Family Holidays: Kent family holidays and breaks

Take the Family holiday rating 5 stars out of 5

Why

Kent is also known as the Garden of England due to it’s abundance of hop gardens and orchards, so where better to take a child. It is also steeped in history due to it’s position between London and the continent making it front line for several conflicts including the Battle of Britain and World War II. There are miles of sandy beaches perfect for paddling and enchanted castles which let kids imaginations run wild.

Top left: Scotney Castle, Kent
Top right: Kent beach between Folkstone and Dover

Bottom left: Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway
Bottom right: Kent countryside

When

There are things happening all year round in Kent, although the obvious time would be the warmer months to take advantage of those beaches. There are many events throughout the year from food festivals to open air concerts to the the Hop Festival in mid September.

How

Kent is very accessible by car, train, coach or even air. By car: The M2 and M20 motorways run through the heart of Kent linking all major cities and towns. By train: there is a regular train service to most towns in Kent from London stations and from many Southern England stations. See the Trainline for more detailed information. By coach: from London Victoria, see National Express for further details By air: Gatwick, Heathrow and Standsted all offer easy access into Kent.

Do

There are an abundance of things to do in Kent with families so here are some of our favourites:

Go seal spotting at Ramsgate, a fantastic 90 minute adventure on a speed boat from Ramsgate Harbour to Goodwin Sands. Or learn to Kite Surf in Whitstable on the flat water known as the Street.

Visit one of the many castles, like Scotney Castle, a National Trust property, where you can wander around beautiful gardens that surround the 14th century moated ruin. You can watch battle re-enactments at Dover or Deal Castles, or explore Dinosaur and Dragon Valley at Groombridge Place Gardens and Enchanted Forest.

Experience a real farmers market, the only one in England still open 6 days a week and enjoy lunch in the restaurant of the Canturbury Goods Shed where all the local fayre is served.

Lastly travel on the world’s smallest railway, the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway's steam trains take you on an idyllic journey from the picturesque town of Hythe out to the headland. See how Dea and her family got on in Kent