School's out, the sun's (mostly) out, and Kent is doing what Kent does best: throwing open its gardens, dockyards, castles and sanctuaries for proper family fun. Whether your crew is into growling and grrring, drumming and dancing, sword-fighting and squire-training, or diving deep into ocean adventures without ever getting wet, there's a corner of the Garden of England with their name on it this summer.
Here's your round-up of the summer's unmissable days out to pin to the fridge, because in Kent, "I'm bored" is never a sentence you'll hear twice.
Hidden Gardens & Extraordinary Women, Canterbury Cathedral
Explore rarely-seen private gardens, cool off in the Crypt, and discover the extraordinary women who've shaped the Cathedral's history through themed talks and tours. Children can make a medieval brooch, Tudor ruff or Archbishop's mitre. Do walk on the grass: bring a picnic, find the hidden Campanile Garden, and look out for the new Explorer Backpack Trail.
Set within 550 acres of beautiful Kent countryside, Leeds Castle is the perfect destination for an unforgettable family day out. From the brand-new Little People, BIG DREAMS – Inspirational Women Trail (22 July–31 August), where young explorers can discover 12 extraordinary women through interactive activities across the estate, to the spectacular Motors by the Moat event on 8–9 August, featuring thrilling stunt displays, lively parades and hundreds of classic and high-performance vehicles, there's plenty for families to discover. Beyond the seasonal events, families can explore the magnificent Castle and beautiful gardens, tackle the Maze, meet magnificent birds at the Birds of Prey Centre, and enjoy time together in the adventure playgrounds. Better still, every admission ticket includes unlimited daytime return visits for a year, so you can make the most of every season at Leeds Castle.
29 July – 9 August
Big Cat Fest, The Big Cat Sanctuary
The sanctuary's record-breaking Open Days have evolved into a full ten-day festival, expected to welcome 30,000 visitors across two blocks: 29 July–2 August and 5–9 August. Meet all five big cat species, explore the Lion Rescue Centre, and catch keeper talks, live entertainment and street food. New this year: a partnership with Cats Protection bringing expert-led talks and an education space to the site.
Saturday 8 August
Medway Culture Club Carnival, Royal Engineers Museum
Carnival returns to the Royal Engineers Museum, building on a Medway Culture Club partnership that drew over 2,000 visitors last year. Expect DJs, steel bands, fancy dress and food stalls filling the grounds for a free celebration of multicultural summer happiness. Dress to impress, bring an appetite, and enjoy Medway's communities coming together for one colourful afternoon.
A Medieval Summer, Rochester Castle
Strike your own coin with Frodi the Moneyer (18–19 July, £3), then discover knightly training in "From Page to Knight" (28–30 July, 5–13 August), handling weaponry and trying on armour. "Courtly Graces" explores chivalry (19–27 August), the Medieval Storyteller returns through August, and musicians close the season on 19–20 September. History, brought properly to life.
11 July – 31 August
Steve Backshall's Awesome Oceans Family Trail, The Historic Dockyard Chatham
Wildlife adventurer Steve Backshall's self-led trail takes families through six Ocean Zones, tracking marine life from Bobtail Squid to Emperor Penguins via hands-on challenges and interactive missions. Collect Awesome Oceans cards to earn Ocean Guardian status, start at the Ocean Photographer of the Year exhibition, and finish by making your own pledge on the Ocean of Hope wall.
Sunday 26 July & Saturday 29 August
Wuthering Heights Day & Summer Party, Folkestone Harbour Arm
On 26 July, hundreds of red-clad "Kates" descend on the Harbour Arm for the sixth Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever, with a warm-up dance lesson from 9.30am in The Goods Yard before the main performance. Everyone's welcome, dancer or Heathcliff. Then on 29 August, the Summer Party brings live music, entertainment and fireworks to close out the season.
Summer Adventures at Go Ape Bedgebury Forest & Leeds Castle
Stop scrolling. Go Ape! Trade screen time for tree time at Go Ape Bedgebury, deep in the forest, or Go Ape Leeds Castle, set against one of Kent's most famous backdrops. High ropes, zip wires and Tarzan swings make for an active, exhilarating family day out that'll have everyone buzzing long after they're back on solid ground.
Battle of Britain Memorial
Got a curious kid or a history-loving grandparent? This clifftop memorial between Dover and Folkestone puts visitors in the cockpit with The Wing's Scramble Experience, alongside replica Spitfire and Hurricane aircraft and the Memorial Wall naming all who flew in the Battle of Britain. Free audio tours bring the stories of Churchill's "Few" to life across the grounds.
The Festival of Archaeology (18 July–2 August) uncovers Thanet's local history; PCT100 Creators Workshops (22 July–28 August) mark the Powell-Cotton Trust's centenary with artist-led sessions; and The Magic Faraway Tree Museum Adventure (25 July–30 August) brings Enid Blyton's stories to the woodland trail and Walled Garden, complete with a collectible sticker.
5–8 August · plus summer shows
History Festival & Family Theatre, Hever Castle
Hever's History Festival brings living history to the grounds from 5–8 August, paired with a summer season of open-air family theatre: The Jungle Book (28 July), Kaspar: Prince of Cats (7 August), Pinocchio (12 August) and King Arthur and the Holy Fail (25 August). Knights, heraldry and theatre against one of Kent's most romantic backdrops.
18 July – 31 August
Six Weeks of Creative Crafts, Riverhill Himalayan Gardens
A new drop-in craft theme every week, included in normal entry (free for Season Ticket holders): mini marble runs, things that go, The Big Build, recycled necklaces, Sock Chums, and a toad abode to finish. Suitable for all ages with family supervision. Riverhill is open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am–5pm, plus Bank Holiday Mondays.
Free Family Fun on the Vine, Sevenoaks
Music on the Bandstand brings free concerts to the Vine, while free family show Alice's Adventures in Wonderful tours Bat & Ball Centre, Pontoise Park, Greatness Recreation Ground and Vine Gardens across 18–21 August. Independently organised Beer on the Vine and the Sevenoaks Street Food Festival add extra festival atmosphere to the town's green spaces this summer.
Dinosaurs, Pirates & Woodland Adventures, Penshurst Place
Six weeks of activities, included with garden admission: the daily "Where Could They 'Bee'?" trail, Tuesday and Thursday crafts, Wednesday bushcraft with Camp Wilderness, new Wild Safari Saturdays with dinosaurs and interactive challenges, and Storytelling Sundays' panto-style treasure hunt. Combine with the Adventure Playground, Toy Museum and Woodland Walk for a full day out.
