Discover more in Kent
Fairy-tale castles, historic royal residences and the home of Churchill can all be found in Kent.
Family-friendly places 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 with a picnic blanket on the lawn. There's no need to book in advance for most of our places, and with wide parking spaces, baby changing facilities, picnic benches and buggy-friendly paths we are ready to welcome you.
Join us for eggcellent Easter Adventures in Kent
We invite you to step back in time, hop along our trails, chick out our activities and claim your prize in our Easter egg hunts. Everybunny's welcome for choco-lot of fun!
Edwardian circus-themed egg hunt at Emmetts Garden
Roll up, roll up! This Easter, we’re bringing the magic of an Edwardian circus to Emmetts Garden for family fun with our circus-themed activities. Make your way along the trail and find activities for the whole family. The trail takes place from the 5th to 21st April 2025, from 10am to 5pm with last entry at 4pm.
Egg hunt and Great Chicken Chase at Ightham Mote
Chase the chooks around the garden and complete ten fun activities and challenges to win a chocolate egg this Easter. This outdoor trail is great fun for the whole family and takes place from 29 March to 21 April between 10:00 and 17:00, with last entry at 16:30.
Easter egg and hive hunt at Chartwell.
Learn about the fascinating world of honeybees and discover how honey is made. Complete the trail activities to receive a tasty chocolate egg prize and watch a Punch and Judy show on the meadow. The trail takes place from 5th to 21st April 2025, from 10am to 5pm, with last entry at 4pm.
Easter egg hunt at Sissinghurst Castle Garden
Make your way along the trail and find activities for the whole family as you explore the beautiful gardens. The trail takes place between the 5th to 21st April, from 10:30am - 5:30pm, with last entry at 4:45pm.
Easter egg hunt and trail at Knole
Make your way along the trail and find activities for the whole family to enjoy whilst exploring the beautiful parkland at Knole. The trail takes place between the 5th and 21st April, from 10am-5pm, with last entry at 4.30pm.
Easter egg hunt at Scotney Castle
Put on your bunny ears, complete the challenges, and hop along the buggy-friendly Easter trail as little legs eggsplore a fun-filled day for the whole family. Join the trail from the 29th March to 21st April, from 10am-5pm, with last entry at 4.30pm.
Family fun this Easter at Smallhythe Place
Enjoy a world of theatrical adventures at Smallhythe Place as budding young actors and actresses have fun dressing up, directing, and swordplay on this Easter trail. Hop along between the 29th March to 21st April, from 11am-5pm, with last entry at 4.30pm.
Join in the family fun this May Half Term
Head over to Kent and join the family fun with some of your child's favourite characters. Pick up our spring wildlife spotter sheets and explore the stunning gardens.
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The World of Peter Rabbit™ Storytime Trail at Knole
Hop along, follow this walkthrough experience and immerse yourself in The Tale of Peter Rabbit. Little bunnies can crawl under the garden gate, hide in a watering can, and see their reflection in a mirror pool, just like Peter Rabbit!
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The Very Hungry Caterpillar Trail at Sheffield Park and Garden
Swing by our beautiful garden this May and June to enjoy a fun-filled trail based on Eric Carle’s beloved book ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’. Take your children on a journey through a butterfly’s life and discover fruit sculptures, nostalgic illustrations, and insect themed activities along the way.
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VE Day 80 Children's trail
8 May 2025 marks 80 years since the Allied victory in Europe over Nazi Germany in 1945. Discover more about Chartwell's wartime characters and celebrations in this interactive family trail round the gardens which lasts all month long, not just the May half term.
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Georgian Cooking Programme at Quebec House
Tempting scents fill the air as our volunteer cooks prepare 18th-century-style treats ready for visitors to taste. Explore the childhood home of General James Wolfe then head over to the Coach House to enjoy the delicious bakes. Donations gratefully received.
Top things for families to do in Kent
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Family-friendly things to do at Chartwell
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 and little legs run wild.
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Family-friendly visits to Knole
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.
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Family days out at Scotney Castle
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?
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Visiting Ightham Mote with the family
Celebrate the seasons with nature 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!
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Family days out at Emmetts Garden
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.
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Family activities at Sissinghurst Castle Garden
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.
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Family-friendly things to do at Bodiam Castle
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.
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Family-friendly things to do at Bateman's
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.
Visit multiple places in Kent
Did you know that many of our Kent places are within 30 minutes of each other? That means you can visit multiple places in one weekend or even in one day! We've put together some handy itineraries to help you explore more wonderful places near you. Remember our places can get especially busy during school holidays so check our website pages before you set off.
Heroes and Heroine’s Adventure: Chartwell, Emmetts and Knole
1) Start your weekend at Chartwell in Westerham where you can climb the treehouse, swing high in the Old Quarry and let your imagination go wild in the Canadian camp and bomb shelter. 2) It's just 10 minutes to Emmetts Garden in Sevenoaks where energetic adventurers can let off steam in the wild play area, have a go at giant Jenga in the meadow and enjoy woodland walks. 3) Then pre-book and travel 15 minutes to Knole in Sevenoaks for a parkland adventure, join in with family activities and watch our conservation team in action.
Garden Explorers' Quest: Sissinghurst, Scotney and Bateman's
1) Begin your adventure at Sissinghurst Castle Garden in Cranbrook, pick up your spotter sheet from visitor reception then explore the famous gardens, climb the tower, and visit the library. 2) Next, travel 20 minutes to Scotney Castle in Tunbridge Wells, discover the castle ruins and gardens full of family trails and play activities. 3) Drive 25 minutes to Bateman's in Burwash, East Sussex, for family-friendly events all year round and enjoy the natural play area with swings, see-saw and climbing frames before learning more about the family home of Rudyard Kipling.
Wild Wander: Ightham, Knole and Emmetts
1) Start your tour at Ightham Mote, exploring the 14th-century moated manor house and gardens complete with natural play area. 2) It's just a 15 minute (6 miles) drive to Knole to explore the historic house and deer park to let off steam. 3) Finally, drive for 20 minutes (8 miles) to Emmetts Garden to enjoy the beautiful gardens and wild play area before refuelling in the cafe. Enjoy a mix of historical exploration, scenic walks, and family-friendly activities!
Coastal Hike & Learn: White Cliffs, South Foreland and Fan Bay
1) Arrive at the White Cliffs of Dover Visitor Centre, enjoy the stunning views, coastal walks and watch the boats and ferries. 2) Walk for about an hour (3.3 miles) to South Foreland Lighthouse for a tour and a well deserved lunch at Mrs. Knott's tearoom. 3) Buy your tickets and walk for 20 minutes (1 mile) along the coastal path to Fan Bay Deep Shelter to discover the wartime tunnels with a guided tours before heading back to White Cliffs for an ice cream .
Sussexsplorer's route: Sheffield Park, Bateman's and Bodiam
1) Arrive bright and early at Sheffield Park and Garden to discover, fun ways to get active in the great outdoors from woodland walks to cricket matches. 2) Then, travel 42 minutes (21 miles) to Bateman’s to uncover the inspiration for some of Rudyard Kipling's famous stories, clamber on the play area or create a den from fallen branches. 3) Finally, drive for 21 minutes (12 miles) to Bodiam Castle where a whole range of activities await from have-a-go archery, battle re-enactments to family games, trails and activities.