Chart Gunpowder Mill

The Faversham Society runs this former gunpowder mill site on weekends, and it's a proper slice of industrial heritage that actually justifies the detour from town. You're walking around the remains of what was once a serious operation - the sort of place where explosives were manufactured on an industrial scale during the 18th and 19th centuries. The site itself is modest in scale, which works in its favour. There's enough to occupy a solid hour if you're genuinely interested in industrial history, though families with restless kids might find it a bit too specialist.

What makes it worth visiting is the setting. The mill sits in a valley setting with the remains of various stone buildings and structures dotted about, and the guides on weekend opening days actually know their stuff. You get a real sense of how dangerous the work was and how the industry shaped Faversham itself. The town has a genuine gunpowder heritage - it was one of England's major manufacturing centres for the stuff, which might seem surprising now.

Weekends only from 2pm to 5pm, so plan accordingly. Free admission as far as I can tell, though it's worth checking the Faversham Society website before you go as details can shift. If you're staying at one of the nearby camps - Painters Farm is closest at under two miles away - this slots in well as a couple-hour outing. Combine it with a proper walk around Faversham town itself, which has decent high street curiosities and decent pubs. The heritage aspect appeals more to adults than young children, but if you've got teenagers interested in industrial history, they'll get something from it.