7 of the best family days out in Kent

For some great ideas on family days out in Kent, look no further! We have put together some of the best attractions in the county to help you plan your perfect family holiday in the south east of England.

1. Dickens World

Situated in Chatham, Dickens World was our number one choice and a popular day out since re-launching in March 2013. Sadly the attraction closed again in October 2016.

2. Leeds Castle

Kent has a very rich history with many attractions including beautiful, pristine gardens and a number of stately homes, but Leeds Castle (pictured above) in Maidstone stands out as a real treat and a must-see.

Set in 500 acres of land, the castle has plenty to offer including a maze, punting on the moat, river tours, stunning gardens and falconry displays. Even its own golf course! There really is something for everyone.

Each year, the castle provides the perfect backdrop for events such as seasonal firework displays and Christmas festivals. With excellent facilities including a large souvenir shop and a delightful restaurant, this really is one of the best days out in Kent. Adult tickets are around £21 and children are £13.50.

If you enjoy visiting Leeds Castle, then Kent has plenty more castles to offer!

3. Diggerland

Located in Strood, this really is a great day out for the kids! Diggerland is an adventure theme park with a variety of rides suitable for older children including the Sky Shuttle, fun digger rides and ‘dirt-digging.’ There are also a number of play areas and sandpits to help keep the younger children entertained while the adults relax close by.

On certain days of the year, children dressed up as construction workers get into the park for free with an accompanying adult. A family of 4 ticket costs £64, but you can get a discount by booking online.

4. Kent Life

This kid-friendly attraction in Maidstone has a plenty of fun activities the whole family can get involved in! Events held throughout the year include beach BBQs, beer festivals (for the grown-ups) and even ghost hunts. There’s also a ‘Vintage’ village and gardens to explore. With a farmyard, gardens and play areas for the little ones to run around in, Kent Life really provides fun for all! Open daily, adult tickets cost £8.95 and children are £6.95.

5. Wingham Wildlife Park

Approximately 5 miles from Canterbury is Wingham Wildlife Park. Open all year round, the park is fairly small but don’t be put off! There is a brilliant variety of animals here including lemurs, reptiles, tigers and penguins.

Children can experience being zoo keepers for the day and have a go at feeding some of the animals while the friendly staff provide interesting and entertaining talks. There’s a play area and other great facilities on site. Tickets cost £13 for adults and £10 for children.

A runner up attraction is the nearby Canterbury Tales, a guided tour through 14th Century England with some entertaining commentary!

6. Chislehurst Caves

Not too far from London in Chislehurst lie the Chislehurst Caves. These caves provide fun for the whole family as you are guided through the labyrinth of tunnels by knowledgeable and entertaining staff who may even tell a spooky story or two! Your kids will love holding up lanterns in the dark while listening to the fascinating history and stories of the cave’s past. There’s free parking and good facilities here, with admission currently costing £6 for adults and £4 for children.

This is a real gem and a fantastic day out.

7. Penhurst Place and Gardens

An attraction the adults in particular will love is Penhurst Place and Gardens. Located in Tonbridge, this is a beautiful and quintessentially English place to spend the day. You can explore the grandeur of the historic house as well as 11 acres of picturesque gardens.

The kids will have fun too with all the activities that take place each day, including arts and crafts, storytelling and woodland trails. There’s also an adventure playground and a maze! Events include a farmer’s market the first Saturday of every month and the Weald of Kent Arts and Crafts Show held in September. Tickets to the house, gardens and grounds cost £10 for adults, £6.50 for children and £28 for a family ticket.

Not that Kent is short of beautiful gardens to visit.

Kent is a wonderful county with plenty of things to see and do. But don’t take our word for it! There are plenty of camping and caravanning sites across the county you can use as a base for exploring. Visit some of the attractions we’ve listed here so you can experience a fantastic family holiday everyone will love!