MUDDY’S PICK OF THE MONTH
Art Exhibition: Charlotte Smithson, Sissinghurst Castle Gardens, NOW – 31 Oct
Feast your eyes on this botany delight! Take a walk around Sissinghurst Castle Garden’s historic house, world-renowned gardens and visit the Oast House to experience an art installation by Charlotte Smithson. See as the Oast House will be filled with a delicate suspension of glassware, containing botanical treasures taken directly from the Sissinghurst gardens and notice the exquisite details found in nature that are often overlooked. Running until 31 Oct.
The Octonauts, The Historic Dockyard Chatham, NOW – 4 Sep
Join Captain Barnacles and the Octonauts on an interactive, activity-based adventure through the tides of maritime history, learning the key skills needed to join the Octo-Crew. You’ll collect an Octonauts Training Log on arrival, follow the Octo-Map alongside Captain Barnacles to locate Kwazii, Peso, Tweak, Shellington, Dashi and Professor Inkling hidden around the Historic Dockyard and complete fun activities to learn their specialist skills. On completion of the Training Log, you’ll be named an honorary Octo-Agent and receive a special certificate.
Into The Fairy Kingdom, Emmetts Garden, NOW – Fri 2 Sep
Now until 2 Sep, return to the Fairy Kingdom at Emmetts Garden with a brand new story to follow last year’s popular summer trail. Help the magical character, Puck, as he prepares to throw the best summer party for everyone in the Fairy Kingdom, exploring the gardens and taking part in all sorts of different activities as you go, (it’s £2 per trail).
CATMAN Launch Event, Lilford Gallery, Fri 2 Sept
Catman is taking over Lilford Gallery! ‘Urban Evolution’ is a solo show that gives you an exclusive look at the artist’s new original pieces featuring his unique twist on the old masters. Catman takes the biggest hitters in art history and thrusts them into 2022 by incorporating whimsical street art elements such as, a Van Gogh portrait seated at a 21st century drum kit. What more could you ask for? Pop along to the launch event on Fri 2 Sept and the first 30 people through the door will receive a FREE signed poster plus enjoy Whitstable Bay Beer and DJ Master Breaks.
The Beast, Betteshanger Park, Fri 2 – Sun 4 Sep
The formidable inflatable obstacle course and Kids bounce zone returns to Betteshanger Park this September, are you up for the challenge? Run and bounce your way around the many obstacles including inflatable walls, balls and rings. Bounce for fun or compete to beat the course record! Afterward sit back and relax with friends and family to enjoy delicious food and drink from local suppliers. Bounce last 30mins and your ticket enables you to run the course as many times as you can within your allocated bounce slot. Minimum age of 8 years old and children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Book now!
Art Exhibition with Linden Hall Studios, Goodnestone Park, NOW – Sat 24 Sept
Goodnestone Park and the renowned Linden Hall Studios have teamed up for an exciting new project called Collaborations. The exhibition will include a mixture of painting, print and sculptures shown within one of the Goodenstone Gallery Spaces in a Garden II listed stable, it’s a beautiful space set within gorgeous grounds. Open daily, 10am – 4pm. Admission to exhibition included in garden entrance.
Let’s Rock, Mote Park, Sat 3 Sept
Get ready for a night of fun and 80s nostalgia! This retro festival set in Mote Park in Maidstone has an impressive music line-up from Wet Wet Wet, Banarama, ABC and Howard Jones – to name a few! So you can be sure to revel in classic blasts from the past alongside food and drink options aplenty so you can sing and dance the night away! Tickets from £22, under 12s are free.
Jazz and Wine, Balfour Winery, Sat 3 Sep
What more could you want? Join King and Queen of British jazz vocals, Liane Carroll and Ian Shaw perform at an intimate evening concert at Balfour Winery on Sat 3 Sept. Enjoy a glass of sparkling Balfour Wine followed by a delicious 3 course set meal whilst you tap your feet to the beat at this one-off event! Liane Carroll and Ian Shaw were regulars at the world-famous Ronnie Scott’s jazz club plus they have four BBC jazz awards between them and perform at both UK and International Jazz Festivals – don’t miss this!
Faversham Hop Festival, Sat 3 – Sun 4 Sept
One of our county’s long-standing and much-loved festivals celebrating all things hops and harvest returns this September. Watch the special parade through the town as a number of Shepherd Neame’s historic vehicles drive past in the morning parade. Starting outside Faversham railway station (11:30am on Saturday and 10:30am on Sunday), ending at Market Place. Plus enjoy live local entertainment from over 60 performers from music to comedians across locations all over town – see the full line up here.
Autumn Craft Fair, Hever Castle, 8 – 11 Sept
The Contemporary Craft Fair held in the stunning grounds of Hever Castle is back this September. Organised by Craft in Focus, over four days browse and purchase direct from around 180 of the UK’s finest designers, makers and contemporary artists. The designers have been chosen specifically for their individuality and innovation in contemporary design so you’ll be in for a treat! Open 9:30am – 5:30pm. Entrance to the Craft Fair is included in both Gardens Only and Castle & Gardens admission tickets.
Spa & Yoga Retreat, Green Farm, Fri 9 Sept
In desperate need of peace and calm after a fun-packed summer? We hear ya! Enjoy a 2 night weekend retreat with use of the spa (sauna and two outdoor hot tubs), 4 yoga sessions, guided country walks, relaxation and all your meals cooked with fresh home-grown ingredients at the beautiful boutique Green Farm Spa. Rest your head in luxury accommodation in the beautiful 15th century Farmhouse and have plenty of free time to read, explore, cycle (bicycles available to borrow) or run. Green Farm Spa is set in the idyllic Shadoxhurst conservation area and surrounded by 12,500 acres of ancient woodland and traditional pastures, the perfect place to completely switch off. Arrive at 5pm on Friday and depart Sunday afternoon before 4pm.
Don’t have the time but just want to experience a slice of Green Farm Spa? Just visit for the day on their Yoga Day Retreat, 9am – 4:45pm on Sun 11 Sept.
Heritage Open Days, Fri 9 – Sun 18 Sept
Heritage Open Days are back this September! Each year, places across England throw open their doors to give people the chance to see hidden spaces and to try new experiences for FREE. Yes every event is free and there’s loads to explore this year in Kent! Such as the Dickens House Museum in Broadstairs on Sat 10, Sun 11, Sat 17 and Sun 18 from 1 – 4:30pm explore the cottage that was Charles Dickens’ inspiration for the home of Betsey Trotwood in David Copperfield. You’ll also see items that once belonged to Charles Dickens including letters written about Broadstairs, his writing box and mahogany sideboard, along with a fine collection of prints.
Folkestone Funny Fest, Fri 9 & Sat 10 Sept
Get ready to laugh-out-loud at the Folkestone Funny Fest this September which is bringing together some of the finest comedians to perform live at The Goods Yard on Folkestone Harbour Arm. 10 fantastic comedians will take to the stage for two nights of entertainment unlike anything they’ve ever hosted before. Headlining is Ed Byrne (pictured), Simon Brodkin, Andrew Maxwell, Zoe Lyons and Rob Deering. The Goods Yard is also home to an electric mix of food and drink vendors, offering everything from craft beers and cocktails, tacos and mussels, wood-fired pizza and surf’n’turf bugers so you’ll be well looked after to have an amazing night of fun! Performances are 7-10pm. Tickets from £23.72.
Hops and Harvest, Scotney Castle, Sat 10 & Sun 11 Sept
Did you know that Scotney Farm has one of the few remaining hop gardens in Kent and its the only working hop farm in the National Trust? Well, go and celebrate the season at Hops and Harvest! There’s plenty of stalls to browse, the estate and garden to explore, and even guided tours. Plus get to see the hop bines being cut and dried in the traditional way using the original farm machinery, sample some of the local brew made using Scotney’s hops and browse the wide range of enticing goods at the market stalls.
Woodfest & Country Fair, Belmont House, Sat 10 Sept
Enjoy exciting woodland demonstrations including chainsaw carving, wood turning, spoon carving, campfire cooking, horse logging, pole lathe turning as well as vintage tractors and a fantastic display of stationary steam engines. The main arena attractions run continuously throughout the day and will include Joe’s Bows Falconry Display, Gun Dog demonstrations, Ferret Racing, Terrier Racing, Fun Dog Show (Sunday only) and new for 2022, The Mini Pony Show. There will also be many different craft making activities such as clay creations, flower crowns, creepy claws animal displays and Arbor (part man, part free) an interactive show for the whole family to love! Not forgetting the local and drink stalls. £10pp and children under 16 are free.
Taster Fitness Sessions with Top To Toe Fitness, Sat 10 Sept
Time to dust down those trainers and let the friendly and approachable Top to Toe Fitness help you discover a healthier new you. There’s two taster sessions to enjoy for just £5 (usually £10!) on Sat 10 Sept at 8am and 10am at the brand new fitness facility at Macknade in Faversham. Suitable for all fitness levels and a great way to try something new!
Salute to the ’40s, Historic Dockyard Chatham, Sat 10 – Sun 11 Sept
Claimed as ‘one of the Britain’s best vintage festivals’, get ready to reminisce and feel nostalgic to the glamorous days of the 1940s so start planning your vintage outfit and victory rolls now! Travel back in time with live music performance with a variety of acts taking the stage including Adam Hoffman and Miss Holiday Swing, classic car displays, Home Front demonstrations, dance workshops and fashion parades. You can also take shelter in a bunker as part of a real-life air raid evacuation, browse the buzzing vintage street market and shopping for genuine collectables and reproduction clothing. It’s time to meet again!
Hops ‘n’ Harvest Beer Festival, Kent Life, Sat 10 & Sun 11 Sept
The fabulous Kent Life Hops ‘n’ Harvest Beer Festival is back for families to enjoy a festival atmosphere with a variety of live and local music this September. Take a step back in time to meet historical characters from Kent’s past and witness the traditional hop-making process in the last Coal fired Oast House in Britain. Even have a go at picking the hops by hand, fill the bushels and enjoy the pleasant aroma as the Oast House is brought back into working life for one weekend only. Then don’t forget to visit the Kentish Ales Marquee to sample up to 50 varieties of beers, ales and ciders. Not your thing? Try the Gin Bar! They’ll be plenty of food stalls plus food from Dotty’s Tea Room and Wood Fired Oven Pizza in the Pizza Garden. Arrive after 10am for a full day of fun.
We Will Meet Again 2022, Betteshanger Park, Thurs 16 – Sun 18 Sept
Immerse yourself in the 1940s at this family-friendly event. Attractions at Betteshanger Park near Deal include flypasts from a Spitfire and a UH-1 Huey helicopter, displays of 1940’s fashion, arts and crafts stalls and music, with re-enactors bringing the era vividly back to life, and plenty of (unrationed) food and drink on offer. Activities are all in aid of the Hill 112 Memorial Foundation, raising funds to continue the work of Sgt Albert Figg, who worked tirelessly to turn Hill 112, known in 1944 as ‘Death Valley’, into what is now known as Normandy’s ‘Hill of Peace’. Tickets from £10 per day (under 13s and disabled visitors free).
Autumn Fete, Ightham Mote, Sat 17 & Sun 18 Sept
Make the most of the changing weather, seasonal food and glorious colours in the gardens at Ightham Mote. Join the Autumn Fete on 17 and 18 Sept to explore local and seasonal stalls, trails and even get to bring home apple varieties that you won’t find in your local supermarkets.
Outdoor Cinema, Brogdale Collections, Sat 17 Sept
Bring along a chair or blanket, find a spot on the meadow and cosy up under the stars for a fabulous open air showing of family favourite The Greatest Showman on a phenomenal 220” screen. All set in the stunning setting of Brogdale Collections in Faversham. Kicking off at 7:45pm, there’ll be a bar serving beers, wines, soft drinks, snacks and popcorn. Tickets from £10.
Harvest Festival: Autumn Fair, Water Lane, Sat 17 Sept
We’re excited for this gorgeous Autumn Fair set within the beautiful Water Lane Walled Garden in Hawkhurst, there’ll be a collection of makers, artists, brewers and bakers to sell their wares underneath the stretch awning on the terrace. Including Norse Vintage, Natural Dye Works, Be Still Ceramics, Sally Hampson Blankets, Wini Tapp paperwork mobiles, Rapson de Pauley bone beads and leather belts, Sussex Willow, Myserscough & Mairs, O Moon, and Craft in the Field who will be making corn dollies with children. Expect interesting and beautiful pieces for the home and garden including cut flowers. Open on the Sat 17 Sept from 10am – 4:30pm. Free entry to all who come by foot or cycle and £5 per car to park.
175 years of Macknade, Faversham, Sat 17 Sept
Celebrate 175 years of Macknade (yes they’re really that old!) on Sat 17 Sept at their Faversham Food Village from 12-9pm. Enjoy live music from Gracie & The Booms and DJ Finchy, kids craft activities, tutored tasting and masterclasses from selected local suppliers and of course, plenty of yummy food and drink! The event is FREE.
The Bubble Show, E M Forster Theatre, Sat 17 Sept
Join Mr. Bubbles with his extraordinary soap bubbles in all shapes and sizes! The Bubble Show is coming to E M Forster Theatre in Tonbridge, you won’t want to miss this unique performance of magic, storytelling, and bubble art performed by The Highland Joker, one of the top bubble artists in the world. Enjoy bouncy bubbles, bubbles inside bubbles, smoke bubbles, square bubbles, giant bubbles, and even fire bubbles. Suitable for ages 3 to 12 years, running time is 60mins with no interval. Tickets are £12.
Sandwich Arts Week, Sat 17 – Sat 24 Sept
A week long exhibition of over 40 local local artists and sculptors in St Mary’s Church Arts Centre. The exhibition opens with a welcome evening including wine and an opportunity to meet the artists on Sat 17 Sept. Then enjoy poetry displays, literary talks, illustrated talks, cinema evenings, piano recitals and more! See the full programme here.
Eating for Gut Health, Monkshill Refectory, Sat 17 Sept
Want to know what all the fuss is about gut health? Ever heard of trying fermented food and why you should be eating it? Banish the fear and learn which foods make you feel good AND how to make them with Virginia Hills and Katy Newton from Wasted Kitchen for a one day class on Sat 17 Sept at 10am – 1pm at Monkshill Refectory (just outside Seasalter). Learn lots of practical tips and tricks to battle bloating, constipation and other common tummy troubles and get to take home recipe sheets, nutrition fact sheets and a jar of ferment.
Vinyasa in the Vineyard, Balfour Winery, Sun 18 Sept
Like yoga, nature, wine and food? You’ll love this relaxing day out in the heart of the Kent countryside. This unique half-day experience is the perfect chance to reconnect with nature and yourself with a gentle vinyasa flow yoga class set in the vineyards at Balfour Winery. Be led on a tour of the vineyards while you make your way to a secluded spot for your class then get to focus on gently strengthening, stretching the body and calming the mind. Afterwards taste three Balfour Wines and enjoy a delicious lunch of charcuterie, seafood, cheese and vegetables. Arrive at 9:30am for a 10am start, £65pp.
Teen Food, Mood & Movement, Flow Tunbridge Wells, Sat 24 Sep
Why not start your teens wellbeing journey now? This workshop is dedicated to helping teenagers feel, move and eat better. Join Alicia and Camilla at Flow’s beautiful Yoga Studio in central Tunbridge Wells for an afternoon of Yoga and Nutritional nuggets to help your teens feel balanced, connected, and grounded this summer so they know how to feel their best and eat better for life.
Autumn Equinox, Water Lane, Hawkhurst, Sat 24 Sept
SSAW Collective, a community of florists, growers and chefs who create experiences that celebrate seasonality, is hosting an event to celebrate the Autumn Equinox at Water Lane. Spend the day in the beautiful walled garden at Water Lane and take part in natural dye-making, bundle-drying and eco-printing workshop led by Ros Humphries from The Natural Dyeworks and a floral workshop from SSAW Collective, where you can learn to combine dried and fresh flowers straight from the garden to make an Autumnal table centre piece to take home. Followed by light refreshments and a delicious feasting lunch created by Water Lane’s head chef Jed Wrobel. Starts at 10:30am and approximate finish time 4:30pm. £175pp.
Climate Change Exhibition, Trinity Theatre, Mon 26 Sept – Sat 1 Oct
It’s time to get creative! The Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) have launched their first ever Eco Arts competition, a climate change themed art competition for primary and secondary school students across the borough. The young students will be exploring the 3 themes; no time to waste, creative climate and Tunbridge Wells 2222 (what would Tunbridge Wells look like in 200 years’ time?). Find out how to enter here. The winning entries will then be displayed in the Trinity Gallery from Mon 26 Sept until Sat 1 Oct.
Tenterden Folk Festival, Thurs 29 Sept – Sun 2 Oct
Expect four days of folk song, music, dance, crafts and tradition as the Tenterden Folk Festival is coming back this September with lots of family friendly events to enjoy! Including a craft fair, food and drinks stalls, live music, a barn dance, special shows, workshops, folk clubs, Morris dancers, dance displays, street theatre and much more!
Ice Therapy, Samsara Retreat & Yoga, Fri 30 Sept
Brrrrr! Enjoy yoga, breathwork and then an ice-cold plunge in Samsara’s hot tubs. Led by Shaina, founder of Namashai Wellness, be energised and have the chance to see what all the fuss is about with ice therapy. The retreat session with close with warm tea and nourishing snacks around the fire pit. Starting 7pm until 9:30pm on Fri 30 Sept.
Harvest Cider Festival, Woolton Farm, Fri 30 Sept – Sun 2 Oct
Don’t miss Woolton Farm’s first ever Harvest Cider Festival this September! Entry is £5 which includes an etched glass to take home. Taste 16+ draught ciders from well-known UK producers plus local cask ales and craft beer with live music, apple bobbing, foxwhelp eating competition, wood fired BBQ and even Community Apple Pressing on the Sunday! Why not make a day of it and camp in one of their beautiful orchards for just £10pp per night? Open all day from 11am – 11pm.
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