DAYSOUT
DAYS OUT FOR FAMILIES CONT .
For an animal experience that is like no other , Huckleberry Woods ( www . huckleberrywoods . co . uk ) in Faversham is a small , rustic farm devoted to micro and miniature animals . Home to some gorgeous micro-pigs , miniature donkeys , Teddy Bear sheep and alpacas , your family can mingle with animals all freeranging around their orchard home .
You can even arrange to take them for a walk ! With none of the usual hustle and bustle , a two-hour visit to Huckleberry Woods provides a more relaxed and personal experience with limits on numbers of guests booked in at any one time . During your visit , you can relax and refresh with tea and cake , and children are encouraged to let off steam in the little play area .
Badgers Hill Farm ( www . badgershill . co . uk ) in Chilham is also home to lots of different animals that will welcome your visit . Delight at miniature donkeys , sheep , billy goats , chickens , geese , rhea , mara , peacocks and even wallabies . This is also an exciting learning experience for children , with information to discover about each of the animals they ’ ll find on their travels around the farm . Adults can bask in the sunshine with a chilled glass of Badgers Hill ’ s homemade cider , or any other beverage on offer from the cute café .
For families that love … Gardens and the great outdoors
The beauty and brilliance of summer can always be appreciated and absorbed in a lovely garden . The sounds of a soft summer breeze rustling through the trees , birds chirping in the branches , bees buzzing and the floral scent of sweet flowers floating in the air provides a sense of warm tranquility like no other . Reuthe ’ s The Lost Garden of Sevenoaks ( www . reuthes . com ) is one of Kent ’ s best venues to delight in this feeling . A magical 11-acre rare species woodland and garden that hosts one of the country ’ s best selection of specialist rhododendrons , azaleas , camellias and conifers , you are certain to bask in summer ’ s beauty while strolling here . Adults can shop the collection of beautiful plants in the nursery and families can share a meal in the charming Woodlands Bistro Café . This really is a visit for all the family , as visitors are encouraged to bring their pups along to explore The Lost Gardens of Sevenoaks with them . With two resident alpacas , Nuzzle and Scratch , visitors can also explore the woodlands with this different kind of furry friend in tow .
Another beautiful garden spot for all the family , including four-legged members , is Riverhill Himalayan Gardens ( www . riverhillgardens . co . uk ). A serene space with stunning views across the Weald of Kent , these historical gardens have been home to the Rogers family since 1840 , who have continued to put their pride , passion and care into creating this surreal place for others to share and enjoy . This summer , Riverhill has concocted a fun , creative programme of drop-in events running throughout the season . All these events are included in your entry price and even include outdoor theatre performances in the picturesque walled garden and brand new adult craft workshops .
For a magical forestry experience like no other that will have you and your family delighting in a peaceful , bucolic environment Bedgebury Pinetum
is a national pinetum with over 12,000 trees . A world-leading collection of conifers , Bedgebury provides a surreal setting for peaceful walks and picnics as well as three walking trails , three cycling trails , Go Ape , horse riding , four orienteering trails and waymarked running trails . After you have exhausted your energy marvelling at this magnificent surrounding and the activities it is so suited for , admire wonderful views of the pinetum from The Bedgebury Café .
Famous for its castle , Hever ( www . hevercastle . co . uk ) is also home to glorious gardens that provide acres of outdoor excitement for all ages . From the famous maze , play areas and jousting tournaments to herbaceous borders and the award-winning rose gardens , there is something for everyone to enjoy outdoors at Hever Castle . Those wanting a peaceful visit can stroll along the herbaceous borders and through drifts of perennials in Faith ’ s Garden , wander further afield and enjoy the meadow flowers on Lake Walk and younger visitors can imagine what it was like to be a knight , king or queen in the exciting outdoor spaces here .
BEDGEBURY PINETUM
HEVER CASTLE GO APE
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