Beside the seaside

This weekend there were lots of free things to try - I really wanted to go Medieval at Badelsmere, Mr No Price Tags fancied the open day at Lullingstone.

But as the morning got hotter and hotter yesterday we realised it would be horrific to take two little ones out for the whole day.

So we decided the beach was our best bet. And instead of going for the day, we decided to go in the evening when it would be a bit cooler and less crowded.

As we drove down to Camber Sands hoards of people were leaving. We cruised past traffic jams and found somewhere (free - yay!) to park really easily.

The beach was still busy when we got there (I can't imagine how crowded it must have been during the day). We got ourselves a spot not far from the sea and had a fabulous evening - and dinner - by the sea.


A perfect way to end a very hot day!

Medieval battles, jubilee decorations and geocaching . . . what will you get up to this weekend?

Have you seen our playground review yet?

We have been a family of sickos for the last couple of weeks so we haven't been able to make the most of the free events I've been so excited about.

But the sun is shining, the children are (more or less) well, and I have more free things to share with you. And hopefully try out myself!

Here are just some of the activities Kent has to offer this weekend:

Friday

Baby Bounce and Rhyme
Tunbridge Wells Library, Mount Pleasant Road, Tunbridge Wells TN1 1NS
10 - 11am
Lots of nursery rhymes and other songs for your little one.


Heritage tree walk
Mote Park, Maidstone ME15 7RN
10am - 12.30pm
Check out some of Mote Park's special heritage status trees - email moteparkevents@maidstone.gov.uk to book your place.


Friday Fun at the Museum
Tunbridge Wells Museum and Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road, Tunbridge Wells TN1 1NS
10.30 - 11.30am
Craft and story telling for 2 - 5 year olds.


Saturday

Badlesmere Lees Medieval Fayre (and Sunday)
Ashford Road A251, Badlesmere Lees, Nr. Faversham ME13 0NX
From midday
See medieval battles and enjoy stalls, live music and rides.


Sunday

Moth morning at Bough Beech
Bough Beech Visitor Centre & Nature Park, Bough Beech, Four Elms TN14 6LD
10am - 12pm
We went to a moth morning earlier this year and we really enjoyed it. There should be more moths this time too, because the weather has been so warm this week.


Explore South Blean Woods
Chartham Hatch CT4 7NT
10am - 12.30pm


Lullingstone Country Park Open Day
Castle Road, Eynsford DA4 0JF
11am - 3pm
Woodland walks, pond dipping, geocaching, scavenger hunt, face painting and live music.


Craft corner
Tunbridge Wells Museum and Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road, Tunbridge Wells TN1 1NS
1 - 3pm
Make your own jubilee decorations (for ages 8+)

Kent's best playgrounds?

We love playgrounds. We're always on the look out for good ones - especially when we're away from home for the day.

That's why I asked no price taggers to tell me their favourites. I will have definitely missed out some, so let me know where you and your family like to go!

Danson Park
Danson Road, Bexleyheath DA6

We haven't tried this park yet, but it comes recommended by @_ginger1. As well as the great swings and play area, the park hosts a free 5K run every Saturday morning and a festival every July.

My toddler loves Danson Park in Bexleyheath. Lovely playground, lake, duck pond & lots of green for running about like a loon. @_ginger1


Grosvenor & Hilbert Park
Auckland Road, Tunbridge Wells TN1

Grosvenor and Hilbert Park has real variety in terms of surroundings - hidden nooks & crannies to run around in, plus nice cafe @FeeHorne


Shorne Woods adventure playground
Brewers Road, Gravesend DA12 3HX

A giant adventure playground for older children, and smaller swings and playthings for younger tots. This is the best playground we have found so far. Shorne Woods also has a trim trail and is perfect for little bikes.


Tonbridge Racecourse Sportsground
Castle Street, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1BG

Tonbridge has a massive playground with kit for all ages. We love the giant sandpits and the zipwires. And Orla is going to try out the little climbing frames next time we go.

A trip to Tonbridge Park can easily turn into a day out, with lovely walks and bike rides through to Haysden Country Park.


Otford Playground
High Street, Otford TN14

Recommended by Bloomers, Otford swings have been repaired and are ready for action! Lovely views of the North Downs. And extra great in the summer if you like cricket as the Otford team plays on the field next to the playground.


Pennington Grounds
Pennington Road, Southborough TN4

Another recommendation - the park has zip wires and a good variety of activities not just swings and slides.

Another fantastic free week ahead . . .

I've just got back from a lovely walk around Knole Park - lots of puddles to splash in!

I have some great free things to share with you this week. I hope you get a chance to try some.

Wednesday
Mum & Co at St Nick's, Sevenoaks, TN13 1JA
9:45 - 11:30am 1:45 - 3:30pm (not completely free - £1 charge for each session)

Story time at Sevenoaks Library, TN13 1LQ
11.15 - 11.45am

Thursday
Spring tucker in the countryside
Cobtree Manor, Aylesford ME20 7AE
10am - 12:30pm

Friday
Baby Bounce and Rhyme at Tunbridge Wells Library, TN1 1NS
10 - 11am

Saturday
250 years of the Sandwich
Sandwich Festival

Orchid Walk at Darland Banks, Darland Ave Gillingham ME7 3ER
10am - 1pm

Mini beast hunt in Mote Park, Maidstone ME15 7SU
10am - 12:30pm

Shorne Woods Country Park open day
Gravesend, DA12 3HX
11am - 3pm

Thornden Wood and the Wild Art Trail
Thornden Wood Road, Herne Bay CT6 7NZ
2 - 4pm

Sunday
Spring tucker in the countryside
Cobtree Manor, Aylesford ME20 7AE
10am - 12:30pm

Trosley Country Park open day
Meopham, DA13 0SG
11am - 3pm

Muddy walks at Shorne Woods



Calum and Orla take shelter!

So it's still raining. After a week or so in the house, we decided enough was enough and headed off to Shorne Woods Country Park, near Gravesend.

Not quite dressed for the weather (as always . . .) we took a short route round the woods. The path was easy to get round with a pushchair even though it was a bit muddy.

Unfortunately for us, Orla wasn't in the pushchair and, as we couldn't find her wellies, I spent a lot of the walk scooping her up before she launched herself into big muddy puddles. I wasn't that successful - but Orla had a great time.

The woods are part of the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. And they really are a very pretty place to come for a walk or a bike ride.




Spider sculpture

You can also try your hand at fishing, or test your fitness on the trim trail that runs around the park.

It was cold today so we didn't stop off at the adventure playgrounds. There are two - one for little tots and another for older children. They look great and we'll definitely be back to try them out.

Instead we set off to the cafe. Hooray! It was very nice to have somewhere to warm ourselves up. There are baby changing facilities too.

Shorne Woods is holding an open day on Saturday 12 May.

Shorne Woods
Brewers Road
Gravesend
DA12 3HX


Parking: Monday - Friday £2.00. Weekends and Bank Holidays £2.50.