Things To Do In Kent – West Kent Highlights
West Kent Highlights
See Kent’s suggestions for things to do and see in West Kent. Our highlights cover towns and villages in the Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells areas.
By Sophie Bland
Check out our South, North and East Kent’s pages too.
Things To Do
Sky Birds Of Prey
Tunbridge Wells
Time: Contact them to arrange
Price: Experiences – Half Day: £65/Hawk Walk: £45/Owl Experience: £45/Birds of Prey Intro – 2 hours: £45/Full Day: £150/Family of 6: £399/Junior Discover Day: £35/Raptures and Rifles: £65/Birds and Bows: From £20/Triple Targets: £65. Spectator fees may apply
Sky Birds of Prey, a family run company, offer a number of experiences for you to get to know birds. Enjoy learning about the falconry experience, get an insight into every bird’s physical features, hunting skills and natural behaviours, as well employing basic handling skills where you can end up flying owls and hawks. There’s also archery, rifle and lots more experiences to take part in.
Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve And Jeffery Harrison Visitor Centre
Sevenoaks
Time: Reserve – Dawn-Dusk/Visitor Centre – Wednesday to Sunday: 10am-3pm
Price: Free. Parking charges apply
This is a first example of a gravel pit site being developed for the purpose of nature conservation and is a great place for birds, dragonflies, damselflies as well as a diverse mix of plants, fungi and other wildlife. At the visitors centre find out more about the history of the site and the regular events they run.
Biggin Hill Memorial Museum
Westerham, Sevenoaks
Time: Tuesday to Sunday 10am-5pm
Price: With gift aid/Without gift aid – Adult: £6.90/£5.75/Child: £4.20/£3.50/Under 5 years: Free/Family of 4 – 2 adults & 2 children: £19.80/£16.50/ Family of 3 – 1 adult & 2 children: £13.80/£11.50. Discounts available for Defence Discount Service Card/Blue Light Discount Card & English Heritage Membership Card and TN16 Residents
Biggin Hill Memorial Museum’s history starts from over 100 years ago and tells the story of RAF Biggin Hill through the personal experiences of those who served there and the community which supported them. Its high altitude and strategically important location between London and continental Europe, make it one of Britain’s oldest aerodromes. Its particular focus is the Battle of Britain, in which it played a pivotal role. Lots to see and do, with exhibitions, and the St George’s RAF Chapel of Remembrance, built as a memorial to the aircrew who lost their lives flying from the Biggin Hill Sector during World War II. It was built in 1951 after a fundraising campaign led by Sir Winston Churchill. Visitors can also pick up a free walking trail.
Bewl Water
Tunbridge Wells
Time: 10am-4pm
Price: Parking and admission: £5.Annual or day memberships available for Sailing and Windsurfing, annual for Paddle boarding and Canoeing
If being more active was one of your New Year’s resolutions and you’re looking to make the most of the outdoors, we recommend Bewl Water which has the largest stretch of open water in the South East where its reservoir can hold more than 31,000 million litres. The site is set in 800 acres of outstanding natural beauty and offers a range of leisure and recreational activities. Lots to do including play areas, plus lots of walks to enjoy – plus from April the Aqua Park is open.
Hop Farm Family Park
Tonbridge
Time: Open on bank and school holidays, as well as weekends between Easter and Autumn Half Term. 10am-4.30pm. Last entry 3pm
Price: £4/Under 1 year: Free/Carer visits for free with every disabled person. Rides and some attractions operate on a pay/play basis
Attractions include giant jumping pillows, a driving school, a magic castle, an outdoor adventure play area and children’s rides. There’s also live shows and discos from their entertainment team in the Big Red Barn. The animal farm features donkeys, horses and plenty of cuddly creatures to get close to. Also home to live entertainment including circus shows, live music and seasonal events. Enjoy Easter Fun at the Hop Farm from 2nd-18th April 2022, where children can meet the beautiful Spring lambs and take part in an egg’citing Easter Trail.
Trinity Theatre and Arts Centre
Tunbridge Wells
Times: Box Office Monday to Saturday 10am-3pm.
Price: Varies depending on show
Housed in a former church, Trinity is recognised as a vibrant cultural hub situated in the heart of Tunbridge Wells, offering a varied seasonal programme, they host a number of touring productions including theatre, film, comedy, music and dance, and it is home to a children’s theatre with youth workshops. They were first established as an Arts Hub in 1982 and will celebrate their 40th anniversary this year.
Eden Valley Museum
Edenbridge, Sevenoaks
Times: Wednesday & Friday 2pm–4.30pm Thursday & Saturday 10am–4.30pm Sunday (June, July & August) 2pm-4.30pm Last entry 4pm
Price: Free
Eden Valley Museum collection includes local artefacts from residents past and present that represent the various trades and crafts practiced in Eden Valley. With more than 4,000 photographs, paintings and drawings that tell the stories of local communities born and raised in Eden Valley. The Museum offers activities for the whole family, Wheels Of Time E-badges and they also run monthly guided walks to explore Edenbridge from June to September.
Barnett’s Wood Local Nature Reserve
Tunbridge Wells
Time: Open all hours
Price: Free
Barnett’s Wood Local Nature Reserve in Tunbridge Wells is managed by the local community, with the aim of preserving wildlife and providing an educational space with the outdoor classroom set within the woodland. Over 5 hectares of Barnett’s Wood is made up of ancient, semi-natural broadleaf woodland. Although the area of woodland at Barnett’s Wood is relatively small, it contains a range of woodland types that are typical of the High Weald. These include oak and birch woodland, remnant wood pasture, and wet woodland. Bluebells flower in some areas of the woodland in spring, and coppicing, ride and glade management helps to maintain a structure that encourages many species of bird to breed there each year. With a play area, a storytelling chair, an outdoor classroom and a pond set up for pond dipping.
See Kent, Know Kent
For more great ideas, check our Things To Do listings for attractions and places to visit, with filters such as location and accessibility to refine your choices. See our What’s On section to find events from theatre to festivals.
