So let’s take a look at some of the best places to visit for a charming summer lunch in Kent.

Tower Hill Tea Gardens – With lovely views across the Thames estuary, Tower Hill Gardens is a bustling picnic area with all the charms of an old English garden. Visitors flock to take in the eye dazzling floral displays, whilst live music and a wide variety of entertainers make for the perfect backdrop to any Saturday afternoon picnic. A beautifully traditional thatched kiosk means the kids can enjoy an ice cream or two, allowing you to revel in the homely surroundings of this unique lunching area.

Dunorlan Park – With recent rumours circulating about the appearance of a certain Hollywood mega-hunk, Dunorlan Park appears to have added a dose of star power to its serene lake-side views. A local cafe adds practicality to the experience, though nothing can prepare you for a short pedalo ride like eating your own freshly prepared picnic on the luscious green grass.

Penshurst Place – Set in the wonderfully quaint village of Penshurst, this historic stately home provides year long picnic passes, allowing visitors the freedom to relax amongst the picturesque gardens at their own leisure. Bike routes, fascinating walks and an adventure playground all add to the typically English experience.

Leeds Castle – With an array of activities and sights to suit visitors of all ages, Leeds Castle guarantees a satisfying day of basking in the summer sun. The vast grounds amply accommodate those who wish for greater seclusion in their picnic delights, whilst exhilarating experiences such as Go Ape and the ever popular Segway tour make for unforgettable group adventures.

Teston Bridge Country Park – For such modest entry fees, Teston Bridge boasts more activities, wildlife and peaceful summer surroundings than many of its picnicking competitors throughout the county. Comprised of three magical meadows, the park lies on the banks of the River Medway, bringing with it a fascinating flock of kestrels, barn owls and kingfishers. Kite festivals and guided bat walks ensure that the kids will be happy for hours after the hamper has been emptied.

Sunrise Champagne Balloon Flight (Maidstone) - As the sun rises from below the horizon and you sit with champagne glass in hand next to your adoring partner, floating 2000ft above the ground in a cloud-like bliss, every single penny spent on your balloon flight will feel worthwhile. As the stresses of the world below become a distant memory, your unique journey through the sky will form an unforgettable adventure for you and your Kent date.

Skydiving (Ashford) – Vertigo sufferers need read no further, because when it comes to thrill seeking adventures, none can quite rise to the level of plummeting to the earth from 12,000 feet above. There is sure to be plenty of adrenaline and fear running through your earthbound bodies, so don’t be afraid to cuddle up for some much needed support.

VIP Eagle Day for 2 (Dartford) – Not every adventure date has to send your body into a frenzy of extreme motion. Why not let others fly through the air, by taking a trip to Dartford to spend a day with the kings of the bird world. With your feet firmly on the ground, you will be expertly instructed in handling a bald eagle, before experiencing the stunning power of the 4 kilo bird landing gracefully upon your outstretched arm.

Zorbing (Ashford) – To send any couple head over heels in love, there can be no more appropriate adventure date than the exhilarating hill ride offered by the unique experience of Zorbing. Located in Ashford, you and your partner will be strapped into your very own spherical orb, before hurtling down a beautiful stretch of Kent’s Countryside.

Hop Farm Festival – It may only come once a year, but like Santa Claus, the Hop Farm Festival provides gifts galore and spreads friendly cheer amongst the residents of Paddock Wood. Having filled the Kent countryside with the enlivening sounds of Bob Dylan, Prince and Eagles, the driving force of Mean Fiddler mogul Vince Power has allowed this blossoming summer event to grow into one of the finest showcases of musical talent in Kent’s history.

Beacon Court Tavern – A fascinating venue from the inside-out, the Beacon Court Tavern in Gillingham has become a breeding ground for tribute acts in recent years, with the likes of Johnny 2 Bad and Kaiser Thiefs bringing their own brand of musical homage to the pulsating public house.

The Leas Cliff Hall – A grand and memorable experience, The Leas Cliff Hall has played host to some of the greatest music acts around, with the likes of Ozzy Osbourne, King of Leon and Queens of the Stone Age all bringing their rock revelry to the cliff edge of Folkestone.

Winter Gardens – Hosting a wide variety of events, the seaside shockwaves of Margate’s most popular music venue can be felt for miles, largely thanks to the onslaught of guitar licking antics from bands such as Ocean Colour Scene and Status Quo. Dating back to 1901, the venue has provided Margate’s music lovers with ear ringing entertainment for more than 100 years.

2 Emmet’s Garden – Hosting exotic and rare plants from around the world, Emmet’s Garden offers heart pulsing rose gardens and enchanting rockeries, whilst remaining in vibrant bloom all year round.

3 Scotney Castle Garden – Surrounding a fairytale castle of the 14^th century, Scotney Castle Garden boasts blissful moat-side strolls and spectacular displays of rhododendrons, azaleas and kalmia throughout the early summer months.

4 Sissinghurst Castle Garden – Set in fantasy surroundings, you could easily envisage a captive princess wearily pleading for rescue from the top of the enchanting Elizabethan house towers. The internationally renowned gardens create a wonderfully romantic environment, with close-knit compartments adding to the intimate setting.

5 Goodnestone Park Gardens – Tranquillity and utopian charms enwrap this hidden gem, with every magnificent view epitomising the heart of rural England. Woodland gardens are littered with the deep blue extravagance of summer hydrangeas, whilst the tantalising terraces and walled garden walks burst with exciting secrets.

6 Yalding Gardens – A true gardener’s delight, Yalding is a physical encyclopaedia of horticultural history, with 18 gardens located across five acres of the naturally enticing Kent Countryside.

7 Walmer Castle Gardens – Rich in fascinating history, Walmer Castle Gardens will not only spike the interest of historians, but entice fair maidens and their accompanying knights. A fully restored glasshouse garden ensures that Walmer Castle is blooming with romantic beauty all year round.

8 Leeds Castle Gardens – Home to Royal Gentry for nearly 900 years, Leeds Castle is bustling with exhilarating activities, with Go Ape and Segway tours adding a new perspective to the romantic river views.

9 Penshurst Place Gardens – Set in the picture-perfect charm of Penshurst village, Penshurst Place was once employed as the hunting lodge of Henry VIII as he courted Anne Boleyn. The romantic vibe is not lost in the 21^st century, with the glistening gardens playing host to heavenly wedding ceremonies all year round.

10 Lullingstone World Garden – With a focus on rare and significant botanical plants, the World Garden continues to grow, providing further impetuous for romancing couples to join in with the pleasures of this horticultural showcase.

1 Rowhill Grange Hotel and Utopia Spa – Never has a spa setting been so aptly named. Built in the 18^th Century, the idyllic country house not only boasts lengthy garden walks, but will dazzle every visitor with spas fit for the Gods.

2 Brandshatch Place Hotel and Spa – Forget about the grease dripping wheel skids so often associated to Brandshatch. It also boasts one of the most luxurious hotel spas in the country, with 38 faultless rooms and impeccably presented gym and spa facilities.

3 The Spa Hotel – Situated in the wonderfully charming settings of Royal Tunbridge Wells, The Spa Hotel creates the perfect blend of 18^th Century tranquillity and 21^st Century facilities. 14 acres of picturesque grounds and a full range of luxury treatments make this 4 star hotel the epitome of Kentish indulgence.

4 Eastwell Manor Luxury Hotel and Spa – Selling ‘quality without compromise’, Eastwell Manor is the epitome of excellence, boasting a classical 16^th century manor, and spa facilities fit for the stars.

5 Hempstead House Hotel – Overlooking the perfect panorama of the Kentish countryside, Hempstead House Hotel provides traditional decor for the perfect home away from home; whilst a smorgasbord of spa treatments helps to create a blissfully relaxing setting.

6 Wallet’s Court Hotel – Nestling in the heart of White Cliffs Country, this ancient country house will take you away from the stresses of the 21^st century, whilst the sauna, steam room, and hydrotherapy pool provide the very best in spa sumptuousness.

Dungeness Beach – Fascinating for the fish foodie, Dungeness Beach is a dream for British anglers, who can expect to bring a manly catch home for dinner, despite the continued deletion in stocks. The RSPB maintains a reserve with hides, ensuring that bird watchers are more common than family vacationers, allowing this charming, atmospheric beach to remain a tranquil location.

West Bay – Connected to the beautifully sandy beaches of Westgate-on-Sea, West Bay is one of the more idyllic seaside locations in Kent and provides the perfect setting for star-crossed lovers or parents looking to keep the kids busy for a few hours. A local cafe and wonderfully refreshing coastal walks are mirrored by exhilarating rock pools, which are full of cracks and crevices to house a fascinating array of wildlife.

Botany Bay – One of Kent’s elite Blue Flag beaches, Botany Bay is a wonderfully secluded cove and a former haunt to smugglers. Backed by the nationally defining white cliffs, the bay is situated on Kent’s Eastern tip and has become a popular family location. At low tide, a delightful walk can be taken to Joss Bay, where you can experience Kent’s best surfing beach, making the Australian inspired Botany Bay an appropriately named leisure location.

Camber Sands – Famed for its breathtaking sunrise views, Camber Sands boasts a two-and-a-half mile stretch of glimmering beaches, making it the perfect location for any amorous couple. Well known for its close links to smugglers, this sunbathers dream is regularly bustling with exciting activities, from the traditionally English game of Cricket, to the epitome of romance with beachside horse rides.

Deal – Entrenched in the fascinating annals of history, Deal is widely accepted to have hosted Julius Caesar’s first steps onto British soil. An eclectically idyllic town, Deal hosts a weekly market thriving with locals ready to snap up a bargain, recently restored pier and the historically-linked, sheltered anchorage of The Downs. The ten mile stretch of the Goodwin Sands becomes the tip of the iceberg, providing panoramic views, soothing Sunday strolls and history-buff enticing links to the First World War.

In the summer of 2011, Pitt and his entourage of dreamy-eyed-admirer blocking security guards are set to take centre stage in the royal spa town and more accurately, will find themselves in the less than glamorous setting of the disused Morrisons supermarket in Vale Road.

Placing a twist on the standard zombie thriller, World War Z picks up ten years after the human victory over a worldwide zombie epidemic, and follows Max Brooks as he travels the world in pursuit of the terrifying and inspirational stories of struggle and survival. Given the news of a Hollywood arrival in the quaint town of Tunbridge Wells, we can only be left to assume that the epidemic was flowing freely through the natural springs of the Pantiles and making more noise than the guitar licking acts performing at the Forum music venue every weekend.

Despite the economic benefits to the county, ability to showcase the beautiful town on a wider scale and the heart fluttering arrival of Brad Pitt himself, there are still some residents who have found time to bemoan the news. Despite being closed for more than 5 years, many had hoped for the re-emergence of the famous supermarket chain in Tunbridge Wells, providing further competition to the large scale Sainsbury’s store. I for one can only assume that these complaints are coming from jealous husbands. But don’t give up all hope yet lads, there’s always the chance that Angelina will be in tow.

So, if you are a movie buff or just a fan of the buff movie star, be sure to hover around Vale Road in Tunbridge Wells in the coming summer months. You never know, Brad may just be on the lookout for his next leading lady.

Beginning as a single day event in 2008, the festival has grown to showcase two headline acts across the first weekend of July and for the first time, will span the whole weekend with Eagles, Morrissey and the enigmatic Prince set to close out a night of the 2011 music mayhem. Despite its rapid expansion, the green fields of Kent could be accused of playing host to nothing more than ageing rock stars, though the names alone clearly highlight the Hop Farm Festival as being much more than a temporary retirement home for music industry legends.

The fun and frolics of stand-up comedy performers and the yearly celebrity football tournament certainly add to the festival experience. But what really impresses, is the growing stream of modern acts appearing at the Hop Farm, especially given the multitude of festival choices to showcase their rising talents. In the past, Kent music fans have been serenaded with the kinetic indie rock of The Pigeon Detectives and the Grammy Award nominated folk rock of Mumford and Sons, whilst this year a new musical angle will hit the hop hungry fans, with the MOBO award winning Tinie Tempah set to unleash his South London rap upon Paddock Wood.

So what can we expect in the years to follow? One thing’s for sure, if they keep on feeding Kent’s festival followers with an imaginative blend of the old and new, the Hop Farm Festival is sure to grow like the hops that encase its unique festival charms. So look out Glastonbury; the Hop Farm Festival is a sleeping giant, ready to take a slice out of your yearly music festival domination.

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