Kent: Five of the best parks and open spaces for the family

We've picked five of the best parks and open spaces to head to with the family this week - and beyond.

1. Betteshanger Country Park, Deal

One of the country’s newest and best play areas, the vast park includes rope walks, slides, climbing frames, cradle swing, stepping stones and a popular swinging rope snake. It holds events including learn to cycle and kids’ holiday activities. Open all year round from 8am, find it @ Deal, CT14 0BF. Parking charges apply.

2. Cobtree Manor Country Park, Aylesford

Standing on the site of the old Maidstone Zoo, the park is part of the Cobtree Manor Estate. There are several fairly new play areas, plenty of picnic benches, and toilets, plus there is a sculpture trail, and the chance to see the old elephant house. Find it @ Aylesford, ME20 7AG. Parking charges apply.

3. Lower Leas Coastal Park, Folkestone

Overlooking the Channel, the Lower Leas Coastal Park was created in 1784 when a landslip produced a strip of land between the beach and the cliffs. There are three zones – wild, fun and formal and the fun zone is home to one of the region’s largest adventure playgrounds, with tube slides, towers, net tunnels, climbing walls and a pirate ship. Find it @ Lower Sandgate Road, CT20 2JP. Open all year round.

4. Haysden Country Park, Tonbridge

The park has a new play area with a lake jetty, picnic tables and play sculptures, and also the bonus of a climbing wall, and some natural play equipment such as boulders, mounds, tunnels and sculptures and sensory chimes. A new path leads around the water’s edge, with picnic seating and play sculptures. Find it @ Lower Haysden Lane.

5. Shorne Woods Country Park

The revamped play areas are among 288 acres of rolling woodlands, wetlands and meadows. Children can hide out in dens, take on the obstacle trails and have a generally wild time. Find it @ Brewers Road, near Gravesend, DA123HX. Open from 9am to dusk or 9pm, there are small parking charges.