Smeeth: Discover Nature Trails and Falconry

Smeeth combines expansive landscapes with special experiences for families who enjoy spending time outdoors and discovering new things on holiday. A defining feature of the area is Hatch Park: it extends across the parish of Smeeth and is criss-crossed by an extensive network of public footpaths. Those looking for a holiday rental in Smeeth can therefore plan their stay around different ideas for the day – from a walk through the parkland to an encounter with real birds of prey.

Walks among fields, woods and lakes

The Evegate Nature Trail offers opportunities for walking or having a picnic among the park’s fields, woods and lakes. The trail is approximately 2.5 kilometres long and is maintained for walkers and dog owners. This manageable distance helps with planning the day without limiting the visit to a specific duration. You can treat the trail as an outing in its own right or plan it as a peaceful moment in the landscape between other activities.

The Evegate Nature Trail also includes a connection with a private fishing lake. When choosing your accommodation, it may therefore be important to consider what kind of holiday you prefer: are you mainly looking for paths and scenery, or should a stay near Smeeth also allow room for special family experiences?

Experience birds of prey up close

Wide Eyes Falconry adds an unusual element. There, children can hold real birds of prey and fly them. The weekly Saturday club introduces children to falconry and gives them the opportunity to hold birds of prey, fly them and learn more about them. This creates a tangible alternative to a day focused solely on walking or picnicking: while Hatch Park and the Evegate Nature Trail place the landscape at the centre, this experience focuses on animals, observation and practical learning.

Throughout the year, the Kids Club at Wide Eyes Falconry also gives children opportunities to take part in public demonstrations and competitions. For your travel planning, it is worth considering your preferred focus early on: a day outdoors can be complemented by a falconry visit, while other days of your holiday can be shaped more strongly by the paths and landscape.

Smeeth as a base for planning your trip

Smeeth’s strength lies in combining several clearly distinct interests. Hatch Park’s public footpath network appeals to visitors who want to explore the landscape on foot. The approximately 2.5-kilometre-long Evegate Nature Trail brings together a specific walking opportunity with fields, woods and lakes. Wide Eyes Falconry complements these nature experiences with falconry, demonstrations and competitions for children. When looking for accommodation, you can therefore make the character of your holiday the priority: peaceful paths, shared discoveries or a programme centred around birds of prey.

If you would like to compare other places besides Smeeth, you can find Herne Bay, Goudhurst, West Malling, Littlestone-On-Sea, Penshurst, Hempstead, Hythe and Staplehurst here as additional travel destinations.

To the higher-level travel overview: Kent.