From the white cliffs of Dover to historic castles and maybe even a sneaky trip to Bluewater, Kent has so much to offer the family. Whether you live in the Garden of England or are just looking for somewhere new to go, here are our choice of the 10 best family attractions in Kent….

Vehicle lovers

Historic Dockyard Chatham

Visit this iconic attraction in Kent, with so much to do your little boat lovers will want to set off and sail the high seas! There is a museum, submarines and the chance to see everything ships have to offer, plus there is an indoor play area and picnic site which is ideal for when the typical English weather strikes.

Day out with Thomas

None of us are strangers to the wonders of Thomas the Tank Engine, but apart from the Fat Controller himself, we can’t all have the chance to ride on him. With one of these epic days out, you can enjoy a fabulous family friendly ride on the big blue steam engine himself, as well as joining Rusty and Dusty’s storytelling with balloon modelling, plus children’s rides and a soft play area at Tenterden station.

Thrill seekers

Diggerland

Driving diggers, riding in a JCB bucket and racing in a mini Land Rover… sounds amazing right? At Diggerland in Strood you can do all of those things and so much more. Designed for 4-14 year olds, this one-of-a-kind attraction is definitely one to put on the ‘bucket’ list.

Mr Mulligans

Crazy golf, gone even crazier at Mr Mulligans in Sidcup and Tonbridge. Dodge the dinos, putt under the bridges and play through various water features at 36 holes of golfing madness. With flood-lit courses and mid-week special deals, this could be a perfect after school treat.

Inquisitive minds

Fairy and Elf village at Jeskyns 

From Acorn Apartments to Mushroom Manor, The Old Boot Inn and Tree Top Village the elves and fairies have set up residence at Jeskyns in Cobham. Sneak up and see if you can find these mystical creatures while exploring the wonders this beautiful woodland has to offer, such as cows, skylarks and maybe even a Gruffalo!

Kent Life

Home to Britain’s last working Oasthouse, this is a nostalgic attraction with historic buildings, farmyard animals and play areas. Learn about hop picking, stroll through the beautiful gardens and get hands on in the cuddle corner with some of the smaller residents as well as seeing sheep, pigs, horses, donkeys, goats, rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, ducks and geese.

Role play-ers

Hever Castle

Located in Edenbridge, here you can learn about knights and enjoy tumbling around the Tudor Towers Adventure Playground with three towers to climb and two fireman’s poles to escape via. Hire a boat on the lake, run around the water maze and enjoy the amazing grounds – perfect for little inquisitive explorers.

Dover Castle

Experience life as a World War Two fighter pilot, hear the gun drills and see real life actors at Henry VII’s court. With different children’s activities all year round, this beautiful coastal castle offers much more than a taste of history.

Animal lovers

Willow’s Bird of Prey

This amazing family experience day is perfect for little ones who love birds – with animal experience days, the chance to handle some of the birds and displays galore. Plus, with a family ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children) at only £18.49, what’s not to love?

Port Lympne

Port Lympne Reserve in Ashford offers an unforgettable experience for the whole family. From sunset safaris to animal encounters, as well as the chance to stay overnight in a lodge and wake up face to face with the animals. We currently have a competition to win an annual pass to this amazing attraction, helping to make your animal lovers’ dream come true.

Wildwood Trust

This beautiful woodland located near Canterbury shows animals in their natural enclosures; kids can see wild horses, wolves and even bears! If you’ve still got energy left, you can finish the day by letting the kids go wild in the amazing adventure play park, featuring Kent’s tallest vertical drop slide, zip wire, wild fort, twisting tube slide and special area for kids under 5.

With so much on offer, Kent provides a fantastic array of activities for any child, big or small. Make sure you check out our full Kent line up below for everything you can do in this fabulous County, as well as our current competitions to keep an eye out for a juicy prize you can use the next time you are looking for a great day out.