Gravesend is a Thames riverside town with The Woodville theatre and Milton Chantry, and Cyclopark, Shorne Woods Country Park and Cobham a short drive away.
Image: Visit KentThe Woodville is Gravesend's main theatre and cinema complex, with a large Auditorium and a smaller Studio. The programme runs from theatre, music, comedy and dance to films, family shows and a well-loved pantomime. It suits families, couples and groups looking for a night out in north Kent.
Image: English HeritageMilton Chantry is all that remains of a 14th century hospital, later used as a pub, a Georgian barracks and a Second World War gas decontamination chamber. Cared for by English Heritage, it now holds items on Gravesend's heritage, including Roman finds. It is a short, free stop on the edge of the town centre for history lovers.
Image: CycloparkCyclopark is a charity-run health and wellbeing venue in Gravesend, with cycling trails including mountain bike and BMX routes, a gym and fitness classes. Families can hire bikes and helmets and use the play park and CycloLand. It is a good place for children to build cycling confidence away from traffic.
Image: Forestry EnglandJeskyns is 360 acres of young woodland, meadows and orchards run by Forestry England just off the A2. Families can follow surfaced trails, visit the Fairy and Elf Village, try the Room on the Broom trail or play disc golf, while dogs get their own activity trail. Allow two to three hours and finish at the cafe.
Image: National TrustCobham Wood is a rare surviving ancient wood pasture in the Kent Downs, grazed by Highland cattle and crowned by the 18th century Darnley Mausoleum designed by James Wyatt. Follow the woodland tracks to the Mausoleum for views over the North Downs. Plan two to three hours, including the walk in from the car park.
Photo: pam fray, CC BY-SA 2.0Shorne Woods Country Park has 292 acres of woodland, wetland and meadow beside the A2 near Gravesend, with an eco-friendly visitor centre at its heart. Explore waymarked trails, the trim trail and play areas, try geocaching and refuel at the café with its wood-fired pizza oven. It is one of the busiest family parks in Kent and easily fills half a day.
Image: National TrustOwletts is a Charles II house in Cobham village and the birthplace of the architect Sir Herbert Baker, who left his mark on its rooms. Room guides point out details such as an oval stained glass window, a 17th-century plaster ceiling and the Empire Clock he designed. It suits history lovers and families on its open days, and an hour or two is enough.
Photo: Robin Webster, CC BY-SA 2.0Beacon Wood Country Park near Bean is a rolling woodland on old clay pits that have largely returned to nature. Follow the trails, look out over the pond and wetland from the viewing platform and stop at the shady picnic area. It suits dog walkers and families wanting an hour or two outdoors near Dartford.
Image: Cobham HallA historic house set in a 150-acre estate near Gravesend, now an independent school, whose story goes back to Roman times. On a handful of public days a year visitors can join guided tours of the house and walk the grounds, cared for by the Cobham Hall Heritage Trust.
Image: BluewaterBluewater 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: Explore KentCamer Park is 40 acres of open parkland and woodland near Meopham, once the country estate of the Smith-Masters family. Bring a picnic, let the children loose on the playground and follow the tree trail past ancient specimens, then warm up at the cafe. It suits families and dog walkers looking for an easy one to three hours outdoors.
Image: Hangloose AdventureHangloose Adventure Bluewater sits in the old chalk quarry beside Bluewater shopping centre, where Skywire, billed as England's longest zipline, flies over the cliffs and lake. There is also a giant swing, a treetop high ropes course, an outdoor skydiving machine and an inflatable Aqua Park. It suits thrill-seeking families, teens and groups, and you can easily pair a couple of activities with a trip to the shops.
Photo: David Martin, CC BY-SA 2.0Pools and lagoons beside the Thames estuary near Cliffe, with big skies and large numbers of water birds. Avocets and common terns breed in spring, and in winter huge flocks of ducks, dunlin and lapwing gather.
Image: Silverhand EstateSilverhand Estate is home to the UK's largest single organic vineyard, set within a 1,400 acre estate in the Kent Downs. Join a vineyard and winery tour with a tasting, ride through the vines in a vintage Land Rover, or simply call in at the cellar door. It suits couples and groups of friends and takes one to two hours.
Photo: David Anstiss, CC BY-SA 2.0A country park on the site of the former Darenth asylum, opened in 2002, looking over the Darent Valley. It has chalk grassland with rare wildflowers, a traditional orchard of more than 150 fruit and nut varieties, and paved and unpaved paths including cycle routes.
Image: PlantlifeRanscombe Farm is Plantlife's flagship reserve, more than 560 acres of chalk grassland, arable fields and ancient woodland near Cuxton. In summer the fields fill with poppies, corncockle and rare orchids, and a family adventure map helps children explore. It suits walkers and nature lovers for an hour or more.
Photo: The Cricketers Inn, MeophamThe Cricketers Inn sits on Meopham Green, a couple of minutes from the restored Meopham Windmill, and was named Gastropub of the Year 2026 for the South of England by the Prestige Awards. Food is cooked to order using locally sourced ingredients, from pub classics and Sunday roasts to Thursday curry nights. Eat in the bar, the elegant Orangery or the BBQ garden, and the Meopham Green circuit makes a gentle walk before or after.
Image: National TrustSt John's Jerusalem is a 13th-century chapel built by the Knights Hospitaller, set in a peaceful moated garden beside the River Darent near Dartford. Look inside the light, well-preserved chapel, then follow the garden paths and bridges with a picnic. It opens on just one afternoon a month in season, and an hour is enough.
Image: GravesendGravesham Borough Council is holding an Armistice Day event in Gravesend on 11 November 2026. Times and further details are set out on the council's event page, and booking is recommended. It suits families and residents who want to take part in the commemoration.
Image: Gravesend Town CentreThe official switch-on of the Christmas lights takes place in Gravesend Town Centre on Saturday 14 November 2026, marking the start of the festive season. The event is aimed at families, friends and neighbours. Check the event page for times, and note that booking is recommended.
Image: Gravesham Borough CouncilA new Christmas market in Gravesend's Community Square, run by Funyard Events with Gravesham Borough Council. Independent makers and traders sell handmade gifts, crafts and homeware, with street food, seasonal drinks and live music on stage.
Image: Visit KentA 12A screening of Practical Magic 2 takes place on 20 October 2026 at the Paul Greengrass Cinema in Woodville, Gravesend. The film stars Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as the Owens sisters, who must confront a dark curse threatening their family, and runs for 2 hours 6 minutes. Booking is recommended, online or through the box office on 01474 337 500.
Image: Wrotham RoadWrotham Road Primary School in Gravesend is holding open events on 18 November 2026, giving families the chance to visit the school. Times are listed on the event page, and booking is required through Eventbrite.
Image: Copperfield AcademyCopperfield Academy in Gravesend is holding an open evening for families considering a Reception start in September 2027. Families can visit the school, see what it offers and decide whether it suits them, with pizza provided. Times are on the event page and booking is required through Eventbrite.
Image: Shears Green Community CentreA Halloween messy play session for families at Shears Green Community Centre in Northfleet on 17 October 2026. Children get hands-on sensory play with sticky, spooky materials. Booking is required, and times are on the event page.
Image: 14 Hive LnLittle Pumpkins Halloween at Aiko & Me is a 45-minute Halloween session for children aged 1 to 8, held on 29 October 2026 at 14 Hive Lane in Northfleet. Activities include pumpkin decorating, colouring, bubbles, music and play, with a kids' toastie included. Booking is required, and times are listed on the event page.
Photo: David Anstiss, CC BY-SA 2.0Cyclopark's Not So Scary Halloween is a gentle half-term afternoon for younger children at the Gravesend charity venue. It runs over two afternoons, with the play park and cycling trails on hand for the rest of the day.
Image: Visit KentThe Woodville is Gravesend's main theatre and cinema complex, with a large Auditorium and a smaller Studio. The programme runs from theatre, music, comedy and dance to films, family shows and a well-loved pantomime. It suits families, couples and groups looking for a night out in north Kent.
Image: English HeritageMilton Chantry is all that remains of a 14th century hospital, later used as a pub, a Georgian barracks and a Second World War gas decontamination chamber. Cared for by English Heritage, it now holds items on Gravesend's heritage, including Roman finds. It is a short, free stop on the edge of the town centre for history lovers.
Image: National TrustOwletts is a Charles II house in Cobham village and the birthplace of the architect Sir Herbert Baker, who left his mark on its rooms. Room guides point out details such as an oval stained glass window, a 17th-century plaster ceiling and the Empire Clock he designed. It suits history lovers and families on its open days, and an hour or two is enough.
Image: Cobham HallA historic house set in a 150-acre estate near Gravesend, now an independent school, whose story goes back to Roman times. On a handful of public days a year visitors can join guided tours of the house and walk the grounds, cared for by the Cobham Hall Heritage Trust.
Image: BluewaterBluewater 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: Silverhand EstateSilverhand Estate is home to the UK's largest single organic vineyard, set within a 1,400 acre estate in the Kent Downs. Join a vineyard and winery tour with a tasting, ride through the vines in a vintage Land Rover, or simply call in at the cellar door. It suits couples and groups of friends and takes one to two hours.
Image: English HeritageMilton Chantry is all that remains of a 14th century hospital, later used as a pub, a Georgian barracks and a Second World War gas decontamination chamber. Cared for by English Heritage, it now holds items on Gravesend's heritage, including Roman finds. It is a short, free stop on the edge of the town centre for history lovers.
Image: National TrustCobham Wood is a rare surviving ancient wood pasture in the Kent Downs, grazed by Highland cattle and crowned by the 18th century Darnley Mausoleum designed by James Wyatt. Follow the woodland tracks to the Mausoleum for views over the North Downs. Plan two to three hours, including the walk in from the car park.
Photo: pam fray, CC BY-SA 2.0Shorne Woods Country Park has 292 acres of woodland, wetland and meadow beside the A2 near Gravesend, with an eco-friendly visitor centre at its heart. Explore waymarked trails, the trim trail and play areas, try geocaching and refuel at the café with its wood-fired pizza oven. It is one of the busiest family parks in Kent and easily fills half a day.
Photo: Robin Webster, CC BY-SA 2.0Beacon Wood Country Park near Bean is a rolling woodland on old clay pits that have largely returned to nature. Follow the trails, look out over the pond and wetland from the viewing platform and stop at the shady picnic area. It suits dog walkers and families wanting an hour or two outdoors near Dartford.
Image: BluewaterBluewater 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: Explore KentCamer Park is 40 acres of open parkland and woodland near Meopham, once the country estate of the Smith-Masters family. Bring a picnic, let the children loose on the playground and follow the tree trail past ancient specimens, then warm up at the cafe. It suits families and dog walkers looking for an easy one to three hours outdoors.
Photo: Marathon, CC BY-SA 2.0Swanley Park is a 60 acre town park between Swanley and Hextable with plenty to keep younger children busy, especially in summer. There is a 7 1/4 inch miniature railway, a boating lake, paddling pool and water splash, sand play and a large playground with a zip wire, plus a café. Allow a morning or afternoon, longer on a sunny day.
