Family Days Out In & Around Kent
(click on the venue name to visit their website)
With lots of amazing family venues to visit, Kent has something for everyone, young and old. Our Events page is also regularly updated with what’s on locally for more inspiration.
Outdoor Pursuits
Knockhatch Adventure Park Ski Centre Car Park, Hailsham By-pass, Hailsham, provides outdoor activity adventure days including family fun days, 11yrs+.
Ashdown Forest Originally a deer hunting forest in Norman times, Ashdown Forest is now one of the largest free public access space in the South East. It is a great place for walking and enjoying spectacular views over the Sussex countryside and is known the world over as the ‘home’ of Winnie-the-Pooh.
Arena Pursuits, near Bewl Water, 6yrs+, company organising outdoor adventures including for all members of the family such as 4×4 driving, the quads, team tasks, the assault course, clay pigeon shooting, orienteering and paintballing.
Bedgebury National Pinetium & Forest, Bedgebury Road, Goudhurst, Kent TN17 2SJ, ideal space for walking, running, cycling (bike hire available), riding, adventure play and home to Go Ape.
Bewl Water Outdoor Centre Lamberhurst, Kent TN3 8JH watersports, climbing and residential centre, 8yrs+.
Bowles Activity Centre Eridge Green TN3 9LW, ski slopes, rock crags, ropes courses, archery range, 8yrs+.
Adventure Parks and Family Fun
Amazon Adventure Business Court, Units 2 & 3, Bells Yew Green, Tunbridge Wells TN3 9BJ. Let your little monkeys explore our multi-tiered, multi-coloured, multi-FUN soft play jungle – a safe and exciting space with endless swinging, sliding, and climbing possibilities!
Buzy Bees Playbarn Ash, Buzy Bee’s is the perfect space for little Bee’s aged 0-12 years to explore and enjoy themselves. As well as being great fun and allowing them to ‘let off steam’. We have 3 areas under 2’s, under 5’s and over 5’s plus a garden with Go Kart, Trikes and Cozy Coupe Cars.
Rock UK Carroty Wood Adventure Centre Higham Lane, Tonbridge, TN11 9QX – 58 acres of beautiful, mature, enclosed woodland ideal for outdoor education; Accommodation for up to 190 catering or self-catering as offered at all our residential centres; optional outdoor activities; indoor swimming pool; indoor sports hall; high ropes course; floodlit all-weather sports pitch.
Clip ‘n Climb Tonbridge The Clip ‘n Climb experience includes a 30 minute introduction, harness fitting and safety briefing then a full 55 minutes climbing, finally 5 minutes to remove harness and exit the arena. At Clip ‘n Climb, we make your whole experience as smooth as possible, from booking to climbing it’ll be a breeze.
Diggerland Roman Way, Medway Valley Leisure Park, Strood, Kent ME2 2NU. Diggerland is the ultimate adventure UK theme park experience where children and adults alike can ride, drive and operate REAL diggers, dumpers and other full- size construction machinery.
Drusillas Park Alfriston Road just off the A27, BN26 5QS, zoo & extensive adventure playgrounds.
Knockhatch Adventure Park On A22 at Hailsham, Hailsham BN27 3GD, animals, falconry, indoor year round soft play at Froggies, go karts, outdoor playgrounds and paddling pools, ski slope, some activities not available during the winter.
Laser Quest Knights Way, Tunbridge Wells TN2 3UW. aged 6 upwards, and very popular with adults too, you’ll love the adrenaline pumping exhilaration of stalking your opponents and unleashing a searing volley of laser fire in the Laser Quest battle zone of the 21st century.
PaintnGo 53B Calverley Rd, Tunbridge Wells TN1 2TU. All Ages and all Abilities. Whether you’re here for pure play, intentional creation, or an unforgettable celebration, we provide the 2-metre canvas—you bring the inspiration.
Family Farms
Blackberry Farm Whitesmith BN8 6JD. Some 18 acres, home to over 200 animals and, most of which can be petted or fed by hand with staff to tell you about them. Large outdoor play area, “Clucky’s” undercover adventure playbarn and sensory zone, family picnic area and baby area. Open daily from 10am until 4pm in winter, 5pm in spring and autumn and 6pm in summer. Own a Pony and Young Farmers Holiday Clubs at half term and school holidays.
Bore Place Farm Bore Place Road, Chiddingstone, Edenbridge TN8 7AR. A rural retreat providing bespoke opportunities for people to learn, grow and reconnect with themselves and the environment. Stunning walks, bike hire, all year round events.
Godstone Farm Tilburstow Hill Rd, Godstone RH9 8LX. The affordable home of free-range family fun, whatever the weather. Surrey’s best farm park and biggest soft play, just 3 minutes from junction 6 of the M25.
The Woodlands Farm Trust 331 Shooters Hill, Welling, Kent, DA16 3RP. A 98 acre working city farm. Find out about farming life and experience the countryside including native bird species, butterflies, wild flowers and ancient woodland.
Animals, Sealife and Nature
Coolings Green & Pleasant Nature Trail Main Road, Knockholt, TN14 7NN. Once a plant nursery, now 6 acres of habitat for native plants, creatures and resident animals accessible by bark pathways. Attractions include a colony of around 25 wallabies, Welsh badger-faced mountain sheep, woollypigs or Mangalitzas, goats, geese, ducks, and moorhens.
Eagle Heights Kent’s Bird of Prey Centre, Eynsford DA4 0AR. Animal experience centre, indoor and outdoor aviaries, daily bird of prey displays, reptile house, meerkats, camel, arctic fox and coati mundi.
Friends of Animal League (FOAL) Farm Animal Rescue Centre Jail Lane, Biggin Hill, Kent, TN16 3AX. Rescue centre on 26 acre farm, family fun days (check for details), pet shop, animals for adoption.
Howletts Wild Animal Park Bekesbourne, Nr. Canterbury CT4 5EL. A 90-acre wild animal park dedicated to conservation, breeding and reintroduction. Largest herd of wild elephants in the UK plus, tigers, gorillas, primates etc.
Port Lympne Reserve Lympne, nr Hythe, CT21 4PD. One of the largest wild animal parks in the UK. Primates, otters, rhinos, small cats, wild dogs, gorillas, lions, giraffe, zebra etc. Organised safaris can be booked.
Scadbury Park Nature Reserve near Chislehurst, Kent, 300 acres of countryside owned by the London Borough of Bromley. Main entrance off the A222 Bromley Lane. Includes 2.5mile Acorn Nature Trail starting from Old Perry Street car park.
Walking, Cycling & Open Spaces
Ashdown Forest between Crowborough, Forest Row and Maresfield. Originally a deer hunting forest in Norman times, Ashdown Forest is now one of the largest free public access spaces in the South East. Great walking, spectacular views and known the world over as the home of Winnie-the-Pooh.
Bedgebury Pinetum Goudhurst. A 2,000 acre forest for walking, family cycling trails, mountain bike and dirt jump area, cycle hire, horse riding for TROT members, adventure play trail, Go Ape.
Bewl Water Lamberhurst, TN3 8JH, walking, cycling, fishing, model boating, boat trips, playground, crazy golf and hydro balling, (bridle path for cycling and horse riding is weather dependent and can be closed), free entry Mon-Fri in winter.
Cobham Wood & Mausoleum (National Trust) near Cobham, Kent. Walk through the ancient cattle grazed woodland, once part of the Cobham Hall estate, and view the mausoleum designed by James Wyatt. Check opening times before visiting.
Romney Marsh Visitor Centre Dymchurch Road, New Romney, TN28 8AY. An award winning, eco-friendly building where you can discover, explore and learn about Romney Marsh’s unique landscape, natural and social history. Shop selling gifts and local crafts, ‘The Art Shack’ art gallery, light refreshments in the café and picnic areas.
Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve Bradbourne Vale Road, Sevenoaks, TN13 3DH. Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve has 5 lakes and is a spectacular site for birds, plants, fungi and animals. There is a small café and shop and a Kingfisher Trail great for families.
Toys Hill (National Trust) near Brasted Chart, Kent, TN16 1QG. Nature trails through 200 acres of ancient woodland, designated SSSI with abundant wildlife and spectacular views over the Weald of Kent.
Tyland Barn Sandling, Maidstone, ME14 3BD. 01622 662012. Tyland Barn visitor centre in Maidstone is also the head office for Kent Wildlife Trust and situated in a 17th Century barn. There is a small nature park with ponds, mini beast homes and trails, a café offering a selection of light lunches and a gallery which exhibits local artists work. Maps are available for walks to the surrounding countryside.
The White Cliffs of Dover Langdon Cliffs, Kent. Dramatic walks along the cliffs. The National Trust Visitor Centre is open daily from 11am to 4pm except bank holidays. Free maps, parking and info panels around the site plus gift shop and a coffee shop.
Places of Historic Interest & Gardens
Chartwell National Trust House, home of Winston Churchill, Mapleton Road, Westerham, Kent TN16 1PS. The rooms remain much as they were when Churchill lived here with pictures, books and personal mementoes. Entrance is by timed ticket. House and Studio are open daily from 1st March – 2nd November 2014. The Garden, exhibition, shop and restaurant are open year round from 11am – 5pm (or dusk).
Chislehurst Caves Caveside Close, Old Hill, Chislehurst, BR7 5NL. The caves at Chislehurst are a labyrinth of manmade tunnels forming a maze covering over six hectares 30 metres below woodlands above. They were dug for chalk used in lime burning and brick-making for the building of London, also for flints to fire the tinderboxes and flintlock guns of years ago. Lamp lit tours last 45-50 minutes. Booking is necessary for large groups. Cafe & gift shop.
Crofton Roman Villa Crofton Road, Orpington, BR6 8AF, opening 1st April to 30th October, limited times (check the website). Remains of 10 rooms of the roman villa that was occupied between AD140 to 400. Activities for children include Roman games to play, mosaic making, dressing up as Romans and digging for finds in the excavation tray.
Dover Castle Castle Hill, Dover, CT16 1HU, explore the atmospheric Secret Wartime Tunnels including the vivid recreation of the Dunkirk evacuation in Operation Dynamo: Rescue from Dunkirk, complete with dramatic projections of swooping Spitfires and real film footage. A colourful contrast is the richly-furnished Great Tower, where costumed actors introduce medieval life at King Henry II’s court. Constant exhibitions, winding tunnels, ghosts plus restaurants, shops and space for running around – an action-packed, great value family day out.
Emmetts National Trust Garden Ide Hill, Sevenoaks, Kent TN14 6AY. An Edwardian estate owned by Frederic Lubbock, the garden was laid out in the late 19th century and contains many exotic and rare trees and shrubs. Traditional children’s games available.
Hever Castle Hever, Nr Edenbridge, Kent TN8 7NG. Gardens/maze, playground, water maze (take a change of clothes), open daily 15th February – 2nd November (Wed – Sun after half term in Feb/Mar), seasonal opening for some attractions.
Riverhill Himalayan Gardens Family Fun with den building, spot the yeti, explorers escarpment & adventure playground, little Everest viewpoint, Himalayan hedge maze and lots of activity days.
Ightham Mote Mote Road, Ivy Hatch, Sevenoaks, Kent TN15 ONT. Romantic moated manor house built nearly 700 years ago surrounded by gardens and woodland walks.
Knole National Trust House Sevenoaks, Kent TN15 0RP. Built as a palace in a medieval deer-park, Knole was owned by the Archbishops of Canterbuy, the Tudors and the Sackville family who still live here. The Estate Office tells the story of Knole in the 20th century, changing exhibitions in the Orangery, guided walks in the Parkland, family holiday activities, the showrooms are being converted to create Knole Studios, conservation studio, learning centre and cafe.
Leeds Castle Leeds Castle, Maidstone, Kent ME17 1PL. Leeds Castle has been a Norman stronghold; the private property of six of England’s medieval queens; a palace used by Henry VIII and his first wife Catherine of Aragon; a Jacobean country house; a Georgian mansion; an elegant early 20th century retreat for the influential and famous; and now it is one of the most visited historic buildings in Britain.
Lullingstone Roman Villa Lullingstone Lane, Eynsford, DA4 0JA, Among the most outstanding Roman villa survivals in Britain, Lullingstone provides a unique all weather family day out. Set in the Darent Valley, the villa was begun in about AD 100, and developed to suit the tastes and beliefs of successive wealthy owners, reaching its peak of luxury in the mid-4th century.
Lullingstone Castle Eynsford, Kent DA4 0JA, home of the UK’s first World Garden of Plants, plants from all parts of the world planted in respective countries of origin.
Old Soar Manor Plaxtol Borough Green, Kent TN15 OXQ. Dating from 1290 the remaining rooms of this knight’s house offer a glimpse back to the time of Edward I.
Penshurst Place and Gardens Penshurst Place, Tonbridge, Kent TN11 8DG. Privately owned historic house, gardens and wider estate in the Weald of Kent.
Quebec House Quebec Square, Westerham, Kent, TN16 1TD. The Family House of General Hames Wolfe with an exhibition of the dramatic battle for North America.
Riverhill Himalayan Gardens Riverhill, Sevenoaks, TN15 0RR. Den building; spot the yeti; explorers escarpment & adventure playground; little Everest viewpoint; Himalayan hedge maze.
Scotney National Trust Castle Lamberhurst, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN3 8JN, garden, house and estate. Estate walks open all year, house, old castle and gardens open.
Sissinghurst Castle & Gardens Biddenden Road, Nr Cranbrook, Kent TN17 2AB. A ruin of an Elizabethan manor house which gained international fame in the 1930s when Vita Sackville West and Harold Nicolson created a garden here.
South Foreland Lighthouse The Front, St Margaret’s Bay, Dover, Kent CT15 6HP. Dramatic lighthouse on the White Cliffs of Dover, 01304 852463
Museums & Galleries
Brede Steam Engine Society Waterworks Lane, Brede TN31 6HG – The Giants of Brede, museum of water heritage pumping machinery.
East Grinstead Museum Built with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and money raised by the local community, East Grinstead Museum invites you to discover the old market town and surrounding area.
The Amelia Scott Civic Way, Tunbridge Wells TN1 1LS. If you’re looking to try something you never done before, learn something new, or just speak to a helpful advisor, The Amelia has so many experiences to offer – with a full programme of cultural events and activities too, you’ll never be short of things to do.
Railways, Buses & Boats
Kent & East Sussex Steam Railway Tenterden, Northiam and Bodiam Stations, vintage steam and historical diesel trains dating from Victorian times, special events including Thomas the Tank Engine days.
Lavender Line Isfield TN22 5XB. A preserved railway which travels for a two mile round trip between the village of Isfield and Worth halt near Uckfield. At Isfield you will find the headquarters of the Lavender line which includes the original Victorian station and signal box.
Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway New Romney Station, New Romney, Kent TN28 8PL. The world’s smallest public railway and a nostalgic steam train ride along the coast. A magical experience for all ages.
Spa Valley Railway West Station, Tunbridge Wells TN2 5QY. Enjoy steam train rides, family days out, dining trains and special events on the Spa Valley Railway, running between Tunbridge Wells and Eridge in Kent.
