The Beach is back at Bluewater shopping centre near Dartford for the summer holidays

School's almost out for the summer and the temperature's starting to rise - just in time for the Beach to return to Bluewater.

The popular family attraction with fairground rides and sand is to return to the Greenhithe shopping centre for a fifth consecutive year.

Opening to visitors on Saturday, July 17, its return comes hot on the heels of the opening of England's longest zipwire, Hangloose, at the centre.

And this year it comes with a cocktail bar and a new attraction, Wipe Out, which includes a ride called Meltdown.

There will also be rides such as the waltzers and bumper cars, alongside water-based activities such as the water balls and paddling pools.

Classic fairground stalls will be there as well as plenty of sand for those wanting to sit back and relax on a deck chair after a hard day's shopping.

There will also be some activities for youngsters through the school summer holidays, with bubble fun, balloon modelling and puppets and magic shows on selected days.

Other activities to try at the shopping centre near Dartford include the Very Hungry caterpillar interactive storytelling trail; Dinotropolist and Gravity trampoline park.

The Beach will run from Saturday, July 17 until Sunday, September 5, between 11am and 9pm (weather dependent).

Entry costs £3 per person, with tokens for rides and stalls available to purchase on site. To avoid the queues, guests are encouraged to pre-book tickets online by visiting thebeachbluewater.com

For more suggestions of things to do in Kent with the kids click here