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Kent summer holidays 2017 last weekend of things to do across the county for all the family

It’s the last gasp for the summer this weekend, before backpacks and school runs begin. Here's where to squeeze out the last drops of the holidays out across the county

ASHFORD DESIGNER OUTLET

The centre’s open air summer festival garden area runs until Sunday, September 3, with an ice cream stand and giant games, including Connect 4 and Jenga, plus a kids’ reading corner and an Ashford Introduces battle of the bands on Saturday, September 2.

Keeping the kids active over the summer is key
Keeping the kids active over the summer is key

BATTLE OF MEDWAY

Uncover the 350-year-old story of the Battle of Medway through a collection of art and objects on loan from national and international institutions, including the British Library and the Rijksmuseum with the Breaking the Chain exhibition at the Historic Dockyard Chatham, which runs until Sunday, September 3.

Doc.Yard and her assistant Bunsen is also at the dockyard with some mathematical fun and games, until Sunday, September 3. For details go to thedockyard.co.uk. There are also battle-related activities at Upnor Castle through to Friday, September 1. Go to new.medway.gov.uk for more.

There's plenty of school holiday fun to be had at Chatham Historic Dockyard
There's plenty of school holiday fun to be had at Chatham Historic Dockyard

BLUEWATER

Twelve giant Gromit sculptures can be found around the centre until Sunday, September 3 for the Gromit Unleashed® Character Trail, costing £2, with a trail map to pick up from the concierge desk outside M&S, and a prize for completed ones. The centre’s first ever beach, with sands, deckchairs and a giant paddling pool, plus funfair rides, is open until Sunday, September 3 at The Village. There are small charges. Details at thebeachbluewater.com

Gromit is at Bluewater
Gromit is at Bluewater

THE FORUM

There will be a variety of sporting activities at the Sittingbourne shopping centre every Saturday until September 2, between 11am and 4pm, with challenges including hula hooping, giant egg and spoon, skipping, crazy golf and bowling.

Summer activities at the Forum
Summer activities at the Forum

HOP FARM

Hopper the Rabbit is having some summer holiday fun until Sunday, September 3, as the park is open every day from 10am and there will be entertainment including shows in the Big Red Barn, face painting and bouncing on the giant jumping pillows. For more information go to thehopfarm.co.uk

KENT LIFE

Head to the seaside without leaving Maidstone as the farming attraction has seaside themed events until Sunday, September 3. Dig into the sandpit and enjoy the Punch and Judy Show.

Or be daring and join the knobbly knees competition. Pick up an explorers card – each child that completes one will get a free child’s ticket to the fireworks spectacular in November. For details call 01622 763936 or visit kentlife.org.uk.

Make the most of the weekend
Make the most of the weekend

LEEDS CASTLE

Summertime activities run through to Saturday, September 2 with the final event of the summer being the Chapterhouse Theatre Company’s performance of Pride and Prejudice. For details go to leeds-castle.com

Leeds Castle Picture: matthewwalkerphotography.com
Leeds Castle Picture: matthewwalkerphotography.com

PENSHURST PLACE

The waving walkways of the Maize Maze – this year in the shape of the ancient Sidney Oak tree, which stood on the estate for some 1,000 years – are open daily until Sunday, September 3, plus next weekend, Saturday, September 9 and Sunday, September 10, with a route for younger visitors and a more challenging option. Entry is included in the standard grounds admission price. Details at penshurstplace.com

QUEX PARK

There’s a field of fun at the Birchington site through to mid September, with the Maize Maze and an African Expedition taking visitors on a journey around the continent, with an interactive quiz.

Head to the Giant Tractor Maze, to track down a lost tractor, and try out a Maize-opoly interactive quiz. You also won’t want to miss the only Jumping Pillow in Thanet. For entry charges and times, visit quexactivitycentre.com or call 01843 841119.

NATIONAL TRUST

Round up the family this weekend and catch the last rays of summer at National Trust properties across Kent.

Adventures include nature exploration, to tackle the trust’s 50 Things, picnics, trails and wildlife fun, running until Sunday, September 3.

Summer activities with the National Trust
Summer activities with the National Trust

There’s a self-led family trail to spot the animals who lived at Winston Churchill’s home, Chartwell, at Westerham, – maybe even spotting Jock the cat along the way! – an ant trail at Emmetts Garden, at Ide Hill, Sevenoaks, building a den in a wilderness camp in the woods and following a trail around Scotney Castle near Lamberhurst, and countryside adventures in the woodlands and grounds of Ightham Mote at Borough Green.
For details of events and entry charges, visit nationaltrust.org.uk

Head for a National Trust property. Picture: Oskar Proctor, National Trust images
Head for a National Trust property. Picture: Oskar Proctor, National Trust images
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