West Malling is a small market town west of Maidstone. Manor Park Country Park and St Leonard's Tower are in the town, with Leybourne Lakes, Aylesford Priory, Trosley Country Park and Kent Life nearby.
Photo: David Anstiss, CC BY-SA 2.0Manor Park Country Park sits in the grounds of an 18th century estate on the edge of West Malling, with a lake, wildflower meadows and woodland copses. Walk the lakeside path, spot ducks, swans and kingfishers, then use the play area and café. It is an easy outing for young families and takes an hour or two.
Photo: Poliphilo, CC0St Leonard's Tower is an early Norman tower keep that still rises almost to its full height on a sandstone ledge outside West Malling. Nobody is sure who built it or why: some credit Gundulf, Bishop of Rochester, others Bishop Odo, half-brother of William the Conqueror. You view it from outside, so pair it with a walk in Manor Park opposite.
Image: The Wright EventThe Wright Event runs off-road activity days at Ashtree Farm near West Malling, a 200-acre estate of fields, orchards and woodland. Quad biking starts with a safety briefing and obstacle course before an instructor-led safari across the estate, and there are 4x4 driving and multi-activity days too. It suits teens and adults after an adrenaline outing, with quad sessions from 1 to 2 hours.
Photo: pam fray, CC BY-SA 2.0Leybourne Lakes is a Green Flag country park with wide lakeside paths, wildflower meadows and a watersports centre on the 30 acre Ocean Lake. Walk or cycle the lake circuits, try open water swimming, kayaking or windsurfing, or join a pond dipping or bat walk event. It suits active families and dog walkers for a few hours.
Image: National TrustColdrum Long Barrow is a megalithic chambered tomb built more than 6,000 years ago and the best-preserved example in Kent, ringed by large sarsen stones. Walk up from the small car park to explore the stones, which have been unfenced to mark 100 years of National Trust care. It suits history lovers, walkers and dog owners, and an hour is plenty unless you add a longer walk.
Image: The Friars, AylesfordThe Friars is a medieval priory, home to Carmelite friars who first came here in 1242 and returned in 1949. Explore the courtyards, chapels and gardens, feed the ducks, watch the potters at work and stop at the tea room in a thatched barn. It is free, suits families and quiet visitors alike, and fills a relaxed couple of hours.
Image: Great Comp GardenGreat Comp is a seven-acre garden near Sevenoaks packed with rare and unusual plants that keep the borders interesting from spring to autumn. Paths wind past an Italian Garden, mock ruins and woodland walks, and the Old Dairy Tearooms and Dyson's Salvias nursery are on site. The season ends on 31 October, so autumn colour is the last chance this year.
Photo: pam fray, CC BY-SA 2.0Teston Bridge Country Park is a riverside park on the Medway, about 4 miles from Maidstone, set around a medieval Kentish ragstone bridge. Wander the meadows and river paths, picnic on Bridge Meadow and let the children loose in the play area, keeping an eye out for otters along the river. It makes an easy family outing of a couple of hours.
Photo: Marathon, CC BY-SA 2.0Trosley Country Park covers 170 acres of woodland and chalk downland on the North Downs near Vigo, with far-reaching views. Three waymarked trails range from easy access routes to longer walks, and there is a children's play area and a cafe. It is a good free option for a family walk.
Image: Hemsley Conservation CentreA small zoo near Wrotham focused on conserving endangered species and their habitats. Visitors can see animals from monkeys to meerkats, catch keeper talks and book closer encounters such as a junior zookeeper day.
Image: Visit Maidstone (Maidstone Borough Council)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: Kenward PlaceKenward Place is a countryside charity venue near Yalding, set around a manor house, where entry to the grounds, cafe and gift shop is free. Walk the friendly alpacas, meet the goats, try archery or disc golf, or simply enjoy coffee, cake and a light lunch at Kenward Cafe. It suits families, couples and dog owners, and every visit supports Kenward Trust's work helping people recover from addiction.
Photo: Christopher Nicol, CC BY-SA 3.0The surviving private rooms of a knight's house from about 1290, one of the rarest pieces of medieval domestic building in Kent. You can see the solar, a barrel-vaulted undercroft, a small chapel and a garderobe, with a later red-brick farmhouse standing where the great hall was. It is unstaffed and free, so it makes an easy stop on a walk from Ightham Mote.
Image: Explore KentClare Park is a Green Flag park in the Fant area of Maidstone, given to the town in 1923 by toffee maker Sir Edward Sharp. There is a play area, tennis courts, a multi-use games area and a bowls green, plus a small nature area at the southern end. It suits local families and anyone after an hour or two of play and sport.
Image: Kent LifeKent Life is a heritage farm attraction at Sandling, just outside Maidstone, home to more than 200 farmyard animals from pigs and goats to donkeys and alpacas. Stroll the nature trail, meet the animals and check the calendar for seasonal events such as hops and harvest, fireworks and Christmas. It is aimed at families with young children and is dog-friendly in most areas.
Image: English HeritageKit's Coty House and Little Kit's Coty House are the remains of two Neolithic burial chambers in open fields above the Medway Valley. Kit's Coty still has three uprights topped by a huge capstone, while its smaller neighbour is now a tumble of sarsen stones. It makes a short, free stop for history lovers and walkers on the North Downs Way, and an hour is plenty.
Image: St Andrews LakesSt Andrews Lakes is a former quarry near Halling transformed into a clear blue lake reserve with water and land activities all year. Hire kayaks, paddleboards or pedalos, swim in open water, ride the zip wire over the lake or try archery, axe throwing and the climbing wall, then unwind in the wellness centre. It suits active families, groups and couples, and most visits take a half day.
Image: Kent Wildlife TrustTyland Barn is the headquarters of Kent Wildlife Trust, a restored 17th-century barn with a small nature park showing off Kent habitats from woodland and wetland to meadow. Follow the short accessible nature trail, look for bugs under logs and in the bug hotels, and finish at the Pond Café in the barn. It is an easy, buggy-friendly outing for families with young children.
Image: SpadeworkA charity pumpkin patch at Spadework near West Malling, where the charity's trainees grow around 50 varieties each year. Wander the garden, choose pumpkins for carving or cooking, and every sale supports the charity's work.
Image: Trottiscliffe Village HallA community fireworks display and bonfire in Trosley Village on 8 November 2026, running from 4 PM to 7 PM. The event is held at Trottiscliffe Village Hall in West Malling and is open to families, friends and everyone. Tickets are needed in advance, and the organiser's no refunds policy applies.
Image: Bradbourne HouseSanta and his elf return to Bradbourne House in East Malling on Tuesday 22 December 2026 for a brunch event. Booking is required, and times and prices are listed on the event page. It suits families looking for a festive day out before Christmas.
Image: Leybourne Lakes Country ParkA Halloween pumpkin trail around the lakes at Leybourne Lakes Country Park in Snodland on 24 October 2026. Visitors follow arrows, answer clues along the route and collect a small sweet prize at the end. It suits families and friends looking for a seasonal outdoor activity. Booking is required through the event page.
Image: The Friars, AylesfordAn exhibition of turned wood pieces by Kent wood turners runs at The Friars in Aylesford from 31 October to 15 November 2026. Visitors can view the work on display, and the exhibition suits anyone interested in woodwork or craft. Check the event page for opening times, prices and booking details.
Image: The Friars, AylesfordA two-day Christmas fayre held at The Friars in Aylesford on 28 and 29 November 2026. It is a shopping event suited to families and visitors looking for seasonal gifts and festive activity. Times and what is on offer are listed on the event page.
Image: The Friars, AylesfordChristmas lunches are served at The Friars in Aylesford on selected days between 3 and 18 December 2026. The listing is for a public meal at a named venue in Kent, suited to families, couples and groups. Booking is recommended, and the event page gives details of the lunches and how to reserve.
Image: Great Comp GardenThe National Garden Scheme open day takes place at Great Comp Garden in Platt on Sunday 25 October 2026, from 10am to 5pm. It supports the National Garden Scheme charity, with proceeds going to good causes. It suits families, couples and friends who enjoy gardens and outdoor days out.
Image: Great Comp GardenGreat Comp Garden near Platt runs a series of festive events from 23 November to 26 December 2026. Visitors can book a Christmas afternoon tea in the tearoom or join hands-on workshops making table centrepieces, wreaths or wooden Christmas ornaments. The events suit families and those looking for a seasonal day out in Kent.
Image: The Friars, AylesfordThe Friars is a medieval priory, home to Carmelite friars who first came here in 1242 and returned in 1949. Explore the courtyards, chapels and gardens, feed the ducks, watch the potters at work and stop at the tea room in a thatched barn. It is free, suits families and quiet visitors alike, and fills a relaxed couple of hours.
Photo: Christopher Nicol, CC BY-SA 3.0The surviving private rooms of a knight's house from about 1290, one of the rarest pieces of medieval domestic building in Kent. You can see the solar, a barrel-vaulted undercroft, a small chapel and a garderobe, with a later red-brick farmhouse standing where the great hall was. It is unstaffed and free, so it makes an easy stop on a walk from Ightham Mote.
Photo: David Anstiss, CC BY-SA 2.0Manor Park Country Park sits in the grounds of an 18th century estate on the edge of West Malling, with a lake, wildflower meadows and woodland copses. Walk the lakeside path, spot ducks, swans and kingfishers, then use the play area and café. It is an easy outing for young families and takes an hour or two.
Photo: Poliphilo, CC0St Leonard's Tower is an early Norman tower keep that still rises almost to its full height on a sandstone ledge outside West Malling. Nobody is sure who built it or why: some credit Gundulf, Bishop of Rochester, others Bishop Odo, half-brother of William the Conqueror. You view it from outside, so pair it with a walk in Manor Park opposite.
Image: National TrustColdrum Long Barrow is a megalithic chambered tomb built more than 6,000 years ago and the best-preserved example in Kent, ringed by large sarsen stones. Walk up from the small car park to explore the stones, which have been unfenced to mark 100 years of National Trust care. It suits history lovers, walkers and dog owners, and an hour is plenty unless you add a longer walk.
Image: The Friars, AylesfordThe Friars is a medieval priory, home to Carmelite friars who first came here in 1242 and returned in 1949. Explore the courtyards, chapels and gardens, feed the ducks, watch the potters at work and stop at the tea room in a thatched barn. It is free, suits families and quiet visitors alike, and fills a relaxed couple of hours.
Photo: pam fray, CC BY-SA 2.0Teston Bridge Country Park is a riverside park on the Medway, about 4 miles from Maidstone, set around a medieval Kentish ragstone bridge. Wander the meadows and river paths, picnic on Bridge Meadow and let the children loose in the play area, keeping an eye out for otters along the river. It makes an easy family outing of a couple of hours.
Photo: Marathon, CC BY-SA 2.0Trosley Country Park covers 170 acres of woodland and chalk downland on the North Downs near Vigo, with far-reaching views. Three waymarked trails range from easy access routes to longer walks, and there is a children's play area and a cafe. It is a good free option for a family walk.
The rest of the 19 places we list within 8 km, closest first.
