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Travel for 15 minutes in any direction from Canterbury's city centre and you'll find yourself in the heart of East Kent's countryside, complete with its historic villages, secret places, wild open spaces and seascapes. There's too much to see and do in just one day - what better way then than to make a break of it - visiting the countryside, coast and city that make up the whole of Canterbury.

Much of the countryside around Canterbury is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. On the eastern side of Herne Bay you will discover Reculver Towers, the site of a Roman Fort built to guard the Wantsum Channel that once divided Thanet from the rest of Kent. The contrast of the nearby rugged countryside and open seascape makes for a bracing walk along the sea defence wall that's certain to blow the cobwebs away.

Only a mile or two away in Bekesbourne you'll find Howlett's Wild Animal Park, home to the late John Aspinall's collection of gorillas, chimpanzees, African elephants and tigers. Other parks include Wildwood Trust, Druidstone Park and Wingham Wildlife Park all of which offer opportunities to get up close to a variety of animals and are ideal for all the family.