Newsflash! Coming in hot with the latest goings’ on
Psst! We’ve got the latest goss. Bank holiday inspo, author events and plenty of ways to treat yourself now the kids are in school – read all about it!
BANK HOLIDAY FUN
We’ve got the bank holiday fun sorted right here. Really soon Weald of Kent Country Craft Show returns to Penshurst Place for a weekend of great shopping, delicious food and family-fun on Sat 4 – Mon 6 May. Explore over 150 independent stall holders selling beautiful handmade jewellery, homewares, clothing, plus enjoy delicious gourmet street food and drinks whilst soaking up the stunning surroundings and atmosphere. There’s also classic children’s fairground rides, live musicians, interactive craft workshops, falconry displays, laser clay pigeon shooting and even axe-throwing! Kids go FREE and tickets are only £8 til Sun 28 April so book asap.
Dog lovers! Make the most out of the long weekend and help support a wonderful charity at the same time by joining Macknade’s charity dog show on Mon 6 May, in aid of Happy Endings Rescue, a local charity caring for animals who have been abandoned or neglected. Between 10am – 4pm, your furry friend could win a prize in categories such as Best Costume, Waggiest Tail or Best Trick. Don’t forget to enter your dog in your chosen category in advance via their website. Pop along to cheer on your favourite dogs, enjoy delicious food from the Food Village and Swale Barn Vets will also be offering free dental examinations on the day.
Canterbury’s original FREE to enter music and arts festival, CSP In The Park, returns over Sat 4 – Sun 5 May in Dane John Gardens. This promises to be a fab May Day Bank Holiday weekend brimming with vibrant music, art and culture festivities, hosting both national and local talent, excellent international food vendors and a bar serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Expect full brass-bands, spoken-word poets to DJs, comedians and musicians. Whether it’s spending quality time with family, lounging on the grass with a cold drink, dancing away to a DJ or trying some of Kent’s tastiest street food – you won’t want to miss CSP in The Park!
Interested in art, but certainly no expert? Get ready to immerse yourself in a world of creativity and inspiration at the Rochester Art Fair at the historic Rochester Corn Exchange that returns Fri 3 – Sun 5 May. With an array of stunning, original artwork on display, this is the perfect opportunity to browse and buy unique pieces that will add a touch of cool, uniqueness to your home. Get your tickets now and get ready to be inspired.
ARTS & CULTURE
Join Sevenoaks Bookshop for an evening of Cosy Crime with cottage core queen Paula Sutton of Hill House Vintage hosted by multi-award winning journalist Marianne Jones on Thurs 9 May. We adore Paula’s Instagram filled with gorgeous country interiors, gardens, frocks, flowers and her adorable dachshund, Lady Dashwood. Well now giving Miss Marple a run for her money in the 21st century is Paula’s entry into the genre of ‘cosy crime’, her new book The Potting Shed Murder is an unputdownable whodunnit that takes place – you guessed it – in a potting shed, in the sleepy village of Pudding Corner. Perfect for fans of Richard Osman, Janice Hallett and Richard Coles. You’re gonna want to book your tickets asap for this. Tickets from £12.
On the subject of authors, don’t miss the chance to meet Clare Pooley in Calverley Grounds, part of The Tunbridge Wells Literary Festival to discuss her books The Sober Diaries and How to Age Disgracefully on Sat 11 May. Clare Pooley is a blogger, public speaker and New York Times bestselling author from London, she’ll be answering questions led by Louise Jameson on both books and how her heartfelt memoir has helped so many people.
Returning for another year is Hever Festival Theatre (with a brand new theatre following storm damage last year) a beautiful summer-long outdoor festival that hosts a fantastic range of entertainment with musical and theatre performances from jazz, opera, family-fun and comedy. Running from May to September, all nestled in the enchanting gardens of Hever Castle. Kicking the festival off is the stunning five-piece band Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Dynamos who will be performing songs from the 70s and 80s for one night only on Sat 25 May at 8pm on the Two Sisters’ Lawn. See the full line-up here and start booking your tickets stat.
Don’t miss this mesmerising solo art exhibition by Margate-based artist Catherine Chinatree on Thurs 25 April at Albion House, Ramsgate. Inspired by her daily sea baths at Walpole Bay Tidal Pool, she explores the emotional, spiritual, and physical responses to cold water immersion. Join this celebratory evening with sea-salty Margaritas in hand, view some gorgeous art and enjoy Sophie Stirling on the decks. Make sure you RSVP soon.
TREAT YOURSELF
It’s time to spring clean and give your spring/summer wardrobe a refresh so you need to meet personal shopper, stylist and presenter Victoria Genevieve of Victoria Genevieve Styling as she’s launching The Shopping Hub on Fri 17 & Sat 18 May at One Warwick Park, Tunbridge Wells. This exclusive shopping experience will only be open twice a month or upon request for 1-1 sessions and small groups and it’ll be your one-stop-shop for all your styling needs.
Shop and try on gorgeous pieces from big online retailers, department stores and boutiques such as; Net-A-Porter, Fenwick and Kitch Clothing and you can even rent from her very own Genevieves Wardrobe Dress Rental Agency. You’ll be given a 1.5 hour shopping window and during that time you can try on as much as you like, discuss items you’d like to buy and place orders with Victoria on the day.
You can even bring in any items you’re struggling with or can’t make work in your current wardrobe, bringing to life what you already own. Save time, money and not only buy less but buy better! Book your slot on the hour from 11am – 4pm. £75pp. WhatsApp Victoria on 07894468490 to book your appointment.
This April you’ve the perfect chance to experience this rustic boutique spa with the Green Farm Garden Open Morning on Thurs 25 April. Don’t miss exploring the 15th-century farmhouse, self-catered barn accommodation and conservation-focused working farm and see what this beautiful slice of Kent countryside has to offer.
For just £30pp, your day will consist of a Gut Health talk from their house Nutritional Therapist & Naturopath Alice Yeates at 10am. Enjoy a 25min ESPA treatment of your choice from back or scalp massage, personalised express facial or a file and paint. Get a tour of the Spa, Garden & Grounds, enjoy nibbles and tea and coffee and gain a free entry to their raffle – you could just win a 50% off discount on a spa treatment in May!
Muddy award-winning Yoga Studio, Flow Tunbridge Wells has teamed up with Chafford Park to offer you the most luxurious, bespoke wellbeing escapes, here in the heart of Kent. Running throughout the year, you can choose from short midweek retreats, that easily fit within the school drop-off and pick-up, or longer day retreats to invest in your physical and mental health. The perfect opportunity to prioritise your wellbeing and perfectly handcrafted to give you that ‘just back from holiday’ feeling whilst going unnoticed by the kids or the other half. What’s not to love? See what’s coming up and book your spot now!
Just over the border in the sandy dunes of Camber Sands is one-of-kind sophisticated seaside stay, The Gallivant. Want an excuse to visit? There’s only a handful of dates left in April for The Gallivant’s gorgeously curated B Restored Spa Day at their Bamford Spa (above) that includes welcome refreshments, a 60min private yoga class, 60min full body massage and a two-course seasonal lunch. Just £220 for two people. Blisssss. Book online now for their last dates; Fri 19, Weds 24 or Thurs 25 April.
WEDDINGS
Fancy getting married in Margate? Say ‘I do’ beside the seaside and visit the Turner Contemporary Wedding Fair on Sat 27 & Sun 28 April. Held in the sunlit, seafacing Foyle Rooms with uninterrupted sea views, this inclusive event is for all couples seeking a unique way to get wed. Find your perfect photographer, ethical florals, that one-of-a-kind dress designer and handmade table decor by coastal creatives. Open from 11am – 4pm. Entry is free.
COMING SOON
Diaries out! Head to Rochester Castle Live on Fri 5 – Sun 7 July for a belter of a weekend filled with fab music where there’s not 1 but 3 festivals to enjoy. The weekend kicks off with Downtown Festival, headlined by the Kaiser Chiefs. Then Superboxx Festival will be bringing the very best of 90’s pop and club artists such as Eternal, Bewitched, Rozalla and Phats & Small performing live plus Radio 1’s Ricky & Melvin, DJ Luck and MC Neat, Baby D and more pumping out the retro 90’s floor fillers on Sat 6 July. The momentous weekend will draw to a close on Sun 7 July with Uptown Festival’s reggae, funk-fuelled music line- up, headlined by 80’s band UB40 featuring Ali Campbell with special guests Maxi Priest, The Marley Experience and DJ/MC General Levy. Phew! Book your tickets asap to this.
The UK’s best country music festival, Black Deer is returning to Eridge Park in Tunbridge Wells on Fri 14 – Sun 16 June. Headlining 2024 is country superstar, Sheryl Crow alongside UK festival exclusive guitar virtuoso Joe Bonamassa and JUST ANNOUNCED is Sunday headliner Rufus Wainwright! It’s a barn-storming three-day fest of live music, late-night parties, vintage vehicles, outdoor pursuits and foodie delights.
Celebrating 10 years of family summer fun, the annual International festival, bOing! will be back on Sat 24 – Sun 25 Aug, welcoming the most innovative and exciting performers across Europe to the Gulbenkian Arts Centre in Canterbury. It now attracts over 12,000 people each year and remains completely free to enter with only indoor performances ticketed at £6. This summer you’ll be treated to the usual medley of high quality family theatre, energetic outdoor performances, great live music and creative workshops. Go see what’s on and start planning your fun now.
Words by Mollie Manning