Things to do during the school summer holidays in Kent including The Beach at Bluewater and Flip Out Ashford
After weeks of unusual routines and homeschooling it's time to down tools for the summer!
Lots of Kent attractions are reopening in time for the start of six-week school break, but it's worth remembering that this year you'll probably need to pre-book with attractions in advance. Here are six places to visit in Kent ready to welcome you this weekend:
1. The Historic Dockyard, Chatham
The Dockyard will reopen for the first time this Saturday (July 25). Staff at the visitor attraction say they have worked hard to ensure the site can open within current safety guidelines to ensure both the safety of visitors and the people who live and work there.
Families will need to pre-book online a date and time to visit and some experiences including HMS Cavalier and HM Submarine Ocelot will not be open.
But to celebrate the reopening after four months of closure there are reduced ticket prices for a limited period with an adult annual ticket £18.70, saving £6, and a family pass for the year £49.50, saving £16.50, meaning that you'll be able to visit as many times as you'd like this summer.
2. The Beach, Bluewater
The Greenhithe shopping centre's fairground style attraction is coming back for its fourth weekend in Kent - and opens for the first time this Saturday.
There are fairground rides, stalls, food and drink kiosks and the splash pool and sand to play in. But visitors are being asked to prebook - with those who do so at least 24 hours in advance able to claim a discount on the £3 entry ticket. Tokens for rides and stalls can be bought on site and there are a raft of new safety measures in place - including a requirement to wear face coverings on some rides.
3. Diggerland, Rochester
Diggerland in Rochester began revving its engines just over a week ago. Families are asked to pre-book their tickets to guarantee entry and visitor numbers are being restricted to ensure social distancing.
Some parts of the site in Medway won't be open to the public including some play areas in line with current government guidance and face coverings are recommended, with some rides at DIggerland requiring them to meet the new rules for the country's theme parks.
To learn more about visiting Diggerland and all the safety measures in place, including how to pre-book tickets, please click here.
4. Maze Moon, Rainham
If you're looking for an outdoor socially distanced outing with a difference the new giant Maze Moon could be just the challenge for your family.
The enormous site, more famous for its Halloween pumpkin picking in autumn, has planted thousands upon thousands of seeds to build a giant summer maze attraction this year which could prove the ideal tonic after weeks at home in lockdown.
Families don't need to pre-book as organisers believe there is ample space for everyone, but admission numbers will be closely monitored. There is free car parking, refreshments and snacks available to buy on site and families can also enjoy the pick your own sunflower attraction too.
To learn more about Maze Moon and other outdoor mazes in the county please click here.
5. The Beaney, Canterbury
The Beaney reopened to its first visitors on Tuesday (July 21) following four months of closure and new exhibition Life Under Lockdown will put on record how people living and working in the city have negotiated those past few months.
The museum and galleries is opening with a one-way system around the building and the walk will be accompanied by a free family-friendly gallery trail to help guests young and old get the most out of their visit.
Visits will also be hour-long sessions to manage numbers in the building and whilst booking is recommended, people can also inquire on arrival for the next available session with space.
To learn more about visiting The Beaney and catching the Life Under Lockdown displays click here.
6. Flip Out, Ashford
Amongst those bouncing back is Flip Out in Ashford which has already made pre-booked tickets available to families wishing to get organised and plan their visit.
Numbers will be restricted during each session to ensure social distancing and some areas of the park remain closed for the time being whilst the cafe will be serving a limited menu.
If you've kids bounding around the house with energy to burn, learn more about pre-booking a visit to a Kent trampoline park here.
For more suggestions of things to do with the kids in Kent this summer click here.
