The Big Cat Sanctuary

Big cats prowling behind glass just outside Ashford - it's the sort of place that gets kids pressing their noses against enclosures and adults reaching for their cameras without thinking. The sanctuary houses large felines in captive settings, giving you a chance to see these animals up close in a way a zoo visit rarely allows. You'll spot everything from tigers to leopards, though the experience is fundamentally about observation rather than interaction.

The whole thing takes a couple of hours, maybe three if you're thorough or your kids get distracted by every angle. Families with young children will find it engaging enough, though teenagers might do a lap and call it done. It's the sort of attraction that works best on a warm day when the animals are actually visible and active rather than sleeping in the shade.

Since it's virtually on the doorstep of Go Glamp, you could easily combine it with a glamping stay for a proper weekend break. The other sites - Wood View Farm, Longberry Farm, Wildside - are all within a few miles, making this a straightforward addition to a Kent glamping holiday. Fair warning though: facilities and exact details are thin on the ground online, so ring ahead before you go. Entry charges and opening hours aren't advertised, which means doing your homework first will save frustration on the day.