25 fun things to do this Feb in Kent
You made it through January! Your reward? A jam-packed February of standout theatre, breakthrough art, huge comedy tours, and much much more. It’s a good job the days are getting longer…
OUTDOORS
Snowdrop Walk, Hever Castle, from 7 Feb
It’s officially snowdrop season! So go and marvel at the stunning white blooms on Hever Castle’s ‘Snowdrop Walk’ where over 140,000 snowdrops bulbs have been planted. Spring is on its way.
Pooch Passport, Scotney Castle, Lamberhurst, until 29 Feb
Have dog, will walk? Let your furry friend complete their National Trust Pooch Passport and they’ll win a FREE bag of tasty Forthglade dog treats. Running at 19 selected National Trust properties across Kent, South East and London. Bring your pooch to Scotney Castle, pick up your Passport, get your first stamp and enjoy a walk in the garden and estate. Visit and collect 5 more stamps to claim the prize.
ART & LITERATURE
Beyond Form: Lines of Abstraction, Turner Contemporary, Sat 3 Feb – Mon 6 May
Art goggles at the ready? We’re excited about Turner Contemporary’s new major exhibition coming this Spring. Bringing together the work of over 50 women from across the globe through a shared language of radical abstraction, in the twenty years following World War II. Guest curated by Dr Flavia Frigeri, the exhibition will examine how, through abstract forms, women pushed the boundaries of artmaking while tackling seismic cultural, social, and political shifts. The exhibition will include sculptures by Mária Bartuszová, Louise Bourgeois, Eva Hesse, and Hannah Wilke. Better yet, it’s free to enter.
Paint & Pour, The Alex, Faversham, Tues 6 Feb
Fancy having a go at something yourself? Visit The Alex in Faversham for a healthy dollop of creativity, community and wine! This is a fun class of pottery painting, starting at 7pm til 9pm. Adults only, groups welcome. Get stuck in!
Faversham Literary Festival, The Alex, Fri 16 – Sun 25 Feb
Bookish babes, dust off your Lit degree and beeline it for the Faversham Literary Festival, for a week-long programme of eclectic, thought-provoking, and fun events from talks to poetry slams and writing workshops. Highlights include; Rosemary Shrager (16 Feb), Rod Edmond (17 Feb), Penny Chrimes (17 Feb), Dame Kelly Holmes (25 Feb), Holly McNish with the opening night of The Lobster Tour (24 Feb), and lots more!
Bookclub with Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀, Sevenoaks Bookshop, Tues 27 Feb
Award-winning Sevenoaks Bookshop is back with another evening book club, this time to discuss the Booker Prize longlisted novel, A Spell of Good Things, and the author herself. It’s a dazzling story of modern Nigeria and two families caught in the riptides of wealth, power, romantic obsession, and political corruption. Evening starts at 7pm. Tickets for the event and book are £15.
MUSIC & THEATRE
The Vaccines, Dreamland, Margate, Sun 11 Feb
Coming to Margate are The Vaccines with their highly anticipated tour and performing songs from their sixth album, Pick-Up Full of Pink Carnations. Don’t get FOMO, book asap.
Showstopper! The Improved Musical, EM Forster Theatre, Fri 23 Feb
Spontaneous musical comedy at its absolute finest! Coming direct from the West End to EM Forster Theatre in Tonbridge. With fourteen years as an Edinburgh Fringe must-see phenomenon, a BBC Radio 4 series, a critically acclaimed West End run and an Olivier Award to their name, The Showstoppers have delighted audiences across the globe. A brand new musical is created from scratch at each performance of this show as audience suggestions are transformed on the spot into all-singing, all-dancing productions with hilarious results. So whether you fancy Hamilton in a hospital or Sondheim in the Sahara, you suggest it and The Showstoppers will sing it!
Richard Jones, The Hazlitt Theatre, Sun 18 Feb
The only ever magician to win Britain’s Got Talent, Lance Corporal Richard Jones is bringing his sell-out show to Kent. Prepare to be mesmerised by this world-class celebrity magician and mind reader.
FOOD & DRINK
Chocolate Truffle Making Workshops, Weds 7 & Sun 11 Feb
Make this Valentine’s Day one to remember with these delicious workshops with Molly Davey, founder of Atelier Chocolates. Molly honed her skills at many renowned establishments, including Michelin-star restaurants where she creates chocolates in small batches, using classic patisserie techniques and innovative flavours. So join her this February at Kin Coffee in Staplehurst (Weds 7 Feb, 4:30 – 6:30pm) or the ever-glamorous Fitzgerald Jewellers in Canterbury (Sun 11 Feb, 5-7pm).
Tickets include a drink of your choice, an in-depth chat about all things chocolate, a chocolate tasting and your very own gift-wrapped box of 12 truffles to either devour on the day or take home. Limited availability so book asap.
An Evening with Simpsons Wine, The Truffle Pig, Hythe, Fri 9 Feb
Indulge in a culinary extravaganza through an exclusive food and wine tasting event hosted by The Truffle Pig Hythe and Simpsons’ English Wine Estate. Enjoy an exclusive 7-course menu expertly paired with 10 wines from English and French vines from Simpsons’ and Domaine Sainte Rose their French Vineyard. Tables can be booked from 6:30pm to 7:30pm. £95pp.
Dreamland Food Event, Bowley’s at The Plough, Thurs 22 Feb
Step back in time for a dreamland fairground-inspired tasting menu, Bowley’s restaurant at The Plough in Trottiscliffe will transform into a culinary carnival, where each dish is a delightful surprise. Revel in the fun, festive ambience as you savour these whimsical creations in a setting that transports you back to the enchantment of Dreamland. Evening starts from 7:30pm. Take a look at the menu here. £80pp.
The First Vintages Masterclass and Lunch, Gusbourne, Sat 24 Feb
It’s 20 years since Gusbourne first planted their vines, so join them for The First Vintages Masterclass and Lunch to celebrate this landmark. Enjoy a special tasting of their oldest vintages followed by a three-course lunch. £115pp.
WELLBEING
Spa & Yoga Retreat, Green Farm, Fri 16 & Sun 18 Feb
Head to Green Farm nestled in Shadoxhurst near Ashford for your next reboot, it’s loved by those in-the-know and a slice of pure escapism pie. It’s a luxury accommodation, boutique spa and farm estate in the heart of the Kent countryside. There’s only 1 space remaining for their Spa & Yoga Retreat, Fri 16 – Sun 18 Feb, the 2-night weekend retreat with spa, yoga, country walks, relaxation and healthy food. Or if you only have a day to spare this February, sign up for the Yoga Day Retreat on Sun 18 Feb for a day of restoration, health and wellbeing with yoga, spa, nature and homemade food. Combined with relaxing country walks and ESPA spa treatments.
COMEDY
We could all use a good laugh in February (it’ll keep us warm without cranking the heating up, surely) – here’s where to find the funny this month.
Coming to The Assembly Hall Theatre there’s… The World According to Kaleb (9 Feb) from Clarkson’s Farm and Rob Brydon (23 Feb).
The Gulbenkian Arts Centre will see Seann Walsh (17 Feb) and Trinity Theatre welcomes Pete Firman (23 Feb).