Man and kids on bicycles

7 Ideas for a family day out in Kent

When it comes to family days out, Kent is jam-packed full of fabulous activities that will not only keep the little ones entertained, but the whole family too! From woodland walks that totally have the woof-factor to adrenalin pumping laser tag, let your imaginations run wild with these ideas.

 

Go for a family bike ride

What with being a great form of exercise and an easy way to enjoy the seven wonders of the weald, its little wonder cycling is such a popular activity amongst the family. There are tons of pretty cycle paths in Kent, but what better place to start than at Bewl Water?

Cycle around the 12 ½ mile route made up of forest paths, surfaced trails, country lanes and meadows as you soak up the beautiful views of the reservoir. The route takes around two to three hours to complete, so be sure to stock up on plenty of water and some snacks to keep the family well fuelled.

Mile markers and signs are posted throughout the route, and no matter how confident dad is with his directions, we encourage you to download the map from our website to be sure you don’t get lost!

The bike hire shop can be found in the car park in front of The Waterfront Café where your family can choose from mountain bikes for adults and children along with trailers for the little ones.

Waterfront Cafe

Tuck into a picnic

Here at Bewl Water, we are the connoisseurs of all things picnic. But alfresco dining doesn’t stop here! Lucky for us, our county offers some of the most picturesque patches fit for the good old-fashioned get-together. From idyllic beaches to delightful parks, your family will be well and truly spoilt for choice here in Kent.

‘Sand’-wich lover? Tuck into a cheese and pickle just outside the ancient town of Rye at Camber Sands where the kids, adults and fury friends alike can enjoy two miles of gorgeous sand and dunes perfect for pitching up with a blanket or two and some delicious food.

After something a little grander? Bring your foodie feast to Penshurst Place and Gardens where it won’t just be your picnic that will have your mouths watering! Soak up the stunning views before wandering through the vast parklands surrounding the manor house for a glorious afternoon with the family.

 

Take a dog friendly walk

Planning a day out with your pooch? No listing would be complete without a dog-friendly outing, and Salomons Estate is the perfect place to start. Explore the woodland walk or take a stroll around the Estate’s beautiful grounds boasting an abundance of wildlife and natural habitats within 36 acres of stunning scenery.

Bewl Water too is an ideal location for your furry friends where kids and pups alike can let off some steam around the scenic 12 ½ mile route.

 

Hire a pedalo

When the sun is shining there’s no better way to spend time with the family than heading out to hire a pedalo! And with Kent being home to the biggest and most popular stretch of open water in the South East, it wouldn’t be summer without paying a visit to Bewl Water Reservoir!

Get ready to work as a team as you and the family put your pedaling power to the test. The boats get very popular in good weather, especially at weekends, but our reservoir is spacious so once you’re out there you should find plenty of room to sail.

Person Paddleboarding

Learn a new skill and go paddleboarding

During the current heatwave we’re all looking to cool down and try something different, so why not learn a new skill with Turtle Bay? Their paddleboarding lessons make for the perfect family day out promoting exercise, entertainment, and water confidence, all whilst providing a life-long skill. Even better? Turtle Bay provides family lessons costing just £30 per person for a 90-minute session!

 

Make a splash at Aqua Park

For the thrill-seekers amongst your family, the Aqua Park is a sure hit. The giant water obstacle is a fantastic floating adventure that lets adults and children alike slip, slide and splash into summer in a ‘Total Wipeout’ style quest.

Dubbed the UK’s best Wibit outdoor aqua park, the course consists of the ice tower, an XXL action tower, springboard, the twist, a balance bar, flip mattress, cliff, monkey bars, aqua slide, dome, roundabout, halfpipe, hurdles, and lots more, making it a paradise for families looking for an adrenaline-fueled day out.

Kid participating in the laser challenge

Take on laser tag

Dad – grab the camo, it’s time to step into battle… For an immersive, genuine experience that will have your family face life-like combat scenarios, head over to our forest arena where you’ll be met with the ultimate laser challenge Kent has to offer. Choose between team deathmatch, last man standing, attack and defend, hunt the VIP and manhunt before going head-to-head in 50 minutes of heart-stopping action that will cause more family feuds than your teens messy bedroom.

Family days out in Bewl Water, Kent

If you’re looking for fun activities for the whole family, Bewl Water is the perfect place to start. Available 24/7, all our activities can be booked and paid for online, and if this blog hasn’t quite ticked all your boxes, sign up to our mailing list and we’ll keep you in the loop weekly about all things happening here at Bewl Water.