10 free days out in Kent for the summer holidays, including the Maidstone Museum, Turner Contemporary and Samphire Hoe

by Sam Lawrie

slawrie@thekmgroup.co.uk

The summer holidays are just around the corner but, with the cost of living crisis hitting families hard, more and more people are looking for days out that don’t cost the earth.

We’ve got 10 fantastic days out in Kent that you and your family will love this summer - and the best part is, they’re all free!

Discover fascinating military history at the Battle of Britain Memorial at Capel-le-Ferne, just outside Folkestone

Battle of Britain Memorial, Folkestone

Budding history buffs will love a trip to the momentous Battle of Britain Memorial. Found in Capel-le-Ferne, near Folkestone, this memorial was unveiled in 1993 by Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. The site includes the Beaverbrook Wall, inscribed with Churchill’s famous 1940 speech; the central Battle of Britain statue; a visitor centre with educational and interactive experiences; and a memorial wall, which contains names of the Battle of Britain Royal Air Force aircrew.

The Battle of Britain Memorial is in Capel-le-Ferne, Folkestone, and is open daily from 10am to 5pm. The memorial is free, but parking charges do apply. Find out more information here.

Lollydays at Bluewater will be on display throughout the summer holidays until September 14. Picture: Bluewater

Bluewater Shopping Centre, Dartford

Whether you need some retail therapy or fancy going out for a family meal, Bluewater is the perfect one-stop shop. However, the Dartford shopping centre also has many things to do that don’t cost a penny. Check out the new Lollydays installation, which features huge, colourful ice lollies hanging from the ceiling and a beautiful seasonal flower display. There are also the picturesque lakes, woodlands and outdoor playgrounds that surround the shopping centre, including a Very Hungry Caterpillar nature trail.

Bluewater Shopping Centre is in Greenhithe, near Dartford, and is open daily from 10am to 9pm. Parking is free. Find out more information here.

The playground, lakes and woodlands at Capstone Country Park gives kids plenty to do. Picture: Matthew Walker

Capstone Country Park, Gillingham

Spend a day out in the fresh air with a trip to Capstone Country Park. This former farm has been turned into a stunning park within the Kent Downs, just outside of Gillingham, and provides a huge space to walk, run, cycle or simply take in the views and wildlife. Go for a stroll around the lake, enjoy a picnic in the open meadows or follow the mapped-out trails to really explore this beautiful country park.

Capstone Country Park is in Lordswood, between Chatham and Gillingham, and is open daily from 6am to 8.30pm. Find out more information here.

Crab and Winkle Way, Canterbury

If your children are just getting into cycling but aren’t quite confident on busy roads just yet, you can enjoy a peaceful family bike ride on the Crab and Winkle Way. The 7.5 mile trail, which stretches from the city of Canterbury to Whitstable Harbour, is almost completely traffic-free. Pack a picnic lunch and stop off on the way as you travel through charming spots such as Blean Woods, Clowes Wood, the 13th century Church of St Cosmus and St Damian and Whitstable beach.

The Crab and Winkle Way starts at Canterbury West station and is signposted through to Whitstable. Find out more information here.

Enjoy a day at the coast in the Lower Leas park in Folkestone. Picture: Jane Connolly

Lower Leas Coastal Park, Folkestone

Let the kids run wild at the largest free adventure playground in the county. The Lower Leas Coastal Park, near Folkestone, is a huge outdoor play area where children can have fun with the sunken pirate ship, zip lines and 12 metres of tube slides. The park is a great place to round off a family day at the beach, which is just a stone’s throw away, and is complete with blooming gardens, wildlife zone, coastal woodlands and an outdoor amphitheatre with free events in the summer.

The Lower Leas Coastal Park is near the harbour in Folkestone and is open daily from 8am to 8pm. Find out more information here.

Maidstone Museum

This free museum houses one of Kent’s largest collections of fine art, historical artefacts and local pieces. The Maidstone Museum was founded in 1855 and gives visitors a fascinating insight into the history of Kent, as well as more than 600,000 items in collections dedicated to archaeology, costumes, biology, fine art, geology, art and prints. The museum can be found inside Chillington Manor, an impressive Elizabethan manor in the heart of the town centre.

Maidstone Museum is at Chillington Manor, Maidstone, and is open from Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm, in the summer holidays. Entry to the museum is free but parking charges may apply. Find out more information here.

Hop on your bike and cycle along the Royal Military Canal. Picture: Cycling UK

Royal Military Canal, Hythe

With history dating back to a Napoleon invasion, this breathtaking canal is certainly worth a visit. The trail, which takes you on a 28 mile journey from Hythe all the way to East Sussex, is a relaxed, easily accessible route for walkers and cyclists of all ages and abilities. There are plenty of picnic tables dotted along the canal, giving you a picture-perfect view for lunch or a break, as well as a number of educational panels explaining the wildlife in the area, including dragonflies, marsh frogs and kingfishers.

The canal trail begins in West Hythe and is signposted through to East Sussex. There is free parking at both the beginning and end points. Find out more information here.

Stroll through Samphire Hoe, a picturesque nature reserve in Dover. Picture: KM reporter

Samphire Hoe, Dover

This 30-hectare nature reserve is home to 200 species of plants, 220 species of birds and 30 species of butterflies. If the diverse wildlife isn’t enough to convince you that Samphire Hoe is a great summer destination, the reserve has received 16 Green Flag awards and 6 South and South East in Bloom awards for its stunning natural beauty. Not to mention, the paths provide amazing views over the English Channel and the White Cliffs so you can really soak up the best of Kent without breaking the bank.

Samphire Hoe is part of the Eurotunnel nature reserve, Dover, and is open daily from 7am to 7pm. Entry is free, but parking charges do apply. Find out more information here.

The Retreat, near Ashford, is the perfect day out for animal lovers. Picture: Paul Amos

The Retreat Animal Rescue, near Ashford

Fall in love with more than 1,000 rescued animals at The Retreat. This loving sanctuary near Ashford has been looking after unwanted animals since 1989 and has given ex-race horses, slaughterhouse cows, injured birds, and elderly cats and dogs a new home. Visitors are welcome to meet the animals for free and find out how the dedicated volunteers take care of these beautiful creatures - but be aware, the retreat operates a vegan policy and does not allow non-vegan food or drink to be brought inside.

The Retreat Animal Rescue is in High Halden, near Ashford, and is open Thursday to Sunday, 12pm to 4pm. Parking is free. Find out more information here.

Treat the family to a cultural day by the coast in Margate with a trip to the Turner Contemporary. Picture: Carlos Dominguez

Turner Contemporary, Margate

Buzzing with artistic energy, this seaside gallery is a hub for culture lovers. The Turner Contemporary opened in Margate in 2011 and has since hosted exhibitions by Tracey Emin, Steve McQueen and, currently, Ingrid Pollard. Visitors can browse fascinating collections and exhibits, shop local artists and discover the history of the gallery’s namesake, JMW Turner. While you’re there, you can grab a coffee and slice of cake from the cafe and take in spectacular views of the coast.

Turner Contemporary is next to Margate beach and is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm. Entry to the gallery is free, but parking charges may apply. Find out more information here.