Ice creams on the beach, picnics in the park and family days out in the sunshine (we hope!)... we’re gearing up for a truly British summer, and with the school holidays coming up soon, we know you’ll be searching for ways to keep the little ones busy in July and August! After quite the school year, you deserve some family fun – so whether you’re searching for adventure in the treetops, a magical escape to the castle or your very own Great British Bake Off afternoon, we’ve got the days out to enjoy the summer holidays right here in Kent this year.
Plus, as our businesses are proudly displaying VisitBritain's We're Good to Go kitemark, all you’ll need to worry about is which adventure to head out on first.
Dover Castle
2000 years of history is waiting for you to explore on an action-packed day at Dover Castle. Meet the costumed characters who reveal the fascinating history of the medieval castle and recreate the court of the mighty Henry II in the awesome Great Tower. Immerse yourself into the middle ages even further by cheering on your knight of choice at the Knights Jousting Tournaments – just watch out for those flying arrows and swords!
Penshurst Place
Penshurst Place’s jam-packed summer activities means you’ll never hear those dreaded words from the kids… “I’m bored!” With the soaring acrobatic displays by Joe’s Bows falconry on Saturdays, midweek summer trails inviting youngsters on a journey on a magical butterfly hunt around the grounds and wilderness Wednesdays for bush crafting and outdoor survival hacks and more, we know they’ll be some entertainment on hand for getting through the long six weeks!
Reuthe’s Forest Festival
If you go down to the woods today… you might just come across a magical festival, full of arts and crafts, sport, cooking and more! Escape to the beautiful wilderness of the Lost Gardens of Sevenoaks and kick back on the hay bales as you join presenter Anna Louise for performances, displays & exciting guests including VIP pets from Britain’s Got Talent! With creative writing with Ruth Doyle, musical theatre, forest bathing, bath-bomb making with LUSH, wild cooking over a fire, football and more, we know you’ll find something the whole family can enjoy
England's Creative Coast Geocaching
What is a Geo-Tour we hear you ask? Find out by heading to the stunning Kent coastline and find hidden beach-themed stories and reward treasures in different locations hidden in and around our outdoor artworks, galleries and seaside towns. Simply download the app, and off you go! This nifty tool allows you have fun exploring as a family, while the kids get to learn more about our great UK coastline.
Hever Castle
Take a trip to a bygone era of knights, duels and quests with Hever Castle’s jousting tournaments! Battling it out in the saddle and on foot in one-to-one combat, the valiant knights will compete to be this seasons champion and impress the reigning royalty. After that, follow the brave knight on his quest through the medieval castle as he fights mythical beasts and you the learn the best way to protect yourself against these fearsome creatures.
Sherlock: The Official Live Game
Calling all Junior Detectives - powers of deduction urgently required this summer! Sherlock: The Official Outdoor Game is a brand-new detective challenge in Canterbury. You'll take on a mission across the city to uncover a series of clues and conundrums, and codes that need to be cracked. It's the perfect choice to keep budding-sleuths entertained over the school holidays.
Rediscover handpicked with Southeastern
While we might not be jet-setting anywhere remote this summer, we can get to know the spots on our doorstep that might just feel like a world away from the day to day. Recreate summer memories with days out across Kent by train. Better still, travel off-peak Monday to Friday for great value fares and quieter trains.
Chequers Kitchen Cookery School
Do we have any budding Jaime Oliver's out there? Roll up your sleeves and get ready to learn at Chequers Kitchen Cookery School. They’ve got ways to keep the little ones busy and baking in their Cooking Holiday Club as they hone their cooking skills while making new friends, or make it a family affair by signing up to one of their family classes, from bread making, to pasta and pastry!
University of Kent’s Family Breaks
Searching for a staycation needn’t be stressful this summer, and you can enjoy an easy fun-filled family getaway on one of the University of Kent’s family activity breaks! Staying in their modern self-catering flats, you’ll have your home away from home close to their state of the art sports centres to enjoy your jam-packed escape. Everything from football to table tennis, petanque to kwik cricket will be going on across the daily activity sessions, as well as classes including yoga and Zumba and craft and animation workshops… you’ll never be bored on this local escape!
Solley’s Ice Cream Parlour
I scream, you scream, we all scream for… Solley’s Ice Cream! The home of Kent’s favourite ice cream is open 7 days a week throughout the summer, with free admission & parking. Treat all the family to one of Solley’s famous sundaes, choose your own flavours scooped into an ice cream cone, or for those who just can’t choose, why not try one of their 12-scoop Solley’s Super Bowls? There’s a marked farm trail where you can enjoy the Kent countryside and learn a little more about the wildlife & nature on the farm and tractor rides run every weekend (weather dependent).
Leeds Castle’s Castle-y Challenges!
Join in the adventure this summer and spend the school holidays on a mission to try and complete 55 Leeds Castle challenges! Explore the great outdoors on the Castle’s estate come rain or shine, armed with your challenge booklet to see how many of the fantastically fun summer activities you can tick off the list. Enjoy lots of different family friendly experiences from taking a picture holding the Castle in your hand, getting lost in the Maze, playing pooh sticks in the stream at the Pavilion Lawn and taking a selfie with their birds of prey.
May The Toys Be With You – Maidstone Museum
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…. From X-Wing fighters to lightsabres, May The Toys Be With You is one of the UK’s finest collections of vintage Star Wars toys, original cinema posters and set props. Take a selfie next to Jabba the Hut’s ‘favourite decoration’ of Hans Solo trapped in carbonite, complete with Storm Trooper guards!
Joss Bay Surf School
Are you ready to take on the knarly waves? It’s time to bring a little cali to Kent as you learn to surf with Joss Bay Surf School and Kent Surf School. Learn to be a master on the board at the nearest surfing beaches to London in beautiful Broadstairs, and enjoy a perfect seaside day of amusement games and ice cream while you’re there.
Howletts Wild Animal Park
An unforgettable experience awaits young adventurers at the award-winning Howletts Wild Animal Park, home to over 390 animals, including Kent’s only giant anteaters, the largest herd of African elephants in the UK, and more gorillas, leopards and monkeys than any zoo in the county. The 90-acre parkland is devoted to the conservation of endangered species and returning them to wild protected areas. For explorers over 1.2 metres tall, the park’s Treetop Challenge, an exhilarating high ropes course, will give them a view of the park from a monkey’s perspective!
Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve
Young adventurers will enjoy taking a walk on the wild side with a visit to Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve. Home to the UK's most authentic safari experience, this award-winning wild animal park, spread over 600 acres of stunning parkland is an absolute must-visit. Devoted to the conservation of endangered species and returning them to wild protected areas, the Reserve is home to 900 animals and offers visitors the chance to journey by truck through a vast Kentish savannah, seeing such iconic favourites as giraffe, black rhino, wildebeest and zebra. Young explorers will also come face-to-face with prehistoric life-sized creatures in the UK’s largest dinosaur forest, set amidst three acres of beautiful natural woodland.
Camping in Tunbridge Wells
We don’t need anything fancy to enjoy hunkering down with the family this summer. We’re taking it back to the great outdoors thanks to Tunbridge Well’s camping options in the heart of the beautiful Kent countryside. Choose from camping next to beautiful Bedgebury, Bewl Water, Cedar Gables, St Ives or The Hop Farm at Paddock Wood – just a short train ride away. Need a little more of life’s luxuries but still want that outdoorsy feel? Glamping is open for business with Knoxbridge (and it’s next door to a country pub, we might add) and Sunninglye Farm. You’ll be in the midst of the weald of Kent’s countryside, but close to all the action of buzzing market towns like Tunbridge Wells.
Travel with Arriva
We know travelling with the whole family in toe isn’t the easiest of tasks! Luckily Arriva bus travel is here to make some things a little bit simpler this summer thanks to their family day tickets. Opt for their Family Day tickets for up to two adults and three children and enjoy unlimited travel in the county for the whole day – perfect for exploring lots of new areas at once, and being more environmentally friendly in the process!
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