10 great ideas for Father’s Day 2025 in Kent
Dads do a lot for us; whether it’s teaching us how to drive, taking us to the park for a kick-around or giving us a lift home in the middle of the night, many of us definitely owe our dads a favour or two.
If you want to treat your dad to something special, Father’s Day is the perfect chance to do just that. This year, it falls on Sunday, June 15, and we’ve got some great days out to show your dad just how much he means to you…
DOVER CASTLE
Be part of the action as wartime Britain is brought to life at a popular tourist attraction. The World War II Weekend at Dover Castle is not only a way to help people understand what it was really like to live through the war, but also to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day. The arena will be set up for the Allied and German forces to fight it out, using real-life army vehicles, and the re-enactors will be on hand to immerse you in the Blitz spirit. You can even take on the sergeant’s assault course, if you’re feeling up to it.
Details: Saturday, June 14 and Sunday, June 15 at Dover Castle. Book online here.
FARTHINGLOE BARN, Dover
This Father’s Day Food Festival has plenty of activities for the dads to get stuck into. Whether that’s welly-chucking, tin can shooting, axe-throwing or the dads-only race, it’s a great chance for grown-ups to indulge their inner child for a day. There will also be a funfair, food stalls, a beer and cider bar and live music.
Details: Sunday, June 15 at Farthingloe Barn in Dover. Tickets are free but you need to register online in advance here.
HEVER CASTLE, near Edenbridge
If your dad is a petrol-head who can’t get enough of classic cars, this year’s Cars at the Castle event is the place to be. The castle grounds will be taken over by hundreds of vintage vehicles, high-performance sports cars and motoring memorabilia. The highlight of the show is the 1970 Surtees Cosworth TS7 race car on loan from the Surtees Collection, driven by former Kent resident John Surtees.
Details: Saturday, June 14 and Sunday, June 15 at Hever Castle in Edenbridge. Book online here.
GRAVESEND PIER
For some free family fun, head down Gravesend Pier where you’ll find live entertainment and workshops to launch this summer’s Town Pier Show. Across the Father’s Day weekend, visitors can have a go at interactive dance games, take part in Victorian circus workshops and grab a bite from the pop-up cafe serving food and drink. It’s all part of a new series of events which will see exhibitions, tours, festivals and more visit the pier over the coming months.
Details: Saturday, June 14 and Sunday, June 15 at Gravesend Pier. Free entry, no need to book.
LODDINGTON FARM, near Maidstone
Can you really beat a cold pint of beer and a freshly cooked pizza? The Armoury Bar at Musket Brewery, located at Loddington Farm, is doing a special deal for Father’s Day where you can pick up a pint of Musket ale and a tasty pizza for just £10. If you visit on the Saturday, you’ll be just in time for the brewery’s new summer beer festival with live music, food vendors and a wide range of ale and craft beers.
Details: Saturday, June 14 and Sunday, June 15 at Musket Brewery at Loddington Farm in Linton, near Maidstone. Free entry, no need to book. Pizza deal only available on Father’s Day.
MANSTON AIRPORT, near Ramsgate
Get your adrenaline pumping with the rip-roaring Monster Truck Motorfest, a two-day show bursting with explosive four-wheeled action. There will be stunt shows, races and rides on the trucks, a motorbike display, live acts in the arena, a kids zone, fairground rides, food stalls and a chance to meet the drivers.
Details: Saturday, June 14 and Sunday, June 15 at Manston Airport near Ramsgate. Book online here.
PENSHURST PLACE, near Tonbridge
The beautiful gardens at Penshurst Place will be open for Father’s Day with some interactive arts and crafts. There will be face painting for the kids and family workshops in the Old Coach House where you can make your own gift for Dad. The gardens will be in full bloom so make sure you spend time admiring the colourful summer flowers.
Details: Sunday, June 15 at Penshurst Place near Tonbridge. No need to book, pay on the gate.
POWELL-COTTON MUSEUM, Birchington-on-Sea
If your dad is a big kid at heart, then he can spend the day playing with thousands of Lego bricks at the Powell-Cotton Museum’s Bricktacular Adventures. The workshops give visitors of all ages a chance to build models, admire creative displays, take on the speed-building challenges, enjoy the Duplo play zone and, if there’s time, explore the museum and gardens.
Details: Friday, June 13 to Sunday, June 15 at the Powell-Cotton Museum in Birchington-on-Sea. Book online here.
ROMNEY, HYTHE AND DYMCHURCH RAILWAY
With a Father’s Day trip to the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway, your dad won’t just get to travel on the train – he’ll get to drive it too. Trains from New Romney station are letting dads have a go at taking control of a light locomotive with the help of an experienced driver. The ticket also includes access to a model railway exhibition, the on-site beer festival and hop-on, hop-off travel all day.
Details: Sunday, June 15 at the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway. Book online here.
SPA VALLEY RAILWAY, Tunbridge Wells
Rail enthusiasts are flocking to Spa Valley Railway over the Father’s Day weekend to commemorate 60 years since the closure of the Cuckoo line, which once ran between Tunbridge Wells and Polegate. The gala will include visiting steam locomotives, historic films and photograph displays, themed quizzes and free buses running to and from the 265-yard Heathfield Tunnel which is open for walkthroughs.
Details: Friday, June 13 to Sunday, June 15 at the Spa Valley Railway in Tunbridge Wells. Book online.
