Kent parks and play areas

by Lauren Abbott

From country parks to adventure playgrounds, woodland to wild open spaces.

Kent is bursting with some of the best places to play with often just the cost of the parking and a picnic needing to be found.

We round up some of the county's best open spaces for families on the lookout for some fresh air and a run around:

Betteshanger Country Park, Deal
Betteshanger Country Park, Deal

Betteshanger Country Park

One of the country's newest parks with additional attractions opening all of the time. The vast park includes walking and running routes, opportunities to enjoy geocaching and orienteering, it has the longest cycle road track in the UK, bike hire facilities and it's play area with rope walks, slides, climbing frames, cradle swings, see-saws, swinging steps, stepping stones and a swinging rope snake makes this a popular place for families. There are also a number of bookable activities which take place at the park including cycling confidence courses, archery, forest school sessions, shelter building and fossil hunting as well as a number of fun days and open days which take place throughout the year. The park is open all year round from 8am, but bike hire and cafe opening times vary.

Sandwich Road, Deal CT14 0BF

Cobtree Manor Country Park, Aylesford

On the site of the old Maidstone Zoo, the park is part of the Cobtree Manor Estate. There are a number of play areas to choose from, picnic benches, a cafe and sculpture trail and you can even see parts of the old zoo still standing in the grounds including the elephant house together with information boards to help you understand how the land was once home to a number of wild animals. A great place to explore. Open 7am until dusk.

Forstal Road, Aylesford, near Maidstone ME20 7AG.

Elephant House, Cobtree Manor Park, Maidstone.
Elephant House, Cobtree Manor Park, Maidstone.

Haysden Country Park, near Tonbridge

With a lake, natural play area with aerial runway, climbing challenges, slides, chimes, a bridge, roundabout, tyre and other toddler swings near the main car park, a cycle route, picnic tables and cafe there is plenty to find fun in at Haysden Country Park. The park opens at 7.30pm and closes at 8pm or 9pm in the summer.

Lower Haysden Lane, Tonbridge TN11 9BB

Jeskyns Community Woodland, near Gravesend

This Forrestry Commission-owned park just off the A2 at Cobham is a perfect place for a play. There are two fantastic play areas, complete with a sandpit and tree house, there is a secluded fairy and elf village of carved sculptures hidden out of sight in the woodland behind one of the play areas and the cafe is open for meals, ice creams and other refreshments. Jeskyns is also popular with dog walkers with dedicated exercise areas. The park is open from 7am until dusk.

Jeskyns is 200m off the A2 at the Gravesend East junction and reached by following signs to Sole Street.

The elf and fairy village at Jeskyns
The elf and fairy village at Jeskyns

Lower Leas Coastal Park, Folkestone

Overlooking the Channel, the Lower Leas Coastal Park is a secluded haven. There are three zones – wild, fun and formal and the fun zone is home to one of the region’s largest adventure playgrounds, with tube slides, towers, net tunnels, climbing walls and a pirate ship. What's more the beach is just a stone's throw from the park giving an added dimension to your day out. The park is surrounded by places offering ice-creams, food and refreshments. There's picnic tables and barbecue spots the play areas.

Lower Sandgate Road, Folkestone CT20 2EX

The play area at the Lower Leas Coastal Park
The play area at the Lower Leas Coastal Park

Lullingstone Country Park, near Eynsford

A park which is 'internationally important' thanks to its ancient collection of trees, which include some thought to date back more than 800 years. But it also has areas of grassland, wild flowers, circular walks, a visitor centre and a children's play area.

Lullingstone Roman Villa and Lullingstone Castle, together with the famous World Garden, are also all nearby. Open 8am to dusk or 9pm whichever is earlier.

Castle Road, Eynsford.

Manor Country Park, West Malling

This 52-acres park is well worth some exploring. Stroll by the lake, take the children to the play area in Douce's Meadow, make use of the picnic tables for a snack and find plenty of open spaces ideal for ball games. The park is divided into four sections and is open from 9am to 9pm or dusk. Plus there's a great little cafe.

St Leonard's Street, West Malling ME10 6PE.

Pegwell Bay Country Park

A great place for a walk or a bike ride. With stunning views of Sandwich and Deal to its west and Ramgsate to the east, the park forms part of the Sandwich and Pegwell Bay National Nature Reserve. With plenty of places to roam, a play area, picnic area and mobile refreshments Pegwell Bay has all the makings of a great day out near the coast. Open from 9am until 9pm or dusk

Sandwich Road, Ramsgate, CT12 5JB.

Shorne Woods
Shorne Woods

Shorne Woods Country Park, near Gravesend

There is enough at Shorne Woods to keep the family busy all day. From its eco-friendly visitor centre, sensory garden, fishing lakes and trim trail to its extensive play areas and picnic spots you are able to keep everyone in the tribe busy and that's before you've even set off for a walk through more almost 300 acres of greenery. Open from 9am until 8.30pm or dusk - but opening times can be subject to change.

Brewers Road, Shorne, Gravesend DA12 3HX

Teston Bridge Country Park, near Maidstone

One of the best places to enjoy a rural riverside walk. With acres of green meadow, a children's play area and the beauty of Teston bridge this park on the banks of the River Medway makes the most of its picturesque surroundings. Take some ball games and a picnic and you'll be set for the duration. The park is open 9am until 8.30pm.

Teston Lane, Teston, ME18 5BX

Trosley Country Park, Vigo, near Meopham.
Trosley Country Park, Vigo, near Meopham.

Trosley Country Park, near Meopham

Breathtaking views of the North Downs are on offer to visitors who wander the 170 acres of woodland and chalk downland at Trosley Country Park.

It's packed full of wildlife and places to walk, there are trails to follow including an easy access route suitable for buggies and wheelchairs while there is a trim trail for those looking for more of a challenge. And for the more adventurous, the park is also a good base from which to set off and visit the Coldrum Stones, an ancient listed monument of 15 sarsen stones.

Waterlow Road, Vigo DA13 0SG.

Toddlers Cove, Canterbury
Toddlers Cove, Canterbury

Toddler's Cove, Westgate Gardens

Nestled at the back of the Westgate Gardens is this fantastic play area. With endless items to climb, swing and jump on the park is a haven of activity within the city's picturesque Westgate Gardens. Alongside the large adventure play area is a large riverside picnic site together with nearby parking and toilets. The park is opened between 7.30am and 8am and closes between 8pm and 9pm depending on the day.

Whitehall Road, Margate CT2 8BG

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