Discover more in Kent
Fairy-tale castles, historic royal residences and the home of Churchill can all be found in Kent.
Let little explorers loose in the outdoors. They'll love squelching in mud kitchens, scrambling across natural play areas and running free across open meadows, whatever the weather. When it's time to refuel, grab a coffee and kids lunchbox from the café or pitch up a picnic blanket on the lawn. There's no need to book in advance, and with wide parking spaces, baby changing facilities, picnic benches and buggy-friendly paths our places are ready to welcome you.
New family trails, a teddy bears' picnic and geology-inspired activities for May half term in Kent
Commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings (6 June 1944) at the home of the great wartime leader, Sir Winston Churchill. Discover the role Churchill played in the planning and preparation for the Normandy landings, known as D-Day during the Second World War. In the gardens, kids of all ages have the chance to hone their skills in preparation for the invasion, code named Operation Overlord. In the house, discover objects with links to D-Day and find out how Operation Overload unfolded. Runs 25 May to 16 June, 10am-5pm, free with admission.
Come and create your very own story book in Scotney's summer half-term trail. Use the spinners around the garden to discover your characters, story line and 'happy ever after' ending. £3 per trail plus admission. Suitable for ages 3 to 10.
Discover prehistoric treasures and follow in the footsteps of dinosaurs on our half term trail as we mark 60 years since geologist Charles Boise entrusted Emmetts Garden to the National Trust. Trail includes a prize and runs 25 May to 2 June, 10am to 4:30pm. £3 plus admission. Outdoor Theatre season also begins on 1 June with a comedic performance of Jane Austen’s Persuasion. Pre-booking required, click for details.
If you go down to the Mote today...you’re sure of a warm, cuddly welcome as the annual teddy tradition returns for May half term. See bears of all shapes and sizes around the Mote, then bring your own cuddlies along for a traditional teddy bears picnic on the North Lawn against the musical backdrop of the Biggin Hill Band. Teddy display 25 May to 2 June, 10am to 5pm, free with admission. Biggin Hill Band 2 June, half hour performances at 11.30am and 12.45pm, free with admission
Experience Georgian coffee house culture with the hot topics of the day to discuss and debate. Learn how coffee then was different from today’s and enjoy a sweet treat made by our volunteer cooks in the kitchen. Saturday 25 to Monday 27 May, 11am to 2pm, free with admission
Can you unlock the mystery of the castle keys? Explore the castle ruin to find the hidden keys, try your hand at puzzles and learn about the Keeper of the Castle. Mystery-solvers will become keepers of their very own special key to take home. Over the Bank Holiday weekend, see history come to life as a medieval encampment pitches up at Bodiam Castle. Meet characters from the 1400s and discover their way of life. Enter the arena to watch dramatic sword demonstrations, have a go at dressing a medieval knight and more. Trail runs 25 May to 2 June, 10am to 4pm. £3 with small prize. Designed for children aged 4 to 12. Have-a-go-archery runs 25 to 2 June, 10.30am to 4pm, £4 for 6 arrows. Suitable for adults and children aged 6+. Medieval encampment 25 to 27 May, 10am to 4pm. Free with admission.
Baloo, the sleepy brown bear, has hidden puzzles and games to play around Bateman’s for you to discover. Put your skills to the test and uncover the clues around the house and garden. Trail runs 18 May to 2 June, 10am-4.30pm. £2 with small prize. Best suited for primary aged children.
Find non-stop family adventures and fun throughout the school holidays as part of the National Trust’s Summer of Play (sponsored by Starling Bank).
Family fun in the parkland all summer with adventure packs, cricket, boules and more (throughout school holidays). There’s a special week of Tudor-themed fun inspired by Knole’s former royal residents too (5 to 11 Aug, 11am to 3pm) with face painting, target practice and dress-up. Book admission to guarantee entry.
Follow the Adventures of Jock the Cat family trail (£3 plus admission, with prize), inspired by Chartwell's famous marmalade feline. Kids will love the two-storey treehouse, swings and Canadian Camp too.
Clown around with circus themed games and activities this summer. Explore the Badger and Pepper play area, or find a shady spot for a picnic and ice-cream. Runs 27 July to 2 Sept
Get active with cricket, hoola hoops, sack races and more. Let loose in the Wild Play area near the café, with climbing frame, willow tunnels and fairy toadstools. 20 July to 1 September
Giant Jenga, hobby horses, quoits and other games in the garden. Back by popular demand there will be family yoga sessions on offer on selected Fridays, as well as archery on Wednesdays in August. 20 July to 1 September
Roll up, roll up! The Medieval Fair is back, packed with family games and activities. From mini jousting to soft play archery, hobby horses to quoits. Meet historical characters, become a knight in training on a new trail, and look out for storytelling, crafts and medieval armour displays. 24 July to 1 September
Meet the royal residents of Chickenham Palace, or pop into the enchanting ‘Marycot’, a little brick house built by Sir Winston Churchill for his daughter Mary. Climb the two-storey treehouse and reach the sky on the swings in the Old Quarry. Chartwell is a great place to play and let imaginations run wild.
Book into the Knole Fawns toddler group on Friday mornings. There's babyccino coffee mornings and stories on Mondays too. Discover the royal treasures in the showrooms using the new children's spotter trail. Go deer spotting on a stroll around the parkland.
Swing, climb and squelch in the Badger & Pepper play area. Peer into the moat to spot the swish of a fishy tail. Can you find the dinosaur footprint in the rocks of the Old Quarry, a relic from when iguanodons roamed?
Guard the fort and hop into the enchanted fairy ring in the new natural play area, located just past the Old Stables Tearoom. Can you walk across the balance beams without falling off? Why not challenge each other to see who can build the biggest den? Play the giant wind chimes and clamber to the top of the climbing frame – the fun is never ending.
Head to the natural play area down by the lakes for den building. Meet the resident dragon and find the fairy door hidden in the trees. Pick up a free seasonal spotter sheet from visitor reception.
Celebrate the season with autumn eye spy. Race through the living willow tunnel, practice your balancing skills and make mud pies in the natural play area. Change of clothing advised!
Experience the feeling of walking over the bridge, through the gatehouse and stepping back into Medieval times. Spy the original portcullis, ancient stone unicorn, murder holes, gun loops and medieval bread oven. Pick up a new illustrated autumn spotter sheet or try the castle trail with Nosy Crow.
Drop in for story time in the garden, with short sessions perfect for little imaginations. Run free in the natural play area with swings, see-saw and climbing frames. Look out for the wise old owl perched atop the carved oak tree. Inside, meet the 120-year-old doll 'Crocus', who was given to Rudyard Kipling’s little girl, Elsie. She was so well loved; her nose has rubbed off with kisses.
Fairy-tale castles, historic royal residences and the home of Churchill can all be found in Kent.