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Don't forget to check out your local children's centres
Baby & Toddler Activities:
- Sing and Sign
What is baby signing? Babies use all kinds of signs and gestures as a natural part of learning to talk.
- Tumble Tots
Designed to develop children's physical skills of agility, balance, co-ordination and climbing, through the use of brightly coloured Tumble Tots equipment.
- Baby Bounce & Rhyme
These sessions take place at your local library. Phone your local library for more info
Beavers, Rainbows, Guides, Cubs & Scouts:
- Dymchurch Rainbow & Guides
Rainbows are the youngest members of the Guides, girls aged five to seven years old. They participate in arts and crafts, games, singing and other activities.
The girls meet on Mondays in the village hall from 4 to 5pm. Any girl interested in joining or adult interested in helping out is asked to phone 01303 872529.
- Dymchurch Scouts
Boys and girls aged 10 to 14 years are welcome to join the Scout Troop, which meets in the Scout Hut, Chapel Road from 7.00 to 9.00pm every Friday.
Come along to find out more or phone 01303 872133.
- Girl Guides
- Scouts
Castles:
- Dover Castle, Dover
No fortress in England can boast a longer history than Dover Castle. Commanding the shortest sea crossing between England and the Continent, it has served from the Iron Age onwards as a vital strategic centre.
- Walmer Castle – Walmer
Walmer Castle was built to withstand the wrath of the French and Spanish following Henry VIII's break with the Roman Catholic Church, but its defences have never, in fact, been put to the test.
- Deal Castle – Deal
Deal Castle was built by Henry VIII in 1539-40 as an artillery fortress to counter the threat of invasion from Catholic France and Spain. It was the largest of three forts constructed to defend the area of safe anchorage known as the Downs. The other forts were at Walmer, now the official residence of the Lords Warden of the Cinque Ports, and Sandown, which was largely demolished in the middle of the 19th century.
Children's Parties:
- Emporium Parties
Emporium Parties specialise in fun packed unique parties for children from pre-school to teen. We have been entertaining and organising children and teenage parties since 1999
Churches:
- Canterbury Cathedral
The Cathedral, which is part of the UNESCO world Heritage Site, must form the centre point of any visit to Canterbury!
Drama Schools:
- Stagecoach Theatre Arts
Whatever their future role may be, youngsters could be rehearsing for it, while they enjoy themselves at Stagecoach.
Historic:
- Old Kent Tours
Our tours cater for up to eight people and are fully flexible to ensure you the best experience during your holiday. We are a family business and all our tours are personally escorted by ourselves, Nigel and Milly.
We were both born locally and have lived in Kent all our lives and appreciate just how much our region has to offer.
Our tours start from just £30 per person for a full day and vary according to your exact requirements. We are happy to tailor make your day if there is somewhere you particularly want to visit. Shopping trips start from just £20 per person.
From stunning seascapes, breathtaking countryside, inspiring ancient monuments and maritime heritage, there is something for everyone.
- The Old Lighthouse, Dungeness
An historic Grade II building, recently celebrating its centenary. Opened with great ceremony by His Royal Majesty the Prince of Wales in 1904 after a 3-year build, it survived t20 world wars before decommission in 1960. For 56 years it provided a welcome land light to vessels negotiating the perils of the English Channel.
- Historic River Tours – Canterbury
The Tour provides a truly entertaining experience for its visitors, combining a very enjoyable commentary whilst discovering some of Canterbury’s finest architecture set against outstanding views of natural scenery.
- Willesborough Windmill – Ashford
Visitors can enjoy guided tours of the mill and Victorian cottage, visit the Barn for tea and homemade cake, displays of Norman cycles, photography, and working model mills. Children are welcome and can learn how to make flour on quern stones.
- The Leas Lift – Folkestone
The Leas Lift was deisgned and built in 1885, the lift is unique in that it is powered by water.
Situated on the cliff, it connects the Leas Cliff to the Lower Sandgate Road and is a common attraction for locals and visitors.
Lower Sandgate Road, Folkestone, Kent, CT20 1PR
01303 251573
Kids Play Areas:
- Kidz Planet
Kidz Planet is Folkestone's newest childrens 4-storey indoor Family Entertainment Centre. All children aged 0 to 11 are welcome, and we are open 7 days a week.
- Kid Safari – Dover
01304 825005
Play area with rope bridges, toddler area and a ball pool.
Libraries:
- Folkestone Library
Folkestone Library & Museum
2 Grace Hill
Folkestone
Kent CT20 1HD
Tel: 01303 256710
Opening Times
Monday and Tuesday 9.30 –18.00
Wednesday 9.30 –17.00
Thursday 9.30 –18.00
Friday & Saturday 9.30 – 19.00
Sunday 10.00 –16.00
- Dymchurch Library
Plater Memorial Hall
Dymchurch
TN29 0TA
Tel: 01303 873894
Fax: 01303 873894
Sunday – Closed,
Monday 2pm - 5pm (1pm - 4pm Oct - Feb),
Tuesday – Closed,
Wednesday 10.00am - 12.00pm,
Thursday – Closed,
Friday 10.00am - 12.00pm then 2.00pm - 5.00pm (1pm - 4pm Oct - Feb),
Saturday 10.00am - 12.00pm.
- Cheriton
01303 275163
- Hythe
01303 267111
- Lydd
01797 320131
- Lyminge
01303 862180
- New Romney
01797 363245
- Sandgate
01303 248563
- Folkestone – Wood Avenue
01303 254226
Martial Arts:
- Lydd Karate Club – Lydd
Lydd Karate club is held at Lydd Junior school, Skinner Road, Lydd, on a Wednesday and Friday evenings. The club promotes a friendly but disciplined atmosphere and welcomes students of all ages from absolute beginners to Dan grades.
- International Karate – Folkestone, Hawkinge, Lympne & Sandgate
Beginners are made to feel very welcome at our friendly clubs. Parents are able to stay and watch the children's classes or leave the children for an hour and know they are completely safe with us. You don't have to stick to one club. There are classes every week day and you can chose the most convenient time and place to train. With homework and school schedules, it is not always possible to attend the same club on the same night every week.
Museums:
- Kent Battle of Britain Memorial and Museum, Hawkinge
The museum is the oldest established and largest collection of Battle of Britain artefacts on show in the country
- Hythe History Room
An interesting local museum covering the history of Hythe, situated next to the Town Council Offices in Oaklands. Access (no stairs) is via the Public Library through an entrance hall used as an arts / crafts gallery.
The fully registered Museum is in three rooms, containing memorabilia depicting the civic and social history of the town, together with a reminder of the importance of the Small Arms School Corps, which used to be stationed in the Town.
'The Story of Hythe' is the latest addition to the information on display. Enquires on the Collections and on any aspect of the local history can be left with the Library staff, or the administrative staff of Hythe Town Council.
There is also a 'state-of-the-art' interactive multimedia display showing old and new Visions of Hythe.
Admission to the Local History Room is free - the opening times are the same as those of the Library.
- Museum of Canterbury & Rupert Bear Museum
Discover the story of Canterbury in new interactive displays for all the family. Meet Bagpuss and friends, and the Rupert Bear Museum here too.
01227 475202
- Museum of Kent Life – Maidstone
At the Museum of Kent Life you can discover the rich and vibrant history of the people who lived and worked in the Garden of England over the past 150 years.
Other:
- Canterbury Tales
Join Chaucer’s pilgrims on their medieval adventure and experience the sights, sounds and smells of the 14th Century!
Riding Schools:
- Coombe Wood Stables – Hawkinge
Children’s Riding School. Indoor arena. BHS approved. Please phone for more details.
Coombe Wood Lane, Hawkinge 01303 893332
Sport:
- The Varne - Greatstone
For all your sporting and social activities, including watersports, boat angling, sailing, power boating, water skiing and jet skiing.
- Lydd Golf Club
No expense has been spared in creating this beautiful 18-hole course. A tactical blend of bunkering, strategically placed lakes, wispy rough and wind makes this course a real challenge. Combine that with its natural beauty and you will be playing a course you will never forget.
- Action Watersports - Lydd
The South East's Premier Jet Ski & Water-Ski Centre. Enjoy the freedom of Jet Skiing, the excitement of Water-Skiing, the fun of Wakeboarding or the sheer exhilaration of Barefooting.
- Grasshoppers Junior Football Club - Lydd
Grasshoppers was founded in the 70s as a mens team,but as you will see from looking around our site we have come a very long way since then. We currently have 178 boys & girls signed on and playing the beautiful game in the way it should be played. Our teams start at under 7s and go all the way through to under 16s.
- VLC Active – Cheriton
Valley Leisure Centre provides sport and recreational facilities seven days a week. They strive to be the best provider of facilities and service, and do it all with a big smile to ensure that all their customers have a fantastic time at VLC. They also run kids clubs throughout the holidays!
- Folkestone Sports Centre
The Folkestone Sports Centre is a fun-filled activities, sports, and leisure centre the whole family can enjoy.
- Hythe Aqua Club
Hythe Aqua (formerly Hythe Swimming Club) is based at the South Road swimming pool in Hythe and has been established since 1975. Hythe Aqua has over 500 members, with the majority under 16 years of age.
- Folkestone Invicta Football Club
Cheriton Road Football ground is the home to Folkestone Invicta Football club. The club, which was formed in 1936, has enjoyed varied success over the years including entering the F.A Cup for the first time in the 1994/5 season, playing host to West Ham for a benefit match in the 1996/7 season and in the 2003/4 season achieving a club record of 24 unbeaten matches.
- Hythe Town Football Club
Hythe Town FC was originally formed in 1911 and in 1976 finally acquired its own grounds at Reachfields Stadium, Fort Road, Hythe. The clubs records include their best league performance in the 1989/90 season coming 6th in the Southern Division, F.A Cup 4th qualifying round in the 1989/90 season and reaching the semi-final in the 1989/90 season in the Football Association Challenge Vase.
- Hawkinge Youth Football Club
Hawking Youth Football Club currently has two teams consisting of an under 8's and under 10's and are looking to build on that to play mini soccer in the 07/08 season. Their vision is to encourage the local community to participate in football, with the aim of building confidence in a safe and fun environment.
- Folkestone Rugby club
Folkestone Rugby Club was formed in 1973 and has been at its current location since 1989. The club has an abundance of teams including Veterans, Ladies and a Youth Team.
Wildlife, Gardens, Country Parks & Environmental:
- Totally Wild – Port Lympne & Canterbury
Visit Howlettes or Port Lympne Zoo!
- Wildwood (near Canterbury)
Visit Wildwood, Kent's unique woodland Discovery Park. Deep in ancient woodlands, come nose to nose with nature as Wildwood reveals the vibrant life of British wildlife.
- The White Cliff Countryside Project
A visit to Folkestone would not be complete without visiting the East Cliff & Warren Country Park, where there are tremendous views of the white cliffs and the dramatic landscape of the undercliff, created by huge landslips. Discover the visitor centre in a Martello Tower and the site of a Roman villa. A series of nature trails have been created to allow you to discover the wealth of wildlife that lives here.
- Brockhill Country Park, Saltwood, Hythe
A popular family-orientated park, Brockhill has lots to offer. Brockhill Country Park was previously part of a large estate that dates back to Norman times. The old manor house is now part of Brockhill School, and is located next to the park. A large, man-made lake forms the centre of the site. Two small islands sit within the lake and the larger is the final resting place of William Tournay, the last lord of Brockhill Manor who died in 1903. The rabbit-grazed turf is ideal for low-growing herbs, and the rich mosaic of plants provides shelter for many beautiful butterflies. There are fabulous walks within the park, and two fantastic circular walks that use the site as a base to explore the local area using the Public Rights of Way network
- Explore Kent
Explore the Kent Countryside
- Rare Breeds Centre – Woodchurch, Ashford
Whatever the weather or time of year, no other attraction offers so much to see and do as the Rare Breeds Centre with its unique mix of fun, excitement and countryside adventure, set in 120 acres of unspoilt countryside.
- Druidstone – Near Canterbury
Honey Hill, Blean, Kent CT2 9JR (Just outside Canterbury)
01227 765168
‘Whether you’re interested in meeting our many friendly animals, having fun in the adventure play areas, finding peace and tranquillity in the enchanted woodland or just relaxing in the idyllic surroundings of the park garden, you won’t be disappointed!
- Folkestone Owl Sanctuary
The Folkestone Owl Rescue Sanctuary provides a refuge for owls that are injured in the wild or can no longer be looked after in captivity.
This non-profit organisation was started in 1989 by Brian Maxted (below right), and can provide space for up to 50 owls all of whom need care and attention.
Visitors are welcome and we are more than happy to give information about the owls to anyone wanting to learn more.
- Samphire Hoe – Dover
A new piece of England created by Eurotunnel from 4.9 million cubic metres of chalk marl excavated from The Channel Tunnel. The 30-hectare site is situated at the foot of the Dover cliffs and provides a haven for people and wildlife.
- Kearsney Abbey – Dover
Beautiful gardens, tennis courts and play area.
Directions
Take the Train to Dover and change for one to Kearsney or take a bus or go by car down the Alkham Valley Road from Folkestone. (This starts where the road from Hawkinge to Folkestone crosses the A20 dual carriageway). There are several car parks available once you get there.
- Royal Military Canal – Hythe
The Royal Military Canal was built between 1804 - 1809 for strategic defense against invasion during the Napoleonic Wars with France (1793 - 1815).
It runs for 28 miles from Sandgate (near Folkestone) to Cliff End (near Hastings), and is a fresh water canal.
- Lathe Barn – Romney Marsh
Tearooms and children’s farm with play area
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