3 children holding hands run down the hill in the parkland at Chartwell. The red brick house and trees are in the background. — Summer fun for families at Chartwell, Kent | © National Trust Images/Megan Taylor

Family-friendly places in Kent

Bring family and friends on a summer adventure to Scotney Castle, Chartwell, Ightham Mote and more. Kids can get stuck into summer holiday trails and activities while you soak up the historic surroundings and beautiful views. Perfect to escape the lure of screentime.

Summer holidays with the National Trust in Kent

Family days out 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.

Family-friendly things to do 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.

Children playing in the garden and jumping off a tree stump at Chartwell, Kent

Visiting Ightham Mote with the family

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

Summer fun in Ightham Mote's Natural Play area

Family-friendly visits to Knole

There are plenty of things for families to enjoy on a visit to Knole.

A lady and man with a small boy on his shoulders on a family day out at Polesden Lacey, Surrey

Family days out at Emmetts Garden

Enjoy family-friendly fun and outdoor play at Emmetts Garden, all set against a backdrop of a glorious Edwardian garden, on one of the highest points of the Kentish Weald. Invent a game to play in the meadow with inspiration from our toy cupboard, explore the wild play area near the Tea Room or come along for Summer of Play.

Wild play area wooden climbing frame at Emmetts Garden

Family activities at Sissinghurst Castle Garden

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.

Fun on the plain at Sissinghurst Castle Garden

Perfect for pre-schoolers

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 outdoor games, a natural play area and acres of nature there is plenty to keep the family occupied on a visit to Ightham Mote this summer. 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.

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.

A small child playing with the ball chute in the Badger & Pepper play area at Scotney Castle

Beat the crowds and explore midweek adventures

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.

Visit multiple places in Kent

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.

Rounded, grass-covered anthills cover a gentle grassy slope, edged with trees, in Knole's parkland, 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.

A group of adults walking along a path between mowed grass gardens and trees

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!

Deer wander through Knole Park outside the West Front entrance of Knole, Sevenoaks, Kent

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 .

Visitors at the South Foreland Lighthouse, Kent, on a sunny day in August

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.