insideKENT Magazine Issue 51 - June 2016 | Page 108

DAYSOUT

enjoy the sun in kent
The sun is finally out in the Garden Of England, and there’s no better way to
while away the warmer days than by getting out and about with friends and
family. Here are some of Visit Kent’s picks for great days out this summer…

© Visit Kent

GET ON YOUR BIKE AT BETTESHANGER

With 200 acres of pristine parkland, a visit to
Betteshanger Country Park near Deal is the ideal
candidate for a day of active adventure with the
family.
Part of the wider multi-million pound
Betteshanger Sustainable Parks scheme, this
former spoil heap has a substantial selection of
activities available throughout the year, making
Betteshanger the perfect destination for visitors
with a vast range of interests.

A two-mile track for cyclists with a dedicated
speed lane means that whether you’re a biker
novice, or fancy yourself as the next Bradley
Wiggins, there’s something on offer for you. Bring
your own bike or hire one for the day, the choice
is yours.
Featured on the BBC’s Autumnwatch,
there’s no denying that Betteshanger has a
fantastic abundance of wildlife and nature to be
discovered. Whether you prefer to do this at a

gentle strolling pace, or see it whizzing past you
mid-orienteering mission, make sure to absorb
the miles of unspoilt views.
With a full programme of events throughout
the year, and a range of new hands-on activities
including archery, fossil hunting and den building,
it’s not hard to see why Betteshanger is fast
becoming Kent’s must-visit destination.
www.betteshangercountrypark.co.uk

© Visit Kent

HOP, SKIP AND JUMP ALONG
TO KENT LIFE

GO WILD FOR
WINGHAM

It’s time to dig out those wellies, roll up
your sleeves and take a step back to
discover what rural Kent Life was really
like. This family-friendly attraction set within
28 acres of land in Maidstone is the perfect
place for visiting traditional farming animals,
whilst also learning all about Kent’s past
and present farming heritage.
Down on the farm, visit traditional
animals including sheep, cows, pigs,
horses, rabbits, goats, ducks, chickens
and even alpacas. The hands-on cuddle
corner is always a hit with visitors providing a fantastic opportunity to get
close and personal to some smaller farmyard species.
Follow fantastic floral aromas around to the farmhouse gardens where
you’ll find ornamental herbs, apple orchards, seasonal fruit and veg, and
even a traditional hop garden. One of the few places left in Britain where
they are grown, take this unique opportunity to find out a little more about
the traditions of hop picking.
Next, explore the Vintage Village where you’ll step back in time to learn
all about the vibrant history of Kent’s farming industry.
For little ones there’s a wealth of indoor and outdoor play areas, and
when they’re all worn out at the end of the day, why not pay a visit to Dotty’s
Tea Room for a delicious slice of homemade cake?
www.kentlife.org.uk

Prepare yourself for a totally wild
experience at Wingham Wildlife
Park, just outside of Canterbury.
Originally opened as a bird park,
Wingham is now home to a huge
range of animal species including
big cats, reptiles, penguins,
© Visit Kent
various primates and many more.
Over the last eight years Wingham
has established a fantastic reputation for giving its visitors access to some
of the world’s most exotic species with a real emphasis in conservation
both inside and outside of the park.
Join the rangers for the Big Cat Talk, waddle down to watch the penguins
eat their lunch, or even book in advance for a truly VIP experience to
become Zoo Keeper for the day.
If your favourite species are of the more prehistoric persuasion, Wingham
have you covered too! The park’s brand new Dinosaur Walk is now open.
Showcasing 29 animatronic, roaring dinosaur models, the prehistoric era
has been brought back to life for kids and adults alike. What’s more, there
is no extra charge once inside the park to experience this enormous new
feature.
www.winghamwildlifepark.co.uk

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