BEWL WATER
BETTESHANGER
CHATHAM HISTORIC DOCKYARD
KENT AND EAST SUSSEX RAILWAY
ACTIVE ADVENTURE
Bewl Water www . bewlwater . co . uk
Designed for little adventurers with the most imaginative of minds , Bewl Water is home to two free outdoor playgrounds . The adventure pirate ship features sweeping timber structures and slides constructed around the Bewl Galleon – a washedup pirate ship from the stormy seas . With views of the natural landscape surrounding the ship , the playground enhances learning by boosting balance , agility , memory , and concentration through communication and teamwork . The smaller play area is for children up to six years old and is also crammed with interactivity . Open from 8am to 5pm every day .
For older children that love nature , Bewl Water ’ s bird hide and nature reserve offers fantastic wildlifewatching opportunities that will not only enrich their knowledge of the natural world but also offers a golden opportunity for family bonding . The bird hide , built by the Sussex Wildlife Trust is home to species such as great crested grebe and little grebe as well as Canada geese , mallards and common pochard . Found on the southern side of the reservoir , you ’ ll spot lots of wildlife on the water and around the shoreline where well over 200 bird species have been recorded .
Betteshanger Country Park www . betteshanger-park . co . uk
There is so much to do at Betteshanger Country Park this half term . The Activity Club offers a day jam packed full of outdoor activities and games with fully qualified instructors ready to run a range of activities , giving your children the opportunity to try new hobbies and learn new skills with confidence . Wild One ' s Forest School gets children outside and into nature , giving them freedom to explore for themselves , developing self-confidence , self-esteem , language , understanding and a whole host of other invaluable life skills . Wild Ones holiday club , for children aged between five and 11 years , will be filled with fun and adventures - spend your day in the forest learning all sorts of fun new skills including climbing trees , campfire cooking , building dens and woodland craft .
TRANQUIL TRAILS
Igtham Mote www . nationaltrust . org . uk / visit / kent / ightham-mote
A picture-perfect , 14th-century timber-framed manor house on its own little island surrounded by water , Igtham Mote is the ideal place for those looking to immerse themselves in the sprawling countryside . Enjoy 14 acres of varied gardens when you visit , wander through dells , glades and the banks of lakes . Surrounded by a rambling country estate , extend your visit with a woodland wander or a hill climb . With three waymarked walks , from one to five miles in distance , the estate is brimming with wildlife and plenty to see . A wonderful day out for all the family including canine friends who are welcome on leads .
Walmer Castle to Deal Castle www . betteshanger-park . co . uk
A beautiful coastal walk that takes families in a straight line from one historic castle to another . Trundle or stride across the stony beaches of Walmer and the picturesque seafront of Deal where you will
find its castle , which was built on the orders of King Henry VIII . Deal is one of the finest Tudor artillery castles in England , whereas Walmer Castle takes on a more romantic stance with its manicured gardens and stately appeal - a favourite of the Queen Mother .
CULTURAL QUESTS
Chatham Historic Dockyard www . thedockyard . co . uk
Reopening for the 2023 season on Saturday 11 February , Chatham Historic Dockyard once again invites guests to return to the Age of Sail when the dockyard built mighty ships that mastered the world ’ s oceans . Test your sea legs on HMS Ocelot , a Cold War submarine ; explore HMS Cavalier , a Second World War destroyer ; and walk the deck of HMS Gannet , the Victorian sloop . Watch the master ropemakers at work using centuries old techniques in the iconic ropewalk and ropery gallery .
Kent and East Sussex Railway www . kesr . org . uk
For a truly nostalgic , magical journey through Kent ’ s most beautiful and picturesque countryside , the Kent and East Sussex Railway allows passengers to travel back in time starting at Tenterden Town Station and chugging 10-and-a-half miles to Bodiam station . Situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and following the wide unspoilt Rother Valley for much of the journey , there ’ s always plenty to see , along with the small rural stations along the way which are typical of light-railways of the period , as is the train !
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