The summer holidays are here, so it’s time to start filling up that calendar with fantastic family days out.

From Medieval festivals to animal encounters, code-cracking challenges and swashbuckling pirates, we’ve got all the essential dates for your summer diary…

LULLINGSTONE CASTLE, near Swanley

From Friday, July 19

Lullingstone Castle kicks off its summer with the Quilt and Craft Festival, a celebration of art and craftsmanship from across the South East with workshops, stalls and patchwork exhibits. Then, the PATINA Classic Car Show pulls up to the grounds in August, bringing with it a collection of unrestored classic and vintage cars, followed by the Plant Hunters Weekend where you can discover unusual blooms and animals at the end of the month.

Details: Quilt and Craft Festival takes place from Friday, July 19 to Sunday, July 21 at Lullingstone Castle in Eynsford, near Swanley. Find tickets and more event details online here.

GODINTON HOUSE AND GARDENS, near Ashford

From Saturday, July 20

A display of contemporary artwork and stunning sculptures is setting up shop at Ashford’s Godinton House. The Sculpture in the Garden event sees some incredible pieces dotted throughout the grounds, with several local artists making their debut this year. Later in the summer, the grounds will host a new comedy play by outdoor theatre group Rude Mechanical Theatre Company.

Details: Sculpture in the Garden takes place from Saturday, July 20 to Sunday, August 11 at Godinton House and Gardens in Great Chart, near Ashford. Find tickets and more event details online here.

HEVER CASTLE, Edenbridge

From Saturday, July 20

Join Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn to cheer on the brave knights taking part in this year’s jousting tournaments, featuring jaw-dropping stunts and action-packed battles. There’s also an Adventures in Time Travel trail for younger visitors running throughout the holidays, not to mention the Supercar Weekend and Medieval-themed Hever in History events in August.

Details: Jousting takes place on select dates from Saturday, July 20 to Sunday, September 1 at Hever Castle in Edenbridge. Find tickets and more event details online here.

HISTORIC DOCKYARD, Chatham

From Saturday, July 20

With more than 40 layouts and 100 exhibitors, the Chatham Model Railway Show is one of the biggest in Kent. The two-day event will launch the Dockyard’s summer season, which also includes the Game Is Afoot mystery challenge where visitors will need to solve puzzles and uncover clues to crack the case.

Details: The Chatham Model Railway Show takes place on Saturday, July 20 and Sunday, July 21 at the Historic Dockyard Chatham. Find tickets and more event details online here.

SISSINGHURST CASTLE GARDEN, Cranbrook

From Saturday, July 20

Challenge your family and friends in a series of lawn games at the world-famous Sissinghurst Castle Garden. While you play in the beautiful surroundings, you can also try your hand at archery in the Elizabethan tent and join the creative workshops in the Oast House.

Details: From Saturday, July 20 to Sunday, September 1 at Sissinghurst Castle Garden in Cranbrook. Find tickets and more event details online here.

HOWLETTS WILD ANIMAL PARK, near Canterbury

From Monday, July 22

Let your wild side loose at one of Kent’s biggest animal parks as Howletts launches its series of Wild Summer events. Each week of the summer holidays, the park will be celebrating a different species with craft activities and keeper talks. The fun starts with Monkey Week before moving onto Carnivore Week, Rhino Week, Elephant Week, Gorilla Week and Lemur Week. And, if you’re visiting with a group, you can save up to 35% on tickets with Howletts’ new summer ticket bundle.

Details: From Monday, July 22 to Sunday, September 1 at Howletts Wild Animal Park in Bekesbourne, near Canterbury. Find tickets and more event details online here.

IGHTHAM MOTE, near Sevenoaks

From Monday, July 22

Become a spy for the day and take on the code-breaking challenges across Ightham Mote’s indoor and outdoor trails. Alongside the Summer of Selby Spies event, the National Trust property will also be putting on themed weeks including Plots, Spies and Crowns and Challenges, Uprisings and Battles.

Details: Summer of Selby Spies takes place from Monday, July 22 to Sunday, September 1 at Ightham Mote in Ide Hill, near Sevenoaks. Find tickets and more event details online here.

BEDGEBURY NATIONAL PINETUM AND FOREST, near Goudhurst

From Tuesday, July 23

The Gruffalo trail at this picturesque forest is getting an Olympic-sized upgrade over the summer. The trail, which was introduced to celebrate the cartoon character’s 25th birthday, now includes sports-themed challenges designed to test visitors’ stamina and agility to coincide with the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Details: From Tuesday, July 23 at Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest in Goudhurst, near Cranbrook. Find tickets and more event details online here.

BETTESHANGER COUNTRY PARK, Deal

From Saturday, July 27

Travel back in time with the Military Show and Country Fair, which brings vintage vehicles, tractor rides, retro music and characters to Deal’s country park for two days. There’s even more outdoor activities to enjoy at the park throughout the summer, including the Heritage Sprint, Kent’s biggest biking event, and The Beast, an inflatable obstacle course that will test even the most athletic of visitors.

Details: The Military Show and Country Fair takes place on Saturday, July 27 and Sunday, July 28 at Betteshanger Country Park in Deal. Find tickets and more event details online here.

SCOTNEY CASTLE, Lamberhurst

From Saturday, July 27

Families will be clowning around all summer at Scotney Castle with circus workshops in the Big Top. There will be experts on-hand to teach you how to stilt-walk, juggle and spin plates from the end of July. Then, in August, Quantum Theatre will be putting on their outdoor production of Jemima Puddle-Duck.

Details: Big Top is open from Saturday, July 27 to Sunday, September 1 at Scotney Castle in Lamberhurst. Find tickets and more event details online here.

SHORNE WOODS, near Gravesend

From Friday, August 2

Soak up the sunshine with a trip to one of Kent’s country parks. There’s a Family Fun Day at Shorne Woods in August where you can join the team for a mini-dig, pond-dipping, den-building and campfire cooking. Later that month there’s also the chance to step right up for the Circus Skills day, get crafty with Clay Creations and find yourself face-to-face with lizards and snakes in the Animal Encounters.

Details: Family Fun Day takes place on Friday, August 2 at Shone Woods in Shorne, near Gravesend. Find tickets and more event details online here.

DOVER CASTLE

From Saturday, August 3

Get ready for a swashbuckling weekend of fun with Pirates! at Dover Castle. Listen to the scallywag sailors tell tales of their time at sea and watch as they battle it out for treasure, all while getting involved in immersive activities for all ages. Then, at the end of August, the Clash of the Knights will see the bravest warriors of the Middle Ages compete in all-action contests.

Details: Pirates! takes place on Saturday, August 3 and Sunday, August 4 at Dover Castle. Find tickets and more event details online here.

GUILDHALL, Sandwich

Saturday, August 3

Slip into your hoop skirt and put on your best Marilyn Monroe wig for the Kent ‘50s Festival. The nostalgic event includes retro music from The Jets, Miss Holiday and the Swingtones and Sonny West’s Voodoo Vendors, as well as free entertainment on the outdoor stage, memorabilia exhibitions, a classic car show and jive dancing competitions.

Details: Saturday, August 3 at The Guildhall in Sandwich. Find tickets and more event details online here.

KENT LIFE, near Maidstone

From Monday, August 12

Look out for prehistoric creatures and watch as the rangers wrangle the roar-some beasts in Dinosaur Week at Kent Life. There will be lots of dino-themed activities, live shows and wandering dinosaurs and then, later that month, there’s an Ice Cream Festival with different flavours and toppings to celebrate the summer.

Details: Dinosaur Week takes place from Monday, August 12 to Friday, August 16 at Kent Life near Maidstone. Find tickets and more event details online here.

HOLDEN FARM, near Ashford

There’s no better way to get stuck into the Kentish countryside than with a day at the farm. This year’s Biddenden Tractorfest still has these agricultural engines at its heart, with more than 200 tractors expected to pull up on the field, but there’s also stalls, stunt shows, food and drink, animals and live music.

Details: Saturday, August 17 and Sunday, August 18 at Holden Farm in Biddenden, near Ashford. Find tickets and more event details online here.

CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL

From Monday, August 19

Theatre company Immersion Theatre will be bringing their fantastic summer productions, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Peter Pan, to the grounds of Canterbury Cathedral. The family-friendly shows will be performed against the stunning backdrop of the historic building with lots of laughs, props and costumes.

Details: Monday, August 19 and Saturday, August 31 at Canterbury Cathedral. Find tickets and more event details online here.

ROYAL MILITARY CANAL, Hythe

Wednesday, August 21

The Hythe Venetian Fete is a floating parade that has been taking to the water since 1892. The stunning floats will be on display with beautiful decorations, all created by local enthusiasts, followed by a day of live music, entertainment, food and drink and fireworks when the sun goes down.

Details: Wednesday, August 21 at the Royal Military Canal in Hythe. Find tickets and more event details online here.

DEAL CASTLE

From Thursday, August 29

Tuck into tasty treats at the four-day Deal Food and Drink Festival. The festival, which is now in its ninth year, will have street food stalls and fresh produce from all over the county, as well as bars selling local beer and cider, speciality cocktails and hot drinks. There’s also a fairground, live comedy and music, children’s activities and craft stalls.

Details: Thursday, August 29 to Sunday, September 1 at Deal Castle. Find tickets and more event details online.