Things To Do With Kids In Kent – South Kent Highlights
See Kent highlights of what to do with your little ones, and not so little ones in the county – area by area. Great ideas for all the family. So whether toddlers or teens in tow – there’s plenty to do and see. Covering towns and villages in Ashford, Tenterden, Deal, Dover, Folkestone and Hythe areas.
By Sophie Bland
♣ = Seasonal Opening Hours
ALL AGES
Solley’s Ice Cream Parlour
Deal
Solley’s has been producing real dairy ice cream on the family farm for over 3 decades, using Channel Island milk and cream, with over 15 flavours of ice cream to choose from, all made on the farm. Solley’s Ice Cream Parlour farm trails let you explore and find out more about wildlife on the farm.
3HS Ceramics
Dover
Pottery studio with a range of items to choose from, help at hand and then you leave it to be fired and glazed. Painting your own ceramics is a great form of relaxation for all ages. 3HS Ceramics offers a sanctuary which is both therapeutic and creative.
Pencester Gardens
Dover
In the centre of Dover, Pencester Gardens abut the River Dour and features a children’s play area that includes a multi-play unit, zip wire and basket swing, with a skate park and a bandstand with open lawns. The bandstand is used regularly for a number of events during the Summer, and the central space is great for play and taking time out to relax.
Dover Leisure Centre
A local sports and activities centre with a 120-piece gym, sports hall, two swimming pools, three studios for classes, squash courts, sauna and steam rooms. Classes, lessons and relaxation are just a few things on offer, plus the Inflatable Fun and a unique Clip ‘n Climb Wall – an indoor climbing experience with 16 themed climbing areas and 20 individual climbing lines that reach up to 7.5 metres high.
Tides Leisure Centre & Deal Indoor Tennis Centre
Deal
Tides Leisure Centre & Deal Indoor Tennis Centre has a wave machine, a tall slide in the pool, with a poolside café, as well as a gym, sports hall, health suite, and indoor tennis courts. There are over 70 classes which run throughout the week, plus swimming lessons, and a teen gym.
Victoria Park Deal
Victoria Park, which is also home to the Tides Leisure Complex and Deal Indoor Tennis Centre, is a large open grassed area with a children’s play area and a floodlit concrete skate park. It is also used for football, tennis and bowl activities.
Walmer Castle
Walmer, Deal
This English Heritage property, set in 8 acres, has a rich history dating back to 1539-40 when Henry VIII built it in response to threats of invasion from Europe. There is plenty to explore within the Castle as well as the gardens, including the Queen Mother’s Garden, the Kitchen Garden, and the recently revamped Broadwalk Garden. There are also family trails, a summer adventure quest and lots more. Young explorers will enjoy letting off steam as they discover the natural play trail along the woodland walk. They’ll love climbing into hollow tree trunks and giant nests, crossing wobbly bridges, conquering climbing nets and gazing up through the trees on leaf-shaped sky seats. They can even learn about wildlife by spotting sculptures of woodland birds dotted around the trail.
The South Foreland Lighthouse
Dover
On the iconic White Cliffs of Dover, The South Foreland Lighthouse is a Victorian decommissioned lighthouse, which during its 142 years of operation, provided a safe passage for ships through the Strait of Dover. It is a site of significant historical importance, having survived two World Wars and been at the forefront of technological and scientific advancements. It is a National Trust property and a great place for a family day out where you can take a tour, play games on the lawn, fly kites and treat yourself to cake or ice cream, as well as walk along the cliffs to the Fan Bay Shelter and Visitor Centre.
The East Kent Railway Trust
Dover
The Trust run this four mile round line that takes you on a journey between the villages of Shepherdswell and Eythorne, passing by beautiful countryside, the Glogotha Tunnel and stopping at historic stations on the route. Visit the Knees Woodland and the Miniature Railway for kids as you relive the days of steam, you can embark on a drive a train experience, enjoy a chip supper train ride, as well as lots of other event days.
Russell Gardens
Dover
Russell Gardens in Dover is a Grade II listed park, that is listed in the English Heritage Register of Parks & Gardens of Special Historic interest and covers 10 hectares. There is a children’s play area in the park, and lots of areas to rest and appreciate the garden, which were originally built as a grand country house and estate, known as Kearsney Court. During renovations, the play area, a mobile café and toilet facilities in Kearsney Park (please see our separate listing for more details) will still be available so that visitors can continue to enjoy the parks and gardens during the renovations and appreciate its rich flora, fauna, and wildlife, as well as its rich history.
Bushy Ruff
Dover
Bushy Ruff is at the western end of Russell Gardens in the centre of Dover and is a nature reserve that is home to a variety of fauna and flora, wildlife with a lake formed in 1794 to service a nearby paper mill.
St Peter’s Church – Sandwich
St Peter’s Church is situated in the centre of Sandwich, an ancient town and Cinque Port where visitors can see impressive views from its medieval tower. You can also find out about the Church’s 900-year history, where there are traces of its heritage as a Norman church and the present building dates back to the late 13th and early 14th Centuries, according to the Churches Conservation Trust. It is spacious and airy and its simple interior highlights its medieval roofs, decorated windows, carved tomb recesses and effigies to local benefactors that reflect the importance of the town and its people.
Deal Castle
At Deal Castle there are lots to explore and learn during a visit to this historic site, with ghostly and twilight tours, children’s activities, beneath bastion hideouts, tunnels, wooden muskets for the little ones to use, and a new graffiti lounge. The castle is an artillery fort constructed by Henry VIII between 1539 and 1540. It formed part of the King’s Device programme to protect against invasion from France and the Holy Roman Empire. L
Dover Sea Sports Centre
Dover
Dover Sea Sports Centre offers a range of equipment to hire including boats, kayaks, wetsuits, and SUP. Sailing courses are also available. School holiday activities are also run at this not for profit community interest company.
Dover Museum & Bronze Age Boat Gallery
Dover
Dover Museum & Bronze Age Boat Gallery is famous for its Bronze Age Boat, the world’s oldest known seagoing vessel, which was discovered in 1992, and thought to be around 3,000 years old. The museum is one of the oldest in Kent, originally founded in 1836. As well as the castle, Dover’s rich history from prehistoric times, Stone, Bronze and Iron age are showcased this free museum as well as Saxon Dover, from the 5th Century onwards when Dover was a major settlement in the new Kingdom of Kent. Children’s activities and changing exhibitions amidst the background of the history of the town means there is plenty to do and see at this popular attraction.
Connaught Park
Dover
Connaught Park dates back to Victorian times and is set on the hillside below Dover Castle with a lake, aviary and recreation space. It was the first park established in the town and features three grass tennis courts (Summer only), and two hard tennis courts open all year. There are also football goals and a children’s play area including a zip wire, treehouse, swings and sandpit area, and the park offers great views of the town.
Betteshanger Country Park
Deal
Betteshanger Country Park between Deal and Sandwich is a 250 acre park that has a range of activities including cycling, walks, a play area, obstacle courses, and an activity centre. Holiday courses for children, bike races, fun runs, archery, fossil hunting, geocaching, big slides and inflatable obstacle courses are just a few of the extra activities the site runs. There are also screenings at their drive-in cinema screen. Or you can simply take in nature on a leisurely walk on its many trails. The park is a key part of the wider Betteshanger Sustainable Parks vision for visitors to see how ‘old energy’ can be transformed into ‘new energy’ and to get involved with the generation of renewable energy first hand on this former colliery spoil tip. Currently working on a Mining museum that aims to collect care and promote East Kent’s coal mining heritage.
Wide Eyes Falconry
Ashford
Falconry experiences available, as well as a children’s club. There are also target sports available in a beautiful woodland area, including archery and axe throwing.
Rare Breeds Centre
Ashford
At the Rare Breeds Centre in Woodchurch, near Ashford, this 100-acre farm has a range of fun activities including a Discovery Garden, Creepy Crawly World, indoor soft play barn, tractor rides, play parks, and even pig racing plus lots, lots more. Visitors can enjoy meet the animals sessions, bird of prey displays featuring falconry and owls, and keep their feet firmly off the ground in the Mysterious Marsh Adventure Trail with wooden bridges, tyre swings, ropes to navigate and Falconry Experiences.
Singleton Environment Centre
Ashford
Singleton Environment Centre near Ashford is an eco-friendly centre that has been built in mind with the environment at its core, using building materials that are local, recycled, natural and toxic-free, with solar heating panels, rainwater recycling for water, and at its heart has reduce, reuse and recycle ethos throughout the venue. All ages can take part in workshops, or take a self-guided trail which you can download on their website, intended for children of all ages to stop, look and listen carefully to the environment around them.
The Reindeer Centre ♣
Ashford
The Reindeer Centre offers experiences including Pet and Play which runs for a few months in the Summer where children can see goats, pigs, lambs, rabbits, guinea pigs and llamas. A bouncy castle, sandpit, and wooden pirate play ship are included in the other attractions to keep little ones entertained. In the Winter months from November to December, you can visit the Christmas Grotto to meet Santa and his reindeer in his festive cabin, visit the animal barn and the popular star bale ball pit, as well as the artificial snow play area.
Hollywood Bowl – Ashford
Ashford
Hollywood Bowl’s ten pin bowling centre features 18 lanes, a VIP area, an American themed diner and a buzzing bar, as well as a thrilling amusements area.
Huntfun – Ashford
Use the Huntfun treasure map as you follow the clues around the town where you will learn and see significant sights of the city, as well as interesting things you would normally walk past. Historic attractions include the Ashford Museum, where you will start from, and the St Mary the Virgin Church as well as lots more. The hunt will take around two hours to complete.
Flip Out – Ashford
Flip Out Trampoline Park in Ashford has wall-to-wall trampolines, foam pits, a soft play area, slam dunk and a ninja challenge plus lots more for all ages. Fifty-nine trampolines, 3 foam pits, monkey bars, battle beam, basketball courts and a dodgeball with kids and adults stunt areas are just some highlights of what is on offer. Plus a soft play and toddler section for children under 5 years as well as free jumping in all areas means visitors can really flip out. Lots of events and experiences to jump at, including After Dark sessions where you can bounce around to the music tunes from their resident DJ, Flip Fit! Classes and ASD Friendly sessions are available.
The Hawking Centre
Ashford
The Hawking Centre based in Ashford offers experiences ranging from a 1 hour introduction to falconry, to a 5 day course based at Eastwell Manor. Your falconry experience will be with a range of birds such as Eagles, Vultures, Hawks and Owls on this private estate, where you can also mix it with some archery shooting.
Battlezone Ashford
Ashford
Battlezone features a World War II-inspired indoor laser tag arena that is arranged over two floors, with sound, light and smoke effects, as well as regular Nerf war gun battles. Pay ‘n’ Play pizza and Camo Wednesday packages are also available.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
Ashford
Located in Smarden, near Ashford, The Big Cat Sanctuary provides an environment for the breeding of endangered cats within the European Endangered Species Breeding Programme. The charity is set within 32 acres and offers visitors unique experiences to interact and watch the animals, big and small, where you can be a ranger for the day, enjoy big cat encounters, participate in photographic workshops or have an overnight big cat safari expedition. There are more than 50 cats including African lions, Snow Leopards, Pumas, Lynx and Sumatran tigers.
UNDER 12 YEARS
Walmer Paddling Pool ♣
Deal
In between the coastal pathway between Deal and Dover you will find the Walmer Paddling Pool, great for little ones, though weather dependent. The pool has qualified lifeguards, changing rooms and deck chairs to hire. It is adjacent to a putting green and play area with a bouncy castle open during high season.
The Knees Woodland Miniature Train ♣
Dover
The Knees Woodland Miniature Train is set in this historic wood, over 350 years old, which was first opened in 2015. There is a loop that works its way around the bottom of Knees Woodland and it has sidings and an engine shed. Work is continuing on building a new turntable, a water feature and a bridge in the Knees Woodland. Operated seasonally and run by the East Kent Railway.
Imagine
Ashford
Children’s indoor play area and party venue that has a three-story high frame which includes four slides, four trampolines and lots of climbing areas offering unlimited play. There is also a Sportzone with two static goals and two basketball hoops, a toddler village area, and a baby and toddler area with buildings and cars.
Picture Credit ©: Top picture WavebreakMediaMicro/adobe.com Bottom picture: Flamingo Images/adobe.com
