Monkton Nature Reserve

Monkton Nature Reserve is a 16-acre reserve in a disused chalk quarry on the Isle of Thanet, run by the Thanet Countryside Trust. The Field Study Centre holds a free museum room with fossils, rocks, Stone Age flints, Roman finds and a collection of animal skulls, several of which can be handled, which children tend to enjoy. Outside there are wildflower meadows, a bat cave, a pond area with a picnic and play space, and a fairy trail for younger visitors. Birds can be watched from a viewing area behind the centre, and a small cafe serves drinks and snacks. The reserve suits families who like wildlife, fossils and a gentle walk, and it has a second-hand bookshop for grown-ups. Opening days are limited, so it is worth checking the calendar before a visit.