Genryukan Aikido

If you're staying near Dover and fancy something a bit different from the typical seaside routine, Genryukan Aikido offers a proper introduction to Japanese martial arts. It's a working dojo where serious practitioners train, but they do welcome visitors interested in learning the basics.

Aikido isn't your standard kung fu film nonsense - it's about balance, timing, and using an opponent's momentum against them. The instructors here are genuinely skilled, and watching a class in progress is mesmerizing in a way you don't expect. You'll see movements that look almost dance-like until someone gets thrown onto a mat without anyone actually hitting them hard.

The setup is no-frills, which is rather the point. This is a place where people come to train, not to be entertained. If you're considering a trial session, expect to pay a small fee, though specifics aren't always publicized upfront - best to ring ahead. A single session takes an hour, though most serious students commit to regular practice.

Families with teenagers might find this compelling, particularly if the kids are into martial arts already. Younger children will struggle with the focus required. It's worth the detour if you're exploring the Dover area and staying at one of the nearby parks like Parkdean Resorts St Margaret's Bay or Varne Ridge - gives you a proper local activity rather than another ice cream run to the seafront.