FAQs

Kent Life is a family attraction and we would like to make it as easy and accessible for those with young children and babies as possible. Therefore we provide:

• • Bottle/baby food warming facilities in the Tea Room & Play Barn. Please be advised we are unable to take responsibility for the temperature.
  • Nappy changing facilities in all our toilets located at the entrance of the Car Park, behind Sandling Farmhouse, the Tea Room Court Yard and inside the Village Hall.
  • Buggy Parks outside the Tea Room and Birthday Party Room.

This is a visitor health and safety notice for Kent Life. The main points are:

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching animals or their enclosures.
• Use the handwashing stations located around the site.
• Do not kiss the animals.
• Avoid putting fingers, pens, pencils, or crayons in your mouth.
• Do not eat animal feed.
• Wash your hands before and after eating or drinking.
• Only eat in designated eating areas.
• Do not climb into animal pens or onto walls.
• Wear suitable footwear (such as wellies) in muddy weather.
• Pregnant women are advised not to enter the lambing shed during lambing season; ask staff for current guidance on arrival.

The overall message is to enjoy interacting with the animals while following good hygiene practices to reduce the risk of infection and keep both visitors and animals safe.

Most of our buildings are wheelchair accessible, with the exception of the first floors of our historic buildings. To ensure all visitors can enjoy these areas, interpretation books are available on the ground floor of each period home, providing information about the first floor and its contents.

Fully accessible toilet facilities are available at four locations across the site:

• The Car Park
• Behind Sandling Farmhouse
• The Tea Room Courtyard
• The Village Hall

Dedicated accessible parking is available near the attraction entrance. During special events, additional accessible parking spaces are provided.

Visitors who are registered as disabled are entitled to bring one essential carer free of charge.

Our land train and tractor can be adapted to accommodate wheelchair users.

Please note that there is a slope leading to the upper part of the site, which may be challenging for some visitors with mobility needs. The grounds are flatter at the entrance area, the children’s play areas and past the Village Hall at the top of the site.

Free Essential Carer Admission

At Kent Life, we understand the importance of providing accessible and inclusive experiences for all our visitors.

We offer free admission for essential carers accompanying visitors with accessibility requirements or additional support needs. All other visitors must book their tickets online in advance.

On the day of your visit, please bring supporting documentation confirming the need for an essential carer, such as evidence of Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP), or equivalent documentation.

We are committed to creating an inclusive environment and appreciate your co-operation in helping us provide a smooth and enjoyable experience for all visitors.

If you have any concerns regarding accessibility, please contact us by telephone or email before booking so that we can discuss your requirements.

Once on site, if you require any assistance, please speak to a member of our team, who will be happy to help.

• • Your lovely pooches are very welcome as long as they are well behaved, on short leads and are cleaned up after. Unfortunately, they are not allowed in the catering areas (this includes the indoor play barn), Farmyard Friends or the Kent Owl Academy (as they may inadvertently upset the birds).
  • Dogs are not permitted to our Experience Christmas event. Please note that we may not be able to admit dogs for some of our other special events. You are advised to call and check in advance of your visit to avoid disappointment – 01622 763936.
  • Small bags are available in our Gift Shop and there are numerous bins located around the site for correct disposal.

• • We ensure that there are sufficient fully qualified first aiders on site every day of the week.
  • In case of an accident or emergency please contact the nearest member of staff.
  • There are fully-equipped first aid boxes located at key points around the attraction including: The Gift Shop, the Farmyard, Farmyard Friends, the Indoor Play barn, the Tea Rooms, the Paint-a-Pot Studio, the Village Hall and the staff offices and workshop.

• • All parking at Kent Life is FREE!
  • There is an allocated disabled car park near to the entrance of the attraction, as well as a reserved coach and exclusive wedding guests’ parking area.
  • On busy days our overflow paddocks are opened for additional parking (subject to weather conditions).
  • Our car park has limited lighting and pedestrian fencing at the heavier traffic areas, but please be aware that the ground can be uneven so please take care.
  • Our car park can occasionally hit capacity (especially following periods of bad weather when the overflow car parking is out of use). We would recommend arriving at opening time, or later in the day, after lunch.

We are committed to advocating a greener way of life so we would highly recommend using the many options of public transport available or why not car share?  

• • All children under the age of 16 years must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
  • Kent Life is not responsible for any person(s) attending our attraction.
  • Lost children reports must be made in the Gift Shop, or to the nearest available staff member, at which time all available staff will search the grounds.

Here at Kent Life we are committed to reducing waste and to recycle wherever possible. Here are just a few things we do to reduce our carbon footprint:

• • We encourage guests to ‘eat in’ using our cutlery and crockery rather than using take-away material.
  • Site sensor lights are in operation outside of operating hours. 
  • Water butts are strategically placed across our grounds which we use to water our gardens.
  • We grow and sell our own produce, herbs and flowers.
  • Our electricity is only used when needed and is turned off out of operating hours.
  • We encourage guests to use public transport including buses, trains and boats – Kent Life is one of the only attractions in the county accessible by boat – or why not consider cycling or walking?

• • We have four dedicated toilet areas, all of which include disability and nappy changing facilities.
  • The toilets are located at the entrance of the Car Park, behind Sandling Farmhouse, the Tea Room Courtyard and inside the Village Hall.
  • The toilets are cleaned and re-stocked daily. 

• Please note – we accept most credit and debit cards in many of our outlets (but not all) and payment by card is subject to a £5.00 minimum spend.