It has arrived! 27 – 31st May marks May Half Term in Kent and with the weather finally improving we’d say it’s the perfect opportunity to get the kids out and about, and enjoying a good old family day out. From family friendly visits to Kent’s top attractions like the Historic Dockyard Chatham, Hever Castle and Canterbury Cathedral, to wild days out to keep the older kids entertained with the likes of Canoe Wild and Go Ape, our half term in Kent guide is packed with ideas to keep you all busy.
Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral is inviting your little ones in for the chance to get hands on this week with free activities included with your entry ticket, and remember under 17s go free with an accompanying adult! Carve your initials into stone and help Gregory Gargoyle on his Stone Quest through the Cathedral, with plenty of challenges along the way to entertain the mini stone masons.
Canterbury Roman Museum
The historic days out continue in Canterbury with visits to the Roman Museum and the chance to discover the remains of an original Roman Town House, plus get up close to one of the UK’s only remaining in situ pavement mosaics. See Roman under-floor heating, an astonishing collection of artefacts, and understand what life was like in Roman Britain.
Make it a break: Keepers Cottages’ The Modern Cottage in nearby Whitstable offers that coastal cottage with the modern twist you’ve been dreaming of this half term. Sleeping five and resting just a short stroll from the beach and Whitstable’s independent shops, this is the perfect half term stay.
Hever Castle
The discoveries continue as Hever Castle will be laying on activities in archaeology, palaeontology, entomology, inventions and even trickery to capture the excitement and interest of budding scientific explorers. Meet Victorian and Edwardian explorers, debunk myths and get stuck in with digs, tricks and scientific experiments.
The Historic Dockyard Chatham
As the Historic Dockyard Chatham continues their celebration of RNLI 200, they’ll be inspiring little ones with a theatrical experience which tells the tale of courage and kindness. The Brave and the Waves will tell stories of bravery from 1779 to the present day in a multi-sensory production that will truly bring history to life.
Go Ape
Whether you choose to swing by the magnificent Bedgebury Pinetum and Forest or the grounds of beautiful Leeds Castle, Go Ape has got the adventures covered this half term. With a variety of different challenges, suitable for all ages, it doesn’t matter whether you have teens or young adventurers to entertain, the whole family will love these treetop, high rope adventures in the canopy of the forest.
Dover Castle
The Bank Holiday weekend will see Dover Castle transported to the 1940s with the celebrated WWII Weekend. Witness action-packed battles, experience life on the Home Front and see real-life vintage vehicles and music from the era at this spectacular event. After the weekend, the kids will be taking over with Kids Rule!, a week of hands-on activities in the fresh air, which will uncover the plots of schemes of Operation Fortitude. Don’t forget, ditch the car when you travel to Dover Castle and you could get 20% off your entry with Good Journey.
Walmer Castle
We’re soaking up the early summer sunshine at Walmer Castle with eight acres of award-winning gardens to discover, not to mention the family hit of the play trail and wildflower meadows. Inside the Tudor fortress, you’ll be able to step foot into the newly opened private rooms of the Lord Warden, where the Queen Mother stayed during her time as Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports.
Make it a break: Keepers Cottages really know how to make a break of it with their sensational family escapes. Choose the pet friendly Beech Tree Cottage in nearby Kingsdown, which sleeps six and you’ll have the perfect coastal retreat, garden and all.
More top spots with English Heritage
If you haven’t visited Richborough Roman Fort for a while, you’re in for a treat! Climb the brand new replica Roman gateway, spy real Roman artifacts in the museum and get a taste of what life was like here all those years ago. Along the coast, Deal Castle’s underground tunnels are the perfect spot to cool off, so take a visit and enjoy sea views and the rich history of one of King Henry VIII’s castles. In Canterbury St Augustine’s Abbey is the perfect place to soak up the sunshine with a family picnic. Once the burial place of Anglo-Saxon Kings, the ruins tell the tale of the departure of the Romans and the rebirth of Christianity.
Make it a break: Extend and choose one of Keepers Cottages beautiful Deal accommodations. From Elizabeth Cottage which sleeps four and is a pebble’s throw from the beach and Ollerton, which is made for big family gatherings, sleeping eight in a beautiful designer home, to Rogue’s Cottage which sleeps four and provides the perfect base for the family to explore Deal.
Canoe Wild
It’s time to hit the water with the brand-new Young Paddlers Camp at Canoe Wild. Paddlers aged 8-14 will get to test out their skills and take to the waters with the chance to have a go at paddle sport activities, play games, take on challenges and meet new friends. Each young paddler will leave camp with a British Canoeing Award and a whole new set of water skills.
Riverhill Himalayan Gardens
There’s a treasure hunt afoot at Riverhill this half term! Troy the beloved, if slightly forgetful, old dog has gone missing and scattered his possessions around the gardens! Follow in Troy’s paw prints and hunt out Troy’s missing treasures on this fab trail through the Wood Gardens. While the hunters will be busy searching high and low, you can enjoy the delights, blooms and glorious May gardens.
Battle of Britain Memorial
For hands-on fun, great scenery, fascinating history and a chance for quiet reflection, nothing beats the Battle of Britain Memorial at Capel-le-Ferne, on Dover’s famous White Cliffs just outside Folkestone. Families looking for a half-term adventure will enjoy replica aircraft, an audio-visual introduction to the Battle of Britain, lots of outdoor space, a well-stocked gift shop and a fantastic café with views across the Channel to France.
The WonderWorks Margate
This is one for the whole family, whether you’re a speed freak, model train hobbiest or James Bond fanatic. Get hands on with Hornby, Scalextric, Airfix, Corgi and more, plus learn all about D-Day in their special quiz and dedicated exhibition, which includes artefacts, photos and facts. What’s more, The WonderWorks’ Colouring Competition will give five lucky winners the chance to win a £20 gift voucher.
Dreamland
Of course Dreamland is on our list for half term! With vintage rides galore, roller disco, film screenings and all the fun of the fair, it’s one of the our spots for a little seaside fun and plenty of thrills. Tuck into street food, have fun at the arcades and get plenty of snaps while you’re here as this is where memories are made.
Stagecoach Open Top Bus
The Open Top Bus – 69 is back! Running along The Isle of Thanet’s coastline, it’s the perfect way to take in Thanet’s blue flag beaches and coastal towns. Hop on, hop off, grab ice creams and explore on this family favourite. What’s more, you can ditch the car full stop this week with Stagecoach’s Kids for a Quid deals!
The Isle of Thanet
And speaking of seaside thrills and ice cream smiles, The Isle of Thanet is a must-visit coastal destination this half term. Explore the 19 miles of coastline and 16 sandy beaches, perfect for traditional family fun, pick up Coastal Explorer Packs and learn about Thanet’s incredible coastline. Discover the fascinating Crab Museum, delve into the underground adventure of the Margate Caves, head into the subterranean world of Shell Grotto or enjoy the oasis of the 16 acre Monkton Nature Reserve.
Make it a break: Stunningly beautiful, The Nomad House in Ramsgate sleeps six and offers that dreamy seaside staycation.
Penshurst Place and Gardens
1st -2nd June will see Penshurst Place throwing one big celebration with the Glorious Gardens weekend. While the adults will love seeing all 11 acres in bloom, including the iconic Peony Border, Head Gardener tours and craft demonstrations, little gardeners will have the chance to get crafty with the trellis of living art, follow the mini garden trail and play “What can you spot?” on the hunt for nature throughout the gardens.
Leeds Castle
The Queen's Joust returns to the castle this bank holiday weekend, so prepare for a display of action, equestrian displays, medieval feasting and more. Cheer valiant knights, watch battle commence and enjoy this fantastic spectacle in the shadow of the magnificent Leeds Castle.
Kent Wildlife Trust
It's time to go wild this half term with the Wilder Holiday Club, which is set to be packed with activities made to inspire your little nature lovers. Whether you choose to head to Tyland Barn Nature Park on 29th May or Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve on 30th May, your little ones will get to discover pond dipping, mini beast hunts and so many more exciting wild activities.
Betteshanger
Get ready for a half term of fun in Betteshanger! With a whole range of activities on offer, kids will go wild for Betteshanger's expereriences, including Zombie Survival Training, a Dino Expedition which will send you on the hunt for fossils, cycling through the park, plus plenty more adrenaline-pumping activities.
