Family days out in Canterbury
Canterbury is a wonderful place to visit as a family, with lots of things to do come rain or shine. If you are planning a trip to the city in the school holidays or a long weekend away, we hope that this blog will inspire you with some fun, family friendly activities!
If you are looking for a large playground to wear out your little ones, head to Toddler’s Cove on Whitehall Road (CT2 8BG). Positioned near the Great Stour River, it is the perfect place to enjoy a picnic and let your children loose on the Roman themed climbing frame and zipwire while you relax in the sunshine. The park has its own toilet block and car park, and an ice cream van is often available in the warmer months for some yummy treats!
We are spoilt in Canterbury with a range of fantastic wildlife parks on our doorstep. Wildwood Conservation Trust is the closest animal park to Canterbury and is located on the main road between the city and Herne Bay. Set in 40 acres of stunning ancient woodland, its winding paths lead you through the woods to the animals in their natural habitats. It houses over 200 British animals including wild cats, wild boar, beavers, badgers, foxes, otters, bears, wolves, owls and even reindeer. Alternatively, Howletts, run by the The Aspinall Foundation, is only 10 minutes’ drive from Canterbury and is home to over 390 animals, including the UK’s largest herd of African elephants, Western lowland gorillas, black rhinos, Sumatran tigers, snow leopards and giant anteaters. The park is set in 90-acres of beautiful parkland which makes a visit to the park a full day experience with new species of animals to discover at every turn. You can even swing like a monkey yourself on the Treetop Challenge, a high ropes course which is perfect to add an adrenaline rush to an already jam-packed day.
For older children, Canterbury has a wealth of activities to excite and enthral! Why not take them to the Chimera Climbing Wall for a family bouldering experience? This modern indoor rock-climbing gym has been designed and built by dedicated enthusiasts and is suitable both for first time and advanced climbers. The climbing centre is available for children over the age of 5 and although under 16 year olds need to be supervised by an adult, the adult does not have to climb themselves. The gym has a variety of different angled walls with varying routes to offer a range of challenges for all and it has a café for some well-earned refreshments afterwards.
Escape Rooms are a fantastic way to get the family together to work as a team! Escape Kent has lots of exciting rooms to choose from, some suitable for younger members of the family and others with a higher scare factor so more geared towards teenagers and adults. Escape in the Towers is also a separate award-winning company and the games are set within England’s oldest medieval gateway and city jail so are full of history and atmosphere. If you haven’t tried escape rooms before, now is the perfect time to get the family together and attempt one. As you work together to solve the puzzles before your time runs out, you are guaranteed an adrenaline fuelled hour!
If the weather if fine, why not hire bikes and try some of the many fantastic cycle paths that Canterbury has to offer? It’s the perfect way to explore the beautiful countryside surrounding Canterbury and is great for wearing out the children whilst enjoying the scenery.
Take a look at our separate blog detailing the best cycle paths linked to Canterbury: https://propertybypolygon.co.uk/cycling-in-canterbury
Finally, if you wish to relax, we have a range of wonderful theatres and cinemas to choose from in Canterbury. The Marlowe Theatre is the biggest and most central theatre in the city and it boasts an eclectic mix of drama, West End musicals, comedy, and dance so there really is something for everyone. The Curzon cinema is a brand new cinema complex positioned near the river with five spacious screens, Dolby Atmos screen for peerless surround sound, and a modern bar serving luxury cocktails and pizzas. It’s the perfect place to escape for a couple of hours if the weather isn’t so good, or as a family evening out.
Canterbury is the perfect location for a family holiday and there is lots to excite and interest both young and old. To book your family holiday, head to our website www.propertybypolygon.co.uk and book direct for the best prices.