DAYSOUT
Picnic Perfection cont...
MOTE PARK DEAL CASTLE
Mote Park, Maidstone maidstone. gov. uk
A 450-acre green space with woodland, rivers, grassland and a scenic lake, Mote Park has long been considered one of Kent’ s best parks. Open 8am until dusk, Monday to Sunday, the park is home to four children’ s play areas as well as a skate park, making it fit for a fun day out. With plenty of spaces to enjoy an afternoon picnic, Mote Park also has an on-site cafe that serves snacks, drinks and ice creams for those looking to enjoy an extra treat.
Home to its very own Watersports Centre, Mote Park has a professional full-time team who deliver a wide range of activities. Open seven days a week, general hire is operated on a first come, first served basis so there’ s no need to pre-book! Another exciting option, Mote Park is always looking for volunteers to help out with tasks from building bird boxes and hedge clearing to helping out with events and planting trees. A great way to learn new skills and meet potential friends, volunteers meet every Wednesday between 9:30am and 1pm, making it the perfect pre-picnic venture.
Shorne Woods Country Park, Shorne kent. gov. uk
A 300-acre country park situated between Gravesend and Strood, Shorne Woods Country Park offers a range of geologically interesting natural habitats to explore. Featuring an eco-friendly visitor centre and restaurant, fishing lakes, play areas and plenty of space for picnics, waymarked trails let visitors make the most out of the park’ s outdoor space, with accessible routes, running trails and a combined horse and cycling route that encourages all who visit to get their bodies moving.
For those with a smartphone and a sense of adventure, both geocaching and a permanent orienteering course are available at Shorne Woods, providing a great excuse to learn more about the landscape from different perspectives. Home to woodlands, wetlands and meadows, the country park also offers exclusive activities on select days, with upcoming events including a visit from Joe’ s Bows Archery on 20 August and a Circus Skills Workshop on 26 August.
Deal Castle, Deal english-heritage. org. uk
A 16th-century artillery fort built by Henry VIII to protect the Downs from invasion by European Catholic powers, Deal Castle is an absolute must-visit for history buffs wanting to enjoy a summertime picnic by the sea. With plenty to see and do, visitors can explore the castle’ s striking bastions and enjoy spectacular views across Deal beach, or engage with hands-on learning through their interactive exhibits. Find the illustrated map of Europe to discover the international situation at the time of the castle’ s construction and listen upstairs to the stories of those who lived and worked within the castle. Known as the‘ Rounds’, Deal Castle also has a twisting, dark and damp passageway beneath, running along the outside of the outer bastions and covering the base of the moat. Within the Rounds, look out for the audio adventure posts to truly bask in the atmosphere.
Just a stone’ s throw from the seafront, visitors can enjoy their picnic on the lawn of Deal Castle, embracing the coastal breeze and rich history of the surrounding area. For those in search of a souvenir for a summer scrapbook to commemorate the day, be sure to head to Deal Castle’ s gift shop and beloved secondhand bookshop before heading back home.
58 • www. insidekent. co. uk