Seaside Adventures You’ll Want to Visit Again and Again

Nothing says summer quite like the Kent coast, and Folkestone’s vibrant seafront offers enough entertainment to fill an entire day.

Folkestone Harbour Arm is one of the region’s biggest summer hotspots. Throughout the holidays you’ll find live music, outdoor cinema screenings, family workshops, skate sessions, street performers, pop-up activities, fantastic food vendors and stunning sea views. Whether you’re grabbing an ice cream, watching the sunset or letting the children burn off energy, there’s always something new to discover.

Don’t miss:

• Harbour entertainment throughout August
• End-of-summer Harbour celebrations and fireworks

Just along the coast, Sandgate offers a more relaxed seaside atmosphere before rounding off the holidays with the hugely popular Sandgate Sea Festival, complete with family entertainment, live performances and spectacular fireworks.

Family Days Out in Folkestone, Hythe & Romney Marsh

Searching for family days out in Folkestone? You’ll be spoilt for choice.

A ride aboard the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway is a summer classic. Children can enjoy special summer offers while families experience one of Kent’s most famous heritage attractions.

Nearby, Marsh Maze & Fun Yard is packed with giant outdoor play equipment, mini golf, ride-on toys, jumping pillows and seasonal events including the annual Character Day. It’s ideal for children who love to run, climb and explore.

Animal lovers can head to Frampton Farm, where family farm visits sit alongside popular Young Farmers holiday clubs, giving children the opportunity to meet animals, build confidence and enjoy hands-on outdoor experiences.

For younger children, Star & Sail at Burmarsh combines imaginative play, sensory experiences, crafts, soft play and café facilities, making it a wonderful stop for little adventurers.

Discover Folkestone’s Creative Side

Summer isn’t all about the beach. Folkestone has built a fantastic reputation as one of Kent’s most creative towns, and the school holidays are packed with opportunities to get hands-on.

Folkestone Museum hosts free family workshops throughout the holidays, with weekly themes including marine life, dinosaurs, Romans, conservation science and shells. Every visit offers something different.

Creative families can also enjoy:

• Clay workshops at Cave & Kiln
• Storytime at Folkestone Bookshop
• Craft sessions at Chaos Cards
• Dance workshops at KDance
• Children’s art classes at Art with Ali

Local libraries across Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh are also taking part in the Summer Reading Challenge, alongside rhyme times and family storytelling sessions throughout the holidays.

Keep Active This Summer

If your family prefers action-packed adventures, there are plenty of ways to stay active.

Choose from:

• Tennis holiday camps in Hythe running most days in the summer holidays. 
• Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes at F51 where you can also skate and climb in various formats!
• Children’s dance workshops at Julia’s Studio – fun themed and creative way to keep the little ones entertained, ending in a show at Tower Theatre!
• Family bushcraft at Knowler Farm. Weekly themes include den building, cooking on the fire, natural dyes, scavenger challenges and flower crowns.
• Outdoor yoga sessions with The Yoga Man at Knowler Farm. Sessions include yoga, dance, breathing exercises and games for children aged 5–11.

Explore the Great Outdoors

One of the best things about summer holidays in Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh is how easy it is to swap busy attractions for wide open spaces, coastal walks and family-friendly nature adventures.

Brockhill Country Park is a fantastic place to start, with a packed programme of seasonal activities including bug hunts, campfire storytelling, woodland crafts, splash days and hands-on outdoor adventures that encourage children to explore the natural world. It’s the perfect destination for families looking to combine fresh air with imaginative play.

If you’re keen to discover the area’s incredible coastline and countryside, the White Cliffs Countryside Partnership hosts a brilliant programme of guided family events throughout the summer. Join expert-led bug hunts, seashore safaris, bird walks, river dipping sessions and wildlife discovery activities at stunning locations including Folkestone Downs, Folkestone Warren and Romney Warren. These low-cost events are a wonderful way to introduce children to the wildlife and landscapes that make this part of Kent so special.

For something a little more relaxing, take a stroll along The Leas in Folkestone, where live music fills the Bandstand on summer weekends, or enjoy one of the family-friendly Curious Club nature walks, designed to encourage little explorers to slow down, get curious and connect with the outdoors.

Summer Events Worth Planning Around

The summer calendar across Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh is packed with events that bring the coast and countryside to life. If you’re planning a visit, these are some of the highlights worth adding to your diary:

• Folkestone Harbour Arm Summer Programme – live music, outdoor cinema, family entertainment and seasonal events throughout the holidays.
• Sandgate Sea Festival – enjoy live entertainment, family activities and a memorable fireworks display by the sea.
• Living History Workshops at Dymchurch Beach – free, hands-on heritage and craft sessions running throughout August.
• Marsh Maze Character Day – meet favourite characters while enjoying all the fun of this popular family attraction.

Alongside these headline events, look out for the Folkestone Museum Summer Workshops, Brockhill Country Park‘s family nature programme, regular live music on The Leas Bandstand, and children’s offers on the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway throughout the school holidays.