Fab, free and fun

12. ALLINGTON LOCK
Watch the world - and the boats - go by at Allington Lock, just outside Maidstone, is what summer afternoons were made for. There’s certainly plenty to see – cabin cruisers, canal boats and canoeists all head to this leafy stretch of the River Medway. If watching people messing about on the river gives you a thirst, grab a coffee or more at the tiny but charming Old Toll House which describes itself as a “small coffee kiosk/tea shop/micro art gallery located on the Island between Allington Lock and the sluice on The River Medway”. A short walk away is the Kent Life family attraction and the Malta Inn.
Postcode: ME16 0LU
Contact: www.allingtonlock.co.uk and www.kentlife.org.uk

13. KEARSNEY ABBEY, DOVER
Looking for somewhere to take the whole family, including the dogs, for a relaxing day out? Well, Dover’s Kearsney Abbey ticks all the boxes if you are looking for a great place to have a family picnic and best of all, the experience costs nothing! The original house no longer exists but there is still plenty to see and do. It’s a lovely place to walk and relax with gardens, lakes, wildlife and it also has a great playground for young kids. If you fancy a cup of tea with cake or ice cream you get it in the last remaining part of the house, the billiard room, which is now a cafe.
Postcode: CT16 3EG
Contact: www.whitecliffscountry.org.uk

14. CLOWES WOOD, TYLER HILL
A favourite spot for dog walkers, cyclists or families on a lazy Sunday stroll. Clowes Wood, between Canterbury and Whitstable, is great place to escape to when you need a quiet hour or two. There is nothing more peaceful than exploring the area’s many routes and paths, some easy to follow, or for the more adventurous, go off track and into the woods. The seven mile cycle route, the Crab and Winkle Way, also passes through the conifer-dominated woodland. There is a picnic area and car park.
Postcode: CT5 3ER
Contact: www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/englandkentnoforestcloweswood

15. TENTERDEN
The quaint market town attracts plenty of visitors with its array of shops, cafes and restaurants, declaring itself the ‘Jewel of the Weald’. You can enjoy a pub lunch in the sunshine or just sit on the rec with a picnic, while the children wear themselves out on swings and slides. The picturesque tree-lined High Street has beautiful historic buildings, many home to independent businesses. The surrounding countryside offers walking, riding and cycle routes.
Postcode: TN30 6AW
Contact: www.tenterdentown.co.uk

16. CRAB AND WINKLE WAY, WHITSTABLE
Cyclists can take in the delights of both seaside Whitstable and historic Canterbury thanks to the Crab and Winkle Way. Named after the railway line which in the 1800s allowed seafood to be brought by rail to the city, it now provides seven miles of traffic-free cycling through picturesque countryside. Riders will pass through the RSPB nature reserve on Blean Woods and there are plenty of places to stop. The route is suitable for families.
Postcode: CT5 1QS
Contact: www.sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map/route/crab-winkle-way

17. LOWER LEAS COASTAL PARK, FOLKESTONE
The Lower Leas Coastal Park was a god-send to stressed parents when it opened in 2000, providing the perfect environment for energetic kids to burn off energy. It is split into three areas, one of which houses the largest outdoor adventure play area in the south east. The shipwreck climbing frame is the star attraction. Once the kids have run out of steam, it also provides the perfect setting for a picnic or barbecue.
Postcode: CT20 2JP
Contact: www.visitkent.co.uk/attractions

Check out the rest of the 68 summer days out

Attractions across Kent

Sporting days out

Along the coast

Doing it for the kids

Where the wild things are

Parks and green spaces

Perfect places for a pint

Off the beaten track