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COVID safe Family attractions in Kent

With Outdoor Attractions now open, it’s the perfect time for your kids to let off their lockdown steam! Unfortunately, the financial impact of last year has been devastating for many of these businesses, so they need our support more than ever. Keep reading to discover some of the best days out that Maidstone has to offer. 

1. Kent Owl Academy

The Kent owl academy at Kent life, Maidstone

Enjoy the wonder of getting up close and personal with owls and birds of prey. Situated within Kent Life, the best way of making the most of this attraction is to book an experience day. So not only will your children be able to channel their inner Harry Potter or Hermione Granger, but they will also learn from the highly accredited team. 

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2. Buttercups Sanctuary for GoatsButtercups Sanctuary for Goats

With over 130 goats living on-site, Buttercups is the only registered charity in the UK that care solely for the welfare of goats. Fancy a stroll through the Kent countryside with a goat on a lead? No problem, you can buy a Walking with Goats Experience. Not only will The Walk Leaders tell you about local history along the way, but you’ll also learn a thing or two about your new billy gruff friend. 

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3Leeds Castle

There are plenty of brilliant things for your little princes and princesses to do at Leeds Castle; have a round of Adventure Golf, get lost in a Maze or visit the Bird of Prey Centre, to name a few. Though the best news is that from the 17th May, the castle will be opening its doors again.

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4. Kent Life

Kent LIfeFun, education and history are rolled into one at this working farm within 28 acres of land. Though not all attractions are open at the moment, there are still plenty of things for you and your mini farmers to do, including a Cuddle Corner & Farmyard Walkthrough, Tractor Rides, Feed the Alpacas, and feed the pigs Seed Planting and spring chicken talk.

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5. Little Fant Farm

Little Fant Farm, MaidstoneHow can you resist visiting a place that claims to “Probably have the best sausage rolls ever?” Little Fant Farm is a hidden heritage cottage farm set within the scenic Medway Valley Fruit Orchards. Your little ones can complete a fun-filled farm trail in which they’ll see animals, find bugs and search for flowers and fruit. Though if you see Nigel the pig best to not mention the sausage rolls to him! 

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6. Elveys Canoe

Elveys-Canoe

Why not take a trip on the River Medway in a private canoe with your little or big adventurers? Elveys-Canoe is a small family run business that offers a range of seasonal paddling activities between Tonbridge and Allington. You can take different routes, and if you’re brave enough, you can attempt the water chutes! Though currently closed until 22nd May, you can prebook for when it re-opens.  

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7. Go Ape (Leeds Castle)

Go ApeFor an active day out, why not try Go Ape at Leeds Castle? There’s something for monkeys of all ages, whether it’s the Tree Top Challenge, Tree Top Adventure or Treetop Adventure Plus. Leap from stepping stone to stepping stone, negotiate log bridges and zoom along a 250-metre long zip wire. And if you’re scared of heights, don’t mention to your children that parents are allowed! 

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Time to Help

During the pandemic, the people of Maidstone displayed incredible community spirit, showing their support in many ways. For example, Maidstone volunteers went door to door in the ME15 postcode area, encouraging residents to take PCR tests to try and identify new cases of the South African variant.

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS trust choir produced a song to thank the community for their support.

Charlie Pallett, a second world war veteran from Shepway in Maidstone, released a version of the wartime song “Keep Going to the End of the Road”. Inspired by Sir Captain Tom Moore, Charlie initially hoped to raise £1,000 for his favourite charity, Help For Heroes; he ended up raising £28,000!

It’s stories like these that make me proud to be part of the Maidstone community. Therefore it’s no surprise that I have seen a considerable increase in demand from people living outside of Maidstone moving into the town. As a result, house prices have surged across Maidstone between 5% and 10% in the last six months alone.

Now that restrictions are easing, we need to continue the Maidstone camaraderie shown by Charlie Pallet and the NHS Choir and come together to support the local businesses that have struggled during lockdown.

And what better way to do it than with a great day out with your children! 

Ben Siggins

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