industry over the centuries. All in all, the Museum of Art and Industry is a gem not to be missed.
Alex Gray — Google review
The area around the swimming pool has been made to look very attractive and the museum is full of the usual pieces you will find in most museums. The security staff are unsmiling and antagonistic, but the museum attendants are very friendly and helpful.
The cafe is very large, expensive and modern, but the man who served us was nonchalant and lazy. In addition, he tried to play us by not giving us our change. His excuse was that he needed to find someone to provide the change, but this was never communicated to us, and he seemed to be aimlessly wandering around, waiting for us to give up on the change or forget about it and go. It was dishonest, unfriendly and deliberate. I abhor people who take advantage of others and prey on tourists like this. It's completely unacceptable.
Luuta — Google review
Such a gorgeous museum and with a great collection. Well worth a visit. A school band performed there in the evening too which was extra nice.
Phil Corbett — Google review
An absolutely fabulous gem of a museum and art gallery. The central room with the swimming pool as the setting for a collection of sculptures is genius. It works so well. A short walk from the metro station, so is easy to reach by public transport from Lille. Highly recommended.
Robin Cuthbertson — Google review
Very stylish and kids friendly museum! I’ve visited it with my 2 year old daughter (she loved the corridors and animals) but will definitely visit again in a quieter time just by myself.
Elodieetbonbon LI — Google review
Unique museum that's housed inside a former swimming pool. It's art deco and it must have been really cool to go for a swim here in the pool's pomp.
A couple of tips: arrive a little later - around midday - as the queues for security after opening can be very long. Don't bring a water bottle with you as apparently you're not allowed to (although I saw no signs or information advertising this). We found out the hard way when a member of staff took great delight in confiscating water from my - clearly pregnant - partner.
Paul — Google review
La Piscine is definitely one of the best museums I've ever been to in my life. It uses its space so efficiently and effectively, the entire collection is perfectly organised and it's so rich and diverse, ranging from paintings, sculptures, fashion pieces, and all in completely different styles and topics. Has one of the best souvenir shops, too. I am absolutely in awe and would definitely recommend it to anyone, whether you're a lone art enjoyer or a family with kids, I'm sure everyone will find something to love there.
Maria Mrowicka — Google review
Beautiful result for an old public swimming pool transformed into a museum.
Collection is mostly sculptures, ceramics, paintings, some master's work.
9€ ticket, nice hours roaming around, beautiful café inside, garden, shop...
Worth it.
Gérard Drouville — Google review
I love this museum. It has many permanent exhibits and features temp exhibits as well. My favorite feature is the piscine room. The statues which line the pool and the multiple alcoves on the first 2 levels offer a unique museum experience. I recommend the restaurant at the Piscine as well. Great food.
Rick Price — Google review
This is a special museum, completely different from any other I have visited. The permanent collection is quite interesting, and they always have great special exhibitions. They modernized the building, but they kept all the original spaces of the changing rooms and the pool tiles. Worth the visit, for sure!
Bernardo Pagnoncelli — Google review
Great museum and cultural institution. A very beautiful architecture. The right level of text / explanations. The only downside is that it gets crowded during holiday time or when there is a temporary expo. Easy to access from Lille—great for a day activity.
Victor Agulhon — Google review
A stunning and unusual museum. Don’t miss the collection of local artists, the fabric and fashion collection and a host of special exhibitions - big and small. The extraordinary thing is the fact that the building is an Art Deco swimming pool - and yes - there is still water in the pool. Amazing ceramics and sculptures too. A serviceable cafe with a sheltered courtyard garden - very popular and a good gift shop.
Wendy Shillam — Google review
Such an unusual museum with great art pieces in it. I especially loved the Mark Chagall’s art. It was great to see his art in real life for the first time. Im impressed.
Kornelia Gelažiūtė — Google review
Stunning, a beautiful use of the building and many lovely items to admire , very unusual, well worth the 25 minute trip on the metro from central Lille to visit
Victoria Alley — Google review
Great place and free the first Sunday of the month. I would rather pay and have less people. Was impossible to admire the art with so many people.