Charlie O'Brien blog: Family days out for spring 2017 in Kent and beyond

by Charlie O'Brien

I’m sure you’ll agree with me that being a parent is ever evolving.

Children change SO quickly and naturally so do their likes and dislikes. This means that the things my son Noah enjoyed doing LAST spring and summer are very different a year on.

He’s just turned two and LOVES the outdoors. He doesn’t necessarily even need entertaining – he just likes to rush around and explore the big wide world.

So with that in mind I’m trying to put together a list of places I want to take him this spring that I think we’ll all enjoy as a family – and hopefully this list will help you too!

RARE BREEDS CENTRE, NEAR ASHFORD

Any time I ask on my Facebook page for suggestions of days out – someone always recommends the Rare Breeds Centre. It’s one of those places I keep meaning to go to, but haven’t been since I was a child!

Noah is really into his animals and making the right noises, so I think now is the perfect time.

As well as farm animals they have trailer rides, birds of prey, discovery garden, play parks and so much more. I’m definitely penciling this one in for a spring day out.

BOTANY BAY, THANET

I lived in Thanet years ago and Botany Bay was one of my absolute favourite places. If you haven’t been there you must go. The beach is so beautiful it rivals Cornwall, or even Europe.

We had a family trip to Joss Bay in January but it was so flipping cold we left very quickly!

I have no intentions of trying to sunbathe or relax with a toddler in tow so we’ll just grab a bucket and spade, and let him enjoy the sand.

With Noah at a cold and windy Joss Bay at Broadstairs

GRUFFALO SPOTTING AT BEDGEBURY PINETUM

Noah is Gruffalomad.. He loves both The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo’s Child (the books and the film) and he’s at an age where he’s understanding a lot more now.

In fact when we go to any woods he looks for snake, owl and fox!

From Friday, February 24 at Bedgebury, near Goudhurst, the Gruffalo Trail is open and you can download the Gruffalo Spotter app to look out for clues and footprints. You can also buy a Gruffalo Activity Kit.

Forget the toddler, I think this sounds amazing! More details here

There are Gruffalo markers around the forest and pinetum at Bedgebury to find

KNOLE PARK, SEVENOAKS

Knole Park in Sevenoaks is a firm favourite in our whole family. We went there a few weeks ago when it was freezing and last summer we had our engagement photo shoot there.

It’s also a great place to take our aging Labrador, Isla. Dogs are welcome, on leads.

It’s a wonderful place for a long walk. The deer are just stunning and the grounds go on forever, perfect for toddler exploring.

I am also a big fan of the café, especially since it’s been renovated. Knole Park is owned by the National Trust.

Dreamland, right on the seafront at Maragte

DREAMLAND, MARGATE

As a child we had our summer holidays in Westgate, near Margate. My nan owned a flat there and we absolutely loved it.

So I remember Dreamland the first time around!

I’m so delighted it’s re-opened and I really want to take Noah and my husband Jay to relive my youth!

I’m not a big thrill seeker and Noah is obviously only tiny but there are loads of rides and attractions for littler people. Perhaps we’ll combine our trip to Dreamland with our jaunt to Botany Bay.

We could also pop into the Turner Contemporary gallery while we’re there.

Noah having a fine old time at the family-friendly Horniman Museum in Forest Hill

Here are some places I also want to visit this spring, even though they’re further afield...

THOMAS LAND AT DRAYTON MANOR: Noah is train obsessed. Thomas the Tank Engine is a big feature in our lives. We are actually already booked to go in March for a weekend stay at Drayton Manor in the Midlands. We are staying in a Thomas themed room – Noah will be delighted. I think I may be terrified!

IBIZA: We’ve booked a little family getaway to the White Isle in May and I can’t wait. We’re staying in the family friendly north of the island in an Airbnb run by a family who grow their own vegetables. I’m literally counting down the days.

HORNIMAN MUSEUM: Last weekend we took Noah to the Horniman Museum in south east London and I’d really recommend it for kids. He loved the aquarium and the robot zoo but because it was so cold we didn’t get to explore the gardens or nature trail, so I’d love to go back again when it’s a bit warmer.