To ask for ideas for things to do in Kent (in the rain)

[bestmealoftheday]

We're off to Kent (Sandwich area, with car so can spread out) for a couple of days with a 10yo and 8yo. We'll be fitting in some beach walks to blow away some cobwebs, but heavy rain is forecast, so we're looking for ideas (preferably local attractions like kid-friendly museums, rather than the obvious things we could do anywhere, like cinema). Any thoughts?

Come to Thanet :)
Google Carlton cinema in westgate very cheap.
Broadstairs is lovely.
Revolution skate park in St. Peter's is good if you have boys.
Fowlmead in between is good for riding bikes.
Turner etc in margate.

You could visit my aunt in Tonbridge. If you were very desperate indeed.

Dover Castle?

Animal Park... www.aspinallfoundation.org/howletts

Day trip to Calais on ferry.

The shell cave/grotto in Margatey area is good

Canterbury Tales is pretty good for an hour for primary aged children and Canterbury museum is bargainaiseous and child-friendly with hands-on activities, but not large, you can then make it a triple with the rupert bear/bagpuss mueum (also cheap and my favourite).

Go and watch Homes Under The Hammer being filmed. Lucy Alexander is almost always in Chatham or Gillingham .

Dickens world
Museum of kent life
Leeds castle
Chatham dockyard

canterburytales.org.uk/

www.canterbury.co.uk/museums/

www.canterbury.co.uk/museums/heritage-museum/Bagpuss-and-Rupert-Bear.aspx

Roman museum was the one I meant for DC. Bagpuss and Rupert have apparently now been entirely subsumed by the Heritage museum

shellgrotto.co.uk/ Open this weekend

How far do you want to travel OP?

Museum of Kent life is indeed fab.

Whitstable is not far......and lovely

Visit Quex! Museum full of amazing taxidermy and pretty gardens, Quex Barn for a great meal and excellent local produce, Jungle Jims softplay is there too if it's pouring and you're desperate - all spread out around the site.

Wingham Wildlife Park is really good too (although not much fun in the rain). Dover Castle is brilliant. Turner Contemporary in Margate is lovely and Margate itself is actually much improved for a wander around

How about Hever Castle? one of my favourite places to visit.

www.hevercastle.co.uk/

I was going to suggest Quex as well.

I also recommend Wild Wood (www.wildwoodtrust.org) if it's not raining too hard!

Chatham dockyard was amazing. I made rope. Climbing in and out of ships and submarine. I dare anyone to not enjoy a day there. It was on tesco days out vouchers when we visited!

Dover castle is shut all week in the winter.

Leave and go to London. Or France.

Oh all right.... Canterbury's pretty close isn't it? Cathedral.

The jewelly treasure stuff in the crypt of the Cathedral is pretty impressive for that age group (challices studded with rubies etc) plus it's a crypt.

Deal is fab. Lovely high street and cafés. Walmer Castle great too.