Alternative Outdoor Activities To Enjoy in Kent & Sussex
As the weather warms up there’s lots of reasons for us all to be spending more time outdoors, so why not give something a little different a go?
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Wild swimming
Brace yourself and dive right in to wild swimming! As the weather warms up this can offer a refreshing treat as well as many health benefits. Wild swimming is all about exploring natural spaces such as rivers, lakes or the sea, but you will need to check you are permitted to swim there beforehand, and if you are new to it, it is advisable to wear a wetsuit. Check out the Outdoor Swimming Society website for more information. Local spots to try include Leybourne Lakes in Aylesford, Minnis Bay in Birchington, the River Stour in Fordwich, and Barcombe Mills, on the River Ouse. And with miles of beautiful beaches, our corner of the country has lots of options for taking a dip in the sea.
Petanque (French Boules)
A form of boules normally played on hard dirt or gravel, petanque is suitable for all ages and is a competitive sport as well as a great way to socialise. It is one of the most inclusive sports available due to the fact that as long as you can hold and throw a boule you can play. The Sussex Petanque Facebook Group works to promote this game – where the aim is to get as many of the metal balls your team has closer to the wooden jack than your opponents. Crowborough Petanque Club, which is based at Goldsmiths Leisure Centre, can provide tuition if you are new to the game. Meanwhile across the border, there are several different leagues throughout Kent, with Kent Petanque League being the largest in the country.
Horse Riding
Getting to enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the Ashdown Forest (located in the middle of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) while taking part in a cardiovascular activity that will also improve your core strength and co-ordination, means there’s lots of reasons to give horse riding a try. With 6,500 acres of unspoilt beautiful heathland crossed with bridle paths, Ashdown Forest Riding Centre can offer uninterrupted off-road horse riding. They have horses and ponies ranging from 12hh to 15hh suitable for all levels from complete beginners to experienced riders. As well as regular hacks on the forest they offer a wide range of activities including lessons with experienced instructors.
Canoeing & Boating
Explore the beauty of the River Stour by canoe and also improve your cardiovascular fitness and muscle strength with this low impact activity. Canoe Wild offer a range of packages, whether you just want to hire the canoe for an hour to try your hand at it, or are keen to tackle a 10-mile adventure, taking six hours from Fordwich to Grove Ferry and back! Alternatively paddle down the River Medway on one of two paddling routes from Yalding with Elveys-Canoe who offer a range of seasonal paddling activities. They specialise in canoe and kayak day/weekend hire throughout the spring and summer months when the river conditions are suitable for a variety of ages and abilities. Meanwhile at Dunorlan Park in Tunbridge Wells (pictured above) you can take a boat out onto the lake during the weekends or school holidays, then once your arms and legs are feeling the workout you have just enjoyed head to the cafe for some refreshments.
Croquet
Ideal for all ages, this mentally stimulating game can be played anywhere on grass, whether it be your back garden or at an organised venue. The aim of the game is to get your balls through the course of six hoops and on to the final wooden peg before your opponents(s) by hitting them with your mallet. In Kent, Royal Tunbridge Wells Croquet Club play at Calverley Grounds and have open days on the first Sunday afternoons in May to August. For those in Sussex, Sussex County Croquet Club are based near Shoreham and offer golf croquet and association croquet and have coaches to show you how to play both.
Rock Climbing
Rock climbing is a great way of strengthening your muscles and improving your flexibility as well as helping to improve co-ordination through a low impact activity. One of the best rock climbing venues in the South East, Bowles in Tunbridge Wells, is the only UK outdoor centre with its own natural sandstone outcrop suitable for climbing. Whether you are a beginner learning to climb, or are an indoor climber looking to move outside, their instructors will help you build your confidence and rope work skills to get you to the stage where you can climb independently. Meanwhile Chimera Climbing offer a range of courses and lessons for anyone wishing to learn how to climb outside on real rock. Tunbridge Wells is ideally positioned close to the Southern Sandstone crags of Harrison’s Rocks, Happy Valley and Stone Farm (in East Grinstead) and they say it is a great place to give rock climbing a try.
Treasure Hunts
A great outdoor activity for all of the family, taking part in a treasure hunt will get you away from digital devices, stretching those legs and spending some quality time with your loved ones. With this in mind, Treasure Trails have created themed self-guided walking trail booklets taking explorers throughout Kent. With 12 to tackle in the county, each covering a good couple of miles, Treasure Trails says the walks offer a delightful twist where "you become part of your very own mysterious tale as you weave and wind your way around the local area in search of clues to help you crack a secret code".
Off-road cycling
Away from the hustle and bustle of main roads, off-road cycling gets you on two wheels in a safer and quieter environment where you can get back to nature. A great route to try part of is the Forest Way & Ashdown Forest Circular (pictured above) which runs along seven miles of the Forest Way which is a purpose-built cycle track running along a former railway track.
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Skateboarding
Originating in the United States, skateboarding is becoming more popular here with skate parks appearing across our counties. The sport involves riding and performing tricks on a skateboard and is a great recreational activity – and it was also one of five new sports to be introduced to the Olympics at Tokyo. If you are looking for somewhere local The Skateparks Project lists 60 sites in Kent from Ashford to Dover, and Canterbury to Tunbridge Wells and 32 in East Sussex from Crowborough and Mayfield to Hastings and Hailsham. For more information about skateboarding, visit Skateboard GB.
Skiing
Improving co-ordination and balance, strengthening muscles and a great way to burn lots of calories, skiing is a great outdoor activity for all the family. While we don’t have the capacity for snow slopes here in the South East there are several locations where you can give this fun activity a go on dry slopes. Chatham Snowsports Centre has a range of slopes depending on your experience and offers lessons for tots to adults, or learn to ski together with their family lessons. Meanwhile in Sussex the Knockhatch Ski and Snowboard Centre in Hailsham has a 110m artificial dry ski slope and also has a nursery slope. It offers lessons for those eight years old or above and at least a shoe 10 and also has a Penguin skiing lessons for five to seven year olds who have at least a children's shoe size 10.
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