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Spend time watching the wild fallow, red and sika deer in the medieval deer park, picnic by the ornamental canals and ponds in the water garden or visit the estate’s oldest building; the Mill, where you can make discoveries about how the monks ate and watch an animated film to see what a novice monk's life would have been like.

 

Children will have great fun following Roger the Rat’s trail through the Mill; look for his picture in each room and discover fascinating facts about the Mill throughout its 800-year history. But don’t worry Roger and his family moved out a long time ago!

 

Hire audio tours (£2 each from admission points) and learn more about the different rooms and their uses in
the Abbey. Adults and children’s versions are available. Play hide and seek in the Abbey ruins or let off steam and run wild in over 800 acres of safe and beautiful countryside.

 

The children’s timber play area close to the Visitor Centre was opened in 2007 and is proving extremely popular with our younger visitors. With rope bridges, a timber tangle and huge bucket swing, plus an area specifically for under 5s.

 

Activities for children take place every school holidays in Swanley Grange education centre. The drop in self led craft workshops are great fun for families to do together, you’re never too old for a spot of cutting, sticking and colouring! 

 

Trails for families to follow around the estate are also a popular choice during school holidays. The theme changes each holiday and it’s a fabulous way for mum and dad to enjoy the beauty of the estate while the kids have something to focus on too.

 

It’s A Monk’s Life are guided tours of the Abbey designed specifically for families; you can dress up in monk’s robes and really get into character while a robed tour guide leads you through the grounds and explains details of the monks’ day to day lives.

 

Throughout the year we have many free activities for families to enjoy from medieval re-enactors, brass bands, morris and folk dancing to Georgian dancing in the Water Garden and Children’s theatre and fun days in the Abbey.