A wonderful first-floor converted cart barn in the village of Godmersham, Kent. Hot tub. Within the Kent Downs AONB. Romantic. Off-road parking. Ashford 6.3 miles; Canterbury 8.9 miles; Folkestone 19.8 miles.
Being not only the largest town in Kent but also the county town, Maidstone has plenty to offer; from its vast history categorized in Maidstone Museum and Leeds Castle to stunning river views provided by the River Medway running through the centre of the town. In fact, Maidstone is the perfect location for whoever you’re travelling with! Plan a fantastic family holiday or book that special romantic log cabin for two.
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Spreading itself over a vast 28-acre site, Kent Life offers something for the whole family. Pay a visit to the Vintage Village and learn more about how the Victorians lived, let the little ones loose in the soft play area, or join them for a ride around the farm. You can even take it slower with a leisurely stroll through the Kentish Gardens, where the last coal-fired Oast House in the country resides and explore the tradition of hop picking.
Gravity Trampoline Park provides something a little different for when the weather isn’t so ideal. Take to the air with an Open Jump ticket and bounce away an hour on the trampolines. Suitable for all ages and abilities from 18 months up, everyone can get involved! But if you prefer to keep your feet on firm ground, you can always explore their 12-hole US street themed golf course.
For those who prefer the fastest side to life, head over to Buckmore Park to try your hand at their Kart circuit! Take a spin on their 1,000m international circuit or keep an eye on who’s winning with their live lap data and leaderboard.
Why not get everyone outside together to visit Cobtree Manor Park? Complete with a zoo-themed play area, café and an arboretum consisting of 160 different species, the park offers something for everyone, whilst multiple routes and trails make Cobtree ideal for those with dogs.
And if you fancy venturing outside Maidstone, Teston Bridge County Park is roughly a fifteen-minute drive away and offers up a beautiful rural riverside walk with plenty of perfect picnic spots. There’s accessible toilets, takeaway refreshments and a children’s play area also on site, so no need to worry about rushing home if you’ve forgotten something!
If everyone needs a quick break away from the hustle and bustle of town, Brenchley Gardens is the spot to head to. Located between Maidstone East Station and Maidstone Museum, its location is ideal, whether you’ve just arrived or need to put those shopping bags down for a minute!
An area full of so much natural beauty, it’s no wonder that Maidstone has plenty of animal encounters available, so take advantage of the opportunity to get up close and personal with the world’s most stunning birds at Kent Owl Academy. Their ‘children’s experience’ offers the chance for those aged six and upwards to encounter owls and birds of prey, whilst guests a little older (thirteen and upwards) can meet both owls and meerkats with the same ticket!
But if you prefer animals that’ll keep their hooves on the ground – why not visit Buttercups Sanctuary for Goats and walk with their goats? Designed for those aged twelve and upwards, it’s a chance to get more familiar with not only the animals but the local history of Maidstone itself.
The Kent Wildlife Trust is the place to be if you’d rather learn more about the creatures that inhabit Maidstone. Their Nature Tots sessions give pre-school age children the chance to explore and learn about nature, whilst wildlife study days offer the chance to improve wildlife knowledge, covering topics from how to garden better for wildlife to the ecology of bumbles!
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