activities, activity, autumn, autumnal, child, family, fun day out, gardens, GB, Great Britain, Halloween, jdscotneyautumn2023, Kent, London and South East, London and South East region, LSE, LSE region, October, outdoors, outside, people, Scotney Castle, Silly Skeletons, trail, treasure hunt, U7s, UK, United Kingdom, visit, visiting, visitor, younger — Family on an autumnal walk around the moat at Scotney Castle, Kent | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

Family-friendly places in Kent

Let little explorers loose in the outdoors. They'll love squelching in mud kitchens, scrambling across natural play areas and running free across crunchy-leaved woodlands, whatever the weather. When it's time to refuel, grab a coffee and kids lunchbox from the café or find a cosy bench and enjoy some time snuggled and looking out at the beautiful views. There's no need to book in advance for most of our places, and with wide parking spaces, baby changing facilities, cosy cafes and tearooms and miles of buggy-friendly paths, we are ready to welcome you.

Looking for unforgettable autumn days out or Halloween fun for families? This October half term, explore National Trust places near you with seasonal trails, spooky storytelling, and plenty of outdoor adventures.

We’re Going on a Ghost Hunt at Ightham Mote

11 October to 2 November Based on the bestselling children’s books, this Halloween the bunnies are setting off on an adventure to find the ghosts hidden around Ightham Mote with heaps of exciting things to see and do along the way.

Illustration of four bunnies running in front of a setting moon for the We're Going on a Ghost Hunt ™ family Haloween trail this October half term

The Goblin King's Lost Path at Scotney Castle

18 October to 2 November Help the goblins find their way back to their hideout by solving riddles, discovering magical doors, and uncovering hidden spells. Choose from two trails aimed at different ages and simply collect your trail pack from Visitor Reception for £3 each. Why not do them both?

A group of four children dressed up for Halloween walk along a garden trail.

Playful Pumpkins at Chartwell

18 October to 2 November Oh no! Our pumpkins are on the loose. They’ve rolled out of the patch and are causing playful chaos in the gardens. Join the fun by taking on their cheeky challenges, solving riddles, and uncovering magical secrets. Can you help the giggling gourds find their way home?

Display of pumpkins, gourds and apples at Chartwell, Kent

Half-Term Pumpkin Picking at Sissinghurst

21 and 22 October Pick your own pumpkin from the vegetable patch for £5 this October half term, or upgrade to a £10 ticket to join a creative carving workshop, with all activities held in the picnic area and suitable for children accompanied by an adult.

Halloween at Quebec House

18 October to 2 November (exc Monday and Tuesdays) Explore crafty creations and magical scenes throughout the house, with dress-up fun and potion spotting for kids, plus Halloween-inspired treats in the Coach House on selected weekends.

Autumn Family Garden Trail at Emmetts Garden

11 October to 2 November Wrap up warm and join Fun Gus and friends on a brand-new autumn adventure at Emmetts Garden, where families can explore the seasonal trail and help save the forest as part of the Autumn Festival.

Guided tour in the garden during the Fungi Festival at Emmetts Garden, Kent

Half-Term October Trail at Smallhythe Place

25 October to 2 November Spot the ghostly items on display this October half-term in our 'Macbeth Ghost Trail' and enjoy the last chance to see our 'Dressing Lady Macbeth' exhibition which ends in November.

Spell Quest at Bodiam Castle

11 October to 2 November Young witches and wizards are invited to embark on a thrilling family-friendly quest at Bodiam Castle, solving magical mysteries and casting spells with the help of enchanted beasts in an immersive Halloween trail.

Families in fancy dress taking part in a thrilling Spell Quest to save the castle from the clutches of a wicked warlock during Halloween at Bodiam Castle, East Sussex

Join us for toddler time and where better to ignite your little ones' sense of wonder and adventure than in Kent. From vibrant natural play areas with swings and see-saws to gentle woodland trails designed for budding explorers, our places offer safe and exciting spaces for unforgettable family moments. Uncover toddler-friendly fun with spotter sheets, enchanting garden trails, and a range of activities throughout the year, all complemented by nearby cafés serving up delightful snacks and treats for everyone to enjoy.

Toddler fun near you

Toddler Mondays at Knole

Monday mornings during term time, 10am-12pm Perfect for under 5's join us for babyccino coffee mornings and storytime at Knole, meet other parents and carers and play with toys and games with your little one. Free with normal admission, pre-booking essential.

Visitors in the Music Room inside the Gatehouse Tower at Knole, Kent

Knole Fawns baby and toddler group

Most Fridays during term time 10:30am-12pm Enjoy playtime, creativity, and social fun at Knole with your little ones. Our weekly baby and toddler group offers music, crafts, stories, and light refreshments every Friday during term time (except the first Friday of the month).

Two young children playing with a wooden toy on pink and blue mats with a colourful play tunnel next to them.

Natural play area at Ightham

With walks, trails, a natural play area and acres of nature there is plenty to keep the family occupied on a visit to Ightham Mote. Read on to find out how to get the best out of your visit.

Ightham Mote Natural Play Area Steve Heywood

Woodland play area at Chartwell

Keep the whole family busy with a visit to Chartwell. There's so much to see with 80 acres of grounds to explore and plenty of fun and games to discover including a two-storey treehouse in the woodlands. Come along for the autumn half term playful pumpkins family activity trail. Plan ahead for Christmas season fun.

Children playing at Chartwell's treehouse.

Badger & Pepper natural play area at Scotney Castle

Discover your very own fairy-tale castle tucked away amongst acres of park and woodland or get involved with some of the family-friendly events and activities running all year around at Scotney Castle and start making memories.

Dragon's den building at Sissinghurst

Enjoy a fun-filled family day out at Sissinghurst Castle Garden this season. With an Easter Egg Hunt, seasonal trails, gardens, lakes and over 400 acres to explore, there's something for everyone.

National Trust places in Kent and nearby East Sussex offer fantastic fun and learning opportunities for children of all ages, making them ideal for home-schooling expeditions, crowd-beating school visits and early morning weekend family adventures that inspire imaginations and link into the curriculum too.

Learn about nature

Join free ranger walks at Scotney Castle, guided walks and moth nights at White Cliffs or explore spot fish and dragonflies in the lakes and moat of Ightham. Did you know that you can pick up a wildlife spotter sheet at many of our places as you wander the gardens and parkland?

A male Long-Tailed Blue butterfly on a pink flower

Learn about history

Whatever your children are learning, our places bring lessons to life. Experience hands-on medieval armour at Bodiam Castle, play Georgian games at Quebec House, or join guided tours at Fan Bay Deep Shelter and Chartwell.

Learn about art

Inspire creativity through hands-on experiences. Enter the 'Inspired by Chartwell' painting competition until end September. Explore the 'Islandness' photography exhibition at Scotney Castle until 17 October or enjoy outdoor theatre performances throughout the summer.

A woman and child sit outdoors on a grassy field with trees behind them, painting a colourful picture

Relax with storytime

After a busy day exploring enjoy some quiet time as you and your little ones sit down, relax and listen. Discover book corners devoted to imagination or join our dedicated storytime events and activities.

Family events near me

Family-friendly things to do at Chartwell

Meet the royal residents of Chickenham Palace, or pop into the enchanting ‘Marycot’, a little brick house built by Sir Winston Churchill for his daughter Mary. Climb the two-storey treehouse and reach the sky on the swings in the Old Quarry. Chartwell is a great place to play and let imaginations and little legs run wild.

Family sitting in the garden at Chartwell in Winter

Family-friendly visits to Knole

Book into the Knole Fawns toddler group on Friday mornings. There's babyccino coffee mornings and stories on Mondays too. Discover the royal treasures in the showrooms using the new children's spotter trail. Go deer spotting on a stroll around the parkland.

A family of four poses for a photograph dressed in Tudor outfits in the Orangery at Knole, Kent

Family days out at Scotney Castle

Swing, climb and squelch in the Badger & Pepper play area. Peer into the moat to spot the swish of a fishy tail. Can you find the dinosaur footprint in the rocks of the Old Quarry, a relic from when iguanodons roamed?

A family photo being taken in the garden at Scotney Castle, Kent with the ruined castle in the background

Visiting Ightham Mote with the family

Celebrate the seasons with nature eye spy. Race through the living willow tunnel, practice your balancing skills and make mud pies in the new and improved natural play area complete with it's very own wooden piggies. Change of clothing advised!

A volunteer talking to children outside Ightham Mote, Kent

Family days out at Emmetts Garden

Guard the fort and hop into the enchanted fairy ring in the new natural play area, located just past the Old Stables Tearoom. Can you walk across the balance beams without falling off? Why not challenge each other to see who can build the biggest den? Play the giant wind chimes and clamber to the top of the climbing frame – the fun is never ending.

An adult and child playing with autumn leaves on a path

Family activities at Sissinghurst Castle Garden

Head to the natural play area down by the lakes for den building. Meet the resident dragon and find the fairy door hidden in the trees. Pick up a free seasonal spotter sheet from visitor reception.

Family-friendly things to do at Bodiam Castle

Experience the feeling of walking over the bridge, through the gatehouse and stepping back into Medieval times. Spy the original portcullis, ancient stone unicorn, murder holes, gun loops and medieval bread oven. Pick up a new illustrated autumn spotter sheet or try the castle trail with Nosy Crow.

Family playing on thrones in the courtyard at Bodiam Castle, East Sussex

Family-friendly things to do at Bateman's

Drop in for story time in the garden, with short sessions perfect for little imaginations. Run free in the natural play area with swings, see-saw and climbing frames. Look out for the wise old owl perched atop the carved oak tree. Inside, meet the 120-year-old doll 'Crocus', who was given to Rudyard Kipling’s little girl, Elsie. She was so well loved; her nose has rubbed off with kisses.

Did you know that many of our Kent places are within 30 minutes of each other? That means you can visit multiple places in one weekend or even in one day! We've put together some handy itineraries to help you explore more wonderful places near you. Remember our places can get especially busy during school holidays so check our website pages before you set off.

Walks in Kent

Heroes and Heroine’s Adventure: Chartwell, Emmetts and Knole

1) Start your weekend at Chartwell in Westerham where you can climb the treehouse, swing high in the Old Quarry and let your imagination go wild in the Canadian camp and bomb shelter. 2) It's just 10 minutes to Emmetts Garden in Sevenoaks where energetic adventurers can let off steam in the wild play area, have a go at giant Jenga in the meadow and enjoy woodland walks. 3) Then pre-book and travel 15 minutes to Knole in Sevenoaks for a parkland adventure, join in with family activities and watch our conservation team in action.

A family walks along a path covered in fallen leaves, with the house in the background at Knole, Kent

Garden Explorers' Quest: Sissinghurst, Scotney and Bateman's

1) Begin your adventure at Sissinghurst Castle Garden in Cranbrook, pick up your spotter sheet from visitor reception then explore the famous gardens, climb the tower, and visit the library. 2) Next, travel 20 minutes to Scotney Castle in Tunbridge Wells, discover the castle ruins and gardens full of family trails and play activities. 3) Drive 25 minutes to Bateman's in Burwash, East Sussex, for family-friendly events all year round and enjoy the natural play area with swings, see-saw and climbing frames before learning more about the family home of Rudyard Kipling.

Wild Wander: Ightham, Knole and Emmetts

1) Start your tour at Ightham Mote, exploring the 14th-century moated manor house and gardens complete with natural play area. 2) It's just a 15 minute (6 miles) drive to Knole to explore the historic house and deer park to let off steam. 3) Finally, drive for 20 minutes (8 miles) to Emmetts Garden to enjoy the beautiful gardens and wild play area before refuelling in the cafe. Enjoy a mix of historical exploration, scenic walks, and family-friendly activities!

A family strolling across the top of the rectangular pond at Bateman's with the rose garden in the foreground

Coastal Hike & Learn: White Cliffs, South Foreland and Fan Bay

1) Arrive at the White Cliffs of Dover Visitor Centre, enjoy the stunning views, coastal walks and watch the boats and ferries. 2) Walk for about an hour (3.3 miles) to South Foreland Lighthouse for a tour and a well deserved lunch at Mrs. Knott's tearoom. 3) Buy your tickets and walk for 20 minutes (1 mile) along the coastal path to Fan Bay Deep Shelter to discover the wartime tunnels with a guided tours before heading back to White Cliffs for an ice cream .

A group of people in winter clothes walking towards a white-painted lighthouse

Sussexsplorer's route: Sheffield Park, Bateman's and Bodiam

1) Arrive bright and early at Sheffield Park and Garden to discover, fun ways to get active in the great outdoors from woodland walks to cricket matches. 2) Then, travel 42 minutes (21 miles) to Bateman’s to uncover the inspiration for some of Rudyard Kipling's famous stories, clamber on the play area or create a den from fallen branches. 3) Finally, drive for 21 minutes (12 miles) to Bodiam Castle where a whole range of activities await from have-a-go archery, battle re-enactments to family games, trails and activities.