29 Jul 2013
Looking for a day out or short break during the summer holidays or over the August Bank Holiday weekend? Look no further than Kent, Garden of England - just a short distance from London and with a whole host of great events on offer. Here's a little taster.
For further information on events and accommodation in Kent go to www.visitkent.co.uk
Brogdale Cider Festival, Faversham (24 and 25 August)
Kent is a treasure trove of Artisan Cider's which are very tricky to get your hand's on - unless you are Brogdale! The annual Cider festival is the rare chance to sample different artisan ciders and enjoy the rural ambiance. Visitors can enjoy cider making demonstrations and talks, local foods, a hogroast, orchard tours and festive entertainment. The prefect chance to try something new! There will also be a shuttle bus running to and from Faversham Station during the Festival.
Open daily 10am to 5pm. Adults - £8, Child - £4, Family ticket - £20
August is also Family Picnic Month at Brogdale - families are welcome to take a picnic and enjoy garden games and miniature railway rides.
Knights' Tournament, Dover Castle (24 to 26 August)
Marvel at the medieval knights as they take on the ultimate tournament. Fully armoured and ready to do battle, watch knights in hand to hand combat, archery, competitions and much, much more. Who will reign supreme and be the victor?
Also at Dover Castle, daily, throughout August - embark upon a summer fun quest with a different theme each week. Find all the hidden clues to win your reward.
Open 9am to 6.30pm. Adult - £17, Child (5-15year) - £10.20, Concession (students with official student card or over 60's) - £15.30, Family (2 adults plus (up to) 3 children) - £44.20. English Heritage Members Free
Jousting Tournaments at Hever Castle (weekends throughout August)
The Knights of Royal England have returned to Hever Castle for the start of the summer Jousting Season.
Spectators will be treated to an exciting display of action, daredevil stunts, falls and fights as the brave knights bring the medieval sport of jousting to life in this castle of Kings. Which knights will win the tournament spurred on by the cheers of the crowds?
Knights on horseback will await the arrival of the King and Queen from the Castle at 1.45pm. The King will greet visitors and invite all to the jousting area at Pokeridge Meadow. The jousting tournament will commence at approximately 2.15pm and finishes at 3.30pm.
Also at Hever Castle Tudor Living History (25 and 26 August) - The king's men have set up an encampment on their way to the 100 years war. Throughout the day Medieval re-enactors will demonstrate armed combat, archery with the long bow, chain mail making and dressing the knight.
Gardens open 10.30am; Castle opens 12 noon; last admission 5pm; last admission 5.15pm; final exit 6pm.
Castle and Gardens: Adult - £15, Senior Citizen - £12.75, Child (5-15) - £8.50, Family (2 adults/2 children or 1 adult/3 children) not applicable to groups - £38.50
Gardens only: Adult - £12.50, Senior Citizen - £10.75, Child (5-15) £8, Family (2 adults/2 children or 1 adult/3 children) not applicable to groups - £33
August Bank Holiday Fun at Penshurst Place and Gardens (25 and 26 August)
Penshurst Place is 'a quintessentially English home' where chivalry, honour, romance and hospitality have reigned for centuries
From 12 noon try your hand at mini-crossbows, tug of war and leatherworking - or join the Knights' school and find out how to be a princess with storytellers in the maze (weather permitting) - from 2pm to 4pm. With Falconry from Huxleys Birds of Prey Centre, birds are on display from 12 noon and flying (with public participation) from 3pm.
Gardens and grounds open daily 10.30am to 6pm, or dusk if earlier (last entry an hour before closing). House and Toy Museum open daily from 12 noon to 4pm
House, Gardens and Grounds, including Maize Maze - Adult - £10, Child (5 to 16 years) - £6.50, Family day ticket (2 adults, 2 children) - £28
Gardens, Toy Museum and Adventure Playground, including Maize Maze - Adult - £8, Child (5-16 years) - £6, Family day ticket (2 adults, 2 children) - £25
Under 5 year olds, maximum 2 children free entry per full paying adult. £5 each additional child.
Pirates were Explorers too - The Historic Dockyard Chatham (daily until 1st September)
Swashbuckling fun returns, this year in conjunction with the amazing 'Exploring Antarctica: The Final Expeditions of Scott and Shackleton' - it takes on an explorations theme.
'Pirates were Explorers too' includes a 'Shiver Me Tim-Bears' challenge where children are encouraged to bring their favourite teddy bears and join them on an adventure; outdoor and indoor soft play; Captain Flint's Treasure Hunt, where children can find buried treasure and claim a prize, and an inflatable obstacle course.
In the 'Exploring Antarctica' exhibition, families can find out what polar explorers would take with them on an expedition to Antarctica and then decide what they themselves would take with them! They can try on the clothes worn by modern day explorers and climb inside a tent from a real-life Antarctic expedition. Families can also follow the Penguin Trail around the dockyard and discover amazing fact about the Antarctic.
All 'Pirates were Explorers too' activities are included in the Historic Dockyard normal admission price with the exception of Captain Flint's Treasure Hunt, which has a small additional charge.
Open daily 10am to 6pm. Adults - £17.50, Concessions (senior citizens, ex-services, HM Forces with ID) - £15, Child (5 to 15 years) - £11, Family (2 adults/2 children or 1 adult/3children) - £47, additional family child - £8.
All tickets are valid for 12 months, which means visitors can come back every day and do something different.
Knight and Princess School, Leeds Castle, Maidstone (24 to 26 August)
Join Leeds Castle's Knight and Princess School. Brave knights can dress up in chainmail and helmets in the Armour Zone and try out their combat skills in a foam sword battle (suitable for ages 2 to 10).
Sword fighting lessons using wooden training swords and real Medieval techniques will be available plus an interactive Mini Warrior Battle Show for the whole family which will re-enact The Battle of Agincourt with the children cast as English archers.
The Princess Show will teach the etiquette needed to meet a Prince, with the opportunity to try on beautiful dresses and learn a Medieval courtly dance.
Open daily - grounds at 10am, Castle 10.30am. Last admission 4.30pm, gates close at 6pm. Lastest entry to the castle is 30 minutes after last admission time.
Event is included in 'Key to Castle' admission price (pay once, ticket is valid for whole year). Adult - £21, Concessions (senior citizens/students/visitors with disabilities) - £18.50, Child (4 to 15 years) - £13.50.
August Adventures at Powell-Cotton Museum, Quex House and Gardens, Birchington (Tues to Sun throughout August, including Bank Holiday Monday)
August Adventures take on a curious and cultural twist - animal, mineral or vegetable? The material culture of the Powell-Cotton Museum will be explored through these broad terms and a series of questions - What can an Angolan doll tell you about her owner? How much can you carry in one small canoe? What do you need to weave a basket? Where can you find the materials for jewellery making?
These and the questions you take with you will be answered as you endeavour to make, copy or borrow ideas from the many fascinating objects to be found in the collections of Percy, Antionette and Diana Powell-Cotton. The chatty and crafty bushrangers will give you museum objects to identify, examine and discuss, then craft your own curious creations in the garden.
From 11am to 4pm. Adults - £3, Child - £2 (garden admission only)
Shepherd Neame Brewery Tour and Tutored Tasting, Faversham (variety of dates and times in August)
Take a guided tour of Shepherd Neame - Britain's oldest brewer. See the traditional mash tuns; taste natural mineral water from the brewery's well; try some malted barley; smell locally-grown Kentish hops; see bygone delivery vehicles and step into a recreated cooper's workshop. Finally there's a fascinating tutored tasting of Kentish ales and speciality lagers. Tours run most days - advance booking is strongly recommended and you should allow 2 hours for your visit.
See website for dates and times.
Adult - £11.50, Child (12 to 17 years) - £7.50. Please note minimum age is 12.
Easy Holidays and Easy Sundays Family Workshops, Turner Contemporary, Margate (throughout August)
Every week try something creative as a family at the gallery. Easy Holidays activity themes include 'Animal Misfits', Wild Man Drawings' and 'Transform and Make. Sunday workshops alternate between Fossil Impressions and Miniature Cabinets of Curiosity using a match box, both inspired by the current exhibition - 'Curiosity - Art and the Pleasures of Knowing'.
Gallery open 10am to 6pm Tuesday to Sunday - Free entry
Easy Holidays and Easy Sundays - 1pm to 4pm (drop in), Children - £3, Adults Free. Check website for dates and themes.
Free Guided Biddenden Vineyard Tours (selected Saturdays and Wednesdays)
Biddenden Vineyard is Kent's oldest commercial vineyard, having been established by the Barnes family in 1969 to produce wines and ciders. Arrive at the vineyard at 9.45 for a free cup of coffee and your tour will begin at 10am. There's also an opportunity to taste wines, ciders and juices in the vineyard shop afterwards.
These tours are for individuals, families and friends and pre-booking on 01580 291726 is essential.
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For enquiries please contact:
Kerstin Andrews (Mon, Tues, Thurs) on 01227 812904 or Kerstin.andrews@visitkent.co.uk or Julie Edwards on 01227 812914 or julie.edwards@visitkent.co.uk
For images of Kent, go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/visitkent
About Visit Kent:
Visit Kent Limited is a public/private sector partnership supported by Kent County Council, Medway Council, the district and borough councils, Tourism South East and the leading sector tourism businesses in Kent. Visit Kent champions Kent's £3.2 billion tourism industry by targeting UK and overseas markets, improving quality and skills and growing investment in the tourism product. For further information visit www.visitkentbusiness.co.uk
