Things to do in Kent this bank holiday weekend

So just as you think you’ve survived keeping the kids entertained for the long summer holidays – it’s the August Bank Holiday and once again you need to come up with something fun and cheap (or free) to do!

To give you a helping hand - I’ve asked the Kent residents on my Facebook page for their recommendations!

Here are their suggestions of 15 free or cheap things to do in Kent this bank holiday weekend!

1 Rockpooling at Joss Bay

Here in Kent we’re blessed with some of the most expansive and amazing coastline in the UK. It boasts six Blue Flag Award beaches and four Seaside Award bays. As a result there are so many amazing rockpools to explore.

As a child we used to holiday in Westgate on Sea and I spent the hot summer holidays of the eighties rockpooling in St Mildred’s Bay.
So whether you fancy looking for crabs, winkles and fish or you’d just rather relax on a sandy beach – Kent has it all to offer.

And apart from the ice creams – it’s FREE!

2 Walmer Paddling Pool

Situated in Walmer Green – this outdoor pool is free.
The pool has qualified lifeguards, a refreshment kiosk serving hot and cold snacks all day, changing rooms and toilets, and deck chairs for hire.

Adjacent to the pool is a putting green, a play area with large children’s games and a bouncy castle. It is open until 6pm weather permitting.

Click here for details

3 Bluewater nature trail

Set in the stunning grounds of the Bluewater quarry – the nature trail takes 45 minutes and you'll discover The Bluewater Beach, The Mosaic Tunnel, a children's play area, an array of wildlife, beautiful swan lake and information points telling you all about the environment around Bluewater.

Pick up a leaflet in the mall (available from the Concierge Desks) and head outside to follow the footprints along the trail.

The leaflet also has a fun activity sheet on the back, find all the answers along the trail and take it back to a member of concierge to receive a special prize.

Remember to keep an eye out for Sidney Squirrel who will help you on your way.
There is also a Gromit trail in the centre until September 3 and for £2 the children can receive a Gromit keyring if they complete the trail and all money goes to charity.

Visit the Bluewater website for more

4 Gruffalo spotters trail at Jeskyns Woodland

Download The Gruffalo Spotter app at home and then visit Jeskyns.

Along the trail look out for clues which lead to footprint marker posts - point the app at these and watch Mouse, Fox, Owl, Snake and the Gruffalo appear before your eyes!
If you want to spend a bit of money you can also buy an activity pack from the
café for £3.

Use of the car park is £1.50 for the whole day.

5 Viking coastal trail

Did you know – you and your family can hop on your bikes and cycle for a whole
32 miles on the Isle of Thanet? For details of the whole route click here.

But if you do not want to undertake the whole route, try the 9 mile (almost traffic-free) stretch that follows the sea wall from Margate to Reculver via Westgate-on- Sea and Birchington.

There are also several places to hire bikes if you don’t have your own.

6 Buttercup Goat Sanctuary

I had no idea that Kent has it’s very own sanctuary for goats in Boughton Monchelsea.

Run by Robert and Valerie Hitch – they open every Sunday between 10am and 3pm and just ask for a donation on the door. What a lovely idea for Bank Holiday Sunday.

Visit the website here.

7 Riverside Country Park, Gillingham

Riverside Country Park covers 100 hectares alongside the Medway Estuary, including Motney Hill and Berengrave Local Nature Reserve.

There are various habitats within the park, including mudflats and salt marsh, ponds and reed- beds, grassland and scrub, which provide a haven for wildlife.
Facilities include a children's play area and picnic spot, education room, toilets, ranger service, cycle path and car parking.

8 PYO fruit

Lots of people suggested this!

I haven’t been fruit picking since I was a child, I have no idea why. But now I’m a mum I think it’s a wonderful idea for a trip out. Kent has so many places to choose from.

And why not pick your own flowers? As recommended by Kent blogger, Amy Elizabeth here

9 Geocaching

Are you a bit like me – have heard of geocaching but haven’t much clue as to what it’s
all about?

Well it’s basically a modern day treasure hunt using your phone.

Create an account, choose the geocache you want to find, and navigate to the
location.

People leave knick knacks in the location which you can add to for others to
enjoy.

Such a fun activity for the whole family. More details can be found by clicking here.

10 Fenn Bell Inn

Eat out and see a mini zoo and miniature railway.

The Fenn Bell Inn is one of those places that has more to offer than just food.

It’s a 17th century inn standing on the Hoo Peninsular, just a few miles from the cathedral city of Rochester and Chatham Historic Dockyard.

And after you’ve eaten or had a drink you can go and see the monkeys, meerkats, parrots, raccoons, lemurs, pigs, ducks and geese and then take a ride on the miniature railway
which is open over weekends and school holidays until the end of August.

My two year old is train and animal obsessed so I know where we’ll be going this
bank holiday weekend.

11 Tobogganing in Chatham

If your kids are the sort who need to burn off some energy – take them tobogganing, skiing, boarding or sno-tubing - and you don’t need to leave the county.

Tobogganing starts at £2.80 and sno-tubing from £2 at the centre in Medway.

Click here for more information.

12 ODEON KIDS

Take your children to the cinema for as little as £2.50.

You’ll find Odeon cinemas in Canterbury, Medway, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells.

Check online for varying films and kids club showings over the Bank Holiday weekend.

13 Hop Farm, Paddock Wood

With animals and a load of activities and events going on all year round – The
Hop Farm in Paddock Wood is one of Kent’s most loved tourist hotspots.

Entry to the attraction is only £1 per person and includes your parking as well as indoor and outdoor play. The rides and attractions operate on a pay/play basis and vary between £1 and £5 per person.

Visit the website here.

14 Bedgebury Pinetum

They don’t charge to use the cycle trails or play areas – but instead charge £12 to park all day.

But it’s pretty good value for money for a family when you consider how much
you can do there and how vast and beautiful the grounds are.

15 Shell Grotto, Margate

And finally as recommended by me – a trip to the Shell Grotto in Margate and a wander round the town.
It’s only £1.50 for children to get in and was one of my absolute favourite places
as a child.

When you’re done in the grotto – hang out on the beach, have lunch in the Old Town or on the Harbour Arm, have a wander round the shops, or visit the Turner Contemporary or Dreamland.
I spent the afternoon there with my family recently and absolutely fell in love.

Margate has come on leaps and bounds in recent years – I defy you not to have a
fun day out there.

Visit the Shell Grotto website here.