Howletts Wild Animal Park

The big cats here are what pull you in. Howletts, just outside Canterbury, is home to one of Europe's largest collections of big cats - tigers, lions, leopards - and they're kept in sprawling enclosures that feel nothing like a traditional zoo. You'll spend a good three to four hours wandering the grounds, and honestly, the animals seem to have proper room to move, which matters.

It's run by the Aspinall Foundation, a conservation charity, so there's a genuine conservation angle rather than just entertainment. The breeding programmes for endangered species are taken seriously. You'll see gorillas, bears, elephants and various smaller animals too, but the big cats are the draw.

Families with older kids will get the most out of this - there's proper walking involved and younger children might find stretches dull between enclosures. It's not a theme park with rides to break things up. Adults who care about animal welfare and conservation will appreciate the ethos here more than casual visitors.

If you're based at Canterbury Lodges and Glamping, you're barely five minutes away. It works well as part of a broader Canterbury trip - the cathedral and medieval town centre are close enough for a combined day out. Summer weekends get busy, so weekday visits are worth considering if you can.

Admission isn't cheap and you'll want to check current prices and opening hours on their website before heading out. The walk is muddy in places even when dry, so proper footwear matters.