Description
Looking for the best things to do with kids in Herne Bay? Wildwood Trust in Kent offers a wonderful family day out at a dedicated British wildlife conservation park. This popular outdoor zoo and woodland attraction lets children and adults encounter native animals past and present, including wolves, bears, lynx, and bison, set within ancient woodland.
General admission prices start from approximately £18.00 when booking online through authorized ticket options, with specific tier choices available for adults, children, and families. Under-two-year-olds enter completely free of charge.
If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that combines native wildlife education with an epic adventure playground, this Kent destination delivers a brilliant experience. Its shady forest paths, rare animal species, and active play zones make it a top choice for families.
Beyond the Main Attraction:
- Blean Woods National Nature Reserve: Sprawling ancient woodland areas located nearby, ideal for extended nature walks.
- Herne Bay Coastline: Traditional seaside town featuring pebble beaches, pier amusements, and ice cream parlours just minutes away by car.
What Visitors Love:
- Parents appreciate the tranquil, natural woodland setting that offers a refreshing break from commercial theme parks.
- Children love the combination of seeing wild animals up close and spending hours on the giant wooden adventure playground.
- The focus on native British wildlife provides a unique educational element that sparks children's interest in nature and conservation.
- Free customer parking makes arriving by car straightforward and affordable.
What Visitors Don't Like:
- Because animals roam across large, naturalistic woodland enclosures, they can occasionally hide from view during warmer weather.
- Catering queues can lengthen during peak holiday weekends, making packed lunches a popular alternative.
- Some pathways involve gentle slopes and uneven ground, which requires extra care with pushchairs after heavy rain.
Attractions and Experiences:
- Wolf Wood: Main viewing area for the resident grey wolf pack.
- Bear Brush: Forest enclosure housing the park's rescue brown bears.
- Lynx Lookout: High-platform vantage points for spotting Eurasian lynx.
- Wild Bison Range: Expansive paddock area for European bison.
- Otter Bank: Aquatic viewing zone for native river otters.
- Red Squirrel Canopy Trail: High-wire mesh tunnels allowing squirrels to move above visitors.
- The Ancient Woodland Path: Main looped trail connecting all core animal exhibits.
- Wildwood Adventure Playground: Multi-level wooden climbing towers, swings, and slides.
- Under-5s Soft Play Corner: Enclosed gentle play zone designed specifically for toddlers.
- Education and Discovery Centre: Interactive displays detailing British biodiversity and conservation projects.
New for 2026:
- Upgraded Timber Boardwalks: Newly replaced and reinforced wooden pathways across wetland and forest sections for smoother pushchair access.
- Refreshed Habitat Signage: Updated interactive conservation boards detailing the history of British extinct species and current rewilding success stories.
- Enhanced Toddler Play Areas: Refurbished soft surfacing and low-level climbing apparatus in the under-5s play zone.
7.30 miles
