Unearth 300-million-year-old fossils with expert guides at Betteshanger Park. Perfect for families and adventurers alike, this fossil hunting experience brings Earth's prehistoric past to life.
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More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
Wildlife
History
Betteshanger’s quarry was once a thriving coal mining site before transforming into a fossil hunting playground.
Conservation
The site is managed with sustainability in mind, ensuring eco-friendly fossil collecting and habitat preservation.
Betteshanger Park
Unearth 300-million-year-old fossils with expert guides at Betteshanger Park. Perfect for families and adventurers alike, this fossil hunting experience brings Earth's prehistoric past to life.
Betteshanger Park is a large outdoor activity and events venue located near Deal in Kent, England. The park hosts a diverse range of family-focused experiences including forest school sessions, fossil hunting, archery, axe throwing, seasonal trails and festival events. Wild One’s Forest School at Betteshanger runs weekday and weekend sessions for toddlers, home-educated groups and children aged 5 to 11, teaching woodland crafts, fire lighting, campfire cooking and tree climbing in a supervised outdoor setting.
Learn To Ride classes offer KCC instructors, cycle hire and helmets for children aged 2 to 14 to build cycling confidence in small-group lessons. Betteshanger’s fossil hunting expeditions take visitors into the quarry to search for 300+ million-year-old remains under expert guidance. The park also stages special events such as a medieval festival, battle archery war, seasonal Christmas and Halloween trails, wreath workshops and family fitness classes like parent and baby pilates. Meet Father Christmas in the grotto provides a festive experience for younger visitors, and many events include activities suitable for different ages and abilities. Facilities include parking on site and outdoor spaces adaptable for public events and private bookings. Betteshanger Park works with trained instructors and event partners to deliver safe, supervised activities and has established itself as a regional destination for outdoor learning and family days out. Visitors come for hands-on learning, active play and memorable seasonal events in a coastal Kent setting.
Booking information, dates and accessibility details are available on the park's official website and event listings for visitors daily.
Location
Deal, England
Coastal Kent park
Experiences
16 experiences
Family-friendly outdoor activities
Qualified Instructors
KCC instructors
Included for Learn To Ride
Ancient Fossils
300+ million years
Quarry fossil hunting finds
Secure family-friendly sessions, fossil hunts and seasonal events — check dates and booking details on the venue's event listings.
Wear durable clothing
Sturdy footwear and knee pads help you navigate the quarry and protect against rough terrain.
Bring a small brush and tools
Assist in cleaning and carefully extracting fossils without damaging them.
Plan for a half-day activity
Allocate 3–4 hours for a full fossil hunt and learning session.
Check the weather forecast
Dress appropriately for outdoor conditions and potential rain or sun.
Sturdy hiking boots
Good traction and ankle support are vital for rocky quarry terrain.
Small hammer and chisel
Useful tools for excavating fossils carefully and precisely.
Sun protection (hat, sunscreen)
Shield yourself from sun exposure during outdoor activities.
summer
Headlamp or flashlight
Helps see fine details and work in shaded areas.