Barnland Retreat

Being on an island there are of course beaches nearby – try Leysdown beach (10 minutes’ drive) and Minster Leas (15 minutes) for lively family beaches, or Leysdown Coastal Country Park (10 minutes) and Shellness (20 minutes) for more natural seaside areas. While you’re on the island you may also like to check out the ancient tombs in Minster Abbey (10 minutes), see the planes at Eastchurch Aviation Museum (10 minutes) or try out golf and watersports at Barton’s Point Coastal Park (15 minutes). Curly’s Farm (10 minutes) is a popular destination for younger kids, with pigs, goats and owls among the animals you can see – it’s worth knowing that it’s only open in the school holidays and needs to be booked ahead. To see wilder animals, plan a trip to Port Lympne Safari Park, Wingham Wildlife Park or Howletts Wild Animal Park (all just under an hour away). For a dip into local history, head to Leeds Castle (35 minutes), which has heaps of attractions and activities, or spend the day in Canterbury (45 minutes). There’s more beach time in Whitstable (45 minutes) and plenty of walks in the Kent Downs National Landscape (around half an hour).