The insideKENT Summer Scrapbook
Consider this your album of unmissable family days out across Kent this summer, from activity-packed adventures and seasonal events to animal parks, summer trails and splash-worthy spots. Suitable for families with children of all ages, here are insideKENT’s top recommendations for Kentish days out that will shine from the pages of your summer scrapbook.
Hangloose Bluewater Adventure Park, Dartford
Based at Kent’s Bluewater Shopping Centre, Hangloose is home to a variety of adrenaline-filled adventures, from England’s longest zipline and Europe’s biggest swing to their new outdoor skydiving machine. Boasting an impressive 720 metres of air time, the Skywire zipline flies past chalk quarry cliffs and over Bluewater’s stunning lakes, soaring adventurers headfirst through the air. With four bookable lines, yourself and three family members or friends can chase adrenaline at the very same time – an unforgettable addition to this summer’s scrapbook of outdoor activities.
With over 50 restaurants and 300 shops, Bluewater Shopping Centre also features its very own dinosaur-themed adventure park – Dinotropolis – as well as a nature trail consisting of beautiful parkland, lakes and fun family activities. At GraVity, trampolines, dodgeball and climbing walls await, with their arcade blending retro nostalgia with the latest gaming technology. Plenty of fun for all the family!
Steeped in over 900 years of history, Leeds Castle has been designed over the centuries to be a haven of entertainment for all. From banquets and lavish parties to the modern exhibitions of stunning gardens and activities for all ages, Leeds Castle is an ideal visit for weekend breaks and day trips in the summer holidays.
Best of all is their Knights’ Stronghold Playground, Bird of Prey Centre and The Maze & Underground Grotto, which challenges visitors to embark on a mythical journey underground – the only question being, will you turn right or left first? Included with an admission ticket until 31 August, The Secret Lives of Woodland Animals Family Summer Trail is also well worth exploring. Immersing visitors in the fascinating lives of woodland creatures with weekend interactive activities, little ones can get involved in rebuilding Hattie the Hedgehog’s home after it was destroyed during a storm. Yet another addition to a fun-filled day of discovery, Leeds Castle is a place to be inspired.
Lower Ladysden Farm, Goudhurst
Situated in the heart of the Kentish countryside, Lower Ladysden Farm is a family-run farm known for their fresh produce and award-winning farm shop. Since there’s nothing better than handpicked fresh fruit and vegetables, Lower Ladysden offers a weekend pick-your-own experience throughout the year. From springtime asparagus to autumnal pumpkin-picking, their PYO experience is an exciting chance to get yourself and the family immersed in the great outdoors. Available until late August are their delicious strawberries, raspberries and blackberries, with pumpkins coming soon in October.
To make a whole day adventure out of a visit to Lower Ladysden, make sure to try their PYO experience in the late morning before heading to The Goudhurst Inn for a selection of fresh sourdough pizzas and seafood dishes. Afterwards, make sure to visit Balfour Winery in Staplehurst, a 400-acre Tudor estate with ancient oak, woodlands, vineyards and apple orchards. Home to award-winning English wine, why not enjoy a tour of the estate or indulge in one of their acclaimed tasting experiences?
Howletts Wild Animal Park, Canterbury
For a day of conservation-themed fun well worth its very own page in your summer scrapbook, head to Howletts Wild Animal Park this August. A sanctuary of awe-inspiring beauty and rare or endangered animals, Howletts offers a truly unique experience in Kent. Home to over 300 animals across the 100-acre park, you’ll find everything from your favourite animals to play areas, restaurants and specialised fact-filled animal talks and feeds throughout the day. Across the Woodland Walk, visitors can marvel at life-size prehistoric creatures before stopping for a freshly brewed drink at The Coffee House.
Their Animal Experience Days are perhaps the most unique of all activities, giving visitors the chance to get close to their favourite species within a small group, led by an expert animal keeper. With access to behind-the-scenes and exclusive areas of the sanctuary, you can ask animal-themed questions and interact with species from lemurs, lions and snow leopards to elephants and rhinos. Best of all, every visit to Howletts Wild Animal Park supports their vital conservation efforts, making a day out not only a memorable family experience but also an important step for building a thriving future for wildlife.
Diggerland Adventure Park, Strood
Located within Medway Valley Leisure Park just a short drive from the M2, Diggerland is a family-friendly park where guests of all ages can ride, drive and operate real diggers. Featuring the Spindizzy, Dig-a-Round and Mini-Tractor rides alongside go-karts and dodgems, Diggerland offers endless fun for all who visit. Open for the season until 3 November, all rides and drives at Diggerland are included in the price of admission, so whether you’re a little adventurer or a thrill-seeking grown-up, there’s something for everyone.
Just a 10-minute drive away, Amore (Insta icon amorerochester) comes highly commended by locals as the best Italian restaurant in Rochester, and is a worthwhile spot for a late lunch or evening meal to refuel from a day of digging. Offering vegetarian and vegan options across a diverse menu of pizzas, pastas and Italian classics, Amore is known for authentic, delicious food and exceptional service.
Open seven days a week for all to enjoy, Betteshanger Park is a vibrant destination set within the Kentish countryside. Packed with activities from cycling routes to walking trails and outdoor adventures that connect you with nature, Betteshanger Park is an unmissable location for those wanting to build up their summer scrapbook in Kent. With a smooth 3.2km tarmac track for cycling and 10km of off-road trails designed with mountain biking in mind, Betteshanger’s E-Flow Cycles offer bike hire and servicing for those wanting to explore the park at a higher speed, as well as classes for little ones aged two – 14 to learn to ride.
Every weekend and half term, activities such as target archery, fossil hunting and axe throwing are available to pre-book, each promising an exhilarating experience for thrillseekers. An opportunity to push the limits of your knowledge and skills in a safe and supportive environment, each activity is a fun challenge for groups of friends, families or colleagues wanting to enjoy some healthy summertime competition. Offering a respite from hard work, The Lamp Room at the heart of Betteshanger Park is the perfect place to grab a hearty breakfast or light lunch, with a fully licensed bar for adults to unwind with a glass of wine on the outdoor terrace.
Scotney Castle Outdoor Theatre, Tunbridge Wells
Kent’s touring theatre group, Changeling Theatre will soon be bringing their production of William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night to Kent’s beloved Scotney Castle. An open-air experience like none other, this production captures the original aesthetic of the renowned playwright’s work, exploring the text in a way that’s still relatable in our modern day. A tale of love, relationships and mistaken identity, Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night is a romantic comedy that appeals to everyone.
Visitors are encouraged to bring with them suitable outdoor clothing, as well as picnics, rugs and low-backed chairs, with level access to the courtyard making this accessible Shakespearean fun for all the family. Taking place on 9 August from 7pm – 9:30pm, the Changeling Theatre’s tour continues across Kent until 17 August, so check their website for further details (changeling-theatre.com). Situated within the 780-acre estate of Scotney Castle, theatre-enthusiasts can turn this evening production into the final stop of an adventurous day out, strolling through the open parkland surrounding the castle. With one of the largest National Trust collections in the mansion house, visitors can learn all about Scotney Castle’s history before travelling back to the time of Shakespeare.
Brickwrecks: Time Travellers Assemble, The Historic Dockyard, Chatham
Just 35 miles from central London, The Historic Dockyard Chatham is a guaranteed adventure through the tide of history, hosting a range of exciting events this summer. The stories behind the dockyard can be discovered through their immersive exhibition galleries at The Ropery, The Historic Railway and RNLI Historic Lifeboat Collection to name a few. With over 70,000 objects steeped in 400 years of British history, the dockyard’s collections are like none other in Kent, offering small windows into the past via hand tools, machinery, fine art and photography.
This summer, included in the price of each admission ticket until 31 August is the Brickwrecks: Time Travellers Assemble activity, where families can build their way through history with lego minifigures. Little ones can grab their Time Travel Passport and join the curious figure Deckster on a fun-filled journey through the history of the dockyard, exploring different characters, time periods and challenges to collect stamps as you go. At an additional cost, visitors can also enjoy an on-theme Master Builder’s Afternoon Tea at the Mess Deck restaurant. Designed with under 12s in mind, the menu is a nod to lego enthusiasts with brick-shaped sandwiches and a minifigure-shaped chocolate marshmallow.
Hever Castle & Gardens, Edenbridge
Set within 125 acres of picturesque grounds, Hever Castle is home to a rich and varied history, with award-winning gardens and plenty of family-friendly activities to fill a summer scrapbook this month and beyond. Featuring play areas, mazes, a lake walk and archery school, there’s plenty of activities to enjoy across the grounds, as well as historically accurate Tudor costumes on display from the TV adaptation of Hilary Mantel’s novel, Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light.
Exclusively this summer, Hever Castle is hosting Knights of Hever Summer Jousting Tournaments on select dates until 31 August, with an online leaderboard for jousting enthusiasts to keep score. With the Events Field opening at 1pm, the tournaments start at 2.15pm, promising approximately 75 minutes of spectacular action, stunts, galloping horses, fanfares, professional commentary and music throughout the show. In the nearby shop, visitors can buy their very own shields, swords and knightly armoury alongside Hever-branded goodies afterwards to test their skills at home with family and friends.
Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway, New Romney
One of Kent’s top tourist attractions, the Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway has been an integral part of its local landscape since 1927. Known as Kent’s Mainline in Miniature, the 13.5 miles of track host their world-famous one-third full-size steam and diesel locomotives. With four stations along the way each within walking distances of nearby beaches, the railway is a unique opportunity to explore Kent.
A day out venturing across the Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway is sure to include views of iconic lighthouses and medieval churches, alongside plenty of pathways for cycle rides and countryside walks where local flora and fauna bring the countryside to life. At some stations, you’ll find excellent catering facilities and play parks, with their Model Railway Exhibition located within New Romney station. Featuring interactive exhibits, a secondhand book section and a wide selection of scale model trains, the layout runs between five and nine hours a day for around 270 days a year!
Kent Life Heritage Farm Park, Maidstone
Officially opened to the public on 6 July 1985, The Museum of Kent Life as it was formerly known was designed to be a working heritage farm on which to tell the story of everything once Kentish. To get your boots muddy and enjoy a true taste of rural Kent, make sure to visit their farmyard friends housed in the historic outhouse barns, from sheep and donkeys to rabbits, guinea pigs, ducks, geese and alpacas. Their daily entertainment schedule offers the chance to meet some of their friendly animals through feeding and grooming sessions, with The Cobtree Young Farmers’ Club meeting at Kent Life every Saturday to learn about their farmyard animals.
An exciting upcoming event, Kent Life’s Farmyard Fairytale Week will be held from 4 – 10 of August and will include activities such as growing your very own beanstalk, getting creative in the Craft Room and stepping into a world of colourful stories with magical tales that bring the farm to life. From 11 – 22 August, their Dinosaur Days will then call upon all dinosaur enthusiasts and budding archeologists to explore their Critter Corner, a range of pop-up activities and meet George the Jurassic Dinosaur on selected dates.
Open all year round, this 800-acre parkland is home to the largest reservoir in the South East, with miles of scenic pathways and hundreds of protected species to discover. Serving up a healthy dose of outdoor fun this summer, visitors can take to the waters to fish, try out wildlife watching from the grassland or enjoy a relaxing amble around the reservoir.
The activities list at Bewl Water is as extensive as it is exciting, featuring action-packed fun such as paddleboarding, laser tag, bike hire and their ever-popular aqua park. Consisting of 3,000 square metres of pure inflatable fun, their Aqua Park’s Witbit course gets bigger and better each year, with obstacles to beat and plenty of opportunity to challenge the family to a race. At £25 per 50-minute session, a splash-filled adventure at Bewl Water’s iconic Aqua Park is sure to make a memorable addition to this year’s summer scrapbook.
For more Kent day out inspiration, click here to read our latest issue.
