Fun Family Days out in Kent

Great value attractions make Kent a favourite destination for families and it's so easy to reach by car, coach and train. Paddle and play on classic, sandy beaches, go wild in exciting animal parks, meet knights at enchanting castles. You'll find boredom-busters to suit children of all ages - and parents can unwind, too.

Click here to browse Kent's family friendly attractions.

Talk to the animals

See the kids have wide-eyed fun while they learn, coming face to face with rare and endangered species at Howletts and Port Lympne Wild Animal Parks, or down on the farm at Farming World, Faversham where you can meet friendly farm animals, magnificent Shire horses and birds of prey. Then Wildwood, Herne Bay, will take you deep into ancient woodlands where you can spot more than 50 different species from badgers to wolves.

The Rare Breeds Centre in Woodchurch will provide you with an extra special day out in 2012 as it celebrates its 20th anniversary. Explore the beautiful 100 acre farm in the heart of the stunning Kent countryside and make friends with newborn lambs, piglets, Luna the Jersey calf and other loveable farm animals.

Enchanting castles and gardens

Kent's rich history offers thrilling tales of kings, queens, knights and ghosts. Special events from jousts to storytelling, archery to dancing, bring history vividly to life. Watch battle re-enactments at Dover or Deal castles, navigate your way through the yew maze at Leeds Castle and ‘splashing' water maze at Hever Castle. Unravel the secrets of the Dinosaur & Dragon Valley at Groombridge Place Gardens & Enchanted Forest.

What was life like...?

Join Chaucer's band of pilgrims at The Canterbury Tales, or glide away from the city centre with Canterbury Historic River Tours on the Stour, complete with light-hearted commentary bringing notable buildings and the past to life. Explore a Victorian farmhouse, World War II and 1950s house at Kent Life, near Maidstone. Wander amid Victorian oast houses at The Hop Farm Family Park, Paddock Wood, and visit Dickens World at Chatham Maritime, an indoor theme park based on Dickensian England with rides and thrills.

All aboard!

Kids of all ages will enjoy an expedition on the miniature Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway from Hythe to the lighthouse at Dungeness. Catch a vintage steam train on the Kent & East Sussex Railway or Spa Valley Railway.  

Visit The Historic Dockyard Chatham, where you can clamber aboard three historic warships. And how about this for a ‘funtastic' adventure: driving and racing real JCBs at Diggerland, Strood.

Click here to browse Kent's family friendly attractions.