If one of your New Year's resolutions is to spend more time with your family, you're in luck - you can start on the very first day of the year.

From wildlife parks to historic castles, there are lots of top attractions in Kent that will be open for you and your family to enjoy on New Year's Day, and we've got 10 of the best.

Chartwell, Westerham

This historic National Trust estate, once the family home of former Prime Minister Winston Churchill, is the perfect place to visit for a fascinating day out. The Christmas decorations will still be up, so you can see how the Churchill family celebrated the festive season and learn all about the home’s rich heritage. The house itself will be closed, but you can still head out into the grounds and take a stroll through the hanging lanterns and illuminated trees. Enjoy a bracing New Year’s Day walk with the family around the woodland, rose garden and walled garden.

Details: Chartwell can be found at Mapleton Road, Westerham TN16 1PS. Open from 10am to 4pm. Entry costs £20 for non-members, free for National Trust members. Book online here.

Dover Castle

Take in views over the Channel from the top of the White Cliffs of Dover as you spend a day out at Dover Castle. It might be a little chilly up there, but no need to worry - you can duck inside the castle itself and shelter from the January breeze as you explore the secret wartime tunnels, admire the recreated medieval rooms in the Great Tower and visit the underground hospital. If you do decide to venture back outside, you can take a walk around 80 acres of castle grounds and spot the Roman lighthouse.

Details: Dover Castle can be found at Castle Hill Road, Dover CT16 1HU. Open from 10am to 4pm. Entry costs £21.80 for non-members, free for English Heritage members. Book online here.

Elmley National Nature Reserve, Sheerness

After a busy Christmas period, take a moment of peace and quiet with a crisp morning on this tranquil nature reserve. The 3,300 acre reserve at Sheerness is a great place to enjoy a long walk with the family, and winter brings plenty of wildlife to the park. The rain-filled ditches attract flocks of wildfowl and migrating waders such as lapwing, golden plover and widgeon, while dunlin, sparrowhawks and short eared owl can be found all around the reserve.

Details: Elmley National Nature Reserve can be found at Kingshill Farm, Isle of Sheppey ME12 3RW. Open from 9am to 4pm. Entry starts from £6. Book online here.

Hever Castle, near Edenbridge

The Christmas magic continues into the New Year at Hever Castle. If you want to hold onto that festive feeling a little longer, you can wander the castle grounds and see landmarks, such as the castle walls and large lake, illuminated by spectacular Christmas lights with seasonal music. You can also follow the festive trail with woodland characters, enjoy funfair rides and games, and have fun in the play park - there’s something for the whole family.

Details: Hever Castle can be found at Hever Road, Edenbridge TN8 7NG. Open from 11.30am to 6pm. Entry starts from £20. Book online here.

Kent and East Sussex Railway, Tenterden

Escape the cold weather by hopping on board a steam train journey through the enchanting Rother Valley. The Kent and East Sussex Railway is running special train rides on New Year’s Day from Tenterden where visitors can take in incredible views of the Kent countryside and step back in time on a real steam locomotive. Children can also board for £1, so if you’re on a budget after buying all the Christmas presents this could be the ideal day out. Dogs can even join you for free!

Details: Kent and East Sussex Railway can be found at Tenterden Town Station, Station Road, Tenterden TN30 6HE. Trains depart between 10.40am and 2.20pm. Adult tickets cost £20. Book online here.

Leeds Castle, near Maidstone

The decorations are staying up at Leeds Castle into the New Year, so you can still see this historic royal estate in all its Christmas finery. You can see the rooms dressed up for a luxurious Christmas party, with towering trees and glittering baubles, and take on the festive challenges in the maze. The Christmas at Leeds Castle light trail is also still open until New Year’s Day, with tickets currently available, so if you fancy visiting after dark you can see stunning light installations dotted around the grounds.

Details: Leeds Castle can be found at Broomfield, Maidstone ME17 1PL. Open from 9am to 3pm. Entry costs £29 when booked in advance online. Tickets to the Christmas light trail start from £21.50. Book online here.

Port Lympne Safari Park and Howletts Wild Animal Park, Hythe and Canterbury

Kent’s flagship wildlife parks, with over 1,200 animals between the two of them, are open on New Year’s Day. Jump on a safari truck and get up close and personal to giraffes, zebras and rhino at Port Lympne, and take in wintery views of the Kentish savannah. If you visit Howletts, you can see Kent’s only giant anteaters, the largest herd of African elephants in the UK and more gorillas than any other zoo in the county.

Details: Port Lympne Safari Park can be found at Aldington Road, Lympne, Hythe CT21 4LR. Open from 10am to 5pm. Entry costs £29. Book online here.

Howletts Wild Animal Park can be found at Bekesbourne Lane, Bekesbourne, Littlebourne, Canterbury CT4 5EL. Open from 10am to 5pm. Entry costs £18. Book online here.

Powell-Cotton Museum, Birchington-on-Sea

This coastal museum is open for select days during the winter season, including New Year’s Day. Start the year with a walk around Quex Gardens, a large open park filled with shrubs and plants, before taking a guided tour of Quex House. The Powell-Cotton Museum itself will be open to explore at your own pace, with collections including 20,000 world-culture objects and 8,000 archaeological finds from Thanet.

Details: The Powell-Cotton Museum can be found at Quex Park, Birchington-on-Sea CT7 0BH. Open from 11am to 3pm. Entry costs £2.50. Book online here.

Shorne Woods Country Park, Gravesend

There’s nothing better than a great family day out at the park. This country park has just about everything, from running and walking trails for those who fancy being active to three adventure play parks for children to burn off energy. There is plenty of space to walk your dog, except for areas where seasonal cattle are grazing, and spots for fishing, cycling and seeing wildlife. There is even a volunteer garden and lots of greenery if all you want to do is admire the nature around the park.

Details: Shorne Woods Country Park can be found at Brewers Road, Shorne, Gravesend DA12 3HX. Open from 9am to dusk. Entry is free, parking charges apply.

Skate Tunbridge Wells

There’s still time left to get your skates on and enjoy a whizz around the ice. The temporary skating experience has returned to Calverley Grounds in Tunbridge Wells for the 12th year, with two ice rinks for visitors to enjoy. There is the large main rink, as well as a smaller rink that is suitable for parents and toddlers during the day. In the evenings, the smaller rink transforms into a Bavarian curling space where groups of up to six people can participate in the game - you can book in advance online here.

Details: Skate Tunbridge Wells can be found at Calverley Grounds, Mountfield Gardens, Tunbridge Wells TN1 1SJ. Open from 10am to 5pm. Tickets start from £13.