Things To Do in Swanley Kent

Let's be really honest here, Swanley isn't that big and there isn't that much to do in Swanley itself. However, saying that there are things you can do locally in Swanley as nearby according to TripAdvisor.

So here are the top attractions in and near Swanley, Kent:

Swanley Park

New Barn Road, Swanley BR8 7PW

Website: http://www.swanleytowncouncil.gov.uk/swanley-park/

Located between Swanley and Hextable, with 60 acres of park land, Swanley Park is the largest public park in the area. Over the last 30 years it has been developed and attracts many visitors from all around. One of its main attractions is its large, man-made boating lake.

In the summer, the paddling pool and watersplash areas are very popular, with families spending the whole day there. For older children there is a well equipped play area, containing climbing frames, swings and a zip wire.

Other facilities include:

• Bouncy Castle Zone
• Hand Pedalo Pool
• Boat hire at the boating lake
• JCB Digger Ride
• Low Ropes
• Mini Golf
• New Barn Station
• Racing zone
• Restaurant
• Sand Pit
• Swanley Railway
• Swanley wildlife and nature area

fjryan61 from Bexleyheath had this to say about their visit:

The mini railway is a great part of this lovely park, with every thing from paddle pools to a river in beautiful surroundings

This review is by Julie N:

Fantastic for families and children!

This was my first visit to Swanley Park, there is so much to do with your little ones, a great swing park, paddling pool, sand pit. There is a stay and play type area which is not free but has lots of activities for little ones. The miniature train is great and reasonably priced at £1.50 for a round trip (adults) under 2s are free which isn’t advertised. The train is a must. This is a great place to stay all day with a picnic or there is a cafe. Parking is £2.50 card or £3.00 cash. Well worth it.

Swanley Market

London Road, Swanley BR8 7UN, England

Website: http://braymarkets.com/swanley-market/

Swanley market is held every Wednesday between 8am and 3pm and is located at Swanley town centre, beside Asda...you can't miss it! It is probably one of the busiest Wednesday markets in the country!

Rosalind from Bromley has this to say about her visit to Swanley market: Quite good selection. There is a good mix of stalls, clothing, shoes, household items and ‘blingy’ things. Certainly worth a visit.

Swanley Market Great Variety & friendly traders

I often go with my family to this market, it has a great variety of stalls: bags, shoes, sweets, clothes for all ages, flowers, makeup, hair accessories, seafood, fruit and veg & material + haberdashery stall & many more!

It can get very busy, so if you can its worth getting there early, as the traders start packing away around 3pm.

The traders are all very friendly. I enjoy the fashion clothes stalls they have very up-to-date items at good prices! I often buy a lot of fabric and trimmings from Ray the fabric man. There's a lot of fabric on the stall (including dress fabrics, hard to find!) and he can even order pieces in for curtains and blinds & upholstery. He's always very friendly & knowledgeable and his assistant is helpful. I like buying sweets from Gary his prices are very good and he has a massive selection to choose from, including sugar free sweets!

White Oak Leisure Centre

Hilda May Avenue, Swanley BR8 7BT

Website: https://www.sencio.org.uk/white-oak/

White Oak Leisure Centre has been serving the local Swanley community for over 50 years and is home to some outstanding children’s activities and fitness facilities. They offer free parking so you can enjoy your time here without worry. We offer swimming, diving, flume rides, sports, gym and more.

The White Oak Leissure Centre offers the following:

• 33m Swimming pool
• Birthday parties
• Children's holiday activities
• Coffee shop
• Diving pit
• Exercise studios & classes
• Flumes
• Function rooms
• Martial arts room
• Multi-purpose sports hall
• Primetime for over 50s
• Room hire for meetings and events
• Soft play area
• Squash courts

The following reviews comes from Stephen G:

Feel Good Suite...As I currently have mobility issues I go to the Feel Good Suite in White Oaks Leisure Centre where they have toning tables and chairs which helps improve my mobility. The staff are very friendly and Anna Marie and Sylvia are really caring and helpful. As well as helping tone it also serves as meeting point for people to socialise and chat whilst working out. I can thoroughly recommend this to all people.

Unfortunately, not all reviews about the sport centre are good. This example come from Kerry of Swanley:

Dirty and old! This place is rotten! Changing rooms are constantly filthy, sticking of dirty nappies and most of the doors don’t shut/lock properly. The pool edge is black with mould down the shallow end, the seating gallery is so old I’m surprised the seats haven’t rotted away!! This place doesn’t need knocking down, it needs a major revamp inside.

The Cotton Mill Micro Pub

10 Station Road, Swanley BR8 8ET

Website: https://thecottonmillpub.com/


‘Blending the hip and the wholesome – a vibrant British micro pub offering the warmest of welcomes’ the Cotton Mill is a micro pub that serves real ales and has a weekly quiz night.

JohnJudy44 from Swanley has the following to say about the Cotton Mill:

Great Owners and beers! I tell everyone before going here that it was a Public Toilet before just to see their reaction and It is always good one on visiting. I have been going here since it opened and feel very comfortable every time i go in.My wife also likes it to and often brings the subject up, before me, as to where to go for a drink and good company.There is usually someone who you saw from previous visits or chat to the owners Dave or Dan, l never seem to be alone( some would say I wish he was !). The beer has a good 4 ale selection and keg stuff such as Camden Lager.It makes a welcome change from the usual big pub feeling.Give it a visit, hopefully you will agree with me and my wife.

This review comes way of Tony from Herne Bay

Great little Micropub in Swanley. This is a great little micropub that has been converted from some disused public toilets.

They have only been open 18 months but the welcome and atmosphere is great. Lovely choice of ever changing local real ales and as most of the micro pubs now do they have a lovely choice of Gins.

It's also great to see on a chalkboard a choice of coffee and tea.

It was a very sunny day and we sat outside and enjoyed our drinks in the sun.

There is a car park right behind the Cotton Mill that is free for an hours parking on Saturday, Sunday and Bank holidays.

If you are travelling near to Swanley this micro pub is well worth a visit.

You can discover more about local Swanley businesses by clicking the link