With schools breaking up at the end of July, returning in early September, Visit Kent is inviting families from across the UK to discover why the Garden of England is one of the country's most exciting destinations for a summer break.
From world class wildlife experiences and historic royal castles to open air theatre, heritage railways and adrenaline filled adventure, Kent offers an extraordinary breadth of family friendly attractions, all within easy reach of London and the South East.
A Summer Full of Adventure
Hever Castle, the romantic 14th century childhood home of Anne Boleyn, promises a packed summer programme including jousting tournaments by the Knights of Royal England, falconry displays, a water maze and the spectacular Tudor Towers wooden play castle. Just a short distance away, Penshurst Place and Gardens offers Wild Wednesdays with Camp Wilderness, featuring campfire cooking, axe throwing and archery, alongside a Summer Garden Trail, Safari Saturdays and Storytelling Sundays throughout the holidays.
Leeds Castle is set to be a highlight of the summer, with a brand new woodland trail and a full programme of activities running from 22 July to 31 August, all included with admission. Every ticket grants unlimited return visits throughout the year, making it exceptional value for families.
Wildlife and Wonder
New for 2026, Forest Biking has launched at Go Ape Bedgeburywithin Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest, offering bike hire for family rides through beautiful woodland alongside the classic Treetop Challenge with its 170 metre zip wire.
One of the summer's most eagerly anticipated events is Big Cat Fest 2026 at The Big Cat Sanctuary near Smarden, running across ten days from 29 July to 9 August. The world renowned conservation centre, the only place in the UK where visitors can see all five big cat species, will host wildlife experiences, keeper talks, live entertainment and street food, with every ticket directly supporting the charity's vital conservation work.
The Historic Dockyard Chatham welcomes visitors this summer with the UK debut of the Ocean Photographer of the Year exhibition, 116 award winning photographs from around the world, alongside Steve Backshall's Awesome Oceans Family Trail across six ocean zones.
History, Stories and the Great Outdoors
History lovers will find rich experiences across the county. The Royal Engineers Museum in Gillingham offers excellent value family admission and an interactive WWI trench experience. Rochester comes alive this summer, with coin striking and armour handling at Rochester Castle and a programme of events at the Guildhall Museum including storytelling sessions and the Teddy Bears Picnic Show on 26 July.
Canterbury Cathedral's summer season, Makers, Rulers and Leaders, is a celebration of the remarkable women who shaped the Cathedral's past, running throughout the school holidays with six weeks of free family friendly crafts and activities inspired by figures including Queen Bertha of Kent and Queen Elizabeth I.
Quex House and Gardens, home to the Powell-Cotton Museum, celebrates a very special year in 2026, the centenary of the Powell-Cotton Trust, with a programme of new family events, displays, exhibitions and trails at its beautiful home in the heart of Birchington. The museum's world-famous natural history dioramas, featuring incredible scenes from Africa and Asia, are genuinely unlike anything else in Kent.
For a memorable day out along the coast, the Stagecoach Thanet Open Top Bus is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2026 with a refreshed fleet and an extended route. Running daily from 22 July to 31 August between Minnis Bay, Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate, the iconic Route 69 is one of the most fun and flexible ways for families to explore Thanet's clifftops, golden sands and harbour towns.
Nature lovers are spoiled for choice, from Castle Farm'slavender and sunflower fields in the Darent Valley and the Kent Wildlife Trust's Wilder Holiday Club at Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve, to a nostalgic miniature steam journey along the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway and the working farm fun of the Rare Breeds Centre near Woodchurch, where Farmyard Summer Fun runs daily from 20 July to 31 August.
Getting Here and Getting Around
Visit Kent is encouraging families to travel sustainably this summer by taking the train with Southeastern, which offers great value family tickets including Kids for a Quid. Many of Kent's most popular attractions are accessible by rail, making it easy to leave the car at home and enjoy a stress free day out.
Plan Your Stay
With over 100 hand-picked holiday homes, Bloom Stays offers a wide range of options from coastal pads and designer beach houses to cottages and rural retreats, perfect for using as a base to explore the county. Families looking for hotel accommodation will find a range of options from the boutique The View Hotel Folkestone on Folkestone's famous Leas to the family friendly Holiday Inn Dover and the spa facilities of Bridgewood Manor Hotel near Chatham.
Visit Kent's full Summer Holidays guide is available now at visitkent.co.uk/visit-kent-blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-school-summer-holidays-in-kent-2026/
About Visit Kent
Visit Kent is the Destination Management Service for Kent. The service is responsible for supporting and growing the tourism industry in Kent, building a resilient and sustainable visitor economy.
Visit Kent is part of Kent County Council’s Economic Development Team, and is supported by Medway Council.
For further information visit www.visitkent.co.uk (consumer) or www.visitkentbusiness.co.uk (business).
