The Tyrwhitt-Drake Museum of Carriages

Horse-drawn carriages from the Victorian era fill the rooms at this quirky museum just outside Maidstone - the sort of place you either find fascinating or walk through in twenty minutes flat. The Tyrwhitt-Drake collection is genuinely impressive if you've got any interest in how wealthy Victorians got about, with everything from ornate landaus to practical broughams, all polished within an inch of their lives.

It's the detail work that catches you. Brass fittings, hand-stitched leather, the engineering that went into springs and wheels before cars existed. The carriages themselves tell stories - you can imagine the clatter on cobbles, the smell of horses, the whole rigmarole of getting dressed up just to visit someone three streets away.

If you're camping at one of the nearby sites - Oak View or Kits Coty Glamping are within a few miles - this makes a solid half-day option when the weather turns poor or you fancy something different from the usual park activities. History enthusiasts will get the most from it, though families with older children might enjoy the novelty. Younger kids could find it a bit thin on engagement after the first few rooms.

Best to check ahead for opening hours and admission before you head over from Maidstone, as this isn't the sort of place with round-the-clock access. Worth fitting in if you're interested, but don't make it your main reason for visiting the area.