Whether or not you’re fascinated by historical past, love enjoying knights and dragons, or are merely in search of an awesome household time out, there are some nice castles in Kent to discover with children.
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With fortresses belonging to kings, queens and nobles, or created to defend England’s borders over the centuries, the county has a number of the finest castles within the UK for households, together with an opportunity to see jousts, uncover underground tunnels, and watch falconry shows in addition to exploring inside.
There are some nice stately properties to find in Kent as effectively however for this publish, I’m focusing firmly on good old style castles, turrets, towers and all, with my choose of the very best castles in Kent for youths (and adults!).
Leeds Citadel, close to Maidstone
Not removed from Maidstone and the village of Leeds (not the extra well-known metropolis in Yorkshire), Leeds Citadel is definitely one of the crucial stunning historic websites in Kent – and there’s loads of competitors for that individual title.
Sitting mirrored within the lake, with peacocks roaming the grounds, this has at all times struck me (and my daughter) because the type of fort to deal with princesses fairly than a fearsome fortress.
As soon as dwelling to Catherine of Aragon, most of the rooms are adorned in lavish Nineteen Twenties model, though you’ll additionally discover ones straight from medieval occasions too. Outdoors, together with these peacocks, there’s an journey playground and falconry shows plus journey golf within the grounds.
Take a look at my evaluation of visiting Leeds Citadel with a toddler
Hever Citadel, close to Edenbridge
One among my all-time favorite Kent days out with children, there’s plenty to suit right into a go to to Hever Citadel – if we lived only a bit nearer, I’d be tempted to get the annual membership.
In addition to with the ability to discover the Citadel itself, the childhood dwelling of Anne Boleyn which nonetheless homes items from Tudor occasions, you may wander the grounds with a maze, a water maze, a lake, gardens and extra to see.
However probably the greatest components are the characters wandering round: Henry VIII known as me a peasant (declare to fame!) earlier than taking his Queen and knights all the way down to the joust – tip: both get to the joust discipline early for good views, and look ahead to the royals to reach, or comply with them down from the fort entrance.
For my full evaluation of a time out at Hever Citadel, Kent, click on right here
Dover Citadel, Dover
One other fabulous Kent fortress filled with historical past, there’s greater than historical tales of kings to be found at Dover Citadel too, together with wartime tunnels used for naval operations in the course of the Second World Struggle.
The location is actually has loads of tales to share after centuries of use, with an Iron Age Fort and Roman lighthouse constructed close to the Norman fort.
The fort itself has lots for youths to get palms on, together with employees dressed up in medieval costume to point out them card wool within the kitchens, plus bedchambers adorned as they may have been for royal inhabitants, proper all the way down to video games to play.
Even once we visited on a cold winter’s day, the grounds had been nice to wander round with views all the way down to the English Channel, whereas older children can even benefit from the underground hospital.
Learn my full evaluation of a go to to Dover Citadel with children
Get 15% off English Heritage membership utilizing the code EHAFF2023, with as much as six youngsters coming into free – click on right here for extra particulars and to enroll
Scotney Citadel, close to Tunbridge Wells
There’s two for one whenever you go to Scotney Citadel, not removed from Tunbridge Wells – not solely the ruined 14th fort itself, which appears nearly frozen in time surrounded by its moat and parkland, but in addition a Victorian nation home to discover.
There’s a priest gap to spy within the fort and secret door in the home, which remains to be adorned as if the household had merely stepped out for a couple of minutes, proper all the way down to the retro tins within the kitchen. You possibly can even discover the footprint of an Iguanadon within the quarry backyard (closed, alas, once we visited).
For those who’re visiting Scotney Citadel with children, there’s plenty of room to race round in between the historic buildings too, and the pure play space is a big temptation with loads of choices to entertain, so be ready to spend a big chunk of the go to right here.
Learn my full evaluation of our go to to Scotney Citadel, Kent with children
Rochester Citadel, Rochester
Rochester Citadel is without doubt one of the oldest castles in England, with a protracted and interesting historical past relationship again to 1087. Sitting in a strategic place above the River Medway, the fort was constructed by famed architect Gundulf, who additionally designed and constructed the Tower of London.
Youngsters will likely be captivated by the fort’s imposing medieval partitions and the mighty preserve – the formidable central stone tower – which is the tallest medieval construction in Europe and probably the greatest preserved Norman towers in England.
You possibly can go to the fort’s grounds free of charge and revel in a peaceable household picnic outdoors its towering partitions. Or to enter the fort and climb the preserve, you’ll must pay the doorway charge and purchase tickets.
The climb to the tower’s rooftop has a reward of breathtaking views over the river and the city under. However the staircase is pretty steep and slim, so watch out when climbing with youthful youngsters.
There are additionally a number of info boards across the fortress, so guests of all ages can take pleasure in thrilling tales of the numerous battles and sieges that when occurred inside its historical partitions.
Upnor Citadel, close to Rochester
Only a 10 minute drive from Rochester, Upnor Citadel was constructed within the sixteenth century utilizing stone from the outer partitions of close by Rochester Citadel.
The Elizabethan artillery fort was constructed to defend warships at Chatham Dockyard on the mouth of the River Medway, including an interesting glimpse into England’s maritime heritage.
Inside the fort, you will discover interactive show boards and displays telling the story of the fort, whereas children can even love the massive cannons declaring towards the river.
To maintain smaller guests engaged, you may obtain this child’s exercise sheet. Or plan your go to throughout one of many fort’s particular household occasions, which embody themed trails and craft periods.
Tonbridge Citadel, Tonbridge
Additionally set on the banks of the River Medway, Tonbridge Citadel is a powerful medieval motte and bailey fort with an interesting 950-year historical past.
You possibly can discover the Norman stronghold’s peaceable gardens, wander by means of the gatehouse and climb the traditional motte free of charge. From the highest of the motte, there are panoramic views over the small market city too.
Or if you happen to select to move contained in the gatehouse, the interactive shows, life-like fashions, guided audio tour, and youngsters’s exercise packs make studying in regards to the fort’s previous partaking and pleasant for the entire household.
Tonbridge Citadel can be one of many few castles in Kent the place canines are allowed in all areas of the property. They might even get a free deal with when passing by the present store.
Deal Citadel, Deal
Deal Citadel is an uncommon Tudor coastal fortress constructed throughout Henry VIII’s reign. The fort’s progressive round format (it seems to be like a Tudor rose from above) was chosen for its strategic defensive advantages and makes it one of the crucial thrilling castles to go to in Kent.
Youngsters can uncover the mysteries of the massive fort as they get misplaced within the maze of underground tunnels, wander by means of the bizarre round rooms, and climb spiral staircases to discover the bastions and chateau partitions.
There are additionally loads of interactive displays and child’s actions (don’t miss the picket muskets for little ones to play with) that will help you think about what life was like as a Tudor knight within the fort
Plus preserve a watch out for particular household occasions all year long at this English heritage web site, together with customised actors who come to inform the story of Henry VIII and the fort’s previous.
Walmer Citadel, close to Deal
From Deal Citadel, you may take a brief stroll alongside the Kent seafront to succeed in Walmer Citadel and Gardens. The Tudor Citadel was additionally constructed by King Henry VIII within the sixteenth century as a part of the identical chain of coastal defences to guard England from the French.
The historic fortress turned nation home has had many well-known residents over its historical past, together with the Duke of Wellington, William Pitt the Youthful, and the Queen Mom.
There’s lots to discover contained in the fort, together with the Duke of Wellington’s bed room in its authentic state and a pair of authentic Wellington Boots.
However the spotlight of this Kent fort for households must be its stunning and expansive gardens. Youngsters will love the woodland trails and pure play gear, which incorporates climbing nets, wobbly bridges, and animal sculptures.
You too can take a stroll by means of the formal gardens (one is devoted to the Queen Mom), see what’s rising within the kitchen backyard, and seize a chew to eat within the pretty Glasshouse Café.
Chiddingstone Citadel, close to Edenbridge
Chiddingstone Citadel was initially constructed within the early sixteenth century as a Tudor manor home, then later resigned within the model of a medieval fort within the nineteenth century.
The well-preserved property has been owned and lived in by an eclectic combine of individuals throughout its historical past. Most lately, it was bought by collector Denys Eyre Bower to carry his giant assortment of artwork, antiques and artefacts from all around the globe.
Now the fort is a family-friendly museum, that includes highlights from Bower’s Japanese, Stuart and Jacobite, Buddhist, and Historic Egyptian collections.
Even if you happen to don’t need to pay to go to the fort’s assortment, you may nonetheless discover the property’s 35 acres of grounds free of charge. The picturesque gardens have numerous house for youths to run round, an Historic Egyptian-inspired grass maze, and an avenue of Japanese cherry blossom bushes – there’s even a Japanese tea home too.
Chiddingstone Citadel is simply a brief drive from Hever Citadel, so you may simply mix the 2 for an awesome afternoon out in Kent with children.
Lullingstone Citadel, Eynsford
Lullingstone Citadel is one other historic manor home in Kent with a castle-like look due to its gatehouse battlements.
However the fort isn’t what most individuals really come to see – the truth is, the property itself remains to be a personal household dwelling and is simply open once in a while. Slightly, the fort has turn out to be well-known for its stunning backyard stuffed with superb crops and bushes from all internationally.
“The World Backyard” was opened in 2005 by Tom Hart Dyke, a British horticulturist who fairly actually risked his life within the hunt for uncommon crops for his backyard – Dyke was kidnapped by a guerilla group within the Colombian jungle whereas trying to find uncommon orchids.
His vibrant backyard is now open to guests each Thursday to Sunday (together with Financial institution Vacation Mondays) and prices a small charge to enter.
The gardens are an awesome place to go to with children, with wacky sculptures, hands-on actions, a free Plant Hunter Quiz, and particular youngsters’s occasions all year long. There’s additionally loads of house to take pleasure in a calming household picnic within the stunning backyard.
The castles in Kent to skip
You received’t be wanting nice castles in Kent to go to on a household time out, however listed here are a number of to skip for now in the event that they’re in your wishlist.
Canterbury Citadel
One of many three authentic royal castles in Kent, constructed shortly after the Norman Conquest, it has been closed to guests for a while due to the hazards of falling masonry.
Eynsford Citadel
This early Norman fort was deserted within the early 14th century after being vandalised throughout a household feud over inheritance. Such ruins as stay are at present closed due to structural points.
Chilham Citadel
The medieval fort on this web site has lengthy since been changed by a Jacobean manor home, and when you can go to the fort gardens at some factors of the yr, the constructing itself isn’t open to the general public.
Sissinghurst Citadel
It’s not that you just shouldn’t go to Sissinghurst Citadel with children, because the Nationwide Belief web site has some enjoyable trails and lakeside walks within the floor. However that is positively extra of a stately dwelling, regardless of the identify, so don’t count on turrets and fortress partitions.
For extra issues to do in Kent with children, try my prime picks
Disclosure: This publish incorporates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee
Important picture/Hever fort/Scotney Citadel photos copyright MummyTravels, all others courtesy of Depositphotos/Adobe Inventory/Picfair
