10 Kent attractions to visit during the summer holidays including Port Lympne, Leeds Castle and Dover Castle

Kent is packed with brilliant attractions, whether it’s historic castles, glorious gardens or muddy farms.

If you’re looking for a place to spend some time with the family this summer, we’ve got 10 great places that are guaranteed to have a great day out…

BETTESHANGER RURAL PARK, Business

If you’re looking to get the family out and about this summer, there’s a wealth of fantastic outdoor activities to be had at Betteshanger. From inflatable obstacle courses to army-style training grounds, cycling routes, a forest school and hiking trails, the park is packed with challenges for the whole family.

Details: Open Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 8am to 6:30pm. Admission is free, but there are parking fees.

BROGDALE, Faversham

During the six-week summer holidays, Brogdale Farm in Faversham is offering a range of things for families to see and do. There’s outdoor cooking, juicing workshops, mini-animal days, tractor-trailer rides, a fruit picking weekend and orchard walks. And for the adults, the annual Cider Festival returns for the August bank holiday weekend.

Details: Open daily from 10am to 4pm. Admission is free, but individual events can be purchased with a ticket.

DOVER CASTLE

Dover Castle will be taking visitors back to the Middle Ages this summer. The Medieval Season is all about traditional activities and historic battles, including combat lessons, archery, medieval games and immersive plays. There’s also the new Dover Castle Under Siege exhibition featuring digital recreations of bygone eras and a play area with interactive elements.

Details: Open daily from 10am to 6pm. Adult tickets cost £25.90 and can be booked online here.

FRAMPTON FARM, near Dover

The owners of this farm in Church Hougham, about 10 minutes from Dover, have decided that now is the time to open their doors to the public. There are school holiday clubs that give children the chance to be farmers for a day, while visitors of any age can spend a day on the farm meeting the animals. You can even book an afternoon tea with the alpacas!

Details: Open daily from 9am to 4pm. Adult tickets start from £20 and can be booked online here.

HEVER CASTLE, near Edenbridge

Take part in a series of hands-on activities with a day of time travel. Guests will meet a pair of ambitious adventurers who are trapped in their journey through space and time at Hever Castle. You can help them find their way home by solving puzzles, defeating knights and using codes.

Details: Open daily from 10:30am to 6pm. Adult tickets cost £23.35 and can be booked online here.

HISTORIC SHIPYARD, Chatham

Visit one of Kent’s biggest maritime attractions and enjoy a slice of seafaring history. Along with impressive warships, submarines and ropery, during the school holidays you can also become a detective for the day. Crack the codes to find out who sold the Royal Navy’s secrets and earn a reward for your help – and the best part is that all summer long, kids go free to celebrate the dockyard’s 40th anniversary.

Details: Open daily from 10am to 5pm. Adult tickets cost £28.50 and can be booked online here.

KENT LIFE, Maidstone

Get ready for some exciting live entertainment as Kent Life’s Big Top is putting on a brand new show every bank holiday week. There will also be Olympic-themed games, from relay races to sack races, and plenty of animal encounters with the farm’s four-legged residents.

Details: Open daily from 10am to 5pm. Adult tickets cost £12.50 and can be booked online here.

LEEDS CASTLE, near Maidstone

Enjoy a full day at Leeds Castle with just about everything you could want from a summer’s day. There’s a woodland trail, outdoor play areas, bird of prey displays, miniature golf and even a chance to sit back and relax on the castle’s man-made beach.

Details: Open daily from 10am to 6pm. Adult tickets cost £31.50 and can be booked online here.

PENSHURST PLACE, near Tonbridge

Test your skills with archery, axe throwing and laser target shooting at Penshurst Place. The property, set in 11 acres of Grade I listed gardens, will also have plenty of entertainment for children with storytelling, summer crafts, falconry displays, woodland trails and s’mores making.

Details: Open daily from 10am to 5pm. Adult tickets cost £15 and can be booked online here.

PORT LYMPNE HOTEL AND RESERVE, Hythe

Get up close and personal with Port Lympne’s incredible 900 animals. The huge wildlife park spans over 600 acres and includes a safari experience where you can climb into an authentic truck and head out into the Kent savannah to see giraffes, zebras and rhinos roaming the grounds. You can also explore the historic mansion, capture fantastic views of the countryside and stop for a meal at the Garden Room or Bear Lodge restaurants.

Details: Open daily from 9:30am to 6pm. Adult tickets cost £32 and can be booked online here.

SHAUN THE SHEEP TRAIL, Maidstone

There’s still time to explore the new Shaun the Sheep in the Heart of Kent trail, which opened in Maidstone at the end of June. Over 100 sculptures large and small of the loveable cartoon character, all designed by talented artists, are dotted around the county town and you can download a free trail map to follow and find the sculptures.

Details: Open daily through Friday, August 30. The trail is free.

WALMER CASTLE, near Deal

Walmer Castle is looking for explorers interested in joining its summer trek. Follow the trail through the castle grounds, which will be in full bloom with seasonal flowers, and enjoy a nod to the landmark’s history as you wander. Once you’re done at the castle, you can always stop by the beach, just a few minutes’ walk away.

Details: Open daily 10am-5pm. Adult tickets start from £16.