Kids Kent


9
Nov 11

Christmas at Leeds Castle – Days Out Kent

From 5 – 24 December experience the magic of Christmas at Leeds Castle. Traditional Christmas decorations will fill the castle and many of the rooms will be beautifully decorated with scenes inspired by classic children’s stories for the whole family to enjoy.

A selection of traditional and contemporary stories will be represented throughout the castle using colourful costumes, decorations and props. The Queen’s Gallery will be transformed into Alice’s adventures in wonderland and the Queen’s bedroom will become tales from the Arabian Nights with inspiration taken from ‘Aladdin’ and ‘Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves’. The Lady Baillie bedroom will be inspired by a scene from the classic ballet ‘The Nutcracker’ and the Seminar Room will become Willy Wonka’s famous ChocolateFactory. Younger children will enjoy visiting the magical world of ‘The Gruffalo’ in the Fountain Courtyard at the centre of the castle. Other classic stories will include ‘Narnia’ and ‘Twas the night before Christmas’.

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3
Nov 11

Leeds Fireworks Tickets Available for 6th November

Hailed as one of the finest fireworks displays in the South East, the Leeds Castle Fireworks Spectacular will this year be set to music inspired by ‘Space’. New this year, the fireworks will be let off from floating pontoons on the moat and create beautiful reflections in the water surrounding the historic castle. There will also be a special visual display projected onto the castle for the whole family to enjoy. Before the fireworks begin, there will be an open air screening of Disney’s “Toy Story” to keep younger visitors entertained.

Car park opens at 1pm. Event site opens at 2pm. Last admission is at 5pm. Display commences at 5.30pm (approx. 30 minutes).

The castle itself is closed to the public. Tickets must be pre-booked by calling the Box Office on 01622 880008 (Weekdays, 10am – 5pm) or book online.

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3
May 11

Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway Round Trip

Today, Tuesday 3rd May, the Yellow service is running on the Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway in Kent at 10.30 and 12.30 from Hythe for round trip to Dungeness. The cafes, playpark and Model Railway Exhibition are all open. A great way to enjoy today’s sunshine.

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27
Jun 10

Jousting with Robin Hood at Leeds Castle

Put these dates in your diary now to catch the exciting Jousting Tournament at Leeds Castle near Maidstone, Kent on 18th & 19th September, with additional activities for all the family to enjoy.

“Jousting with Robin Hood”, supported by Heart FM, features twice daily jousts fromknights on horseback and men at arms against the stunning backdrop of the medieval castle. Non-stop action features galloping horses, daredevil stunts, falls and fights in an authentic jousting arena along with characters from the tales of Robin Hood.

Additional activities taking place on the Cedar Lawn over the weekend include archery demonstrations and a children’s craft making marquee. Some activities incur a small additional charge.

The weekend is an opportunity to discover the many attractions the castle offers.  Besides the historic castle and glorious gardens, there’s an internationally acclaimed aviary, World of Wings free flying bird displays, a fascinating dog collar museum, maze and grotto and the Knights’ Realm Playground.

For further information visit www.leeds-castle.com

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22
Jun 10

Toy Story 3 at a Cinema near you!

The first two films were brilliant, so will the latest Toy Story live up to your expectations? You decide …

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20
May 10

Enjoy the sunshine and all the fun of the farm!

Children love to explore and as summer arrives there are more opportunities to get out and do just that. Sometimes it is difficult to find places or activities that can entertain all members of the family but Farming World has a wide range of activities to suit all age groups. There is plenty to keep the family occupied for a whole day and the cost of entrance won’t break the bank!

Farming World is conveniently situated just off the M2 between Faversham and Boughton. It is a family run open farm with the emphasis firmly placed on fun in a safe environment. There are plenty of attractions for everyone to enjoy and the farm also has a wide variety of special events planned throughout the year.

Half term activities include Sheep Shearing & Wool Week (31st May – 4th June) when you can follow the progress of wool from fleece to woolly jumper! Watch the farm’s sheep being sheared, see spinning, knitting and weaving demonstrations and try your hand at felt making (3rd June). Creepy Crawly Day will be taking place on the 2nd June when the farm’s animals will be joined by a variety of snakes, spiders and reptiles. A ‘Willy Wonka Party’ is planned for the 3rd June when mayhem is sure to ensue! Walk up the red carpet to become a trainee Oompaloompa, join the treasure hunt to find the golden tickets and take part in the ice cream and chocolate games! Willy Wonka’s umbrella may contain a few sweet surprises too! ‘Have a Go Falconry Day’ will take place on the 4th June when you can meet Sharon Hollens the farm’s resident falconer and try your hand at flying a bird of prey.

As well as a whole host of special events the open farm also has a wide variety of other attractions, here are just a few:
· A host of rare breeds & friendly animals – including; sheep, pygmy goats (and their kids), Gloucester Old Spots, chickens, peacocks, llamas, alpacas, rabbits and Shetland ponies.

· Heavy Horses – visit the farm’s team of gentle giants, have a cart ride and learn more about the role of heavy horses in the past.

· Hawklands Birds of Prey Centre – Watch a birds of prey flying demonstration (most days, except Monday), visit Rodney the vulture meet the centre’s eagles, owls and falcons. There is also a Conservation and Rearing room where you can watch Harris Hawks nesting via CCTV.

· Adventure Playground & Jumping Pillows – There are two large outdoor adventure play areas situated at the farm with special designated areas for under 5’s and a climbing wall for more the older more adventurous members of the family! The jumping pillows are sure to be a hit with all members of the family!

· Indoor Soft Play Barn – With entrance included in the admission price the indoor soft play barn is a great place to hide from a shower.

· Craft and Activity Room – Get creative and make a souvenir to take home. Paint an animal mask or decorate a trinket box. Seasonal themed crafts are also available throughout the year.

· Other attractions – Find the Queen Bee at Bee World, explore the Sensory Garden, visit the Heritage Centre and recreated hop pickers huts, enjoy home cooked refreshments from Farmhouse Kitchen Catering, survey the beautiful Kent Countryside on a tractor and trailer ride and before you leave don’t forget to challenge the family to a game of mini golf!

Visit Farming World’s award winning website www.farming-world.co.uk for further details. Farming World (01227) 751144 is open seven days a week, 9.30am to 5.30pm until the end of October, and is just off Junction 7 of the M2. Normal admission prices are £8.00 adults, £7.00 for children (2 – 15 years), concessions £7.50. Sorry, guide dogs only. Some activities are available weather permitting.

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12
May 10

Museums at Night 14th-16th May 2010

‘Museums at Night’ is a national campaign, led by Culture24, and funded by MLA and the National Museum Directors’ Conference (NMDC), to showcase the unique and vibrant museums, galleries, heritage sites, libraries and archives in the UK. Running over the weekend of Friday 14th May to Sunday 16th May, museums and galleries alike will aim to inspire fresh discovery by opening their doors to late night visitors.

Museums will be unrolling an imaginative array of activities across the country. From candle-lit readings, paranormal investigations, sleepovers, night-time tours, musical events and much, much more.

This year’s programme sees the return of firm favourites, like Cabinet War Rooms sleepover and the Old Operating Theatre at St Thomas Church, plus exciting new additions such as the; Helicopter Museum’s ‘Back to the Blitz’ experience, follow a night shift at Cornwall’s Geevor Tin Mine and the chance to see a ‘Light in the Night’ at Cromer’s Lifeboat Museum.

You can find up to date listings at the Culture 24 Website

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8
May 10

Kent Life Farm Time Fun and Half Term Activities

There’s so much new to do at Kent’s premier heritage farm attraction in 2010. There’s 28 acres of fun which gives you and your family the opportunity to paint a pot, take a ride on the junior electric quad bikes, or take in the piglet football. Couple this with the indoor play barn, the outdoor play area with loads of hands-on experiences, the animal cuddle corner and donkey rides, and Kent Life offers you and all your family a great day out that you’ll remember.

Tucked away on the outskirts of Maidstone just off junction six of the M20, Kent Life has offered family fun for over 20 years, with a farmyard of animals including sheep, cows, pigs, horses, rabbits, goats, ducks, chickens and lambs, a picnic area, gardens, an aviary, numerous historic buildings and a nature trail amongst other things, all occupying this hidden gem.

There’s are year round events and activities to look out for such as the Bug & Nature Week running from Sat 29 May to Sun 6 June 10am to 6pm. Hold a cockroach or giant snail at the ‘Creepy Crawley Cuddle Corner’ and be hands-on with many different bugs and insects species and even a snake! You can also explore their brand new Wildlife Discovery Trail and try to spot all the animals on your journey. If you find them all you win a yummy treat! On Bank Holiday Monday you can even bring your pooches along and enter them in the Fun Dog Competition, alternatively test your strength in the Grand Tug-of-War!

For more information, visit their website at www.kentlife.org.uk

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28
Sep 07

10 Top Half-Term Family Days Out

For those of you who are looking for ideas about where to take the kids during half-term, here is our compilation of great days out (just click the link for more details):

1. Alton Towers, Staffordshire

2. Eden Project, Cornwall

3. Legoland, Berkshire

4. Longleat, Wiltshire

5. Babbacombe Model Village, Devon

6. The Canterbury Tales, Kent

7. Jorvik the Viking City, York

8. London Dungeon, London

9. National Sea Life Centre, West Midlands

10. Ironbridge Gorge Museums, Shropshire

If you have already been to one of these attractions, do share your views and experiences.

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21
Aug 07

Family Days Out for August Bank Holiday Weekend

The researchers who recently conducted a holiday survey for Total Greek Yoghurt have put together a list of places for a family outing this coming August Bank Holiday weekend:

A NEW DAY OUT Bewilderwood, Norfolk
ADRENALINE RUSH Dalby Forest biking trails, Yorkshire
ALFRESCO BATH The Samling, Cumbria
ANIMAL ENCOUNTER Monkey Forest, Staffordshire
BANDSTAND Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Birmingham
BEACH CAFE East Beach Café, Littlehampton, Sussex
BEACH FOR KIDS Crantock, Cornwall

BOATING The Thames at Richmond, Surrey
BREEZY HILLTOP Great Hetha, Northumberland
CAMP SITE Budemeadows Holiday Park, Cornwall
CLIFFTOP COTTAGE Whitby lighthouse, Yorkshire
COASTAL WALK Giant’s Causeway, County Antrim, Ireland
CREAM TEA Southern Cross tearoom, Devon

DEGUSTATION Valley Farm Vineyards, Suffolk
DONKEY RIDE Maggie’s beach donkeys, Weymouth, Dorset
DRIFT DOWNSTREAM River Wye, Wales
FAMILY CYCLE Loch Katrine, Trossachs, Scotland
FAMILY HOTEL Fowey Hall, Cornwall
FISH AND CHIPS Ben Ledi Cafe, Callander, Stirling, Scotland
FLYING International Kite Festival, Portsmouth, Hampshire
ICE CREAM Morelli’s, Broadstairs, Kent
LAKESIDE PICNIC Buttermere, Cumbria

MOONLIT WALK Seven Sisters, East Sussex
PICNIC CONCERT Battle Abbey, East Sussex
PUNCH AND JUDY MAN Codman’s, Llandudno, Wales
RIVERSIDE PUB The King’s Head, Northamptonshire
ROCKPOOLING Kimmeridge Bay, Dorset
SAFARI Cairngorms, Highlands, Scotland
SEA BREEZE Yachting on the Solent, Isle of Wight
SEAKAYAKING Beara Peninsula, Co Cork, Ireland

SEAL BOAT TRIP Searles, Hunstanton, Norfolk
SEASIDE PIER Southwold Pier, Suffolk
SEA-VIEW ROOM Mullion Cove Hotel, Cornwall
SECRET GARDEN Hawkstone Park Follies, Shropshire
SOLAR-POWERED STAY Mesmear, Cornwall

SOLITUDE Sandwood Bay, Sutherland, Scotland
STRIP Morfa Dyffryn Beach, Snowdonia, Wales
TOPLESS DRIVE A686, Penrith to Haydon Bridge, Cumbria
VILLAGE CRICKET Hambledon, Hampshire
WOODIE Oakwood Theme Park, Pembrokeshire, Wales
WILD SWIM Angle Tarn, Cumbria

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