insideKENT Magazine Issue 100 - August 2020 | Page 25

IN ASSOCIATION WITH
KENTSTAYCATION
AL FRESCO KENT CONT.
© Manu Palomeque
PORT LYMPNE
If you are looking for something a little different,
something a tad adventurous after the drudgery of
being stuck indoors for 4 months, a day trip to Port
Lympne Hotel and Reserve is the escape you need.
Kent’s largest safari park, Port Lympne clocks in at
a staggering 600 acres and includes over 700 animals.
This is a day out the whole family isn’t likely to
forget. With so many magnificent animals to see it
is difficult to single out the highlights, but some of
their most loved animals include leopards, bears,
gorillas, zebras, red pandas and many more. At the
time of writing the Safari experience that is normally
included in the price of a ticket, is sadly still closed,
but fear not because this won’t stop you seeing the
exciting creatures the park has to offer.
Port Lympne doesn’t just allow its visitors to
experience the childlike joy of seeing real-life exotic
animals roam free, they also have an entire forest
full of ferocious beasts from the past. Home to the
UK’s largest dinosaur exhibition, experience these
life-size, anatomically correct creatures that time
forgot in their very own outdoor enclosure, and
experience the dread of coming face-to-face with a
T-Rex or take a selfie with a Pterodactyl! Educational
but still a hit with the kids, this exhibit will keep
children happy and engaged for hours! Do you dare
to set foot in the Dinosaur Forest?
After all of this excitement tummies will surely be
rumbling, so head over to Babydoll's the reserves’s
wood-fired pizza restaurant for some authentic Italian
al fresco dining. Take in the relaxed atmosphere
surrounded by olive trees and the most beautiful
flowers, and enjoy one of the fine wines on offer
while you tuck into an Italian feast full of pizza,
pasta, antipasti, and that well-deserved sweet treat.
If you are looking for something a little more casual,
check out the outdoor seating offered by the
Pinewood Cafe where they provide some delightful
options for breakfast and lunch.
If you just couldn’t fit everything into one day this
is a great excuse to opt for an actual stay too.
Experience true luxury in one of the hotels many
lodges that allow you to become more personally
acquainted with the safari parks wildlife. Stay in a
self-catered tree house; the perfect way to get a
unique view of the sanctuary. Alternatively, if you
are after a more traditional stay book a room at the
4 star Port Lympne Hotel, and enjoy all the perks
and little luxuries the stunning 1920’s manor house
has to offer. Take advantage of all the onsite
restaurants including the Moroccan Courtyard where
you can enjoy a quintessentially English afternoon
tea, Bear Lodge - a family favourite that is open to
both overnight guests and the public, and provides
a varied and delicious kids menu - or the Port
Lympne Hotel Restaurant (only available for shortstay
guests). Classy and decadent, this is an experience
you may want to leave the kids at home for. The
exclusive menu is not the only thing designed
flawlessly; its interior is a feast for the eyes. There
are rich blues and greens everywhere the eye
wanders, murals line the walls, and the rich cream
drapes make the room cosy and romantic. Treat a
loved one, relax and enjoy this fine dining experience
at the centre of an incredible location.
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