with the summer holidays approaching lets have a thread about nice, cheap, local places to visit

[Eddas]

I'll add some places when I think of them.

Does anyone know any nice but cheap, or free would be even better, places to visit in or around Maidstone. I fear the 6 week long school holidays will drag if we stay too close to home for too many days and unfortunately funds are tight so visiting theme parks etc etc are out. Although TBH I wouldn't want to do all the queuing anyway

There's a nice park in tonbride by the swimming pool. It's got crazy golf, loads of play equipment and a sand pit. Any good?

Shorne country park is also nice - on the way to Bluewater.

That's the sort of thing I was thinking. Somewhere dc would think is different but doesn't cost me the earth and might not be crammed to the rafters

Thanks maxpower

Anyone else know anywhere good? There's 6 weeks to fill

Mote Park. Free. Big.

Teston is lovely.

Have you been to the Museum of Kent Life? By the motorway, it's great. It does cost, but an adults years membership is about £20, and under 4's are free.

They have a cuddle corner, tractor rides, pig football etc, which is fun for kids and a lovely play area. Also some old houses (Victorian, WW2, 1960s etc) which are interesting for a nose around.

Also, check out local libraries, as they often have activites over the summer holidays.

I live about 5mins from Teston I have to say I slightly begrudge the parking charge I will take a trip there though I think.

Mote Park, i'm affraid unless I'm going with friends and we don't go to the playground I avoid it. The playground is always so busy and ds(age 3) frightens me as he tries to go on the 'big' equipment and I just know he'll fall off and break something one day. I love going on a sunday though, when the trains are running and you can get a load of people together and set up camp so the kids play footie/rounders etc

Museum of Kent Life is good, we went in June half term but tbh I can't afford anything this year Next summer I will hopefully be able to get a pass to either Kent Life or somewhere else, maybe Leeds Castle, so that we can go over and over and only pay a little.

Only 3 weeks of school hols left to fill and i'll be working 3/5 days

Hi
I don't know whether you are a member or not, but Toyswappers is free to use for members. Just take your old unused toys along. Kids love the fact that they can get a new toy every day if they want to!!
Annual membership is just £10 per family per year!! Everything is FREE from then on.:o
The address is Toyswappers, 7 Hartnup St, Maidstone, ME168LR. If you would like more info, call Rachel on 07515863600 or look at the website; www.toyswappers.co.uk.
Good luck with the rest of the hols :)

hi,

There is a great place on the a2 road about 5 mins from the Strand, Rainham. Its called the barn-yard ( Gore Farm). It has a restaurant/farm shop etc for parents, but also pick your own, woods, a maze and cuddle corner and loads of animals, and its totally free! I go there a lot when I babysit. I think I have a link-

www.the-barnyard.com/

(Should admit up front that I work there so a little bias)...BUT at both Howletts and Port Lympne Wild Animal Parks we have introduced a passport scheme where you pay for one day ticket and then get a free YEAR long pass. So you can visit as many times as you like. Under 3s are totally free. More info on www.aspinallfoundation.org

Headcorn Areodrome is a fairly busy grass strip with wee planes taking off and landing. You can also watch parachutists doing their jumps. There's a cafe there too and big grassy area to run around. Always something going on.

Biddenden Vineyard is also free to have a walk round and sample a few wines. They have a bottling line for cider and apple juice there too. They've let us in to watch before. Cafe there too.

Tyland Barn just off Bluebell hill is a nature/insect place. Cafe and quizzes for the children. Things to touch and feel. They do pond dipping days and have willow houses and a small play area. Free.

Bearsted Woodland Trust site - has new play area, nice walks.

Penenden Heath Play park is good and not so busy as Mote Park.
Millenium Park is nice too for a change.

Rochester guildhall Museum is free, as is Maidstone museum and both places are quite happy to put up with children running around like loons (well, they were fine with mine running around like loons )

Trosley country park is good and the Coldrum Stones near there are also worth a visit, there's a big windy field near as well which is good for kite flying when they get bored with the stones.