East Kent Railway Trust

Steam engines still run at the East Kent Railway Trust, which operates heritage trains along a restored stretch of track near Dover. It's a straightforward proposition: you board vintage carriages pulled by working steam locomotives and rattle through the Kent countryside at a leisurely pace, stopping at period stations that look much as they did decades ago.

This is absolutely the thing for railway enthusiasts and families with children obsessed by Thomas the Tank Engine. Adults who remember proper train travel will find genuine appeal here too. The journey itself takes an hour or so, and you'll want to factor in time to wander round the locomotive sheds beforehand - seeing the engines up close, understanding how they work, makes the whole experience stick.

You'll pay for your ticket, but it's reasonable value. Check their website for running days before you head over, as services don't operate year-round. Summer weekends are busiest; if you can visit on a quieter day you'll have a more relaxed time.

If you're camping at one of the local sites - Greenhill Glamping or Black Horse Farm are both within five miles - it makes for a brilliant half-day outing that breaks up a longer Kent holiday. Combine it with a walk around Dover itself or a trip to the White Cliffs nearby. Kids will remember the steam and noise; adults will appreciate the engineering. It's not life-changing, but it's well worth a couple of hours of your time.