Ramsgate Tunnels

The tunnels beneath Ramsgate are something else - two miles of chalk passages dug during the Second World War to shelter thousands of locals during air raids. Walking down into the cool darkness, you're literally stepping into the town's wartime past. The passages are properly preserved, complete with bunk beds, a hospital ward, and the sort of detail that makes history feel real rather than something from a textbook.

It's brilliant for anyone interested in World War II, and older children will find it genuinely gripping - younger ones might find the confined spaces a bit much. Allow a good hour to get the full picture. You'll come away with a real sense of what life was like during the bombing campaigns, which is worth the journey from Birchington alone.

Check the website for current opening times before you head down, as hours can be patchy. The tunnels sit right in Ramsgate proper, so it pairs well with a seaside walk along the seafront. If you're based at one of the nearby holiday parks - Sandwich Leisure is your best bet for facilities and ratings - the tunnels make a solid morning activity when the weather's dodgy. Not a full day's entertainment, but genuine history that actually stays with you.