To want a few days out that don't cost the earth!!

[letseatgrandma]

We are going away for a week in Kent (with my parents) and a week in Suffolk (with my in laws) over the summer. We are very lucky to be going away twice (because we are sharing the cost!) but I am looking into places to go with three children (between 4-11) and there are some lovely places, but my goodness some of them cost a fortune!!

We are English Heritage members which means we can have some 'free' days out, but to go anywhere like Bewilderwood, Port Lympne, Pleasurewood Hills etc cost £60+ each time for the 5 of us! I think this is an enormous amount of money :( Even something like the museum of Kent life (which look nice) is £9 per adult-this is fine tbh, but why are all the other things so much money!

Or-can anyone find me something nice but inexpensive to do in Rochester in Kent or Wisbech with the kids!!? Obviously we will do beaches/parks/woods where possible. I've used the Tesco clubcard vouchers renewing my EH membership so even they are no help!

There is loads to do in Kent. Try the following:

Little Potters in Sittingbourne (at the greyhound stadium) where they can paint their own pottery quite cheaply. There is a cafe and an indoor play area, its ideal if it rains.

Shorne Woods Country Park. Massive country park with various trails, cafe and outdoor playground. Free admission

Diggerland used to be reasonably inexpensive, but haven't been in recent years.

Riverside country park. Between Gillinham and Rainham. Great for a picnic. Visitors centre. Free admission

The Strand - Dodgems, a beach, ice cream parlour and water jets and paddling pools to cool you down. Free admission

Gore farm, free admission, pick your own fruit, a petting corner, nature walks, a tea room and a restaurant. Off the A2 between Rainham and Sittingbourne

Chatham Historical Dockyard is a good day out, not sure on current prices, you['ll have to google I'm afraid.

Do you have access to a car? And what dates are you in Kent for? I am the queen of cheap days out round here! (preens!)

The historical village at west Stowe near Bury St Edmunds is excellent value at £7.30 per adult for a ticket that will last all week. Abbey gardens in bury st Edmunds free and lovely. Walking on the Heath in Newmarket again free and lovely.

If you're a member of EH then have a castle day (or 2). Dover, Deal, Walmer, Richborough Roman Fort - all EH. Think there's an EH run castle in Rochester too (but never been).

we always go to Leeds castle- privately owned so not cheap but EH get 10% off and vaild for a year....maze and great Knights themed playground, bird show.

www.moneysavingexpert.com/deals/free-museums-and-art-galleries

Have a gander at that. It has free places to visit - museums and the like. hth

Ooh, thank you for the advice! We will be near Rochester in the last week of July. I was thinking about Walmer castle/Rochester castle (did Dover last year),
Museum of Kent Life, beach at Broadstairs.

Then maybe Dickensworld or Canterbury Tales (anyone been to these??) and maybe Hever Castle or Wildwood?

Howletts and Port Lympne will be about £60 for us!

Are there any nice petting/animal places in north kent which aren't owned by 'charge a fortune Aspinall...??)

Try Wingham zoo, it's lovely and has a great playground. It's about 5 minutes past Howletts.

Family ticket: £35

I second the Shorne country park, my kids love it.

The ice rink in gillingham is great fun too.

Port lymnpe and howlett's offer a year passport though for the same price as admission. So if you're nearby a lot then you get free admission for a year. Not cheap to start with but worth it if you'll be going a few times a year.

We used to go crabbing in Broadstairs as kids. Fun and free! Some lovely walks in south east Kent as well, try googling, on my phone so can't like properly.

Try the Quex Park in Birchington - a "big game" museum and historic house, soft play and a petting area. If you go on a nice day (hmm) you could drive on a mile or two further to Minnis Bay afterwards which is a lovely sandy beach at one end with a plethora of rocks at the other for crabbing and other exciting things.

Have you got a Tesco Clubcard? You can exchange your points for days out vouchers. They have quite a few places in Kent on there.

Family ticket: £35

Though that's a family of 2+2! I presume we'd have to pay another £9 for my 4 year old! Grrrrr

Thank you for the suggestions though-am making a list :)