Kent is bursting with family-friendly things to do this summer. Whether you're looking for wildlife encounters, historic castles, open-air theatre, adrenaline-filled adventures or simply a great place to stay while you explore, Kent has it all. Here's your guide to making the most of the school summer holidays from Friday 24 July - Friday 4 September.
This summer, don't let the stress of parking and traffic ruin your plans, hop on the train with Southeastern and make the most of great value tickets like Kids for a Quid. Check out their app for the best offers this summer.
Hever Castle
Experience over 600 years of history at the romantic double-moated 14th-century Hever Castle, once the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, surrounded by award-winning formal gardens set in 125 magnificent acres. The summer holidays bring a packed programme: jousting tournaments by the Knights of Royal England, falconry displays, the water maze and two playgrounds including the impressive Tudor Towers wooden play castle. The Heroes and Villains School runs throughout the holiday period, and Hever in History brings living history encampments over the August Bank Holiday weekend.
Leeds Castle
Described as the loveliest castle in the world, Leeds Castle sits majestically surrounded by 500 acres of Kentish parkland and has been home to six queens and Henry VIII himself. A packed summer programme runs from 22 July to 31 August, with a brand new Summer Trail and family activities included in admission. Explore the mythical underground Grotto and maze, ride Elsie the Castle Train, visit the Birds of Prey Centre, or catch one of the special evening events. With holiday cottages available on the estate, Leeds Castle offers the perfect immersive summer break.
The Big Cat Sanctuary, Smarden
This world-renowned conservation centre near Smarden is home to around 40 cats across 12 species - the only place in the UK where you can see all five big cat species. Big Cat Fest 2026 runs across 10 incredible days from 29 July to 9 August, offering wildlife experiences, keeper talks, training demonstrations, live entertainment, family activities and street food. Every ticket directly supports the charity's vital conservation and rescue work. Overnight lodge stays, Big Cat Encounters and Photography Days are also available year-round for a truly unforgettable Kent experience.
View Hotel, Folkestone
Perched on Folkestone's famous Leas, View Hotel offers an unforgettable seaside experience with breathtaking panoramic views of the English Channel from its boutique rooms. Its Cliffe Lounge Bar & Kitchen serves everything from hearty breakfasts to traditional Sunday roasts and afternoon teas, making it a wonderful base for exploring all that Folkestone has to offer this summer. The hotel is just a short stroll from the Harbour Arm, the Creative Quarter and the Leas Cliff Hall.
Folkestone Harbour Arm
From April to September on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays, the heart of the Folkestone Harbour Arm transforms into a constantly rotating community of independent street food traders and pop-up bars, bringing fresh energy and new flavours to what has become Kent's foodie destination of choice. The popular free summer cinema returns, and the iconic Wuthering Heights Day on 26 July sees hundreds of Kate Bush fans dancing by the sea. Live music, artisan markets and the annual Summer Party with fireworks on 29 August round off a spectacular season at this beloved Kent landmark.
Brogdale Collections, Faversham
Set in over 150 acres of beautiful Kent farmland near Faversham, Brogdale Collections provides access to the National Fruit Collection, one of the largest collections of fruit trees in the world, holding over 3,000 varieties of apples, pears, plums, cherries, grapes and nuts. Daily guided orchard tours run from April to November, with seasonal tractor tours available from June to October. With an on-site café, interactive weather station and wildlife garden, it's an educational and enjoyable day out for all the family.
Royal Engineers Museum
Kent's only designated museum, the Royal Engineers Museum in Gillingham tells the story of Britain's military history from the 1700s, with exhibits of national and international significance housed in its impressive galleries. Children love the interactive WWI trench experience and the dress-up areas, while history enthusiasts will be transfixed by Wellington's map from Waterloo, a fragment of the Berlin Wall and an extraordinary collection of military vehicles including a Harrier jump jet. Entry is great value and the friendly on-site café offers a welcome rest mid-visit.
Quex House and Gardens & The Powell-Cotton Museum, Birchington
Quex House and Gardens, home to the Powell-Cotton Museum, celebrates a very special year in 2026, the centenary of the Powell-Cotton Trust, with a programme of new family events, displays, exhibitions and trails at its beautiful home in the heart of Birchington. The museum's world-famous natural history dioramas, featuring incredible scenes from Africa and Asia, are genuinely unlike anything else in Kent. Guided tours of the Grade II listed manor house, seven acres of gardens including a walled kitchen garden, and a varied events programme make this a wonderfully rich day out for all ages.
Hever Festival Theatre
The Hever Festival Theatre presents its 2026 season at the stunning purpose-built Two Sisters' Theatre within the Hever Castle Estate, with performances also extending to Chiddingstone Castle and Penshurst Place, offering acclaimed drama, world-class music, intimate concerts and family favourites throughout the summer. Perfect for treating teens, this year's programme includes Treasure Island for families, the Last Night of the Hever Proms, Iolanthe, and a spectacular Ed Sheeran Experience tribute evening. With its transparent roof revealing the stars above, there's no finer way to spend a summer evening in Kent.
Great Comp Garden
A hidden gem in the Sevenoaks countryside, Great Comp Garden near Borough Green offers seven acres of magnificent gardens. With sweeping lawns, richly planted borders, unusual shrubs and tranquil woodland walks, it's one of those rare places that genuinely slows you down. Summer is a wonderful time to visit as the garden reaches its peak, an ideal companion to a day at nearby Penshurst Place or Hever Castle, and a peaceful antidote to the summer holidays' busier moments.
Battle of Britain Memorial
Perched on the White Cliffs between Dover and Folkestone, the National Memorial to the Few is one of Kent's most moving and important sites. The Christopher Foxley-Norris Memorial Wall lists the names of all those known to have taken part in the Battle of Britain, while replica Spitfire and Hurricane aircraft stand nearby as reminders of the iconic machines they flew to victory. The Wing visitor centre houses the thrilling Scramble Experience, now included in entry, alongside a café with stunning Channel views and a well-stocked shop. Open daily throughout summer, it's a profound and memorable family outing.
The Historic Dockyard Chatham
The Historic Dockyard Chatham invites visitors to return to the Age of Sail, when the dockyard built mighty ships that toured the world's oceans, with three historic warships to explore, interactive museum galleries, and Master Ropemakers at work using centuries-old techniques. Step aboard HM Submarine Ocelot, a Cold War submarine, explore HMS Cavalier and ring the bell aboard the Victorian sloop HMS Gannet. With 80 acres and a packed programme of seasonal events throughout summer, it's one of the most compelling and best-value days out in Kent. What's more, this summer check out the UK debut of the Ocean Photographer of the Year exhibition and see the ocean like never before, with 116 award-winning photographs from around the world. Keep an eye out for penguins, drooling dragons, stingrays and more at this fascinating look at our blue planet - perfect for little wildlings.
Bloom Stays
Bloom Stays offers a hand-picked collection of over 100 holiday homes across Kent and Sussex, from countryside retreats and designer beach houses to coastal pads and vineyard cottages. Whether you're looking for a Folkestone seafront hideaway within walking distance of the Harbour Arm, a rural retreat near the Big Cat Sanctuary, or a Wealden cottage to use as a base for Hever and Penshurst, Bloom Stays has something to suit every kind of summer holiday.
Holiday Inn Dover
Ideally placed for exploring the dramatic White Cliffs coast, the Holiday Inn Dover is a reliable, family-friendly base for summer visitors to east Kent. With easy access to Dover Castle and the Battle of Britain Memorial at Capel-le-Ferne, it's perfectly positioned for a jam-packed summer. The hotel's comfortable rooms, restaurant and leisure facilities make it a practical and welcoming choice for families looking to make the most of Kent's coastline and heritage.
Penshurst Place & Gardens
Penshurst Place, once the property of King Henry VIII and home to the Sidney family since 1552, is one of the grandest and most perfectly preserved fortified manor houses in England, complete with an extraordinary medieval Baron's Hall. Its 11 acres of Elizabethan walled gardens, divided by over a mile of ancient yew hedges into distinctive 'rooms', are at their glorious summer best during the holidays. Children can build dens on the Woodland Trail, tackle the Adventure Playground, and explore the Toy Museum, while adults enjoy the staterooms and the Porcupine Pantry Café.
Rare Breeds Centre
A working 100-acre farm near Woodchurch, the Rare Breeds Centre is home to many rare and native breeds of farm livestock, from pigs and sheep to horses, chickens and cows — and is approved by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. Pig racing, tractor-trailer rides, Meet the Animal sessions, a butterfly tunnel, a creepy crawly world, woodland walks and outdoor playgrounds make this a wonderfully varied family day out. The Granary Restaurant offers freshly cooked food, and the farm is open daily throughout the summer holidays.
Bridgewood Manor Hotel & Spa
Ideally located just off Junction 3 of the M2, the four-star Bridgewood Manor Hotel & Spa offers superb leisure facilities including an indoor heated pool, well-equipped gymnasium and a full luxury spa with a range of body and beauty treatments. The hotel's elegant Squires Restaurant holds a well-deserved reputation for fine food, while its Terrace Bistro is ideal for lighter bites. Perfectly positioned for the Historic Dockyard Chatham, the Royal Engineers Museum and Leeds Castle, it's a great base for a summer break in the heart of the Garden of England.
Go Ape Leeds Castle and Bedgebury
Located within the Leeds Castle grounds, Go Ape Leeds Castle is home to three thrilling high-ropes courses and two axe-throwing lanes, offering adventures for every member of the family. The flagship Treetop Challenge sees adults and older children zip 250 metres above the valley with the castle gleaming below, while younger children can enjoy the Treetop Adventure from just one metre tall.
Set within the spectacular Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest, Go Ape Bedgebury is another favourite for little monkeys and tricky teens. Brand new for 2026, Forest Biking has arrived at Bedgebury, offering bike hire for everything from gentle family rides to more experienced trail cycling through the beautiful woodland. The classic Treetop Challenge with its 170-metre zip wire and dual Tarzan Swings remains a highlight, alongside Treetop Adventure for the youngest explorers. With Gruffalo trails and wild adventure play areas in the wider forest, it's a full day of outdoor family fun.
