Free Kent Days out in Half-Term

As the next half term since Christmas is rapidly approaching, what free things are there to do in Kent? Considering February can be extremely rainy! How about we start with free things in Kent to do inside.

Inside 

Maidstone Museum has provided free visits for many years and continues too today. They are offering kids aged 7-11 in February Half Term a “History Arts Award Days” from Monday the 14th of February to Tuesday the 15th of February 09:00 - 15:30. This includes;

• Trying out different art activities inspired by the museum’s fantastic collections!

• Going behind the scenes with the curator of The Plaxtol Protocol touring exhibition, artist Jane Williams

• Finding out about creating exhibits and creating your own mini museum

• Sharing your creations at the end of the day with your family.

• Receiving a museum certificate on the day, and an official Arts Award certificate a few weeks later.

Rochester Guildhall Museum are also doing something for February half-term from Saturday the 12th of February to Saturday the 19th of February 10am-4pm. The Museum describes the exhibition as the following.

“Follow Dickens' pet, Grip the Raven, to find clues that will reveal the characters and story of this Rochester-based classic. Plus, you can discover your own Dickens character name! Under 5s eye-spy trail available. Admission free, trail £1. All children must be accompanied by an adult.” Visit the museum and learn how his childhood in Rochester and Medway influenced his stories.

Other free Museums include Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial Museum Ramsgate, Turner Contemporary Margate, The Beany House of Art and Knowledge Canterbury, Sittingbourne Heritage Museum.

Outside

Some of you may want to get outside in February, weather dependent or not. If you fancy a nice muddy walk-in wellies, why not go to Lyminge Forest, one of the largest areas of woodland in Kent. They also have great cycle routes all around the forest if you prefer that to walking. If you are interested in some more popular forests in Kent, check out this trip advisor list. Or of course you can just go on walks in areas local to you.

If you are looking for something for the kids to do, look no further than Lower Leas Coastal Park, containing the biggest free adventure playground in the Southeast. The coastal park between Folkstone and Sandgate, also attracts wildlife rarely seen in the UK under the undercliff area. The area has won the green flag award (given to quality green spaces) every year since 2007.

Again, it may be something more suited to do in summer but considering over the last couple years how much time most people have spent inside, why not get out to the Dover Cliffs. One of the most historical landmarks in Kent and most likely a vary rare sight to most people living in Kent. So why not save the beach for summer and enjoy a windy look across the English Channel.

Continuing with the historical theme, Enynsford Castle is a rare survival of an early Norman ‘enclosure castle’, which remained unaltered by later building work. Founded shortly after the Norman Conquest by William de Enynsford I, in the late 1080s and eventually abandoned in the 14th century, after a dispute leading to the castle being vandalised. Enynsford Castle is free to visit and open daily 10-4pm. If you are interested in more Norman history, visit Canterbury Castle, erected in 1066 by William the Conqueror.