A Kent resident offers budget-friendly family activities, from crabbing to exploring a haunted village
As a child, I fondly recall attempting to swim to a shipwreck off Camber Sands, a beach located on the Sussex/Kent border. I gazed at the endless horizon, painting my world in shades of blue. It felt like the most exotic destination on the planet. Clearly, the southeast coast left an indelible mark on me, leading me to settle in Kent and raise my own family here.
I currently work as a guard and bouncer, earning a modest £11.76 per hour. Even with my girlfriend’s income, who works in a school for vulnerable children, it’s challenging to afford lavish outings. However, since the onset of the cost of living crisis, we’ve discovered a treasure trove of affordable local attractions. Here are some of our favorites.
Herne Bay
Many of our outings involve taking the bus, especially with Stagecoach’s attractive deals such as a £2 price-capped adult single fare until October 31 and an ongoing “kid-for-a-quid” offer. One of our regular destinations is Herne Bay seafront. There, I enjoy the simple pleasures of chasing my daughter around the steps of the Victorian clock tower and observing bikers revving up in the Neptune car park. Because my daughter is under 16, she gains free access to the Seaside Museum on William Street. Here, we can explore the history of the last-known “pursuit by HM Customs under sail,” a tale of old-school smuggling that reportedly occurred on September 4, 2004, involving a local boatman.
When the sun graces us with its presence, we go crabbing off the pier armed with a bucket and kite string. On windier days, we spend our spare change on air hockey in the arcade. On the beach, I like to open the compass app on my phone and gaze due east, passing the free-to-access Reculver Towers, a part of a medieval church’s remains, near the remnants of a Roman fortress, and beyond to Europe.
Whitstable
The book of monsters that my daughter has sparked our adventure to Whitstable, as we embark on a quest to find Crabzilla. This colossal crustacean, measuring 15 meters wide, gained fame when its photo was featured on the Weird Whitstable blog in 2014, quickly making headlines around the world.
We haven’t encountered Crabzilla yet, but we thoroughly enjoy strolling by the stalls at Harbour Market or relaxing in the Bubble Cafe, where we can gaze out at the distant sea. I tend to keep a low profile if anyone starts grumbling about “the DFLs” (Down-from-Londons – although I was born in Leytonstone). When my daughter needs some active playtime, we head to the free play area outside Whitstable Castle. If clambering around a pirate ship doesn’t tire her out, engaging in some playful sparring on the sandy shores when the tide recedes is always a hit. Her karate skills match up nicely with my street-fighting prowess.
Romney Marsh
Similar expansive vistas, albeit with fewer boutique shops, can be found when we opt for a bus and train journey to Romney Marsh. This 100-square mile expanse extends into East Sussex and was once submerged beneath the sea. Today, it’s characterized by fields with scattered sheep, meandering waterways, and charming villages.
Nestled at its southeast tip lies Dungeness, where ascending the Old Lighthouse costs £5 for adults and £3 for children. We enjoy observing the local anglers, a dedicated group who don’t budge regardless of the weather, nearby Lydd military range explosions, or peculiar sounds emanating from the nuclear power station along the beach.
Quex Park
Quex Park, a sprawling 100-hectare (250-acre) country estate and activity hub on the route to Margate, welcomes visitors for free. While options like crazy golf or paintballing come with a fee, we find joy in playing tag among the logs or quietly observing the peacocks outside the Powell-Cotton Museum. For a more immersive wildlife experience, taking a half-hour stroll with an Anglo-Nubian goat is available at £22.50.
Kearsney Abbey
Kearsney Abbey, situated a few miles inland from Dover, offers another delightful picnic location. This four-hectare area boasts orchards, an impressive wooden adventure playground, numerous ponds, some under the watchful eye of swans and others used for sailing toy boats. Additionally, there’s a flint-lined stream where children can dip their toes. During our visit, I found myself quite occupied trying to retrieve my cheese sandwich, half of which had been snatched by an agile seagull.
Geocaching
Assuming you have some extra data to spare, engaging in the complimentary online treasure hunt at geocaching.com presents an excellent opportunity to stay active in the great outdoors while allowing kids to satisfy their online browsing desires. There’s a plethora of hidden treasures waiting to be discovered all over Kent. You follow digital clues and directions to track down physical “caches,” which could be concealed behind park benches or affixed to street signs, much like a refrigerator magnet. After finding a cache, you can add your initials to the roster of previous discoverers on the paper log enclosed within. If this sounds too much like orienteering, you can explore a simpler alternative in What3words, which can also serve as a clever way to get youngsters engaged in spelling practice.
Woodsman Camping, near Pluckley
Camping isn’t typically my thing, but Woodsman Camping near Pluckley, often cited as the most haunted village in Britain, could potentially change my mind. Here, two individuals can engage in “wild camping” (using their own tent, bivvy bag, or tarp) in the woodland for just £20, or you can opt for a bell tent that comes with a double mattress and charming fairy lights for £150. It’s worth noting that any eerie night sounds are more likely to be foxes than poltergeists.
