May Days! What’s on near you in the merriest month

Diary crisis over – fill your boots with our cultural picks for Kent in the merry month of May. Food, festivals, exhibitions, shows and plenty of fresh air.

MUDDY MAY OFFER

2-for-1 Reformer Pilates Class, MyTime, Penshurst, Mon 20 – Fri 25 May

Pay half the price and double the fun with a friend! Discover the health and wellness benefits of Reformer Pilates at Mytime in Penshurst just outside of Tunbridge Wells. This May, Mon 20 – Fri 25 to be exact, grab this special 2-for-1 deal where you and a friend can pop along to any class for the price of £25 – so only £12.50 each! It’s the perfect chance to motivate each other and try something new. So whether you’re looking to tone-up, build strength, improve your posture and become more flexible or just work on your mental health and being mindful through breath and moment. You’ll love this cosy and intimate class setting, suitable for all skill levels. Want in? Email sarahoffice@ytimepilates.co.uk to secure your spots.

FAMILY FUN

Weald of Kent Country Craft Show, Penshurst Place, Sat 4 – Mon 6 May

We’ve got the bank holiday fun sorted right here. Really soon Weald of Kent Country Craft Show returns for a weekend of great shopping, delicious food and family-fun. 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!

Spring Lambs, Mount Ephraim Gardens, Sat 5 – Mon 6 May

Spend the first May Bank Holiday at the beautiful Mount Ephraim Gardens near Faversham for a day out filled with family fun. Meet the farmer, see his lambs and find out more about sheep farming on the estate. Get up close and personal with the amazing little animals from Creepy Claws between 11:30am – 3:30pm. Then listen to storytelling from Raggedy Jack in the topiary at 12:30pm and 2pm. Just on Sunday only; don’t miss the fantastic falconry display at 1pm and 3pm. Capacity is limited so book your tickets online now.

May Day Weekend, Hever Castle, Sat 4 – Mon 6 May

There’s no short on fun here! Dance around the Maypole with brightly coloured ribbons intertwined and take part in an interactive traditional May Day play on the Castle forecourt. The Merry Men Players will enthral you with their rendition of King Arthur – Legend of the Sword. They are missing some of the main characters – can you help them tell their story? Look out for Robin Hood, Maid Marion, the Sheriff of Nottingham and Little John as you wander through the grounds and hear their tales. Then finish your day off with a themed face paint (£5). Plus there’s the Tudor Towers adventure playground and natural play area to explore after.

The Queen’s Joust, Leeds Castle, Sat 25 May

Don’t miss this exhilarating display of combat and action, elegant and unusual equestrian, and medieval living and feasting with The Queen’s Joust at Leeds Castle this May. Gasp at the first crash of lances, cheer as your favourite knight gallops past, and watch as England and France not only battle for the coveted cup, but more importantly, for the honour and attention of the queen. Who will win?

Need inspo for May Half Term? Watch this space for Muddy’s bumper guide!

FESTIVALS

She’s Electric, Chilston Park Hotel, Sun 19 May

Think you need to sacrifice sustainability for style? Think again. She’s Electric is coming to Kent on Sun 19 May at Chilston Park Hotel with the most stylish and sustainable brands out there, for women thinking bigger about sustainability and curious to know more about making the switch to driving electric. Experience cars provided by Tesla, browse the sustainable lifestyle brands in fashion, beauty, wellness and discover more. Even hear from female founders, sustainability champions and experts hosted by Jo Elvin, Former Editor-in-Chief of Glamour Magazine and Erin Baker, Vogue, Marie Claire & Vanity Fair automotive feature writer. Pop along for the morning or afternoon session and better yet tickets are free.

Hever Festival Theatre, from Sat 25 May

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.

Tunbridge Wells Literary Festival, Thurs 9 – Sun 12 May

If you fancy a fest that’ll tickle your brain, the Tunbridge Wells Literary Festival will do just the trick. There’s 60 events held in various venues across Tunbridge Wells set to spark every literary interest and for all ages. Immerse yourself in 4 days of talks, readings and lively discussions with renowned authors. If you’re a history buff there’s Tracy Borman or crave a heartfelt memoir there’s Michael Palin plus Rob Biddulph and Liz Pichon set to thrill younger audiences. What’s new for 2024 is a delightful culinary twist, meet award-winning chefs amidst the picturesque Calverley Grounds including Michelin-star chef Atul Kocchar and local faves Rosemary Shrager and Will Devlin.

Tenterden Food & Drink Festival, Fri 17 – Sun 19 May

Tenterden Food & Drink Festival is a firm favourite in the community calendar and now in its 8th year, it’s back with a great selection of local and international stalls of mouth-watering street food and live music, children’s entertainment and comedy to keep everyone entertained. It’s free to enter and held on spacious recreation ground close to the town centre – day trip anyone?

Spring Cider & Beer Festival, Fri 24 – Mon 27 May

Woolton Farm, home to award-winning craft cider Kentish Pip will be hosting a wonderful Spring Cider & Beer Festival for 4 days of live music, food, drink, craft stands and fête games over the bank holiday weekend. Freshly made pizza, BBQ and sweet treats from Beardy Baker will be served all day plus lots of fun with garden games, bouncy castle and face painting for the little ones. Adult tickets are £5pp (£10pp on the door) and under 18s go free. Tickets on sale now!

Scrumptious Food Festival, Bluewater, Sat 25 – Mon 27 May

Hello Bluewater’s first ever food and drink festival! Taking place under the marquee this May, you can expect delicious street food to artisanal stalls selling homeware and accessories plus celebrity chef demos and recipe book signings on the Big Cookery Stage. Celebrity chefs and bakers line-up to be announced soon so keep checking back here for the details.

Sankey’s Feast & Fizz Festival, Sat 18 – Sun 19 May

The hugely popular lip-smacking Gin & Jazz Festival is back on The Pantiles in Tunbridge Wells this May but with a slightly different name. Sankey’s Feast & Fizz Festival, hosted by Kenny Tutt, MasterChef champion, will have over 150 gins from over 30 local and national producers. Plus street food, live music, food demos and entertainment all weekend long. Open 11am – 10pm.

The Chatham Maritime Food & Drinks Festival, Sat 25 – Mon 27 May

Speaking of food, bring your appetite to Chatham Maritime for the annual Food & Drinks Festival. Over the late May bank holiday weekend, local producers, chefs and gastronomic gurus will be pitching up dockside with all sorts of delicious artisanal treats and it’ll be extra special as they celebrate its 10th anniversary of the festival. The highlight of the event is the Dragonboat Race on Sunday, great fun for all the family and free to enter.

Elderflower Fields, Ashdown Forest, Fri 24 – Mon 27 May

Ok not technically in Kent but right on the border in Ashdown Forest, you’ll find Elderflower Fields, the family festival that isn’t just all about the kids. There’s fun for everyone – hello gin bar and woodland spa. Most activities are centred around younger families, it’s what has made the festival award-winning after all. Think performances, sports, dance and art, some are supervised so you can head off to paddle board on the river or party. Speaking of, there’s a late night silent disco for everyone to enjoy.

CSP In The Park, Canterbury, Sat 4 – Sun 5 May

Canterbury’s original FREE to enter music and arts festival, CSP In The Park, returns 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!

OUTDOORS

Spring Craft Fair, Hever Castle, Thurs 16 – Sat 18 May

The Craft in Focus Spring Craft Fair returns to the stunning grounds at Hever Castle where over 4 days you’ll be able to discover around 140 curated exhibitors from the UK’s finest designer makers and contemporary artists. Open 9:30am – 5:30pm. 

Macknade’s charity dog show, Faversham, Mon 6 May

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, 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. 

The Kent Garden Show, Kent Showground, Delting, Sat 27 – Mon 27 May

Got a thing for flowers? See floral marquees with stunning floral displays and medal winners from Chelsea at The Kent Garden Show. Explore 300 exhibitors with a wide variety of gardening goods for sale from garden furniture, water features, garden sheds and buildings, tools, sculptures, bbqs and over 60 nurseries. Plus a craft pavilion, food hall, brass and children’s rides to enjoy.

FREE Outdoor Cinema, Folkestone Harbour Arm, Now – Sep

It’s getting to the time of year when outdoor cinema comes into its own, and we’re praying for dry weather for this lot at the fabulous Folkestone Harbour Arm. Catch fab cinema all month long with musical faves Grease, Mamma Mia! and Bohemian Rhapsody, paired with cult classics Clueless and The School of Rock. All screenings will take place at 7pm and are COMPLETELY FREE to enjoy.

ART & CULTURE

Rochester Art Fair, Rochester Corn Exchange, Fri 3 – Sun 5 May

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. 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 ready to be inspired.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Assembly Hall Theatre, Weds 29 May – Sat 1 June

TWODS Musicals are back with another musical extravaganza from this May at in Tunbridge Wells with Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Join Joseph on his extraordinary journey, filled with dazzling costumes, infectious music, and breathtaking dance numbers. This timeless tale of dreams, love, and forgiveness will captivate your heart and ignite your imagination. With its unforgettable songs like Any Dream Will Do and Go, Go, Go Joseph, this show will delight all ages.

The Freshwater Five, EM Forster Theatre, Weds 8 May

Fresh from a sell-out tour in 2023, this award-winning theatre company is back touring again so don’t miss it at the EM Forster Theatre in Tonbridge this May! This powerful new play incorporates spectacular storytelling, verbatim accounts, inventive stagecraft, poetry and song. Based on the true story of five fishermen on the Isle of Wight who were sentenced to a total of 104 years for conspiracy to import £53m worth of cocaine in 2011. They have always professed their innocence and it’s a tale that has long divided a community on the Isle of Wight. Speaking publicly about the case for the first time in more than 10 years the real-life Jamie Green, skipper of the Galwad-y-Mor and alleged ringleader of the biggest drug smuggling haul in British history, will appear in a post-show Q&A. If you’re after a theatre fix this month, we’d suggest heading here. Tickets are £16.

Cosy Crime with Paula Sutton, Sevenoaks Bookshop, Thurs 9 May

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. 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. You’re gonna want to book your tickets asap for this. Tickets from £12. 

Clare Pooley, Calverley Grounds, Tunbridge Wells, Sat 11 May

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. 

BOOK NOW

Literary Dinner with Tracy Borman, The Dog, Wingham, Weds 15 May 

Ever heard of a literary dinner? Neither have we! The Dog in Wingham invites Tracy Borman, royal historian, broadcaster and best-selling author on 15 May for a very special evening of historic literature and fabulous food. In her new book, Tracy tells the fascinating and poignant story of Anne Boleyn and their daughter Elizabeth I. Piecing together evidence from original documents and artefacts, she will throw dramatic new light on two of the most famous and controversial women in history. View the menu here, it’s a good’un! £60pp.

Ibiza Bliss Yoga Brunch, Sevenoaks, Fri 17 May

It’s back! A delicious treat for you, be greeted with some homemade tea and light nibbles then enjoy an hour of relaxing yoga with Yoga by Lucy, guaranteed to bring calm and restoration. Once you’re fully relaxed, enjoy an Ibiza-inspired, Mediterranean brunch demo from The Cooking Apple. You’ll feel set off the weekend and bring a friend if you fancy. Running 9:30am – midday. Held at St Mary’s Hall, Kippington. Tickets are £40.

Rare and Limited Still Wine Tasting and Lunch, Gusbourne, Fri 17 May

If wine is your bag, don’t miss Gusbourne’s latest event hosted at their boutique English winery sitting in the stunning Kent countryside of Appledore. Join them this May for their Still Wine Tasting and Lunch which includes a fascinating expert-hosted tasting followed by a delicious three-course lunch. £115pp.

Low Back Pain Workshop, SPN, Tunbridge Wells, Sun 12 May

It’s about time to get some self-care in this month so join SPN Founder, Jaime Cooke for a 2 hour transformative workshop which will focus on lower back pain. Learn how to strengthen your deep core and trunk muscles that weaken with back pain as well as learning to control your spinal position and movement. This workshop will give you the techniques you need to treat your lower back pain with amazing success at home complete with access to an accompanying YouTube video. Tickets are £30. Running 2 – 4pm.

Bionic Breathwork Class, SPN, Tunbridge Wells, Fri 3 May

Nourish by Naomi breathing wellness

Join Naomi’s Bionic Breathwork class with Sound Bath this May in Tunbridge Wells. Never heard of it? Bionic Breath is a scientifically proven transformative breathwork technique that utilises a conscious connected circular breathing pattern that’ll guide you into a deep theta brainwave state – you have to breathe it to believe it! You will breathe actively to music followed by integration meditation and relaxation with a sound bath. From 7:30pm. Tickets are £30.

Food Tips for Peri-Menopause & Menopause, Macknade, Faversham, Fri 17 May

Looking to understand more about your gut health or what to eat to balance your hormones? Then Wasted Kitchen’s ‘Bite Sized Nutrition’ Season with Virginia Hills Nutritionist at Macknade is for you! Grab a seat on Fri 17 May, 10am – 12pm, for the second of three Bite Sized Nutrition sessions: Food Tips for Peri-Menopause & Menopause. Join Katy from Wasted Kitchen and Nutritionist Virginia Hills to find out what a huge impact eating well in the run up to and during your menopause can have on your overall wellbeing and take away some easy and quick tips to kick-start you on your journey. Tickets are £30.

The Shopping Hub, Tunbridge Wells, Fri 17 & Sat 18 May

This May go meet Victoria Genevieve Styling as she’s launching The Shopping Hub 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. Book your slot on the hour from 11am – 4pm. £75pp. WhatsApp Victoria on 07894468490 to book your appointment.

FURTHER AFIELD

Royal Mews, open now, City of Westminster, London

Royal lustre, glittering coaches and a horse or two. Love the pomp and ceremony of royal events? Head straight for the Royal Mews – a working royal stables responsible for the King’s road travel. A stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace, you can get up close to the fairytale-like Gold State Coach used in coronations since 1821 and the Rolls Royce Phantom VI used in royal weddings. You can even climb aboard a reproduction landau for that essential photo opp, tack up a (wooden) pony, and ‘ooh and aah’ over the other carriages and shiny bits of kit. A great day out for all ages. Tickets: adults from £17, Kids (5-17yrs) from £8.50 and under 5s free. 

Racing Green hospitality at Silverstone, Fri 5 – Sun 7 July, Towcester, Northamptonshire

Planning to join the petrolheads, A list and Netflix film crews at this year’s Formula 1® Qatar Airways British Grand Prix 2024 at Silverstone? We’ve got an exclusive Muddy ticket offer where you only need to book the Sunday (the all-action day!) rather than the whole weekend.

Words by Mollie Manning

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