Kent adventure playgrounds for spring/summer 2016
BETTESHANGAR COUNTRY PARK
One of the county's newest play areas includes modern equipment such as a rota bounce (a fast-paced unit that encourages coordination with a rocking and bouncing motion) and a themed dragon swing, as well as more traditional pieces such as a seesaw. Betteshanger Country Park, near Deal, was formerly known as Fowlmead Country Park
General manager Lorraine Cheesmur said: “The play area, for children aged three to 12, is an important and popular part of what Betteshanger Country Park offers, especially to those families with small children.”
Address: Off the A258 at Sholden, near Deal CT14 0BF
Opening times: All year round from 8am
Cost: Admission free, parking charges apply
Contact: www.betteshangercountrypark.co.uk
FOLKESTONE COASTAL PARK
There’s more to Folkestone than its beaches. Overlooking the Channel is the Folkestone Coastal Park. One of the oldest in the county, it was created in 1784 when a huge landslip produced a new strip of land between the beach and the cliffs.
Today it is split into three zones – wild, fun and formal. Make your way carefully down the zigzag path, turn right and the kids will soon find the Fun Zone. It’s home to the largest adventure playground in the South East. It’s packed with tube slides, towers, net tunnels, aerial slides, climbing walls and pirate ship. The kids will have a field day. The park is also a good spot for sunbathing, a picnic or maybe an impromptu gig at the amphitheatre.
Address: Folkestone Coastal Park, Lower Sandgate Road CT20 2JP
Opening times: All year round
Cost: Admission free
Contact: See www.shepway.gov.uk or ring 01303 247376
GROOMBRIDGE PLACE
A proper adventure of a playground, Crusoe’s World at Groombridge Place was inspired by TV series Crusoe and original props from this TV series can be spotted. Two tree houses are linked together with rope bridges and a central viewing tower.
They are on several levels with decking and platforms, sheltered under sail roofs. There is a lookout post high above one of the tree houses, providing fabulous views over the canal, open countryside and the steam trains of the Spa Valley Railway. Also look out for mystical play spots throughout the Enchanted Forest, a boat ride from the main gardens.
Address: Groombridge Place, Groombridge, near Tunbridge Wells TN3 9QG
Opening times: Daily 9.30am to 5.30pm. Last admission is 4pm
Cost: Entry to house and gardens costs £9.95 and under 12s £8.45. Family tickets available. Garden only tickets are cheaper.
Contact: www.groombridgeplace.com
LEEDS CASTLE
Brand new for 2014 is the Squires’ Courtyard playground at Leeds Castle. Prepare for a long stay, because your little ones will be enchanted by the climbing turrets, zip lines, swings, slides, an undercover sandpit and a dungeon.
Its neighbour in the castle grounds is the Knights’ Realm Playground. The Knights’ Realm is suitable for those aged five and includes a scale model of the castle. These unforgettable playgrounds are close to the Maze Cafe and toilets.
Address: Leeds Castle, near Maidstone, is just off Junction 8 of the M20.
Opening times: Leeds Castle is open all year round but closed to day visitors on special ticketed event days and Christmas Day. Gates open at 10am daily with entry to the castle from 10.30am
Cost: Includes castle and grounds. Day tickets, adults £22.05, children four and above £14.85, under fours free. Prices are for online tickets from March 25. All tickets grant repeat visits for a whole year from the date of issue
Contact: www.leeds-castle.com
SHORNE WOODS COUNTRY PARK
The revamped play areas here are among 288 acres of rolling woodlands, wetlands and meadows. Children can hide out in dens, climb the rigging and have a generally wild time before you finally manage to rein them in. There’s a visitor centre, cafe, with good choice of kids’ meals, and toilets. The site is run by Kent Country Parks.
Address: Shorne Woods Country Park Brewers Road, Gravesend, DA12 3HX
Opening times: 9am to dusk or 9pm (whichever is earlier)
Cost: Admission free, parking Monday to Friday £2, weekends and bank holidays £3
Contact: www.kent.gov.uk or ring 0300 333 6488
WEST MALLING
Nuthatches, swans and swallows will be watching from a safe distance as the kids descend on the play area at this 52-acre park. Once part of an 18th-century estate created by Thomas Douce, Manor Park is now a diverse location with an impressive variety of habitats and landscapes to explore. Wildflowers to look out for include birdfoot trefoil, stitchwort and buttercups. The revamped play area is comfortably close to the car park, lake, toilets and cafe. A great place for a family picnic and just a 15-minute stroll from the mainline station.
Address: Manor Park St Leonard’s Street, West Malling, ME19 6PE
Opening times: 9am to dusk or 9pm (whichever is earlier).
Cost: Admission is free. Pay and display parking is £1.50 Monday to Friday £1.50 and £2 on weekends and bank holidays.
Contact: www.kent.gov.uk or ring 0300 333 6488
WILDWOOD
It's not just the animals that will take your breath away at Wildwood. The unique wildlife park and charity near Herne Bay is also home to a great adventure playground that includes the longest drop slide in the county. There also tube slides, a wild fort, tree-top towers and climbing frames, all waiting to be discovered. Plus an under fives area with swings, slides and rockers. The drop slide is only open during weekends and school holidays. Socks must be worn. The park has more than 200 native animals set in 40 acres of ancient woodland. Look out for wolves, bison, deer, owls, foxes, red squirrels, wild boar, lynx, wild horses, badgers and beavers.
Address: Wildwood Trust, Herne Common, Herne Bay CT6 7LQ
Opening times: 10am to 5pm (Last admission 4pm).
Cost: Admission is £11.45 for adults, £8.95 for children and under threes free.
Contact:www.wildwoodtrust.org or call 01227 712111
