Kent is one of those fascinating areas of South East England and, being the closest county to our European neighbours, it is full of history.
The county boasts bustling market towns and picturesque villages but also has a lot to see and do with plenty of attractions to visit with the kids.
Read on for 10 of the best places to visit in Kent with kids.
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| Beach huts at Whitstable |
Kent is a great place to visit as it has a lot of architecture and history from Roman times right up to the 20th Century with the World War 2 tunnels at Ramsgate.
Whether you are seeing some of the towns, or plan to explore the area, I wanted to share with you 10 of the best places to visit in Kent with kids.
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| Derek Jarman's house at Dungeness |
Dover Castle
Dover Castle has stood on the white cliffs of Kent for nine centuries.
It is one of the most iconic castles in the country and one you have to visit with the kids.
It is an English Heritage site which often means that not only are the grounds beautifully presented and restored for you to enjoy, but they usually host lots of events for children.
You can take time to walk around the castle and enjoy the history that is explained at every turn.
Take out an English Heritage membership for free entry to more than 400 sites.
Hever Castle and Gardens
Kent has an abundance of history and Hever Castle and Gardens near Edenbridge is another fine example of it.
The childhood home of Ann Boleyn, the castle has many different rooms to explore that are filled with ancient furniture, antiques, tapestries and artefacts showcasing a wealth of history for you to enjoy.
There are 125 acres of gardens as well, making this location a great place to visit on a lovely day.
Our girls love the water feature on a hot day and the wonderful playgrounds all year round.
Leeds Castle
You're bound to recognise this one with its iconic moat setting!
Leeds Castle is one of those places where you can check the website and guarantee there is something going on.
There is a lovely castle to explore and beautiful gardens where you can enjoy some beautiful plants and flowers.
It is a great place to take the family for a day out and so beautiful and atmospheric.
Canterbury Roman Museum
I mentioned that Kent was full of Roman history and the Canterbury Roman museum does not disappoint.
A great place to visit if the weather isn’t so great and there are usually a lot of events for you to enjoy.
It is Kent’s only roman specific museum and you can spend some time understanding the history of Roman life with the help of knowledge, pictures and artefacts to help guide you.
A fascinating museum that is a little different to ones you might have visited in the past.
Chislehurst Caves
The Chislehurst Caves are a labyrinth of man-made tunnels that form a maze covering 6 hectares and are over 30 meters deep into the ground at some points.
The tunnels are below even homes and woodland that sit blissfully unaware above.
The caves have been used for a number of different things over the last few years, but now as a tourist attraction, you get to experience the caves in all their glory.
The kids will love delving deep into the unknown and learning a little more about the mining of chalk in there and what the caves were used for.
Ightham Mote
You can’t go wrong with a National Trust property, and this one really does have that unique factor.
The building sits in the middle of a filled moat and over its 700 years has housed Medieval knights, Tudor courtiers and high society Victorians.
The gardens are also extensive so there is plenty to see and do while you are there.
It is certainly a different attraction and one your kids will love exploring.
Especially as they cross the moat to get into the building that resides in the middle.
Diggerland
Sometimes the kids just need a place to let off steam, enjoy themselves and have some fun.
Whether they embrace thrill-seeking rides or just play in outdoor play areas, Diggerland is the place to do it.
There is so much to see and do in Diggerland with fabulous rides and activities for big kids and little ones.
There are safaris to go on and even things like go-carts to explore.
There is definitely something for everyone at Diggerland and the whole family will enjoy a day out there.
Check out the website for more details
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| Image credit |
Wildwood
If you were looking for something that was all about being outside and embracing nature then Wildwood should be on your list of best places to visit in Kent with kids.
It is focused on preserving Britain’s nature and wildlife.
You will get to enjoy what nature is all about and perhaps even spot some of the animals and wildlife that are happy to roam and reside there including red squirrels, bison, wild boar, lynx aand beaver.
It is solely focused on protecting and preserving natural habitats.
Be mindful that you must book a slot to visit here so always check the website first.
Kent Life
Kent life is an English open-air museum and is one of those unique attractions that your kids are going to love.
Located in Maidstone, it is a 28-acre site filled with so many different things to do.
Some of the buildings within the Kent Life museum have been relocated there and restored perfectly, even a coal-fired oast house.
There is a pottery studio, a chance to have some animal encounters and enjoy tractor rides, and even an outdoor play area that the children will enjoy playing in.
A great location and one that you should definitely visit with the kids when visiting the Kent area.
I hope that this has given you some inspiration for some of the best places to visit in Kent with kids.
More things to do in Kent with kids:
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