Spring is just around the corner with its shorter nights and longer days. You might find yourself inspired to get out into the fresh air and explore local culture and history.
If so, look no further for inspiration than our list of great “daycations” for 2025 to plan now.
1. The Historic Dockyard Chatham
While Fingerprint Financial Planning – whose offices are situated in the historic dockyard – has been around since 2008, the dockyard has existed for more than 400 years. Today, the tourist destination attracts thousands of visitors a year.
Use your day out to explore three incredible vessels from the nation’s military past:
- HMS Gannet is a 190-foot-long Victorian sloop built in 1878, with 90 years of Royal Navy service under its belt.
- HMS Cavalierwas only launched in 1944 but was put into immediate wartime action. It now stands as a poignant memorial to those lost during the second world war.
- HM Submarine Ocelot was actually built at Chatham back in 1962 and travelled over 29,000 miles during 27 years of service, the details of which remain a Ministry of Defence secret!
You’ll find plenty for the whole family from the Victorian ropery to the Command of the Oceans exhibit. There’s even a play area for the kids and, from 8 March to 31 August 2025, a special exhibit: Brickwrecks: Sunken Ships in LEGO® Bricks.
For the adults, meanwhile, there’s the Call The Midwife Official Location Tour which is ticketed separately and runs from 1 March to 31 October 2025.
Afterwards, there’s a scenic walk along the river to enjoy.
2. Upnor Castle and Rochester Castle
Upnor Castle
Chatham’s Historic Dockyards don’t represent the area’s only available foray into history. On the other side of the river, you’ll find Upnor Castle.
This Elizabethan artillery fort dates back to the late 16th century when it was built, on the orders of Queen Elizabeth I, to protect the English fleet moored at Chatham dockyards. It ultimately failed when in 1667 the Dutch sailed up the Medway without resistance and burned or captured the Royal Navy fleet.
The castle is open on Wednesdays to Sundays from 17 April – 30 September between 10 am – 6 pm, with separate winter hours. Further details, including how to book your trip in advance, can be found on the English Heritage and Visit Medway sites.
When you’ve finished exploring, a walk along the river will bring you to several local pubs, including the Tudor Rose, which serves local ale and a range of food, including locally sourced chef’s specials.
Rochester Castle
The Norman keep of Rochester castle was built in 1127 to guard a strategically important crossing of the River Medway. Following a siege of 1215, the keep sustained significant damage and had to be rebuilt by Henry III and Edward I, remaining a viable fortress into the 1500s. It is now owned by English Heritage so visit their website for further information.
It could form just one part of a cultural and historical tour of Rochester. Step back in time to the castle’s smelling stations to experience the true odour of history. The castle is open 10 am – 4 pm Tuesday to Sunday but does open on Bank Holiday Mondays.
Next, head to Rochester Cathedral. It’s been a place of worship since AD604 and today you can enjoy a guided tour or relax with a cup of tea at its Café in the Crypt.
The town itself has plenty to explore, with boutique shops lining its cobbled streets and plenty of restaurants to choose from, including Don Vincenzo’s and Os’ Camacheiros, offering tastes of Italy and Madeira respectively.
3. Chartwell, Westerham
For a trip slightly further afield, why not take your family on a trip to the National Trust-owned Chartwell? This former family home and garden of Sir Winston Churchill is less than an hour away from Fingerprint HQ and offers a chance to disappear into nature and the home life of an important British figure.
Visit the house, which includes Churchill’s art studio, and the largest collection of his works. You’ll also find the kitchen garden, with walls built by Churchill himself, as well as the beautiful rose garden, designed by Lady Churchill.
The house reopened after conservation work on 1 March 2025 and you’ll need to book a timed ticket via the National Trust website.
On the way home, why not stop at the Chartwell Restaurant at the nearby Donnington Manor Hotel? Here, you’ll find modern European casual dining in a beautiful manor house complete with Tudor beams and stunning grounds.
The hotel now stands on a former London to Hastings main road, on the edge of what is known as the battlefield, thanks to a 1016 battle between Edmund Ironside and the Danish King Canute.
