What’s on
Compiled by Laura Vass
Your essential guide to family events this July & August. We take great care in compiling our events guide, but check with the venues before you leave home just in case times or prices have changed since we went to print.
Enjoy a Summer of Family Fun at Hever Castle
Shakespeare’s historic courtroom drama at Leeds Castle. Gates open at 6.30pm, play begins at 7.30pm and finishes at approximately 10pm, with a 20 minutes interval.
Visit Hever Castle & Gardens this summer to enjoy an entertaining programme of events and activities set amidst award-winning gardens.
6 – 7 July Battle of Britain Air Show Headcorn Aerodrome Headcorn, TN27 9HX Aircraft from all eras demonstrate their spectacular flying skills and the sound of the Merlin engines in the Spitfires hum in the skies.
The Knights of Royal England will once again delight crowds with the annual Jousting Tournament on various dates in July and August. Kids can experience what it was like to grow up and serve in a royal household in medieval time during Knights & Princesses School (from 24 July). New for 2019, is Once Upon a Castle. Help locate a new shield for Flame the Dragon and the Princess’ missing cat on 27 and 28 July. Enjoy a weekend dedicated to our four legged friends on 3 and 4 August with Castle Canines. Jousting comes to an end over the August bank holiday weekend where visitors are also invited to discover different eras with Journey through History, featuring encampments, re-enactments and stalls and demonstrations. Visit www.hevercastle.co.uk Until 1 September Endangered and Extinct Maidstone Museum Maidstone, ME14 1LH This exhibition features sculptured animals, birds, fish and flora which are endangered or extinct, created with ingenuity, humour and skill by innovative recycling artist, Val Hunt, from throw-away materials. 3 July & 7 August Stories and Rhymes Maidstone Museum Maidstone, ME14 1LH Monthly story and rhyme sessions for children under 5.
5 – 7 July Kent County Show Kent Showground Detling, ME14 3JF The three day show brings together the very best of Kent with animals, food, fun and excitement. 6 July The Chilham Chase Chilham Castle Canterbury, CT4 8DB A family fun run; participate in the Chilham Chase, bring a picnic, enjoy the food and drink from the stalls and be entertained by a programme of events including live music from great local bands. 12 noon - 10pm. 6 July Shakespeare on the Beach Margate Main Sands Marine Terrace, Margate CT9 1XJ With all the crazy antics of the changeling magic, plus beautiful costumes and just hint of ABBA. Performance starts at 7.30pm. familiesonline.co.uk
6 July & 3 August Forest Families Step-Out Outdoor Learning CIC Evegate Business Centre, Ashford TN25 6SX Enjoy a morning in the woods, every first Saturday of the month. Fire lighting, cook your breakfast over the camp fire and have plenty of free time to play. All equipment will be provided. £6 per child per session. 6 July Beeswax Wrap Making Tyland Barn Visitor Centre and Nature Park Sandling, Maidstone ME14 3BD Create a brilliant eco-friendly way to keep your food fresh, and learn about bees. There will also be a bee safari focused on how you can support bees. £8 for adults and £6 for children. 10.30am - 12.30pm. 6 July Young Cooks: Knife Skills and Bread Making Chequers Kitchen Cookery School Deal CT14 6RG 2-4pm. Ages 9-17. You will learn to become confident preparing vegetables using a cooks’ knife and be taught safe techniques to help you to make many dishes. Book in advance. 6 July Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice Leeds Castle, Broomfield Maidstone, ME17 1PL Join the Royal Navy Theatre Association as they perform
6 – 7 July Dover Marina Open Weekend Dover, CT17 9BN This family-focused marine event includes sailing taster sessions, life jacket checks, flare amnesty, boat sale and a range of marine related exhibitors. 6 – 7 July Race for Life and Pretty Muddy Mote Park, Mote Avenue Maidstone, ME15 7SU Saturday races are the traditional Race for Life. 5K or 10K option and the route goes along the paths of the beautiful Mote Park. Pretty Muddy takes place on the Sunday. 7 July Ashford Farmer’s Market Ashford Town Centre Visit Ashford town centre between 10am - 2pm to see a wide variety of locally produced artisan goods and foods. 7 July Dover Carnival Town Centre, Dover The parade starts at 4pm and will make its way through Dover, finishing around 6.30pm. Come out and support local business, schools
7 July Cherry Day Mount Ephraim Gardens Faversham ME13 9TX 11am- 5pm, Come and sample some of the best cherries on a real family farm. You can also enjoy music in the topiary, go on an orchard tour and watch the birds of prey display. Normal garden entrance applies. 7 July Classic Car Show Dover Transport Museum Whitfield CT176 2JX This is the only museum of its kind in Kent; a unique collection of vintage vehicles and heritage exhibits, an eight-track model railway, outdoor miniature railway, additional outdoor exhibits and the chance to ride on an open-top bus. 12 – 14 July Ramsgate Seaside Shuffle Festival Small Boat Owners Club Ramsgate CT11 9AY If jazz is you thing, then go along and enjoy three days of fabulous and traditional jazz at its best. Daily sessions from 3-8pm. 13 July Open Air Theatre: “Sense and Sensibility” Godinton House & Gardens Ashford TN23 3BP The critically-acclaimed Pantaloons present their innovative and hilarious performance of Jane Austen’s “Sense and Sensibility” to Godinton Gardens for a summer open air theatre experience. Performance at 6.30pm. Adults £15 and children £6. 13 July Maidstone Vegan Festival Union Street Methodist Church Maidstone, ME14 1RL Open from 11am-4pm, the Maidstone Vegan Festival is a fun and familyfriendly day out, with great food, gifts, health & beauty products, music, activism and speakers.
Moments to remember made at Smallhythe
© National Trust 2019 . Registered charity, No. 205846. © National Trust Images \©National Trust Images/John Millar.
5 July Bohemian Rhapsody Outdoor Cinema Experience Whatman Park Maidstone, ME16 0SX An amazing outdoor cinema experience with a showing of the fantastic Bohemian Rhapsody, a foot-stomping celebration of Queen, their music and their extraordinary lead singer Freddie Mercury.
6 July & 3 August Saturday Club Play Day Foxwood House Honey Hill, Whitstable CT5 3BW This Saturday club play day runs on the first Saturday of every month until October for children over 5 years old. With space to play, new skills to practise and fun to be had, these Play days are filled with all things outdoors, and no tech allowed. Booking is essential.To book email info@tinytribeoutdoors.com.
6 – 7 July Faversham Nautical Festival Faversham The Faversham Nautical Festival brings together the town’s maritime heritage with classic boats, music and demonstrations held on the banks of the historic creek.
and groups as they take part in this traditional parade.
Wander through blossoming gardens, discover new exhibitions and kids craft activities. Or immerse yourself in a world of theatre with performances in the historic Barn and in the open-air. Make memories this summer, and explore.
These are the places that make us. nationaltrust.org.uk/smallhythe-place
Families East Kent 11
