Photo: Keven Law, CC BY-SA 2.0Family days out in Kent
Pick the kind of day you need and we have a guide for it. Every place below is a listing we have checked against official sources, and each guide links to the full list with prices.
Animal parks, farms and wildlife centres in Kent
Zoos, safari parks, farm parks, birds of prey and aquariums.
Image: Eagle Heights Wildlife FoundationEagle Heights Wildlife Foundation
Eagle Heights is a non-profit wildlife foundation in the Darent Valley above Eynsford, caring for rescued animals and birds of prey. The daily flying display is the highlight, and visitors also meet rescued huskies and other animals, with bookable experiences such as flying an owl. Pair it with Lullingstone Roman Villa just down the road.
Image: Frampton FarmFrampton Farm
Frampton Farm is a small working farm near Dover that offers hands-on, pre-booked animal experiences, most of them exclusive to your group. Shadow the farmer on a feed round, walk goats or alpacas, or meet lambs, kids and piglets in spring. It suits families and animal lovers, and most experiences last 1 to 2 hours.
Image: Howletts Wild Animal ParkHowletts Wild Animal Park
Howletts is a 100-acre wild animal park near Canterbury, run by The Aspinall Foundation and home to more than 300 animals. Walk between the enclosures, then explore the Animals of the Ice Age trail of prehistoric creatures, which is included in your ticket. Allow a full day.
Family beaches and seaside days out in Kent
Beaches, bays and seaside spots that suit families.
Photo: Nilfanion, CC BY-SA 4.0Botany Bay
Botany Bay is a sandy cove between Margate and Broadstairs, framed by white chalk cliffs and dramatic chalk stacks. Explore the rock pools and hunt for fossils, and at low tide walk round to Kingsgate Bay. There is a kiosk on the beach and seasonal lifeguards in summer.
Image: Visit ThanetDumpton Gap
Dumpton Gap is a quiet sandy bay between Broadstairs and Ramsgate with a promenade and kiosk. It is one of the best starting points for a low tide walk along the foot of the cliffs to Ramsgate. Come for a calmer beach day with children or dogs, or a couple of hours walking the shore.
Photo: Oast House Archive, CC BY-SA 2.0Herne Bay Pier
Herne Bay Pier is a lively charity-run pier lined with beach hut shops and food stalls, voted top of the 2026 Bucket and Spade List of favourite seaside places. Ride the vintage carousel and helter-skelter, try crabbing off the end or browse local makers. It suits families and anyone after traditional seaside fun.
Active and adventure days out with kids in Kent
Climbing, treetop courses, soft play, karting and escape rooms.
Image: AirHopAirHop Westwood Cross
AirHop Westwood Cross is an indoor adventure and trampoline park at the Westwood Cross shopping centre. Jump across interconnecting trampolines and giant inflatables, play laser tag or try the Robokeeper and Strike Arena games. It suits families with toddlers through to teens, and a session takes one to two hours.
Image: BattleKart SittingbourneBattleKart Sittingbourne
Electric go-karting crossed with a video game. Drivers race on a hall floor lit up by ceiling projectors, collecting bonuses, firing virtual rockets and playing modes such as snake, football and pool, with no headset needed.
Image: Bedgebury National Pinetum and ForestBedgebury National Pinetum and Forest
Bedgebury is Forestry England's National Pinetum, a world-leading collection of over 12,000 specimen trees set among the lakes and valleys of the High Weald near Goudhurst. Wander the pinetum on foot, cycle or mountain bike the forest trails, or let children tackle the play trail. With a cafe at the visitor centre, it can easily fill a day.
Museums and history days out for kids in Kent
Museums, Roman sites, forts and heritage centres for families.
Image: Battle of Britain MemorialBattle of Britain Memorial
The national memorial to the aircrew of the Battle of Britain stands on the White Cliffs at Capel-le-Ferne with wide views over the Channel. Alongside the memorial itself are the Christopher Foxley-Norris Wall, the Blade of Honour and replica Spitfire and Hurricane aircraft. Inside The Wing, the Scramble Experience tells the story of the summer of 1940.
Image: Canterbury Roman MuseumCanterbury Roman Museum
Canterbury's Roman Museum sits below street level around the excavated remains of a Roman town house, a scheduled ancient monument in the city centre. The star is a Roman floor mosaic still in its original position, one of very few left in the UK. It is a compact, family-friendly look at life in Roman Britain and an easy wet-weather stop near the cathedral.
Image: ChartwellChartwell
Chartwell was the family home of Sir Winston Churchill, on a hillside near Westerham. Walk through rooms of the family house, see the largest collection of Churchill's paintings in his studio, and explore the rose garden, walled garden and woodland that inspired him. Allow half a day, and book a timed ticket for the house.
Free things to do in Kent
Free things to do in Kent this autumn and winter, from country parks and a chalk cove to free museums and Christmas markets, with parking notes.
Image: Bayham Old AbbeyBayham Old Abbey
Bayham Old Abbey is a romantic ruin of golden sandstone in the High Weald, right on the Kent and Sussex border near Lamberhurst. Much of the abbey church, the chapter house and a 14th-century gatehouse survive, set in a landscape shaped by Humphry Repton. It is free, peaceful and dog-friendly, and pairs well with nearby Scotney Castle or Bewl Water.
Photo: Nilfanion, CC BY-SA 4.0Botany Bay
Botany Bay is a sandy cove between Margate and Broadstairs, framed by white chalk cliffs and dramatic chalk stacks. Explore the rock pools and hunt for fossils, and at low tide walk round to Kingsgate Bay. There is a kiosk on the beach and seasonal lifeguards in summer.
Image: Dunorlan ParkDunorlan Park
Dunorlan Park is a historic public park on the east side of Tunbridge Wells, centred on a large lake with a path around its edge. Hire a pedal boat, rowing boat or canoe, look out for the ornate fountain and Grecian temple, and let children loose in the natural adventure play area. It is free, dog-friendly and good for a relaxed morning or afternoon.
Rainy day ideas in Kent
Wet weekend in Kent? Indoor museums, climbing walls, Roman mosaics and half-term shows that keep the whole family dry, with opening days checked.
Image: BluewaterBluewater
Bluewater is a large shopping and leisure destination near Dartford with more than 250 shops, plus restaurants and cafés. On a rainy day it also offers a Showcase cinema, Gravity trampoline park and Dinotropolis. Parking is free, so it is easy to make a day of it.
Image: Canterbury Roman MuseumCanterbury Roman Museum
Canterbury's Roman Museum sits below street level around the excavated remains of a Roman town house, a scheduled ancient monument in the city centre. The star is a Roman floor mosaic still in its original position, one of very few left in the UK. It is a compact, family-friendly look at life in Roman Britain and an easy wet-weather stop near the cathedral.
Image: Chimera Climbing CanterburyChimera Climbing Canterbury
Chimera's Canterbury centre offers rope-free bouldering on colour-graded routes from beginner to advanced, all over thick safety matting. Junior clubs, parties and coaching sessions make it accessible to newcomers, and there are showers and a café. It is a good indoor alternative to the city's sightseeing for active teens.
Days out in Kent with toddlers and young children
Toddler-friendly days out in Kent: farm parks, miniature railways, free play parks and gentle Halloween trails, with ages, prices and timings checked.
Image: Visit Maidstone (Maidstone Borough Council)Cobtree Manor Park
Cobtree Manor Park occupies the site of the old Maidstone Zoo on the edge of Aylesford. More than 50 acres of parkland carry two waymarked walks and a sculpture trail, and there are two play areas, one themed on the former zoo. With a café, toilets and baby changing on site, it is a practical free outing for young families.
Image: Dunorlan ParkDunorlan Park
Dunorlan Park is a historic public park on the east side of Tunbridge Wells, centred on a large lake with a path around its edge. Hire a pedal boat, rowing boat or canoe, look out for the ornate fountain and Grecian temple, and let children loose in the natural adventure play area. It is free, dog-friendly and good for a relaxed morning or afternoon.
Image: Eagle Heights Wildlife FoundationEagle Heights Wildlife Foundation
Eagle Heights is a non-profit wildlife foundation in the Darent Valley above Eynsford, caring for rescued animals and birds of prey. The daily flying display is the highlight, and visitors also meet rescued huskies and other animals, with bookable experiences such as flying an owl. Pair it with Lullingstone Roman Villa just down the road.
The best castles and stately homes in Kent
Kent's castles and great houses, from Dover's wartime tunnels to Hever's double moat and Knole's deer park, with ticket tips, timings and dog rules.
Image: ChartwellChartwell
Chartwell was the family home of Sir Winston Churchill, on a hillside near Westerham. Walk through rooms of the family house, see the largest collection of Churchill's paintings in his studio, and explore the rose garden, walled garden and woodland that inspired him. Allow half a day, and book a timed ticket for the house.
Image: Chiddingstone CastleChiddingstone Castle
Chiddingstone Castle is a historic house in the countryside near Edenbridge, home to wide-ranging historic collections. Visit the house and tea room in season, or come at any time of year to walk the free grounds, lake and woodland trails. It is a quieter alternative to the bigger castles nearby.
Image: Dover CastleDover Castle
Dover Castle sits high above the White Cliffs, with a medieval Great Tower above ground and a network of secret wartime tunnels below. Climb the tower to discover the court of King Henry II, explore the Under Siege exhibition and let children loose in the siege play area. Give it a full day.