Sunday at Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve

Bonjour lecteurs! We love sharing with you fabulous places in Kent. So aujourd’hui, let’s go to Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve. We come and visit the wildlife reserve every year as it makes a great family day out. En plus, we truly love the premises and the work the Aspinall Foundation is doing to help endangered species! C’est parti!

?If you fancy a visit, enjoy 10% off your day tickets for Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve with my code FRENCHIEMUMMY ?

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Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve

Port Lympne Park is Kent’s largest animal park.

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With over 700 animals from 90 species, you are in for a treat in the 600-acre wildlife reserve & safari.

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Be prepared to meet some of the most majestuous animals. Gorillas, lions, tigers and so many more will be there!

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And more importantly, every time you purchase tickets, you also support the Aspinall Foundation projects. The charity works closely with conservation park to rear animals that are close to extinction and release them back into their natural habitat when possible.

The Aspinall Foundation

You can read more on the Aspinall Foundation’s website but in a few words…

So far, the charity has released more than 70 gorillas back to the wild as well as 33 Javan gibbons.

And the reserve has also transferred back 8 black rhino to Africa in their natural habitats.

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More importantly, it is probably the biggest animal reserves I have ever seen. As so, animals have a lot of space and you don’t feel sorry for them to be in a tiny cage that is way too small for them. The group is very careful to reproduce their wild natural habitat.

Stay At Port Lympne

We spent last Sunday at the reserve. But if you fancy a closer experience, you can also book a stay at the park.

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The place offers a large variety of short stays and you can even enjoy an Afternoon Tea!

The Lion Lodge, the Tiger Lodge, the Treehouse Hotel, the Port Lympne Hotel, the Giraffe Cottage, The Bubble or even glamping pods…

Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve, Kent Wildlife Park, The Aspinall Foundation, Kent, Family Days Out, Kent Life, Animal Park, Charity, The Frenchie Mummy

Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve has it all so that you can stay the night and be close to the animals in the wild!

It is an experience you can only have once in your life! But time to share our family adventure in Kent!

Basecamp & Port Lympne Hotel

The place is huge so it is easy to keep your distances and remain safe while enjoying the company of some of the most majestuous animals.

As per new regulations following COVID 19, you need to pre-book online your tickets in advance.

Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve, Kent Wildlife Park, The Aspinall Foundation, Kent, Family Days Out, Kent Life, Animal Park, Charity, The Frenchie Mummy

This way, there was no queue when we arrived. We were quick to come in and after passing the Lion and the Tiger Lodges as well as the glamping pods ‘Pinewood’, we were by the Port Lympne Hotel.

Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve, Kent Wildlife Park, The Aspinall Foundation, Kent, Family Days Out, Kent Life, Animal Park, Charity, The Frenchie Mummy

Straight away, the tone is set! You can enjoy an amazing view of Kent, more particularly Dymchurch and Hythe, two of our fave spots for a day out!

Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve, Kent Wildlife Park, The Aspinall Foundation, Kent, Family Days Out, Kent Life, Animal Park, Charity, The Frenchie Mummy

Port Lympne Hotel

Once you go down the fameux Trojan Steps, you then reach Port Lympne Hotel.

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Time to relax in its beautiful gardens and enjoy the view from the balcony.

Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve, Kent Wildlife Park, The Aspinall Foundation, Kent, Family Days Out, Kent Life, Animal Park, Charity, The Frenchie Mummy

The place is truly stunning! Have a look at my videos on Instagram if you want a closer look.

Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve, Kent Wildlife Park, The Aspinall Foundation, Kent, Family Days Out, Kent Life, Animal Park, Charity, The Frenchie Mummy

It’s like in a movie! Nothing less! There’s even a piano!

Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve, Kent Wildlife Park, The Aspinall Foundation, Kent, Family Days Out, Kent Life, Animal Park, Charity, The Frenchie Mummy

Palace Of the Apes

Baba was extremely excited to see the gorillas so we went down the Lime Walk straight away! We come down to Port Lympne Port Hotel & Reserve every year so he knows his way around! ?

And we got to see some gorilles very close. What I like about Port Lympne is the space available for animals.

Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve, Kent Wildlife Park, The Aspinall Foundation, Kent, Family Days Out, Kent Life, Animal Park, Charity, The Frenchie Mummy

Everything is done so that they stay as close as possible to their natural habitat.

We then carried on the path. Be prepared to walk! But you are in the shades of the trees so it is rather lovely!

Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve, Kent Wildlife Park, The Aspinall Foundation, Kent, Family Days Out, Kent Life, Animal Park, Charity, The Frenchie Mummy

Dinosaur Forest

After a quick snack break, we continued to the Dinosaur Forest.

Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve, Kent Wildlife Park, The Aspinall Foundation, Kent, Family Days Out, Kent Life, Animal Park, Charity, The Frenchie Mummy

And let me tell you that Baba really enjoyed that bit!

Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve, Kent Wildlife Park, The Aspinall Foundation, Kent, Family Days Out, Kent Life, Animal Park, Charity, The Frenchie Mummy

You have a circular walk that takes you through history.

Be ready to encounter some of the biggest creatures ever! As always with the park, it is a rather full experience!

Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve, Kent Wildlife Park, The Aspinall Foundation, Kent, Family Days Out, Kent Life, Animal Park, Charity, The Frenchie Mummy

Past that point, you would usually be able to jump on-board a safari truck to discover more wild animals in the wild. Especially its iconic giraffes.

Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve, Kent Wildlife Park, The Aspinall Foundation, Kent, Family Days Out, Kent Life, Animal Park, Charity, The Frenchie Mummy

But due to social distancing requirements, this service has been suspended.

Asian Experience

Never mind! We went up the hill for a bit more exercise.

We still managed to see a bit of the Asian Experience you would usually have on the trucks.

Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve, Kent Wildlife Park, The Aspinall Foundation, Kent, Family Days Out, Kent Life, Animal Park, Charity, The Frenchie Mummy

We came across the red pandas and some beautiful rhinoceros.

Encore, the reserve is made so that animals have as much space as possible.

Yet, we got a very good view of them!

Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve, Kent Wildlife Park, The Aspinall Foundation, Kent, Family Days Out, Kent Life, Animal Park, Charity, The Frenchie Mummy

We could even see some deers in the distance. They all looked so peaceful!

Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve – Le Verdict

But it was time to walk back up the entrance. We got a new cuddly toy and it was us done!

Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve, Kent Wildlife Park, The Aspinall Foundation, Kent, Family Days Out, Kent Life, Animal Park, Charity, The Frenchie Mummy

Once more Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve did not disappoint! Everyone was happy!

We got some fresh air. Baba saw many cool animals and I got to walk over 15K steps! Hurrah!

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Plus sérieusement, it was a lovely day out and I really recommend to visit it! It is a very pretty place and you can enjoy some amazing wildlife.

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Take a picnic and make a day of it! The kids will learn so much too!

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And next time, why don’t you stay overnight for the full experience? I think I would love to try the Bubble but the other options look good aussi!

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Furthermore, all profits go to the Aspinall Foundation’s conservation work of the charity.

So that you can support all the work this gorgeous place does to help endangered species!

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We will definitely be back!

Disclosure: We received press tickets for the day. All opinions remain my own.

87 Comments

  1. Priscilla Stubbs
    July 14, 2020 / 5:58 pm

    Another great day out for you. Lots to do and see and good weather too

  2. Susan Smith
    July 14, 2020 / 7:08 pm

    Looks a wonderful place for the kids to visit, thank you for sharing, we have bookmarked this for next month, hoping to incorporate it in our holiday

    • Cecile Blaireau
      Author
      July 16, 2020 / 6:32 am

      Oh I am so happy you have it on your list. It is really a nice place. Feel free to get in touch if you want to know more places to visit in the area 🙂

  3. lynn neal
    July 14, 2020 / 8:32 pm

    Loving all those giant dinosaurs!

  4. Jazz Tattersall
    July 14, 2020 / 8:40 pm

    How amazing that they released animals backpack into the wild

  5. Julia Kerr
    July 14, 2020 / 9:22 pm

    Wow this is definitely one to add to the list of activities, and possibly accommodation, when I get down that way

  6. A.E. ADKINS
    July 14, 2020 / 9:30 pm

    Looks an excellent and quite exciting day out for all

  7. Alice Gilkes
    July 14, 2020 / 10:25 pm

    Looks like you had a lovely day out.

  8. Tracy B
    July 14, 2020 / 11:20 pm

    This looks and sounds like a great day out, thanks for the post

  9. Carly Belsey
    July 15, 2020 / 5:21 am

    Looks like you had a great time. We used to go to Port Lymphe a lot when the children were little but all they were interested in in the end was the play area haha. Now they are older it is nicer.

  10. Lyndsey cooksey
    July 15, 2020 / 8:40 am

    What a wonderful time you had! The photos are beautiful. Oh I do miss going to see the animals. Perhaps soon.

  11. ashleigh allan
    July 15, 2020 / 10:15 am

    Looks like an amazing place!

  12. Rich Tyler
    July 15, 2020 / 10:48 am

    Looks lovely 🙂

  13. adrian price
    July 15, 2020 / 11:08 am

    this looks lovely place to stay

  14. adrian price
    July 15, 2020 / 11:32 am

    will deff have to pay a visit here with my nieces and nephews

  15. MARIA ROGERS
    July 15, 2020 / 11:36 am

    I would love to take my grandkids there!

  16. Sandra Fortune
    July 15, 2020 / 2:28 pm

    This looks fun I’ve never heard of it . Love wildlife and those dinosaurs . You have some lovely photos

  17. Margaret Gallagher
    July 15, 2020 / 3:20 pm

    Heavenly bliss what an amaxing place – would love to visit too

    • Christine Hobbs
      July 16, 2020 / 7:36 am

      So tranquil and no crowds. Vast open space and so much to see and do. It’s on my To do list now.

  18. Susan B
    July 15, 2020 / 9:39 pm

    Wow! a really fabulous day out or stay. I didn’t know there was so much there.
    It’s good to read that the animals have lots of space while at the zoo and that they do such wonderful work.

  19. Margaret Clarkson
    July 16, 2020 / 8:16 am

    It sounds like a lovely day out!

  20. Christine Constable
    July 18, 2020 / 11:11 am

    I love Port Lympne, so much to see and do

  21. Rebecca Walker
    July 18, 2020 / 9:39 pm

    love the monkeys

  22. Fiona jk42
    July 18, 2020 / 10:50 pm

    This looks like a great day out. I shall have to take my granddaughter there next time we go to visit her.

  23. adrian price
    July 19, 2020 / 9:46 am

    this looks like a lovely day out

  24. jen english
    July 19, 2020 / 11:16 am

    That look amazing, definitely on our ‘to visit’ list.

  25. adrian price
    July 19, 2020 / 2:01 pm

    ID love to take my nephew Max here

  26. adrian price
    July 19, 2020 / 2:41 pm

    def going to have visit here–looks great

  27. Kas Grant
    July 19, 2020 / 6:07 pm

    Definitely a day out to cherish and remember!

  28. adrian price
    July 20, 2020 / 11:14 am

    definately a great place for a family day out

  29. adrian price
    July 20, 2020 / 11:22 am

    stunning part of the country

  30. adrian price
    July 20, 2020 / 11:30 am

    another place i really need to visit

  31. adrian price
    July 20, 2020 / 11:48 am

    GREAT PICTURS

  32. adrian price
    July 20, 2020 / 12:55 pm

    amazing day out —looks great

  33. sandy lynn ralph
    July 20, 2020 / 2:51 pm

    my niece got married there , its certainly a beautiful place

  34. James Travis
    July 20, 2020 / 8:04 pm

    Definitely a great day out, looks like you had lots of fun

  35. adrian price
    July 21, 2020 / 11:51 am

    another stunning spot in the uk -ive yet to visit

  36. adrian price
    July 21, 2020 / 12:03 pm

    its me again–looks a great day out

  37. adrian price
    July 21, 2020 / 12:18 pm

    its me again

  38. Maria Messruther
    July 21, 2020 / 12:30 pm

    Looks like a great place to visit 😀 might have to make a trip next time we are down south x

  39. Rachel Craig
    July 21, 2020 / 11:53 pm

    The children would love to visit.

  40. Susan B
    July 22, 2020 / 8:22 am

    They have obviously put a lot of thought into the park. Love the big dinosaurs. Knowing it helps the animals is wonderful.

  41. Jenny McClinton
    July 22, 2020 / 10:57 am

    This looks like a lovely place for a family day out. My daughter loves seeing animals.

  42. Nadia Josephine
    July 22, 2020 / 11:10 am

    Such fun and the kids are always learning on trips such as this one. You are doing such a fab job keeping Baba happy!

  43. Amanda Botterill
    July 22, 2020 / 11:51 am

    Looks like a great day out

  44. Hayley williams
    July 22, 2020 / 2:04 pm

    looks like a fun day out

  45. adrian price
    July 22, 2020 / 3:14 pm

    another great day out

  46. Jeanette Leighton
    July 22, 2020 / 4:08 pm

    Looks like a beautiful place would be a great place to visit

  47. adrian price
    July 22, 2020 / 5:20 pm

    absolutely stunning—great day out

  48. adrian price
    July 22, 2020 / 5:39 pm

    what a fantastic childhood your lad has

  49. claire woods
    July 22, 2020 / 6:16 pm

    It looks really nice, we love going to places like this.

  50. Georgie Wright
    July 22, 2020 / 11:03 pm

    It looks like you had a lovely day!

  51. Tara Barker
    July 23, 2020 / 12:00 am

    That looks fab, my grandchildren would absolutely love it there.

  52. Susan B
    July 23, 2020 / 12:57 am

    Your post has reminded me to read about the Aspinall Foundation. Their website is very informative and very moving.

  53. Rachael Sexey
    July 23, 2020 / 8:07 am

    Wow what a fab day out ?

  54. Alex
    July 23, 2020 / 8:33 am

    Looks an amazing day out.

  55. Jeanette Leighton
    July 23, 2020 / 9:50 am

    My children would to visit somewhere like this its looks a great day out

  56. Sarah Cooper
    July 23, 2020 / 12:58 pm

    Looks such a lovely place!

  57. adrian price
    July 23, 2020 / 4:15 pm

    cant wait to visit with my family

  58. adrian price
    July 23, 2020 / 5:01 pm

    now official on my bucket list of uk places to visit

  59. Deanie Gillies
    July 23, 2020 / 10:59 pm

    Looks like a fabulous day out xx

  60. adrian price
    July 24, 2020 / 12:16 pm

    stunning looking place –cant wait to visit after lock down

  61. adrian price
    July 24, 2020 / 1:26 pm

    lovely.lovely looking place

  62. Deanie Gillies
    July 24, 2020 / 11:01 pm

    Definitely one added to the list of family day’s out x

  63. adrian price
    July 25, 2020 / 11:36 am

    stunning-absolutely stunning

  64. adrian price
    July 25, 2020 / 12:32 pm

    big family visit next summer being planned

  65. Joanne Holmes
    July 25, 2020 / 4:28 pm

    What a fantastic day out you look like you’ve had – it looks like you had so much fun

  66. Jessica Barber
    July 25, 2020 / 5:50 pm

    I love that the profits go to the Aspinall foundation. Such important work being done to protect these amazing animals!

  67. Charlotte isobelle
    July 25, 2020 / 10:14 pm

    Awh it sounds lovely!

  68. adrian price
    July 26, 2020 / 4:42 pm

    lovely ,lovely looking place

  69. Elaine Savage
    July 27, 2020 / 7:26 am

    Lovely to read this, Port Lympne is one of our favourite days out

  70. adrian price
    July 27, 2020 / 8:51 am

    really stunning

  71. Jennifer Rhymer
    July 27, 2020 / 12:34 pm

    What a fabulous day out x

  72. Rebecca roberts
    July 28, 2020 / 7:38 am

    O my goodness it looks and sounds beautiful here

  73. adrian price
    July 28, 2020 / 10:41 am

    stunning cant wait to visit here

  74. Rachel Craig
    July 28, 2020 / 11:31 pm

    Seems like a good place to visit.

  75. Adrian Bold
    July 29, 2020 / 1:11 am

    Looks like a great day out. I’ve missed so many day trips during the Covid lockdowns.

  76. Susan B
    July 29, 2020 / 1:14 am

    Each time I dip into this post I find myself in awe at the beauty and magnificence of the animals. It’s fab being able to see them so close.

  77. adrian price
    July 29, 2020 / 7:53 am

    cant wait to visit

  78. Melanie
    July 29, 2020 / 10:09 am

    Wow! It looks incredible there! Is it open to everyone or just people who stay at the hotel?

    • Cecile Blaireau
      Author
      August 3, 2020 / 7:35 am

      You can book tickets to visit the park and you don’t have to stay. But I reckon it is a lifetime experience. I would love to stay overnight one day!

  79. Nikki Phipps
    July 29, 2020 / 12:25 pm

    This place looks fantastic x

  80. Helen Robertson
    July 29, 2020 / 5:39 pm

    Been wanting to visit here for ages!! Fab blog post!!

  81. Anita Missen
    July 29, 2020 / 5:40 pm

    Lovely blog. Thank you for the read.

  82. Jeanette Leighton
    July 29, 2020 / 7:58 pm

    Looks like a lovely place to visit

  83. July 29, 2020 / 8:47 pm

    Port Lympne is amazing – I went for a hen weekend last year and stayed in their awesome tents for two nights, it was soooooo good!

  84. Darren Bourne
    July 29, 2020 / 11:35 pm

    Another great day. I would like to take the kids there.

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