Kent with Kids: Brockhill Country Park Review, Hythe

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Brockhill Country Park in Hythe is such a gem (we’ve had so many brilliant days there!) so if you’re local, or visiting Kent with the kids, keep reading for a full review of what’s on offer (and some photos too) as it’s a lovely spot for a free family day out.

Where is Brockhill Country Park located?

Nestled in the charming village of Saltwood in Hythe, Kent, Brockhill Country Park offers the perfect day out with the kids – with plenty of room for them to get filthy and let off steam! Situated just off Sandling Road, Brockhill Country Park is easily accessible by car, with a pay-and-display car park available on-site. For those relying on public transport, Sandling Station is the nearest railway station, approximately a mile away, making it a feasible walk or a short taxi ride to the park.

What is there to do at Brockhill Country Park?

Brockhill Country Park has a large playground and lovely grounds to explore. You can stroll across fields, roll down hills (I leave that to the kids!), trudge around the woods or have a saunter around the lake. It’s one of my children’s favourite places to meet their friends and get muddy! We’ve spent so much time there over the years; often taking nets with us and paddling in the stream, which you can find after exploring the fields at the edge of the lake – it’s the perfect way to cool everyone down in the summer months. (They also do events including stream dipping, but we prefer to do this on a non event day and have the stream to ourselves – and without any cost involved.)

What activities are on offer at Brockhill Country Park?

If you do have a bit of spending money, there are also lots of events held at Brockhill Country Park – you can see what’s running and book activities via the Kent Country Park website. Activities are themed throughout the year for Easter, Halloween and Christmas – as well as summer holiday fun, forest craft and campfire sessions. They range in price, dependent on what you’re booking, and prices start from about a fiver. My two loved the Easter trail when they were smaller, but our favourite activity was definitely the halloween session where they made potions and nature bats – they loved it.

Walking trails at Brockhill Country Park:

Brockhill Country Park offers two main trails suitable for all ages:

Lake Walk: A gentle 30-minute loop around the lake, accessible via a sloped path, making it suitable for families with young children.
Valley Walk: A slightly longer 45-minute trail that takes you through the valley, offering scenic views and opportunities to spot local wildlife.

We also had another great day geocaching around the site for just £5 for our group! The kids loved using the little GPS device we were given, along with picture clues and a map. We went with friends, so there were six of us altogether. The trail itself took just over 2 hours and we trudged all over the valleys and the lake.

What facilities are there at Brockhill Country Park?

There are numerous picnic areas scattered throughout the park, perfect for a family lunch amidst nature. In terms of accessibility, some trails may present challenges for wheelchair users and pushchairs – the valley area in particular would not be suitable. However, the main areas (including the café, playground and certain picnic spots) are wheelchair and buggy accessible. And, as long as you’ve got good muscles for getting back up the hill, the lake area is pretty stroller-friendly too.

The prices in the cafe are great, and you can buy cheap ice-lollies or hot meals if you don’t fancy bringing a picnic. There’s some indoor seating for warming up in the winter months too. The cafe is open from 10am-4pm, with hot food available from 11am-2.30pm. There are toilets near the cafe area, and dogs are welcome at Brockhill Country Park so you can bring your furry little friends with you if you’d like.

What are the opening times for Brockhill Country Park and how much does it cost?

If you fancy a day surrounded by nature in the Kent countryside, Brockhill Country Park opens daily at 9am and closes at dusk or 9pm (whichever is earlier – it changes with the seasons). Brockhill Country Park is open 364 days a year, closing only on Christmas Day, and if the cafe is closed the small town of Hythe is just down the road for supplies outside of its opening times. It’s the perfect place to take a picnic and meet up with your mummy friends and their broods and, if you don’t want to attend the activities on offer, you can enjoy a free day out at Brockhill Country Park for the cost of parking. (£2.50 per day Mon-Fri, £3.50 per day weekends and bank holidays – accurate February 2025). Have fun!