10 great family days out in Kent for the August bank holiday weekend

The school holidays are almost over, but there’s one last chance to make sure the summer goes off with a bang.

The August bank holiday weekend is bursting with brilliant days out. Whether you fancy filling up at a food and drink festival or going back in time with history re-enactments, we’ve got some great ideas to get you started…

ASHFORD TRAIN DEPOT

As part of Southeastern’s 200 Years of Railway Innovation celebrations, one of the railway’s largest train depots will be open to the public. An expert engineering team will be on hand to guide visitors behind the scenes and show them how the trains are maintained. There will also be a collection of heritage trains on display and stalls from Hornby Hobbies, the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway and the Kent and East Sussex Railway.

Details: Sunday, August 24 at the Ashford Train Depot, next to Ashford International train station. Book online here.

BROGDALE, Faversham

A summer festival celebrating locally produced cider and homegrown fruit is back. At this year’s Brogdale Cider Festival, visitors can enjoy a taste of fruity creations from the likes of Biddenden Cider, the Kent Cider Company, WiseOwl, Turners and, of course, Brogdale’s own Craft Cider. There will also be street food stalls, a sizzling outdoor BBQ and live music from Rubber Biscuit, Curb Pilots, the Native Oysters Band and more. Children can hop aboard tractor-trailer rides and have a go at apple juicing.

Details: Saturday, August 23 and Sunday, August 24 at Brogdale in Faversham. Book online here.

HEVER CASTLE, near Edenbridge

Travel back in time, from the Middle Ages to the Victorian era, at one of the county’s biggest attractions. The Hever in History event gives visitors a glimpse into centuries past with living history displays, wartime battlefields, re-enactors and live demonstrations of outdoor crafts and cookery. There’s also the last jousting tournament of the summer season, in which brave knights will fight it out in the arena with the hopes of impressing the royal family and being named champion.

Details: Saturday, August 23 to Monday, August 25 at Hever Castle, near Edenbridge. Book online here.

HISTORIC DOCKYARD, Chatham

Pick up hidden gems and rare finds at the Medway Vintage, Antiques and Collectables Fair. The fair, held inside the Dockyard’s stunning Victorian slipway, will have sellers boasting hundreds of period pieces, nostalgic memorabilia, retro fashion, one-of-a-kind furniture and more, with expert dealers available to discuss these unique items.

Details: Saturday, August 23 at the Historic Dockyard Chatham. Book online here.

HYTHE GREEN

Tuck into tasty treats from more than 70 stalls at the We Love Hythe Life Food Festival. The annual event returns this bank holiday weekend with a range of mouth-watering dishes, with everything from local produce and artisan bakes to spicy street food and refreshing cocktails on offer. There will also be live music and plenty of places to sit, so don’t forget to bring a picnic blanket.

Details: Saturday, August 23 to Monday, August 25 at Hythe Green. Free entry, no need to book.

KENT EVENT CENTRE, near Maidstone

If you want to experience what it was like to be on the front line of some of the biggest battles in history, the Military Odyssey is bringing 2,000 years of combat to life. This huge living history show boasts full-scale battle re-enactments and slice-of-life displays from the British trenches to the Home Front. Visitors can also admire vintage vehicles, wartime aircraft and jive dancers, as well as visit the retro beer hall for a drink.

Details: Saturday, August 23 to Monday, August 25 at the Kent Event Centre in Detling, near Maidstone. Book online here.

KENT LIFE, Maidstone

Sample more than 30 different ice creams and lollies at Kent Life’s super sweet Ice Cream Festival. Visitors can enjoy a range of flavours and toppings from local traders, including dairy-free and vegan options, as well as live music on the outdoor stage. There will also be children’s entertainment, including fairground rides and a bouncy castle, and the farm’s usual activities such as circus workshops, trailer rides, farmyard animals and more.

Details: Saturday, August 23 to Monday, August 25 at Kent Life in Maidstone. Book online here.

QUEX PARK, Birchington-on-Sea

Enjoy a bustling weekend jam-packed with things to see and do at the Kent Country Show. This two-day event is brimming with live entertainment, including music, animal displays, stunt and circus shows, cookery demonstrations and wrestling. There’s also children’s entertainers showcasing everything from magic to puppetry, a range of food and drink stalls and a dog show for four-legged friends.

Details: Sunday, August 24 and Monday, August 25 at Quex Park in Birchington-on-Sea. Book online here.

SPA VALLEY RAILWAY, Tunbridge Wells

Take a steam train ride through the Kent countryside and take your kids to visit some of their favourite characters. On Sunday, children can meet Peppa Pig and, on Monday, Bluey will be making an appearance, and there will be plenty of chances to take photos and capture the moment.

Details: Sunday, August 24 and Monday, August 25 at Spa Valley Railway’s Tunbridge Wells West station. Book online here.

WAYFARER WINES, near Ashford

Enjoy a stateside meal surrounded by beautiful scenery at this vineyard’s bank holiday American BBQ. Take in the views while digging into a hearty meal of cheeseburgers, sticky pork ribs, halloumi, homemade BBQ sauce and potato salad, followed by a slice of New York lemon cheesecake. Each guest will receive five tokens to redeem against five tasting glasses of Wayfarer wine. Book online here.

Details: Saturday, August 23 at Wayfarer Wines in Woodchurch, near Ashford