The best Summer activities for families in Kent!

With Summer now upon us, it is the perfect time to start organising your family’s summer adventures. We have made a shortlist of our favourite local activities which the whole family will love. From mazes and adventures, to zoos and go-karting, we explore a wide range of summer activities in Kent!

Howletts Wild Animal Park

Howletts Wild Animal Park is perfect for every animal lover. Each visit to this animal conservation allows them to protect the wildlife here in the UK and even enables them return some animals back to the wild. African Elephants, Western Lowland Gorillas and Eastern Black Rhinos are a few of almost 50 different types of animals which live at Howletts Wild Animal Park. They even offer experiences and encounters which include being a ‘Keeper for a Day’.

Leeds Castle and Go Ape

The breath-taking Leeds Castle is surrounded by 500 acres of parkland and is perfect to visit with the family. They have recently added a ‘step into the 1930s’ interpretation to bring the castle to life. Moreover, if you fancied something a little thrilling, they are running a Falconry display and meet the birds, Jousting, Murder Mysteries, the Leeds Castle festival and many more events.

There is also a Go Ape in very close proximity to Leeds Castle. Whether you’re taking part in the Treetop Adventure, Treetop Adventure Plus or the Tricky Treetop Challenge, this would be good fun and thrills for the whole family!

Kent Life

Kent life is a Heritage Farm which prides itself in being a fun day out for the family. With Donkey rides, a farmyard, a big top and the hop gardens, there is lots to do for the whole family. Make sure to keep updated with all of their upcoming events; you won’t want to miss out!

Kent and East Sussex Railway

The stunning Kent and East Sussex Railway is 10 and a half miles long, and is an example of one of England’s light railways. They provide lots of events for the whole family, which can all be done while travelling down this iconic light railway. This includes Fish & Chip suppers, sparkling afternoon tea and railway walks.

Hever Castle

Hever Castle was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn (the second wife of Henry VIII). Set in magnificent gardens and internally is covered with wonderful Tudor paintings. The Water and yew maze is there to entertain visitors and the peaceful atmosphere will give you a day to remember.

The Dinosaur Forest at Port Lympne

The Dinosaur Forest at Port Lympne is the perfect place for budding explorers. Travelling through the natural woodland you will be able to meet all of your favourite dinosaurs! A flying Pterodactyl, the ginormous Diplodocus and the king of dinosaurs the T-Rex. There is also a lovely zoo and highly popular 4-star hotel nearby.

Ninja Warrior Chatham

Straight off the TV, Ninja Warrior is now available in Kent! Enjoy climbing, swinging, jumping, and balancing your way across all of the obstacles. You will feel like a real ninja! Even the famous warped wall is there to take on. If you would prefer to watch and treat yourself to some refreshments, it is free to watch from the café area.

Buckmore Park Kart Circuit

If you and your family like to live life in the fast lane, the Buckmore Park Kart Circuit might be perfect for you. The world-famous kart circuit is 1,000m and karts can reach up to 60 miles per hour. Buckmore was created in the 1960s with an original 400m circuit. Buckmore Park is widely considered to be one of the best outdoor Karting tracks in the UK and many motorsport legends such as Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button learnt their skills here.

The Strand Leisure Park

The Strand is perfect for families of all ages. If you are competitive the crazy golf may be the choice for you and there is also free use of outdoor tennis courts. Two children’s play areas and a mini train ride are sure to keep the children entertained for hours. The main attraction is the Strand outside pool which includes a 300m lazy river, swimming lanes and slides!

Diggerland

Diggerland is exactly what it says on the tin… a theme park inspired by Diggers! Both children and adults can drive, ride, and operate real diggers, dumpers, and other construction machinery. With over 20 rides and an array of activities and indoor and outdoor play areas, parents can sit back and relax while their children can let off some steam, or they can join in!

Cineworld Ashford or Odeon Maidstone

There is nothing better than box of popcorn, a slushie and watching your favourite film at the Cinema. There are a few cinemas dotted around Kent with the closest being the Odeon cinema in Maidstone and the Cineworld Cinema at Ashford. If you are to visit the Odeon cinema in Maidstone the Lockmeadow entertainment centre boasts lots of places to eat, a bowling alley Gravity indoor trampoline park and much more!

Botany Bay

Beautiful white cliffs and impressive chalk stacks are a few reasons why Botany Bay is so popular! You can relax on the idyllic sandy beaches or explore the rock pools and go fossil hunting. Botany Bay is a perfect day out for the whole family!

Hopefully our favourite summer activities in Kent will give you some new ideas and help you decide where to go this summer! For some more ideas visit our blog on ‘The Best Ways To Spend Summer In Kent’.

Got any questions or feedback on the blog? Or maybe a topic you would like to be covered in a future blog? Email caitlin.willis@clarendonhomes.co.uk today, I would love to hear from you!