It's time to steer a course to summer and it'll be plain sailing with what Leeds Castle has on offer.

Arriving at the castle, you can't miss the moat - but have you ever thought of getting out on it?

You can go punting on the moat at the Maidstone castle any day between April and September (weather permitting).

Sit back, relax and float gently through the ancient arches in an elegant wooden punt, surrounded by views of the castle from a different perspective.

Punting costs £6 and £3.50 for children, with under threes free.

To book go to leeds-castle.com

SUMMERTIME

While at the castle, enjoy a taste of Summertime, a programme of music, drama and adventure throughout the summer months.

With the centrepiece of the 40th anniversary Classical Concert on Saturday, July 14, events run from Saturday, July 4, when the Lord Chamberlain's Men return with their all-male open air Shakespeare in full Elizabethan costume. Pop-up Opera returns on Wednesday, July 18 with Der Schauspieldirektor & Bastien und Bastienne and open air theatre arrives with Peter Pan on Friday, August 17 and Saturday, August 18.

The Luna Cinema screens three cult films at the castle this summer, starting with The Italian Job starring Michael Caine on Thursday, August 2, plus a live orchestra and Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone on Friday, August 3, with Dirty Dancing rounding the big screen programme on Saturday, August 4.