What’s On, In and Around Sittingbourne

Sittingbourne is surrounded by beautiful countryside, located about eight miles east of Gillingham, beside the Roman Watling Street off a creek in the Swale, a tidal channel separating the Isle of Sheppey from mainland Kent. The town became prominent after the death of Thomas Beckett in 1170, since it provided a convenient resting point on the road from London to Canterbury and Dover. Sittingbourne is growing rapidly due to a number of large residential developments, and its train line links to London Victoria, and HS1 to St Pancras International. The journey only takes about an hour from Sittingbourne railway station.

View the Hengist Field Care Home page.

View the Woodstock Residential Care Home page.

The Tonge Barn

An ideal place to stay if you plan on visiting Hengist Field Care Home (5 miles away) or Woodstock Residential Care Home (3 miles away); The Tongue Barn near Sittingbourne is a stunning Grade II Listed Hotel with en-suite guest accommodation in a converted 17th Century Barn. The Barn was formerly part of Tonge Mill Country Park Craft Centre, and Mill Pond which dates back to 450AD. Sittingbourne Town Centre is just a 5-minute drive away and Canterbury’s historic city centre about 30-minutes away.

Visit the Tonge Barn website for more information​.

The Fruiterer’s Arms

The Fruiterer’s Arms is a lovely country pub and restaurant in a tranquil village setting with stunning views. As well as offering an attractive beer garden on site, delicious home-cooked food is served including daily specials and Sunday roasts.

Visit Tripadvisor for more information​.

Shepherd and Neame Visitor Centre

The Shepherd Neame Brewery, set in the centre of this historic market town, is open to visitors who wish to discover more about this proudly family-owned and run company and its wide range of award-winning beers. The Visitor Centre is set in a beautifully-restored medieval hall house and, from here, you can join a guided tour which will take you through the heart of their busy working brewery. See how beer is made from barley to bottle and from hop to hand-pump!

Visit the Shephered Neame website for more information​.

Sittingbourne Stadium

Central Park Stadium in Sittingbourne’s home of Greyhound racing, holding three race meetings a week on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. There’s always something happening so it’s a great place to visit for a special outing, or a nice meal in their Raceview Restaurant.

Visit the Sittingbourne Greyhounds website for more information​.

Oad Street Centre

The Oad Street Centre situated in the pretty Kent countryside, is just minutes from Hengist Field Care Home and Woodstock Residential Care Home. It is a wonderful place to visit for local crafts and a great café – visitors can enjoy a pleasant and relaxed environment for shopping, eating and an enjoyable day out. Our residents often enjoy looking around the gift shop, enjoying an afternoon tea or lunch in the tearoom, and seeing the ever changing exhibitions in the gallery.

Visit the Oad Street website for more information​.

Milton Creek Country Park

Milton Creek Country Park is a little green gem tucked away in Sittingbourne. An well-established place to visit and ideal for all ages and mobilities. It’s a great place to visit to enjoy the outdoors while taking in some fresh air, walking the dogs, taking a stroll with the whole family or letting the kids explore and play. Wildlife admirers might also enjoy the wide open spaces and the abundance of birds that  you see here.

Visit the Milton Creek website for more information​.

Milton Creek and Historic Railways

Bredgar & Wormshill Light Railway BWLR is a narrow gauge railway with more than 10 locomotives as well as a steam roller, a showman’s engine, vintage cars and tractors. An ideal day out for the family, the museum also houses a steam-driven beam engine water pump and a model railway. The whole setting is family orientated and the surrounding woodland is ideal for picnics. The tearoom offers sandwiches and cakes as well as a great cup of tea or coffee.

Visit Kent website for more information.​

Sittingbourne and Kemsley Light Railway

The town’s last remaining link to its paper making heritage, Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway in Kent is a heritage railway that operates from Sittingbourne to the banks of The Swale, including traveling into Milton Creek Country Park. This unique narrow (2ft 6in or 762mm) gauge railway operates from March until the end of September – using three steam locomotives: Leader, Melior and Superb. The railway offers Footplate Experience Days during which you learn to fire and drive steam locomotive Superb – why not take your family and friends along as passengers!

Visit the Sittingbourne’s Steam Railway website for more information​.

Sittingbourne Heritage Museum

Sittingbourne Heritage Museum is split over two levels and several rooms. The museum houses extensive collections of many objects from Sittingbourne and the surrounding villages which have been donated or loaned by local residents and other museums. Displays are changed and refreshed on a regular basis, and coupled with some more permanent features, and a great gift shop selling books and souvenirs.

Visit the Sittingbourne Heritage Museum website for more information​.