10 Kent attractions to visit during the summer holidays, including Port Lympne, Leeds Castle and Dover Castle
Kent is full of brilliant attractions, whether it’s historic castles, glorious gardens or muddy farms.
If you’re looking for somewhere to spend time with the family this summer, we’ve got 10 top spots that will guarantee a great day out…
BETTESHANGER COUNTRY PARK, Deal
If you want to get your family out and about this summer, there’s a wealth of fantastic outdoor activities at Betteshanger. From inflatable obstacle courses to army-style bootcamps, cycling routes, forest school and walking paths, the park is brimming with challenges for the whole family.
Details: Open Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 8am to 6.30pm. Entry is free, but parking fees apply.
BROGDALE, Faversham
During the six weeks of summer holidays, Brogdale Farm in Faversham is putting on a series of things for families to see and do. There’s outdoor cooking, juicing workshops, mini-beast days, tractor-trailer tours, pick-your-own fruit weekend and orchard walks. And, for the adults, the annual Cider Festival returns for the August bank holiday weekend.
Details: Open daily from 10am to 4pm. Entry is free, but individual events may be ticketed.
DOVER CASTLE
Dover Castle will take visitors back to the Middle Ages this summer. The Medieval Season is all about traditional activities and historic battles, including combat classes, archery, medieval games and immersive plays. There’s also the new Dover Castle Under Siege display with digital recreations of bygone eras and a play area with interactive elements.
Details: Open daily from 10am to 6pm. Adult tickets cost £25.90 and can be booked online here.
FRAMPTON FARM, near Dover
The owners of this farm in Church Hougham, about 10 minutes outside of Dover, have decided now’s the time to open their doors to the public. There are school holiday clubs that give kids the chance to be a farmer for a day, while visitors of any age can spend a day at the farm meeting the animals. You can even book an afternoon tea with the alpacas!
Details: Open daily from 9am to 4pm. Adult tickets start from £20 and can be booked online here.
HEVER CASTLE, near Edenbridge
Take part in a series of hands-on activities with a time-travelling day out. Visitors will meet a pair of ambitious adventurers who are stuck on their journey through space and time at Hever Castle. You can help them find their way home by solving riddles, defeating knights and using codes.
Details: Open daily from 10.30am to 6pm. Adult tickets cost £23.35 and can be booked online here.
HISTORIC DOCKYARD, Chatham
Visit one of Kent’s biggest maritime attractions and enjoy a slice of history from the high seas. Along with impressive naval ships, submarines and the ropery, during the school holidays, you can also become a detective for the day. Crack the codes to discover who has sold the Royal Navy’s secrets and get a reward for your help - and the best part is, all summer long, kids go free to celebrate the dockyard’s 40th anniversary.
Details: Open daily from 10am to 5pm. Adult tickets cost £28.50 and can be booked online here.
KENT LIFE, Maidstone
Get ready for some thrilling live entertainment as Kent Life’s Big Top is putting on a brand new show every week of the holidays. There will also be Olympic-themed games, from relay races to sack races, and lots of animal encounters with the farm’s four-legged residents.
Details: Open daily from 10am to 5pm. Adult tickets cost £12.50 and can be booked online here.
LEEDS CASTLE, near Maidstone
Make a full day of it at Leeds Castle with just about everything you’d want from a summer’s day. There’s a woodland trail, outdoor play areas, birds of prey displays, miniature golf and even a chance to sit back and relax at the castle’s man-made beach.
Details: Open daily from 10am to 6pm. Adult tickets cost £31.50 and can be booked online here.
PENSHURST PLACE, near Tonbridge
Put your skills to the test with archery, axe-throwing and laser clay shooting at Penshurst Place. The estate, set in 11 acres of Grade I listed gardens, will also have plenty of entertainment for kids with storytelling, summer crafts, falconry displays, woodland trails and s’mores making.
Details: Open daily from 10am to 5pm. Adult tickets cost £15 and can be booked online here.
PORT LYMPNE HOTEL AND RESERVE, Hythe
Get up close and personal with Port Lympne’s incredible 900 animals. The enormous wildlife park sprawls over 600 acres and includes a safari experience where you can hop on an authentic truck and head out on the Kentish savannah to see giraffes, zebra and rhinos roaming the grounds. You can also explore the historic manor house, capture fantastic views of the countryside and stop off for a meal in the Garden Room or Bear Lodge restaurants.
Details: Open daily from 9.30am to 6pm. Adult tickets cost £32 and can be booked online here.
SHAUN THE SHEEP TRAIL, Maidstone
There’s still time to explore the new Shaun the Sheep in the Heart of Kent trail, which opened in Maidstone at the end of June. More than 100 big and small sculptures of the loveable cartoon character, all designed by talented artists, are dotted around the county town and you can download a free trail map to follow and find the sculptures.
Details: Open daily until Friday, August 30. The trail is free to follow.
WALMER CASTLE, near Deal
Walmer Castle is looking for keen explorers to join its summer quest. Follow the trail through the castle gardens, which will be in full bloom with seasonal flowers, and enjoy a nod to the landmark’s history as you go. After you’re done at the castle, you can always stop off at the beach, just a couple of minutes’ walk away.
Details: Open daily from 10am to 5pm. Adult tickets start from £16.
