Wise Words Festival

The Wise Words Festival in Canterbury runs for 10 days covering 2 weekends at the end April/beginning of May. The festival incorporates poetry, story telling, talks and music including family events. So having seen a family day advertised in conjunction with City Sound Project last year we thought we'd try a taster... there were lots of events listed on the website some free but many required pre-booking and payment in advance. So I booked the boys on to the Shake, Rattle and Roll drum workshop which was only £3 each and the tickets were emailed through.

We found the Secret Garden, which in itself is worth a little visit as usually hidden from view. It was decorated with ribbons, hanging frames, and I particularly liked the archway of books which added to the feel. There were various Tee-pee's, Bell Tent's and Yurt's set up for events. There was a little pallet stage with some dress up and a chalk board for the tots as well as a few craft sessions going on.

The Drum Workshop took place inside a bell tent and although I think there were a few more than expected all the kids got an African drum. They all had a great time learning different rhythms and rhymes, and performing at the end. I thoroughly recommended giving it a go this year.

Afterwards we purchased some refreshments (Gin cocktails were rather lush if your not driving), there were a variety of food and drink outlets and had a chill in the garden while the kids had a run about. Altogether we were probably there about 2 hours. This year if you choose the right day there are a few more free sessions and drop in craft sessions including puppet making and Mayday crowns so you can probably make more of a day of it than we did but recommend you book at least one event.

This year the festival runs from 28th April to 7th May. The free events include 'Mayday Dancing' on 1st May, 'Stories Woven from Wood' and the 'Lantern Parade' on Saturday 6th May which we unfortunately couldn't get to last year. Get busy making the lanterns for this at various workshops on both weekends. And the 'Sunday Kichen Session' with coffee and croissants on 7th May! So try something new; the kids will love it!

Our Top Picks for 2017:

For Pre-schoolers - 6,  is 'The Three Muskteers ' starring Three Half Pints of CBeebies fame at only £5 a ticket! (1st May)
For all ages 'Storytelling on the River' take a journey on a punt with stories of myths and legends with Emily Henessey. (6th&7th May)
For 7-11 yr olds 'Tongue Fu for Kids' a combination of spoken word, poets, rappers and comedians. (30th April)
For 12+ 'Poet in Da Corner' a combination of poetry, grime and movement inspired by dizzi rascal. (30th April)

Toddlers Cove

A Hidden gem in Canterbury and part of the Westgate Gardens, Toddlers Cove has come into its own as a destination playground since the revamp! Located along side the River Stour hidden from the ring road. Only about a 10 minute walk from Canterbury East and Canterbury West train station and a bit further from the bus station so great if your using public transport. There is a car park which unfortunately like the rest of Canterbury has seen a big price hike, gone is the 2 hours for a few pennies, now only 30 mins free parking then £1.50 an hour. Alternatively get the park and ride in from Wincheap for £3.

The playpark has a large variety of new wooden play equipment. Think platforms, slides, cargo nets, climbing walls. Add in a zip wire, sunken ship, basket swings, traditional swings and wooden tent style houses! There is still our old favourite the metal bus with slide from the original playpark and for my football mad 8yr old there is a grass area with metal goal.

There is even some outdoor gym equipment if you fancy a work out too!If your kids are big enough to just go it alone please be aware that you can't quite see the whole area no matter where you sit. We tend to let the little ones play in one area then move so we can see them in the other, it's not too close to the river but as anyone knows they can be pretty speedy in the wrong direction.

If their getting restless or you need to stretch your legs... you can take the path along the river,  east towards wincheap, this part of the Great Stour Way Cycle Path that goes right out to Chartham so remember to bring the kids bikes or just go for a stroll. Alternatively take the bridge over the river and head West through the beautiful Westgate Gardens ending up at the towers, don't forget to wave at passing boats or kayakers. If your feeling adventurous you could take a tour on the river with Westgate Punts, for a short trip 30/40minutes it's £12 per adult and £6 per child.

There are a few picnic benches at Toddlers Cove and plenty of room to lay out a rug if you want to stay for lunch. If the weathers reasonable then you will often find a snack wagon on site selling hot drinks, sandwiches and chips for a reasonable price. There is also always an ice cream van when the suns out in the school holidays!

The site now has 2 disabled toilets with baby change open throughout the day. A marked improvement on the old style conveniences although a shame they couldn't have stretched to fully accessible facilities as well as more play equipment for children with special needs.

There are various events put on throughout the year by the friends of Westgate Gardens or in conjunction with Tower House. Past events have included a Scary Scavenger hunt, Fun Day, Teddy Bears Picnic and the Scarecrow Trail! These activities are usually very good value for money. This Easter there is an Trail on Saturday 15th April for £2.50 each, follow the trail and receive an Easter Egg also look out for the Easter bunny and the price also includes Easter crafts. Or how about a spot of River Dipping during May half term, for £4 including booking fee per child book online or by phone. Look out for more events on the Website . 

Christmas is Coming...

Don't know about you but the bank balance has only just recovered from buying new school uniform and October half term... 6 weeks until Christmas!! Argghhhhhh! OK, so I love Christmas, probably more than the kids, it's not the presents but all the extra fuff. Yes, I am one of those annoying people who puts the decorations up on the 1st December! Sorry! So here's a few Christmassy suggestions for things to do with the kids between now and the big day.

Christmas Lights/Parades... If you want to go for the big day out then it's got to be a day trip to London for the 'Free' Hamley's Toy Parade on Sunday 20th November! This year Mr Tumble is starring but there is everyone from My Little Pony to Lego Ninjago characters to Paddington Bear and our current favourite Power Rangers Dino Charge! The parade covers 1.5 miles, starts at 10:30am and entertainment including meet the characters goes on until 16:30.

Closer to home look out for local Christmas Lights Switch On. Faversham Christmas Lights on Saturday 26th November is always popular especially now it is followed by the Night Market with hot food stalls and live music. If your feeling creative make your own festive lantern and enter the Whitstable Christmas Light Parade also on the 26th. Maidstone's is on the 17th November with Father Christmas, Panto stars and for the teeny boppers/X-Factor fans boy band 'Yes Lad!' If you head to Folkestone on Friday 18th November, the lantern parade makes its way from Leas Cliff Hall to Folkestone Town Hall for the light switch on then down to the harbour for a fireworks display! In Medway, Rainham has the Gruffalo, Strood has Marshall from Paw Patrol and Gillingham has Scrat from Ice Age so lots of choice. It's definately becoming a bigger event in the diary and it's free!

Christmas Markets... Having stomped around the German Christmas Market in Hyde Park some 9 years ago that later morphed into what is now Winter Wonderland London, I have grown to love a festive market and for many years being in charge of a pushchair with mulled wine in hand was an annual occur occurance! So me and the boys still love Winter Wonderland, we've done the Circus and the Ice Kingdom, but it is busy so timing is key and you will haemorrhage money letting the kids get their ride fix.

Christmas Markets are however popping up everywhere now so this year why not check out Rochester Christmas Market in the grounds of the Castle, Free Entry. There is shopping for us gift buyers (usually gifts for myself to be honest), fair rides for the kiddies, 'Snow' and Bavarian food village. If you go on the 3rd/4th December it is also the Dickensian Festival which includes Lantern Parades, Reindeer, Dickensian Characters and Victorian Horse&Carriage rides for £2.50 pp. On Friday 2nd and 9th, the fair rides are only a £1 so good for those with Pre-Schoolers.

Christmas Festival Market at The Historic Dockyard, Chatham, might be worth a look too on 26th November. It is undercover in Slip 5 outside the Dockyard so it's FREE entry. Includes Santa, Reindeer, Craft stalls, Ice Skating and entertainment. And it's near the Dockside shopping outlet too if you need a few more bits.

 

We really enjoyed the Leeds Castle Christmas Market last year, with Craft stalls, Reindeer, Fair Rides, and Mulled Wine, and all the normal Leeds Castle attractions! OK so entrance tickets are expensive but your entry tickets are valid for the whole year and buy on line in advance to save so worth considering. They do have Santa too but it's probably already sold out!

Xmas Cake and Craft... So we're not all the next recruit for bake off but when it's cold outside where better to be in the kitchen with biscuits and cake! So I like a traditional Christmas Cake as I get to bake it early and keep topping it up with brandy! Then just before Christmas the kids help roll out the marzipan and icing. For the cheat option just buy a good sized fruit cake, the kids still get the fun of designing there own decoration and whose going to know! Gingerbread is also very popular in my house, we do make our own but no matter how closely I follow Mary Berry's recipe it sticks to the counter and I have to throw a ton more flour in! Or just buy them in the supermarket and get the kids to decorate, lots of tubes of icing and sweet decorations to choose from.

Last year everyone on Facebook was making sock snowmen following the you tube video. This year why not get the kids to try out these...

Salt Dough Decorations, all you need is flour, salt and some paints!!

Invest in some Porcelain Pens, then you can make your own Santa plates, Personalised mugs, Vases, you name it! My pens have been going a good few years now and still have plenty of life in them!

Or if its all too much effort, pop along to Little Potters in Sittingbourne, and drink tea while the kids decorate various ornaments for the grandparents Christmas presents!

 

Visit Santa... I confess that we are on it when it comes to the annual Mums'&Kids' outing to visit Father Christmas! Yes in September the kids go back to school and someone texts 'I know but... Santa?!' Gone are the days of easily booking a free visit to see Santa at Harrods without getting up at 5am to beat the net mums and stumping up some cash! But as my 8 year old is now very aware, Santa is everywhere in all shapes and sizes. So here are some suggestions of where you can see the big man in Kent with your wish list this year...

Check out Dover Port, I know sounds bonkers right?! but in Cruise Terminal One, Western Docks there will be an indoor ice rink and Santa's Grotto! Book Ice skating for those aged 5+, for 45 minute session, 2 adults/2 children £28. Santa is there weekends from 19th November and everyday in the week before Christmas. It's £10, receive a gift and don't forget to post your letter to Santa in the special post box for him to read later. There is also a Christmas Market on Saturday and Sundays.

Dreamland, Margate have Santa's Grotto taking pride of place under the Scenic Railway. From 3rd -24th December book in to become an honorary Elf, help collect up the Christmas baubles, mix the magic Reindeer food and get a gift and photo with the man himself for £9.95 (Members £8.95). For the under 2s meet Santa and have a photo for £3.50. Make day of it by visiting the Frosted Fairground or head inside to the soft play or roller rink!

Want something more traditional, Alexander Centre, Faversham have a fantastic Father Christmas. You can book to visit him in the Mayors Parlour on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th December, £6 per child. They can also participate in some Christmas crafts, the tea room is open and a Christmas Market for those last minute buys.

Or why not visit Santa in his Woodland Grotto and get some fresh winter air at Shorne Woods Country Park, Gravesend. Take the Christmas trail around the woods and solve the clues to find Santa at his grotto. See Santa for £6, (book online) then why not stop for a hot choc in the visitor centre and a play on the adventure playground.

If you visit any of these festive venues and want to share your pics and reviews or tips, go to the Facebook Page! Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!

Halloween Half-Term

Autumn is here, it might be chilly but it's still a great time to get out with the kids! Here's a few ideas of things to do this half term inside and out...

PYO Pumpkin... Support your local farmers and make a family trip out of it too! Pull on your wellies and choose your perfect pumpkin. We went to Saffery Farm, Selling nr Faversham today for ours, also hot drinks and cakes available too! Once you get the pumpkins home, you decorate with paints, glow in the dark ones are good or go for the traditional scoop and cut out, if you can get the flesh out make into soup, pie or cakes! There are lots of farms doing pick your own including:

Beluncle Farm, Hoo
milebush farm, Maidstone
Sevington, Ashford
The Old Lorry Farm Shop,Deal

Whitstable Castle... Follow the Scarecrow Trail Monday 24th - Sun 30th, collect your free trail from the tea rooms and you can also enter the colouring competition. Wrap up warm for a play on the pirate adventure playground and warm up with a nice hot choc! Don't forget free parking for 3 hours!

Woods... My boys love collecting conkers, we end with loads! And if the kids need some encouragement to get the bobble hats on and go to the woods, a collecting mission helps. Other than the traditional game, conkers are also great for decorating, how about painting on some spooky eyes and use as halloween decorations!
The Forestry Commission also a free Autumn Activity Pack available with things to look for in the woods and activities to do at home! We even found some walnuts today on a stomp along a local bridle path. Our favourite woods are Perry Woods, Selling; Kingswood, Ashford and Shorne Woods; 

Shopping Centres... Lots of local shopping areas put on activities and events for half term. Including:

Whitefriars, Canterbury who have a free trick or treat hunt on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th, go to Build-a-Bear in fancy dress to get a free collecting cauldron and make your way around the stores. Also check out the  Creepy Crawly Cavern with lots of interesting animals to see!
Ashford Town, collect a trick or treat bag on 29th October and follow the trail for free goodies! Fancy dress competition too so check out www.loveashford.com!
Bluewater has tickets available to book for 'The Mystery of the Pumpkin Ghost' a family halloween adventure,prices from £6.95 each.
Wyevale Garden Centres, 'Little Diggers' is back with Autumn and Halloween craft activities for a small fee, pre-book via the website.

Local Museum... Many local museums and Galleries are free or have cheap entry fees. With extra things to see and do this half term. Some to try:
The Guildhall Museum , Rochester, Free Entry, Halloween trail around the museum and craft activities.
Maidstone Museum, is running halloween craft activities Tues-Fri next week for about £3 per child, discounts for siblings. See website for more info.
The Turner Contemporary , Margate - Free Entry, with some drop in workshops for £3.50 per child including making a silhouette puppet, check website for dates.

Cinema... Movies for Juniors at Cineworld has Finding Dory and Life of Pets showing every morning for £1.80 each if you pre-book! Or check out your local independent cinema for the new releases at a more reasonable price, we like The Royal Cinema, Faversham and The Kavanagh, Herne Bay.

Herne Bay Festival

We love a summer trip to Herne Bay with both sandy and stony beach, the traditional Pier, promenade playground, bandstand, a bit of arcade action and crazy golf but Festival time is extra fun! Herne Bay Festival runs for a week in August every summer. We have dipped in with various activities and events over the last few years but still have more to try!
Like most festivals it changes slightly every year but the most popular events stay year after year. The festival officially kicks off for 2016 on Saturday 20th August with a family fun day. There are various events including live music, arts and craft, face painting, punch and judy, all culminating in the evening Lantern Parade.

For the kids to take part in the Lantern Parade, there a couple of options. For those age 6+ there are various lantern workshops leading up to the start of the festival, they will need an adult with them and trust me you will be very much involved. You need to pre-book your workshop space, it usually lasts most of the day so you'll need a pack lunch. It is great fun and some amazing lanterns are created, this year the theme is Rio Carnival! The last one we did was 'Take to the Skies' theme a couple of years ago and we created fantastic rockets with Animate Arts. For the little ones or anyone who really can't commit to a full on workshop, there is a drop in session on the day of the parade where you can make a mini lantern so you can still take part.

The parade starts at 8pm at Lane End and you make your way along the promenade, around the pier and finish at the clock tower. If you don't want to walk in the parade then secure a spot along the route early and enjoy the show.

After the parade in previous years there has been the big burn! They create a themed effigy on the beach which gets set alight. When the flames die down the fantastic Fireworks start all along the harbour wall. Its late for littlies but is a great evening.

Throughout the week there are various other family events to get involved in. My recommendations would be the 'Monster Crab Catching Competition' which takes place on Sunday 21st at 2pm. Take your crabbing lines and buckets down to the Pier, bait is supplied. The kids love this one, as there is a prize for the heaviest crab caught in each age group!

If you've got some budding builders then get down to the beach (left of the pier) on the 26th August and sign up for the Sand Castle Building Competition from 12:30! Age categories are under 5s, 6-9, and 10+. This year's theme is Rio Carnival so get creative, let your imagination run wild and impress the judges! All equipment is supplied, but you can bring your own.

For other activites like Sand Art Workshops, Clay Workshop, Make a Fairy/Elf House, Art&Craft Day, Kids Mini Golf Competition and Pip the Magic Clown... go to the website or facebook for details! And don't forget the Fire Station Open Day!

If the teens are all too cool, make sure you check out the 'Herne Bay Rocks' contest with them. Bands battle it out in 7 heats across 7 venues. They play throughout the festival culminating in the grande finale on Friday 26th at The King's  Hall.The final weekend also includes 'Herne Bays Got Talent' for all those wannabes, from under 5s to Adults; The finale Fireworks spectacular at The Neptune Arms and the annual Giant Picnic at the Memorial Park on the Sunday but I am assuming that the 'Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious Fundraiser' is the equivalent this year.

It's particularly busy in Herne Bay at festival time so if you can get the bus or the train down its a good idea. We have got the train in previous years, it's about 20 minute walk to the seafront we usually cut through the memorial park. There are various car parks including pay and display car park or meters on the seafront or the central car park has recently changed to pay on exit with first 2 hours free.

There are plenty of public toilets. On the seafront they are located at the bandstand, or past the pier on the opposite side of the road or at the other end of the bay at the King's Hall. There are also toilets at the Memorial Park and next to the central car park adjacent to the council office. I need to go more than the kids so always handy to know where they are, lol!

So pack a picnic, your crab line, buckets and spades, your best singing voice, some creative flair and enjoy your trip to 'the bay'!

Best For: Everyone
Recommend: Picnic, Crab lines, Pennies for the arcade.
Time: 2-8hrs

Grove Ferry Picnic Area

If your looking for somewhere different to go with the kids for a picnic and a play you can't go wrong with a little trip to Grove Ferry (Upstreet near Canterbury). We've been going here on and off for the last 6 years and if like us you own Kayaks or Canoes there is a good entry point to the River Stour.

There is a large grass area with a few picnic benches but recommend you take a picnic rug. Great for the kids to run around and play games, there are a few large trees so you can find some shade if you need it. The River Stour runs alongside and the grass slopes up towards the riverside path so relatively easy to spot if the kids are venturing that way.

There is also a play park with swings, slides etc it is the wooden variety. It has a wooden fence all the way around with one gate so good for those with littlies who like to escape.

If  you want to make the most of your visit you have a few options. The riverside path is part of the Saxon Shore Way and the Stour Valley Way so you can take a little stroll away from the park down river, it's a rough path so better for a toddle then a pushchair. If your hardcore or have older children you can follow the paths out of the park and go stomping for miles and miles. Look out for the boats passing by, the ducks and general wildlife including dragonflies and butterflies. 

To see the river in all its glory why not take a trip on the water with Grove Ferry River Trips. 

The boat pick up point is from the pub near the bridge, although it is completely independent of the pub itself. It runs weekends from mid March through April, Wed-Sun from April and everyday through the Summer holidays, trips start from 12 and run hourly through the afternoon. The boat will take you up or down stream depending on the tide and the weather. It is advisable to book especially at peak times although you can just turn up as we have in the past, next trip time is usually on the board and it's first come first served. Its £9 for adults and £5 for kids for approx 50 minute trip. The kids love it and the Skipper always makes you feel welcome no matter your age. Check out the website for further details or Facebook page.

If your feeling adventurous or have bored teens, why not try a spot of canoeing. Wild Canoes is based here and you can hire a canoe complete with buoyancy aids and life jackets for the littliest. Paddle up or down stream, in either a Canadian canoe (fits 2 adults and 2 Children under 10) or a duo kayak (for 2) for an hour for £20. This is great fun, again it's worth booking in advance at peak times but they are usually set up so you can just ask on the day on the off chance. Check out the website for lots of other options, including half day guided tours from Fordwich to Grove Ferry (and a lift back).

The Grove Ferry Inn is next to the park, it has lots of seating outside along the river and a large garden with a some pigs and chickens. So if you fancy a drink or a coffee, and somewhere else for the kids to play, give it a try. They do food, although it was always on the pricey side and I haven't eaten there since the management changed

There are 2 car parks, one through the gates thats along side the park or if it's busy one opposite the entrance gate. £1.20 weekdays and £2 weekends. The pub also has a car park but only if you are a customer. There are public toilets including disabled which are reasonable and clean. 

Best for: Under 12s
Recommend: Picnic, Picnic Rug
Time: 3-4hrs

Minnis Bay

So when the suns out we all love a bit of beach action, (even in the cold with fleeces& wellies) Kent has plenty to choose from! Our nearest sandy beach is the lovely Minnis Bay at Birchington-on-Sea! Now like many beaches on the Kent coast most of it disappears at high tide so you have to be a little bit organised and check the tide table. Don't panic!! There are lots of different websites you can google but the BBC is pretty reliable just remember it's approximate as tide times are for Herne Bay or Margate and Minnis Bay is in between. Click this link Tide Table. The best advice is assume half an hour before high tide their might not be a beach and half an hour later the beach will start returning.

So why Minnis? Firstly it's sand, much appreciated by my kids for sand castle building. Secondly you can park for free all along the road in bays facing the beach or alternatively along the opposite side of the road. If it's really busy then there is a large pay and display car park literally 2 minutes from the beach (April- Oct £3.60 4hrs, £4.50 all day). So not far to carry the massive amount of paraphernalia I always seem to think we need! This is also the location of the public toilets (next to the car park) which are standard council but clean and have a baby change in the Ladies.

There is good access to the beach from the promenade with either steps or slope. The beach itself is very flat so you can see the kids easily at a distance.  During the summer there are life guards on duty at the beach on the weekends from end of May then daily from Mid-July through to September. Reassuring for those of us whose kids are in the sea for a swim the second we blink. At one end of the beach (opposite end to the car park) there is a large tidal paddling pool, great for when the tides right out and for those that like exploring the sea.

When the beach is gone or you've just had enough you could pop along to The Minnis Bar&Restaurant over looking the beach. They have a hut outside for take out hot drinks and Ice creams, we like to sit on the benches on the grass and look out at the sea. You could also take a walk or scoot or bike along the promenade. There is a large play park opposite the beach. It is the slightly outdated council variety, but it does the job.You could also hire a 4 wheeled Surrey bike 4-8 seaters which are good fun, from VCT bike hire vctbikehire. Or hire regular bikes or take your own and cycle the coastal trail towards Reculver.

Unlike larger seaside towns there aren't lots of arcades along the front or trampolines/bouncy castles and other things the kids want you to fork out for. From May to September Dogs aren't allowed on the main beach but can walk the promenade on a lead. There are also sea shore safari' s run by Thanet Coastal project in the school holidays visit their website for further information Events. 

Best for: Everyone
Recommend: Buckets&Spades, Picnic, Bikes or Scooters.
Time: 3-5hrs

Bedgebury Pinetum

I remember when my friend first told me about Bedgebury having 10 adventure play areas on a walk through the woods, I knew we had to check it out! But there was much more to Bedgebury and then the Gruffalo and his friends came to the party!

So it is free to enter the Pinetum and the woods but it's £10 to park Mon-Friday and £12 at weekends. So the more seats in your car/mini van the more value for money but it's worth it anyway! So the question is just where to start?...

If you need some advice or a map head down to the visitor centre by the lake, you can get a free map of the Pinetum or pay for a map of the woods or just take a quick photo of the map on the wall outside which pin points all the play areas. This is also the location of the only toilets so good to stop before you venture further. Toilets are nice and clean with baby change, disabled and showers for those hard core bikers.

So for those with babies, preschoolers and under 12s the adventure play areas in the woods are your highlight but to be fair theres plenty of teens and adults on the stand up log swings, the adventure trail and the Spiders webs too! First stop is the ship wreck adventure play surrounded by sand, with slides, baby swings and don't forget to get a pic of the kids in the pirates throne! 

There are some picnic benches around the playground and also a small undercover pinic area should you need to get out of the sun or the rain. The play village area is great for the littlies, it has wooden platforms,  mini swings, musical chimes and a slide.

Take the woodchip path through the woods up to the log swing. These are great, definitely a team work activity and have seen plenty of adults on this!

I've done the next few play areas in random orders, we particularly love the ants nest! Proper climbing wall stylee on the outside for the bigger kids or little ones if you climb behind. But you can also go up inside from underneath, the hole in the middle has footholds for the shorter kids to climb up. 

There's the tree house, this is quite challenging so good for the older ones and the tree Stump is good fun with tunnels for the little ones to crawl through.

Then theirs the Butterfly, the Adventure Trail, the Dragonfly which will keep them busy...

...then jungle drums and last but not least the Spiders Web!!

Oh but waiting there's loads more to do... if you love a family bike ride or your kids have outgrown the whole play park thing then explore the rest of the woods! You can take your own bikes or hire bikes, kids seats and trailers from Quench Cycles located next to the car park. There are various trails through the woods so ask advice for what's best for your group but the 4.5 or 9km blue trail is suitable for families . If your hardcore or a little accident prone don't worry there are showers down at the visitor centre to wash the mud off! To get a different view point of the woods there is also the Bedgebury Go Ape course which you can incorporate into your day for the usual fees, and can be viewed from below around the adventure play trail.

Not finished yet, there's still the Pinetum to go!! So heading back to the visitor centre... refurbishment was completed last year making the café larger and providing more inside seating. They've also landscaped out the front adding lots more picnic benches by the lake. The cafe provides various sandwiches, hot food, cakes, ice creams, prices are reasonable but not cheap so I would recommend take a picnic but stop for tea & cake or ice cream. If your sitting up by the café you will be asked not to feed the ducks as they've recently become rather more agressive in their demands for food!

So first the Forestry Commision had the Gruffalo trail, then the Gruffalo's Child trail but this year we have the Stick man trail! You can purchase the pack from the visitor centre for £3, it includes the trail sheet with questions, a pencil, extra paper and crayon for a brass/picture rubbing and some pipe cleaners for making your own stick man near the end. Suggest you look out for stickman shaped sticks on way but don't tell the kids.

You only really need one pack unless your kids really can't share, my 4 year old held the 'map' (trail sheet) and answered the questions whilst the 8 year old read the clues and did the writing. You follow the stickman signs to each of the numbered boards which have a question/task to complete on the sheet but also information and challenges to do.

Also look out for extra character picture cards that you tick off as you find them. It is a great way to see the Pinetum and get those less inclined to walk moving. The normal route around the Pinetum is accessible but there is a section of the stickman trail that is more off road.

At the end you find the enormous Stickman! Gruffalo and Gruffalo's Child are also still in the Pinetum (but you miss them on the stickman trail). If those with little legs have over done it on the adventure play the nice people in the visitor centre will let you in on the secret location and you can go straight to them,  not far to walk from the entrance.

At Bedgebury they also have the Gruffalo Orienteering trail which is £1.50, this consists of a basic map and the aim is to find each of the Gruffalo markers using the map. Recommended for under 8s. Obviously there is also all the usual activities in the woods, tree climbing at your risk of course, scavenger hunts and stick wands! Dogs are also welcome but need to be on a lead in the Pinetum,  play areas and visitor centre. For further information and events visit the website Bedgebury or follow on Facebook

Best For: Everyone
Recommend: Picnic, Bikes
Time: 3-5hrs