OUTDOORS

Spring makes a glorious entrance at Hever Castle with Dazzling Daffodils, a week-long celebration of the season’s most cheerful bloom from 16 – 22 March. Expect nearly 120,000 daffodils and 250,000 trumpet flowers carpeting the grounds in a spectacular display of colour, alongside guided garden tours with expert growers, floral demonstrations, castle displays and plenty of photo-worthy moments.

An exciting new season begins at Chiddingstone Castle, as they open their doors again from Thurs 12 March. This is one ticket that seriously delivers: your entry doubles as a golden pass for unlimited visits for an entire year. Step back inside to explore the House and eclectic Collections, refuel in the Tea Room and browse the Gift Shop, then time your visit for peak prettiness from 21 March when the Japanese cherry blossom trees are expected to be in full, camera-ready bloom.

FESTIVALS

Tunbridge Wells is about to get seriously stylish, as the town is set to host its very first Interior Design Festival on Thurs 12 – Sat 14 March. Turning the High Street into a three-day playground of interiors, lifestyle, and home brands. Local designers are throwing open their doors with pop-ups, installations, and endless inspiration for anyone ready to refresh their home. Think swoon-worthy sofas, clever storage, and statement pieces you didn’t even know you needed. Grab the interactive map, plan your route, and get ready to shamelessly indulge in a weekend of design, creativity, and serious home envy.

Colour, pan-Indian cuisine and a little live music? Yes please. Essence at The Pantiles by Atul Kochhar is getting ready for Holi on Tues 3 – Weds 4 March, and even @gordonmarkmusic is ready to sing Holi Hai. Expect his usual crowd-pleasing requests alongside a vibrant three-course feast (£41.95) with amuse bouche. Think prawn cutlet with mustard mayo and beetroot pickle, Alleppey fish masala, pan-seared seabream with egg masala curry and a decadent mithai platter to finish. Tables won’t hang around, you’ve been warned. Read the menu here.

GET CREATIVE

Enjoy an afternoon of relaxation and creativity in the Yotes Court Tasting Room with Paint & Sip on Sun 29 March. Local artist Eli will guide you through creating your very own springtime vineyard landscape, taking you step by step through the process — no experience is needed. There will be a break for refreshments where you can choose either a hot drink and cake or a glass of sparkling wine, with more wine available to buy throughout the session to toast to your artistic genius.

Discover the gentle, mindful craft of Willow Weaving with tutor, Mel Roberts at Hever Castle later on this month, Sat 21 March. These relaxed and friendly workshops offer you the chance to learn a new skill and tap into your inner creativity to create your very own Willow Dragonfly or Flower Wreath. No previous experience is necessary and all tools, materials and step-by-step guidance are provided to enable you to make something unique to take home with you. Only £55pp.

Kent Cookery School’s classes have been extremely popular this month, but there are still some places left to fill. Take your taste buds on a world tour and start by learning to make crispy wings and delicious side dishes at Wings & Things (Fri 6 March), then Couples Cooking Italian (Sat 14 March), Taste of India (Sun 22 March), or perhaps Baking 101 (Sun 29 March).

STAGE

The Marlowe Theatre have got an incredible comedy lineup this March so get your diaries to hand. Starting strong with the hilarious Sue Perkins and her show The Eternal Shame of Sue Perkins (Sun 8 March), Ross Noble with Cranium of Curiosities (Tues 10 March), Sara Pascoe with I Am a Strange Gloop (Thurs 12 March), Harry Enfield and No Chums (Sat 14 March), Ardal O’Hanlon: Not Himself (Sun 15 March) and, finally, Jessica Fostekew: Iconic Breath (Thurs 26 March).

West End star, TV favourite and all-round icon Denise Van Outen heads to the Hazlitt Theatre for one night only on Tues 17 March for an intimate evening of stories, laughs and behind-the-scenes sparkle. Tickets are £35, with limited meet and greet bolt on £31 tickets available, book asap.

KIDS

Planning that all-important first family theatre trip? Everybody’s favourite pink icon is on tour with the Peppa Pig Live: Peppa Pig Big Family Show! Scoot over The Woodville in Gravesend to catch Peppa and gang from Fri 13 – Sat 14 March. It’s a shiny new production – and this time, there’s a baby on the way. With a big family update looming, Peppa, George, Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig have a house full of decorating, building and general oinktastic chaos to tackle (and yes, they’ll need a little help from the audience). Packed with songs, silliness and plenty of muddy-puddle energy, it’s a bright, gentle introduction to theatre for little ones. Just bring your anoraks – we’ll say no more than that.

Creative Club is back at the Gulbenkian Arts Centre this Sun 29 March. Join Animate Arts for an afternoon of craft inspired by the themes of the afternoon’s family film. Making just about anything from paper and cardboard is Animate Arts Company’s superpower – their workshops at bOing! Festival are always a huge hit.

WELLBEING

Two females walking in the beautiful grounds at Mount Ephraim Gardens on a bright sunny, day.

Mount Ephraim Gardens nestled in Faversham has launched a new programme of Women’s Wellness Weekends designed to encourage rest, reconnection and calm. Set across 10 acres of Edwardian gardens, these two-night retreats include accommodation, delicious meals, yoga, massage and reflexology, sauna sessions and time to explore the estate. Don’t miss their special one-night Mother’s Day Retreat on Sat 14 March, the perfect gift or shared experience. Book this asap.

Who’s up for a feel-good 5K and a seriously tasty brunch? Lace up and join Zone 2 on Sat 7 March for their Run & Brunch – the perfect excuse to get those miles in and reward yourself properly after. Think steady pace and plenty of fresh air. You’ll loop back to Macknade around 9:30 where an exclusive, locally sourced brunch will be waiting for you. Yes, you absolutely earned it. Whether you’re chasing a new goal or just in it for the post-run pastries, definitely check it out, only £12pp.

Celebrate the Equinox on Sun 22 March with the most gorgeous Day Retreat at FLOW Yoga in Tunbridge Wells. The day will be spent expanding into effortless movement, free conscious breathing, grounded meditation and a little spark of imagination and mystery. If the weather allows, you will spend time moving between the Flow garden and studio, soaking up the natural light and seasonal rhythms – the perfect detox in time for Spring.

FOOD & DRINK

Join LIME TREE WORK SHOP for their Exploring Sparkling Wine & Champagne with Wine Savvy evening on Thurs 12 March. Rosé, Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noirs, NV, Vintage… These are examples of some of the styles of wine you will cover in this extensive fizz tasting. In the line-up of wines to taste Champagnes will be joined by Sparkling Wines from other countries such as our very own from England. £55pp.

It’s finally time for Battle of the Wines: Chapel Down vs The World on Sat 21 March, a fun and interactive blind wine-tasting experience where three Chapel Down wines will go head to head against three surprise challengers from around the world. Expect great wine, friendly competition, plenty of laughs, and zero wine snobbery. Your £45 ticket will include a blind tasting of 6 wines, a short tour of the winery, wine quiz and lots of nibbles.

Head over to Squerryes for a spectacular evening on Fri 20 March for Battle of the Bottles, where great wines meet sporting rivalry. Estate Owner Henry Warde and TV wine expert Tom Surgey will go head-to-head in the ultimate tasting showdown. Expect a laughter-filled evening set over three fast-paced rounds (white, red & wild card). For each round, contenders have each selected a wine, paired with a three-course menu. Tom & Henry have two minutes each to convince you that theirs is indeed the better wine, in a lively contest for your approval. Who will be the winner? Your vote decides.

Macknade is raising a glass this March with two unmissable wine events: on Sat 14 March, The Wine Garden of England Evening pairs five standout Kent vineyards – Squerryes, Chapel Down, Yotes Court, Simpsons and Domaine Evremond – with a beautifully curated five-course tasting menu by Head Chef Karolina Patra (£75pp). Followed by the launch of their new Iberian series, A Taste of Catalonia, on Fri 20 March, exploring everything from Rioja and Ribera del Duero to Portugal’s fortified wines, beginning in vibrant Catalonia, where tradition and innovation meet.

MOTHER’S DAY

If quality time is top of the list, MyTime Pilates is hosting a special Mother’s Day beginner reformer class on Sun 15 March at 10am, in their gorgeous studio in Penshurst just outside of Tunbridge Wells. Designed for mum and daughter/son for £50 per couple and is the perfect introduction to Reformer Pilates in a supportive setting. It’s a studio we genuinely rate, where Bea and her team are known for delivering real results in a friendly, welcoming atmosphere.

Discover, shop, and treat yourself at LIME TREE WORK SHOP’s Pop-Up Shopping Day on Sat 7 March. Browse over 20 amazing independent brands, from personalised leather goods and stylish ladies’ clothing to handbags, jewellery, cards & prints, beautiful homeware, Mother’s Day gifts, and even permanent jewellery. Plus, hand-baked artisan bread, focaccia, scones, brownies, cakes, and cookies – straight from the oven and utterly irresistible. Entry is completely free!

Grab the lead and join Macknade for a social dog walk in the beautiful Faversham countryside this Mother’s Day with their Fur Baby Walk on Sun 15 March. Enjoy a relaxed and friendly 45-minute (3k) out-and-back stroll – plenty of time for wagging tails, happy chats and a good dose of fresh country air, the perfect quality time for you and Mum.

Kent & East Sussex Railway will be running their gorgeous steam trains on both Sat 14 – Sun 15 March, with the additional option of scrumptious refreshments to savour along with the glorious Wealden landscape, aboard the Rother Valley Limited. Choose from a Ploughman’s lunch on the Saturday and either Afternoon Tea or a Cream Tea on Mothering Sunday itself. Book now to avoid disappointment.

Willow & Sage in Cranbrook want to treat your and your mum this Mother’s Day, inviting you either to a gorgeous brunch (10am – 12pm) or Afternoon Tea & Sunday Roast (12pm – 3pm) on Sun 15 March. We also thing their Sweet Sharing Platter (£20 per person including a glass of Buck’s Fizz) is looking particularly tempting.

March on! 30 things to do locally this month

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