Big Cat Sanctuary

Kent enjoys many popular wildlife attractions, but among the best is a lesser-known animal centre which can only usually be visited for a hefty fee unless you’re tipped off to its open days. The Big Cat Sanctuary, near Ashford, is home to the Wildlife Heritage Foundation. While not routinely open to the public, you can pay to attend photographic workshops, experience days where you can feed a big cat by hand, and even overnight stays in luxury lodges for those on a big budget. But for a more humble fee, save the date of its 2017 open days from Thursday, July 20 to Sunday, July 23 for priceless face-to-face encounters with these stunning creatures. More details at thebigcatsanctuary.org

Duck Inn

This country boozer, near Bridge, is best known as the pub frequented by James Bond creator Ian Fleming (he got the idea for the hero’s 007 name from the number of the bus from Dover to London, which passed the Duck Inn every day) when it should rightly now be famed for its glorious food. Oozing tasteful rustic charm, the customer is greeted by low ceilings and a traditional pub bar next to which sits a roaring open fire. But the food is the real draw: high-end cuisine at a reasonable price. And with rolling farmland as far as the eye can see, the Duck Inn is truly one of Kent’s hidden treasures. Find out more at www.theduckpettbottom.com

Kingsdown

When Kent’s beaches come up for discussion it’s usually Thanet, Sandgate and Whitstable that get the most air time. Yet there’s a charming rural beach, which has barely changed through the ages, located just outside Deal. Kingsdown is an idyllic village which dates back to the Middle Ages and sits below a chalk cliff at the northern end of the White Cliffs of Dover. A general store and three pubs is about all that you’ll find in the way of entertainment, but if it’s the kind of old-fashioned country-living vibe beloved of fans of Cath Kidston and Emma Bridgewater that you’re after, then Kingsdown is your ready-made backdrop for a pretty-as-a-picture traditional seaside jaunt.

JoJo’s

Whitstable’s no undiscovered gem (half of the UK can be found trawling its boutiques, bars and beach on any given weekend), but Tankerton is a different matter. Just a 25-minute walk from the town centre, the seafront suburb boasts JoJo’s coffee shop at its furthest end, which is so far only frequented by locals, in-the-know foodies who’ve read praise for JoJo’s in the posh papers and celebrity regular Janet Street-Porter. JoJo’s restaurant and coffee shop is overlooking the beach on Herne Bay Road, Tankerton. More info at www.jojosrestaurant.co.uk

Teapot Island

Tucked away on the outskirts of Yalding, near Maidstone, is a haven for teapots. More than 8,000 of them can be seen on display at Teapot Island, based in Hampstead Lane and near to the Twyford Bridge Marina on the River Medway. Husband and wife Keith and Sue Blazye set the attraction up in 2003 and have seen its fame grow quietly since. The site began life as a cafe in the 1950s and used to sell bait to fishermen. A lot has changed since. A cafe specialising in cream teas remains on site, but it is now more famous for its teapots that come in an array of shapes and sizes - from camels to Darth Vader. More details at www.teapotisland.co.uk