A family enjoying the Lower Garden in spring at Quarry Bank | © Annapurna Mellor

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 open meadows, whatever the weather. When it's time to refuel, grab a coffee and kids lunchbox from the café or pitch up a picnic blanket on the lawn. There's no need to book in advance, and with wide parking spaces, baby changing facilities, picnic benches and buggy-friendly paths our places are ready to welcome you.

New family trails, a teddy bears' picnic and geology-inspired activities for May half term in Kent

Chartwell

Commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings (6 June 1944) at the home of the great wartime leader, Sir Winston Churchill. Discover the role Churchill played in the planning and preparation for the Normandy landings, known as D-Day during the Second World War. In the gardens, kids of all ages have the chance to hone their skills in preparation for the invasion, code named Operation Overlord. In the house, discover objects with links to D-Day and find out how Operation Overload unfolded. Runs 25 May to 16 June, 10am-5pm, free with admission.

Scotney Castle

Once upon a time, there was a beautiful garden with an old, ruined castle at its centre. So beautiful in fact, that traditional storybook and fairy tale characters decided to pop in for a visit. Keep your eyes open for your favourites - from Little Red Riding Hood to the seven dwarfs and Rapunzel – and tick them off your list as you go. Uncover the final missing character to claim a small reward from the shop. The Scotney Story Book trail runs 25 May to 2 June, £3 with admission. Designed for children aged 4 to 10

Visitors in the Sunken Garden at Castle Ward, with the mother bending down to look at flowers close up with her daughter.

Emmetts Garden

Join us this May half term and discover the secrets of fossils, dinosaurs and geology as we mark 60 years since geologist Charles Boise entrusted Emmetts Garden to the National Trust. Dig up fossils, search for prehistoric treasures and follow in the footsteps of dinosaurs. On 1 June, join us in the meadow for a performance of Jane Austen’s classic, Persuasion, brought to life at Emmetts Garden this summer. Trail runs from 25 May to 2 June, 10am to 4.30pm. Trail costs £3 and includes a prize. Trails can be purchased from the Visitor Centre. Tickets for Persuasion can be purchased via the This Is My Theatre website. Pre-booking is essential. Doors open at 18.00 for 19.00 start.

Teddy bear relaxing in a hammock with a newspaper, in the garden at Melford Hall, Suffolk

Ightham Mote

If you go down to the Mote today...you’re sure of a warm, cuddly welcome as the annual teddy tradition returns for May half term. See bears of all shapes and sizes around the Mote, then bring your own cuddlies along for a traditional teddy bears picnic on the North Lawn against the musical backdrop of the Biggin Hill Band. Teddy display 25 May to 2 June, 10am to 5pm, free with admission. Biggin Hill Band 2 June, half hour performances at 11.30am and 12.45pm, free with admission

Quebec House

Experience Georgian coffee house culture with the hot topics of the day to discuss and debate. Learn how coffee then was different from today’s and enjoy a sweet treat made by our volunteer cooks in the kitchen. Saturday 25 to Monday 27 May, 11am to 2pm, free with admission

Bodiam Castle

Can you unlock the mystery of the castle keys? Explore the castle ruin to find the hidden keys, try your hand at puzzles and learn about the Keeper of the Castle. Mystery-solvers will become keepers of their very own special key to take home. Over the Bank Holiday weekend, see history come to life as a medieval encampment pitches up at Bodiam Castle. Meet characters from the 1400s and discover their way of life. Enter the arena to watch dramatic sword demonstrations, have a go at dressing a medieval knight and more. Trail runs 25 May to 2 June, 10am to 4pm. £3 with small prize. Designed for children aged 4 to 12. Have-a-go-archery runs 25 to 2 June, 10.30am to 4pm, £4 for 6 arrows. Suitable for adults and children aged 6+. Medieval encampment 25 to 27 May, 10am to 4pm. Free with admission.

Bateman's

Baloo, the sleepy brown bear, has hidden puzzles and games to play around Bateman’s for you to discover. Put your skills to the test and uncover the clues around the house and garden. Trail runs 18 May to 2 June, 10am-4.30pm. £2 with small prize. Best suited for primary aged children.

Three children in the wild play area at Chartwell, Kent. Two children are climbing on low tree trucks and a boy in an orange t-shirt is carrying a large stick.

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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 run wild.

A family of four walking across the grass parkland at Knole in Kent looking for clues on a family trail activity

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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 two adults and two children in the garden at Rufford Old Hall. They are dressed for winter and the woman is pointing at something out of frame.

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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 woman and a child enjoy looking at daffodils in springtime.

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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.

Enjoy a family day out at Sissinghurst Castle Garden

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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 learning how to build a shelter, filter water and light a fire on a forest survival skills course in Hatfield Forest, Essex. Family learning how to build a shelter, filter water and light a fire on a forest survival skills course in Hatfield Forest, Essex.

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Visiting Ightham Mote with the family

Celebrate the season with autumn eye spy. Race through the living willow tunnel, practice your balancing skills and make mud pies in the natural play area. Change of clothing advised!

Brightly colours girls boots jumping in a muddy puddle.

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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.

Visitors on the bridge, looking over the River Dudwell in the garden at Bateman's, East Sussex

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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.