Maidstone

Maidstone sits in the middle of Kent's fruit and hop country, and the range of places to stay here reflects that spread between town and countryside. You can base yourself at a country house hotel like Chilston Park, a golf-course stay at Tudor Park, or something more straightforward like Days Inn or the Innkeepers Lodge if you just need a bed near the town centre. Leeds Castle even has its own hotel, Maidens Tower, for those who want to stay within the grounds of one of Kent's best-known attractions.

Camping and glamping is well represented too, with eight sites ranging from Chegworth Mill Glamping and Kits Coty Glamping to more traditional pitches at The Finches Caravan and Camping Site and Orchard View Holiday Park. Kings Oak Farm and Hillside Campsite add to the choice, so there's flexibility whether you want a canvas bell tent or your own tent and van.

For things to do, Leeds Castle is the obvious draw, and Go Ape's treetop course in its grounds gives an active edge to a visit. Elsewhere there's The Climbing Experience and Rage Out for something more energetic, The Kent Owl Academy for a slower-paced encounter with birds of prey, and creative options like This Art of Mine Studio. Kenward Place and Little Street add further variety to a day out that can easily mix castle grounds with something more unusual.