Kent’s outdoor experiences for thrill-seekers, including ziplines, go karting, dry slope skiing and Go Ape
While we might all fancy ourselves as a bit of a James Bond or Lara Croft, the truth is that most of us usually spend our days glued to the screen, looking after the kids or ticking chores off our to do list.
But, every now and then, it’s fun to let your wild side loose. If you’re looking for a thrill, we’ve got some outdoor experiences, from high-speed zipwires to gruelling rock climbing, that will get your heart pounding…
BLUEWATER, Greenhithe
With England’s longest zipline and Europe’s biggest swing, Hangloose at Bluewater is an adrenaline junkie’s dream. The adventure park is home to several exhilarating activities, from whizzing along a 700-metre zipline at 50 miles per hour to swinging 50 metres over the clifftop on a giant swing and experiencing the thrill of skydiving with the UK’s first outdoor wind tunnel.
You can find out more about Hangloose at Bluewater here.
BOWLES ROCKS, Tunbridge Wells
The natural sandstone cliff face at Bowles is the perfect surface for ambitious climbers to put their physical abilities to the test. The site offers more than 230 different climbs, ranging from beginner routes to more difficult challenges, some of which reach heights of 10 metres. You could even make a day of it by trying out canoeing, skiing and snowboarding while you’re there.
You can find out more about Bowles Rocks here.
BUCKMORE PARK, Chatham
Speed around the award-winning 1,000-metre circuit with your mates and see who makes it to the finish line first. The state-of-the-art karts and live leaderboard make this feel like an authentic racing experience, whether it’s a family day out with the kids or an adults-only after-dark session.
You can find out more about Buckmore Park here.
CHATHAM SNOWSPORTS CENTRE
Experience the rush of soaring down the slopes on your skis or snowboard at this winter sports centre. Hidden away in Chatham’s Capstone Park, with beautiful views of the surrounding countryside, the slopes are a great way to get a taste of the Alps from right here in Kent. The site also offers tobogganing down the longest track in the UK and sno-tubing, where you and your group can hop in inflatable rings and slide down the slopes together.
You can find out more about Chatham Snowsports Centre here.
LEEDS CASTLE, Maidstone
Go Ape has become a firm favourite with thrillseekers who love to jump, climb and swing through the treetops. The attraction at Leeds Castle, just outside of Maidstone, has a series of sky-high challenges and obstacle courses for all ages, including high ropes, zip wires, tightropes, hanging bridges and more.
You can find out more about Go Ape at Leeds Castle here.
ST ANDREWS LAKES, Rochester
The lakes in Halling, near Rochester, are home to a range of activities, including open water swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, dinghy sailing and rock climbing. The main attraction, however, is the aqua park where you can find a huge floating obstacle course. You can climb up slippery ladders and bounce down the inflatable slides before heading back to shore and relaxing on the man-made beach.
You can find out more about St Andrews Lakes here.
WILLOW FARM, Faversham
Joe’s Bows, a Kent-based outdoor target practise site, is open for you to test your accuracy, speed and strength with a series of activities. These range from archery, where you can have a go at hitting the bullseye, to axe throwing, a popular day out for people who want to get in touch with their primal side. There’s also laser clay shooting, crossbows, shovel throwing and more.