Sittingbourne is a lively town with a proud industrial heritage. The bustling high street is lined with shops, cafes and charming pubs. You can ride a historic railway and visit a museum dedicated to life in wartime England, while fast transport links to London make it easy to sightsee in the capital.
Things to do in Sittingbourne
Step aboard the Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway and enjoy a scenic ride through the countryside. The historic railway was built in 1905 and features original carriages. On the 15-minute ride, you’ll pass through saltwater marshlands and cross a century-old concrete viaduct. Learn more about the unique history of the railway at the museum at Kemsley Down Station. There’s also a café and a shady picnic area.
Stretch your legs and spot local wildlife in Milton Creek Country Park. The 50-hectare park stretches along the banks of Milton Creek and occupies a former landfill site. Today it’s unrecognisable and features grassy meadows, scrublands and a well-stocked fishing lake. If you’re lucky, you might spot nightingales singing in the trees.
Learn about life in the 1940s at the Old Forge Wartime House. The museum occupies a historic home in the town centre and is filled with antiques and memorabilia from World War II. Costumed guides bring the experience to life. The vintage tearoom is beautifully decorated with furniture from the 1930s, where you can enjoy tea, cakes and scones topped with jam and cream. The Sittingbourne Heritage Museum is another local gem. Small but engaging, it’s brimming with artefacts and photographs donated by Sittingbourne locals.
Getting around Sittingbourne
Sittingbourne is pedestrian-friendly and easy to get around on foot. The town is a 1.5-hour drive from Central London, while trains are faster and take one hour. London City Airport is a one-hour drive away and Heathrow Airport is 1.5 hours away.