What's On in Kent

Fancy something a bit different?  Horizon Sea Safaris offer the amazing experience of watching seals in their natural environment. The rib boat takes visitors to one of two destinations for the Seal Encounter, either to Goodwin Sands or the Nature Reserve on the Stour Estuary. The boat is located at Ramsgate but also sails from Broadstairs and Margate during the summer months.

Heritage railway running steam and heritage diesel trains offering a hop-on, hop-off ten and a half mile service between Tenterden and Kentish Weald.  The dining train runs at certain times of the week, with occassional themed events, and for the children, Thomas the Tank and friends.

Clay pigeon shooting ground located in the Kent countryside.  Open to new shooters and experienced handlers alike.  For new shooters a use of gun and tuition is available.  Shoots take place on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.  The grounds are open for practice on each of these days, and non-members are very welcome.  Undercover shooting areas for inclement weather.

Shepherd Neame is Britain’s oldest brewer dating back 300 years. An independent family company, they offer a two hour brewery tour giving visitors an insight of the company from the early days of brewing to present day.  The tour takes in the brewery seeing how beer is made from scratch, seeing traditional mash tuns, the Millennium Brew House and the packaging lines, and the all important tasting!

Learn to make your own chocolate in a real chocolate factory!  This family run business have been making chocolate for over 15 years. They make crumbly fudge, coconut ice, lollipops, chocolates and toffees.  Visitors can learn how to pour and mould chocolates and finally decorate them, before taking them home.  The company also run Children’s parties. Temper Temper supports Fair Trade. 

Heritage steam railway traveling for 3½ miles through the pictureque Wealden countryside from Tunbridge Wells to High Rocks, via the village of Groombridge.  The railway runs different events throughout the year including Fish & Chip Specials & Real Ale Trains, Santa Specials and A Day Out with Thomas.

British Maritime History going back 400 years.  Set in 80 acres, the dockyard is home to 100 buildings and structures, most of which were built between 1704-1855.  As well as museums, historic maritime ships and submarines to see, there are also 17 RNLI vessels that have been used over the years to save lives.

The Orchard Theatre is conveniently located in the heart of Dartford’s town centre and attracts the latest and most sought after touring productions in the UK. We offer a range of entertainment from leading West End musicals, top comedians, bands, dramas and classical music and opera. And of course, our ever popular annual pantomimes. Dartford has been a busy market town with a rich history since the Romans. It plays host to a very popular and vibrant twice-weekly market within the town centre. The theatre opened in September 1982 and quickly gained a reputation as one of the country’s premier venues presenting a remarkable range of entertainment. During the twenty five years since its opening, The Orchard has enjoyed incredible success by opening its doors to some of the biggest and most respected names in the fields of arts and entertainment.

Opened on 19 July 1977 by HRH The Prince of Wales, The Churchill quickly established a reputation as a leading producing theatre. The Churchill’s policy is to present a comprehensive range of outstanding entertainment fulfilling the needs of local theatre-goers. The comfortable auditorium, seating up to 785, is fully air-conditioned and the theatre’s facilities include bars, refreshment kiosks and spacious foyers. The Churchill creates its own productions, receives touring productions and hosts local amateur companies. Many Churchill productions transfer to the West End whilst others tour nationally after leaving Bromley. Recent productions include This Is Elvis, a star-studded production of Heroes, Stuart Little, Strangers On A Train. ATG’s own producing theatre, Churchill productions are renowned for their excellence as well as for attracting leading actors including Joan Collins, Rula Lenska, David Essex, Susie Blake, Christopher Timothy, Lesley Joseph, Art Malik and Colin Baker.

Folkstone Racecourse is Kent's only horse racing venue.Surrounded by breathtaking scenery, Folkestone is host to overtwenty days of flat and national hunt racing a year.  Enjoy a day at the races in the Lookout Restaurant overlooking the course and you won't have to move from your seat.

14th February Valentine's and School's Out Race Day

29th February Kent National Day 

Buckmore Park has a 1200m international outdoor kart circuit suitable for anyone aged 4 upwards.  They have the largest fleet of hire-karts in the country. The circuit caters for all, whether it be an individual child or a corporate group of 280, with karts, quad bikes, Argocats, Argocats, Powerturn buggies and Laser Tag.

Set in 600 acres of parkland, Port Lympne is home to rhinos, tigers, elephants, lions, gorillas and many more animals. A safari will allow you to see giraffe, zebra and ostrich, or walk around the 15 acres of landscaped gardens.

Sightseeing trips from April to September and during school holidays.  Trips around historic harbours, Ramsgate Marina, seal spotting and wildlife watching.  Depending on the trip you choose trips last between 15 minutes to 1 1/2 hours.

For something a little different why not treat yourself to a traditional afternoon tea in the lounge of a luxury hotel, with possibly even a glass of champagne!  See our Afternoon Tea section under Eating Out, or click here , choose the county of your choice and find a hotel in a county suitable for you.

Drama, comedy, exhibitions, talks, dance and music are all staged at the Theatre Royal, Margate. The theatre dates from 1787 and was radically altered in 1874 by Jethro T. Robinson (father-in-law of Frank Matcham, the famous and prolific theatre architect who along with his two protégés are responsible for more than building 200 theatres before 1915). It is listed Grade II* and is sited within a conservation area. The Theatre Royal, sited at the north east corner of Hawley Square, was part of the planned expansion of the small town and port of Margate during the mid Georgian period. It was built to vie as a facility for the entertainment of the upper classes with the Assembly Rooms, Cecil Square (1770s), and the Circulating Library, Hawley Square (1786), both now demolished. The 1874 conversion marks the transition of the theatre from a Georgian boxed Playhouse into a Victorian Theatre. The stage was shortened and a second floor 'gallery' level added to the expanded auditorium. As well as welcoming some of the greatest acting 'stars' of the Victorian era, the theatre was the site of the first drama school in the country, the School of Acting opened by Sarah Thorne in 1885, and attended by a young Edward Gordon Craig, who went on to become the undisputed father of modern theatre design and was arguably the most important theatre practitioner to come out of Britain since Shakespeare.

Music, drama and comedy are just some of what is staged at the Assembly Halls, and often include some well known faces.