The countdown to Christmas has officially begun so make sure you have the inside scoop on the very best places take family and friends for an unforgettable festive season.

Visitors to Kent will be spoiled for choice when it comes to fun-filled days out, super shopping, places to party and stunning winter scenery. And residents will be amazed at just how much there is to see and do on their doorstep this year - from Dickensian markets and sparkling castles, to ice skating and a festive world record attempt!

You can reach Kent and some of its most beautiful attractions in less than an hour by train from London, and with discounts and special offers available from Southeastern, Kent is the perfect place for festive day trip or short break from the city.  

Take a look at some of the fantastic festive highlights in Kent this season... 

FIND THE PERFECT TREE

Find the ultimate Christmas tree at the stunning Bedgebury Forest. Home to one of the world's finest conifer collections, the forest is perfect for wintery walks and picnics and you can get a British-grown Christmas trees at Bedgebury on select days to 20th December. Tree shoppers will enjoy free admission for one vehicle on the day, free mince pies from the Bedgebury Café, a 10% discount in the Friends of Bedgebury shop, and a £10 Quench gift voucher. There will also be festive late night shopping on 11th December, with seasonal food in the Atrium, Christmas activities for children, and stocking fillers. Visit www.forestry.gov.uk/bedgebury for further details.

CASTLES, CATHEDRALS & MICHAELMAS MANORS

There's no better time to visit the famous Canterbury Cathedral, as the stunning World Heritage site prepares for the Christmas season. Enjoy family carols and charity celebrations of Christmas in the run up to the big day, and don't miss the Christmas Carol Service on 23rd December and Christmas Eve. The Archbishop will deliver the Christmas Day Eucharist, and there will be a choral evensong with carols later in the day. www.canterbury-cathedral.org/events.

The 'loveliest castle in the world' is also one of the loveliest places to spend the festive season - Leeds Castle will be decked out in glorious decorations throughout December, with plenty of seasonal things to see and do for all ages. Book your visit to see Santa, take wintery woodland walks, ride nostalgic fairground rides, visit reindeer, and fill your baskets with goodies at the sparkling Christmas market on the Cedar Lawn. For full details of event and market days, visit www.leedscastle.co.uk. 

Celebrate Christmas Around the World this season at Hever Castle, and discover how different countries spend Christmas through a series of displays in the castle and gardens on select dates in December. You can also enjoy a Twilight Christmas with an after-dark stroll around the grounds where you will see the gardens lit up, the residents huskies and nativity scene (11th, 18th, 22nd & 23rd December). www.hevercastle.co.uk

Lose yourself in your own private Narnia with a trip to the palatial Penshurst Place & Gardens. Pick up local cheeses, meats, drinks and festive decorations at the Christmas Farmer's Market on 5th December, and the little ones can visit Father Christmas in his Narnia woodland setting (weekends upto Sunday 20th December, plus 14th, 18th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd December). Book visits at www.penshurstplace.com

Mums, dads and grandparents might already be feeling the stress of the season, so why not treat yourself to some early festive indulgence with a Winter Afternoon Tea at the gorgeous Chiddingstone Castle? Reserve a table in the historic rooms for a traditional afternoon tea on 6th or 13th December and forget your troubles. Book at www.chiddingstonecastle.org.uk

STEP BACK IN TIME

Escape to a world of Victorian splendour as Rochester transforms itself for the hugely popular Dickensian Christmas festival on 5th and 6th December. This enchanting weekend will be packed with traditional Victorian festivities, market stalls, lamp-lit parades and carolling throughout. You'll also see some familiar characters from Dickens' much-loved stories through-out the city centre. And there will be plenty of opportunities to head to the Rochester Christmas Market in gardens of Rochester Castle for a hog roast, mulled wine, roasted chestnuts and a wide range of stalls for those last minute gifts and stocking fillers. The market is open on 4th to 6th and 11th to 13th December. For more information on Christmas events in Medway, visit www.christmasinmedway.co.uk

Enjoy a magical medieval Christmas this year at the award-winning Canterbury Tales on 19th and 20th December, as the interactive visitor attraction is transformed into a festive 14th century wonderland. Start your adventure at the Tabard Inn where Santa's elf will be busily wrapping gifts. Then off through the snow-filled streets of old London in search of the icicle-covered Christmas tree and to hear some of Chaucer's famous tales. Be sure to stop for mead tasting (adults only!) before visiting Santa's grotto, where there will be a gift for every child. Visit www.canterburytales.org.uk.

YULETIDE ADVENTURES AND ESCAPADES

Children and adults alike can share in the Christmas spirit aboard the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway throughout December. After a magical journey on board the miniature railway, guests will see Santa arrive on his sleigh at New Romney and make his way to his cosy grotto. There will be seasonal refreshments and moving model trains in the Model Railway Exhibition. For grown-ups looking for an extra special railway experience, why not hire one of the Heritage Coaches and experience the sort of luxury travel Queen Elizabeth II was treated to in the past? Booking for the seasonal activities is essential at www.rhdr.org.uk

Experience the Christmas rush the right way – with a trip to Buckmore Park. Head to the Medway karting track on 11th December for an evening of short, sharp kart races (three for every driver) followed by a full on Christmas dinner with all the trimmings in the clubhouse. Or join the Christmas party on 18th December with a 30 minute race for individual drivers, slap-up Christmas dinner and fun casino. You can also pick up a Buckmore Park Karting Gift Card while you're there for your Christmas stockings. Book early to avoid disappointment www.buckmore.co.uk

FROSTED FAIRS & FAIRGROUND

Over in Margate, a trip to The Frosted Fairground is a must, as Dreamland is transformed into a vintage wonderland this December. The park will be free to enter (pay per ride) and will be filled with festive fun, thrills and good times - visit Father Christmas in his grotto, buy a Christmas tree, shop till you drop in the Christmas market, enjoy a toy workshop experience or book tickets for the host of festive shows, concerts and screenings planned. The roller disco will also be churning out all your favourite Christmas hits as well, so stick around for a festive boogie. www.dreamland.co.uk/christmas

There will be plenty of festive fun to enjoy in Gravesend, with the  Fayre on the Square on 4th and 5th December with more than 60 stalls and live entertainment each day in Community Square. And for a one-off Christmas event like no other, join the crowds on 11th December for Gravesend's Guinness World Record Attempt for the most people in one location wearing head boppers! Organisers will give out free Christmas-themed head boppers to help crack the target - the current record stands at 465 in the USA, so head to the fun-filled event and help Gravesend smash it! Visit www.christmasingravesend.co.uk  from 6th November for more details.

NATIONAL TRUST AT CHRISTMAS

Celebrate the Churchills' 1920s Christmas at Chartwell every weekend from 5th to 20th December, and see the house decorated as it would have been in the family's first year at Chartwell. Father Christmas will make an appearance on 5th and 6th December – expect a green outfit and a small gift for the little ones! There will also be a Christmas Family Fun Trail daily from Friday 27the November to Sunday 3rd January.

After an art deco experience at Chartwell, why not head to Quebec House for a Georgian Christmas? The beautiful Westerham house will be decorated in the Georgian style from 5th to 20th December (weekends only) – taste traditional Christmas baking, warm up by the open fire and try playing carols on the grand piano.

Over at Ightham Mote, you can see the stunning manor decorated for both a Victorian and 1950s American Christmas! Characters from Ightham Mote's past will bring the house to life and they'll be children's craft activities on most days in the squire's room. Don't miss the Christmas fayre weekend the magical candlelit carols in the courtyard on 12th, 18th and 18th December

You can also test your creative skills in the stunning, sprawling surroundings of Knole house and deer park with wreath and swag making workshops from 8th to 11th December. All materials and refreshments will be supplied in the workshops, and there will be a demonstration and expert help. Tickets £55 per person, booking essential on 0844 249189.

Emmetts Garden has its very own 'elf trail' from 2nd December to 3rd January - discover what Santa's elves have been up to by following a festive adventure through the garden, and help them find the reindeer's name tags! Don't forget to send Father Christmas a Christmas card while you're there!

Full details of National Trust events at www.nationaltrust.org.uk

SHOP TILL YOU DROP

For a day out that covers all festive bases, head straight for Bluewater's Winter Wonderland, which offers a fun-filled day out for the whole family. When you need a break from the present shopping, you can hit the 6,000 square foot ice rink, enjoy the 40-metre Snow Slide, settle down for a magical Christmas movie in the 4D cinema, indulge in traditional rides and games, and visit Santa! The perfect way to celebrate while ticking off tasks on the Christmas list. Book tickets at www.bluewaterwinterwonderland.co.uk/ 

GET YOUR SKATES ON

If you are yearning to be an ice prince or princess, make sure you head to Tunbridge Wells for a spin on their ice rink this season. Set in the Calverley Grounds' amphitheatre and bathed in twinkling festive lights, the Royal Tunbridge Wells ice rink will be open seven days a week until 3rd January with capacity for up to 250 skaters. Sponsored by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, it is open to skaters of all ages and abilities, making it perfect for a family day out, a romantic first date and a festive office party. There will be parent and toddler sessions every morning, followed by the main skating every hour from 11am.  Father Christmas might even be around on select days…

Book your slot at www.tunbridgewellsatchristmas.com

BUBBLY FUN

Need some bubbly for the big day? Head down to Hush Heath Estate in Staplehurst for one of their Festive Fizz Weekends to stock up in style. Visitors will receive a glass of sparkling wine or mulled cider and mince pies on arrival, before enjoying a free winery tour to learn about the history of the estate and wine making process. Then grab some special case offers on wine and cider, and some great festive gifts, and you can always round off your trip with a meal at the estate's nearby pub, The Goudhurst Inn. Festive Fizz Weekends take place on select dates in November and December. Check the website for details, but no need to book! www.hushheath.com

For a festive treat – or the perfect gift for wine loves – why not try a Winter Wine Indulgence day at Chapel Down? Guests will be given a tutored tasting of Chapel Down wines in the private dining room, a three course lunch with a glass of Chapel Down wine, and then browse in the Wine and Fine Food Store or take a stroll in the herb garden. Available on selected dates in December 2015, and January, February and March 2016 www.chapeldown.com/gift-experience

For more present inspiration, head over to Biddenden Vineyard's Christmas Shop to pick up hand-made hampers packed with local produce and, of course, award-winning wines, ciders and juices. Ready stocked or personalised hampers are available, and visitors will also be able to warm up with a mug of Monk's Delight mulled cider. The Christmas shop will be open right up until Christmas Eve. www.biddendenvineyards.com 

PARTY TIME

Enjoy a 'Dickens of a Christmas Dinner' on 9th December at Eastwell Manor near Ashford – expect stunning decorations, a traditional Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, and even a visit from Charles Dickens who may have some stories to share! You can also don your glad rags for a black tie ball at the Manor House on 11th and 18th December, or enjoy a spot of Panto at the Pavilion on 13th December with Aladdin, Wishee Washee, Widow Twankee and the lovely Princess Jasmine. Residential packages are available for all events. www.eastwellmanor.co.uk 

For further festive inspiration, please go to www.visitkent.co.uk.

ENDS

For further media information on Visit Kent, please contact PR Manager Sinead Hanna at Sinead.Hanna@visitkent.co.uk or call 01227 812914.

For images of Kent, go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/visitkent/