DAYSOUT
The Six-Week Survival Guide cont...
YOUR GUIDE TO FILLING THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS WITH FUN ACTIVITIES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY, RIGHT HERE IN KENT. BY CHARLIE BOND
When you’ re a child, the school summer holidays are glorious. Six, sun-filled weeks stretch ahead of you. There’ s no maths lessons, no PE … just playing with your friends, eating ice cream and making sandcastles at the beach. For parents, the picture’ s a little different.
Suddenly, there’ s more than 40 days to fill with activities and you need an agenda that doesn’ t cripple you financially, stops the kids complaining that they’ re bored, and crucially- makes the most of the school summer holidays.
Homework and sports clubs might be taking a rest, but for parents, the holidays are when things ramp up. It can feel like an endless juggling act, especially if you’ re trying to balance work with keeping toddlers, teens and everyone in-between busy.
But, fear not- help is at hand! We’ ve compiled the ultimate six-week summer saviour. This guide is your cheat sheet to having an epic summer without the stress that sometimes comes with planning family fun. From high-impact days out to relaxed retreats, you’ ll find the perfect mix of memory-making activities and plenty of ways to make those sacred school holidays the best ever.
MAKING MEMORIES
These are the‘ big’ days out that are worth the early wake ups, the careful planning and the“ are we nearly there yet?” calls from the back seat …
The summer holidays don’ t need to be filled with the big-ticket events and low-key is also totally fine. But, if you’ re looking for some ways to make core memories with your family and experience some of the best activities Kent has to offer, then you’ ve come to the right place. First up, animal encounters. From Port Lympne and its safari trucks( plus overnight stays right amongst the animals) to endangered species at Hemsley Conservation Centre, there’ s plenty of ways to spend the holidays with creatures great and small.
Farms are also a big part of Kent, with many offering up family-friendly experiences. Head to Kent Life near Maidstone for farmyard friends, or visit The Rare Breeds Centre in Woodchurch near Ashford for everything from pig racing to tractor rides.
© Si Kirk © Kent Heritage Farm Park
The county is also home to some iconic landmarks that are well worth visiting during the summer months.
Hever Castle, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, not only has the fascinating historical building itself to explore, it’ s also got amazing play areas, mazes( including the water maze which is ideal for a scorching summer’ s day) and a whole host of activities taking place during the school holidays.
Head to Britain’ s biggest and bestpreserved Napoleonic Fort, Fort Amherst in Chatham, for another slice of history, where you can explore the 20 acres of surrounding land, check out the views and also head underground to the secret network of tunnels. And, for more castle fun, you can’ t go far wrong with a trip to
KENT & EAST SUSSEX RAILWAY
KENT LIFE
Dover Castle, which is great come rain or shine. The panoramic views, wartime tunnels and play areas make for a great family day out.
Kent’ s history doesn’ t stop with forts though. Take a trip to yesteryear on a steam train at The Kent & East Sussex Railway. Board a steam train at Tenterden and take in the Wealden scenery before reaching Bodiam Castle( OK, so there was another castle to add to the list …).
The Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway is also perfect for little explorers and there’ s the added benefit of being right by the coast for a bonus beach day. And then there’ s also the Spa Valley Railway in West Kent to pay a visit to, so train-loving little people will be thrilled! www. insidekent. co. uk • 53