Kent


<p>Tucked away behind ancient walls, a few steps from Tonbridge High Street you&#8217;ll find a medieval venue with a host of events to enjoy this summer. Don’t miss a bumper year of fun including outdoor theatre, artisan markets, music concerts and food festivals. Here&#8217;s what&#8217;s on&#8230;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-music">1. MUSIC</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="999" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/tonbridge-castle-5.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-115317" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/tonbridge-castle-5.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/tonbridge-castle-5-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/tonbridge-castle-5-1000x666.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/tonbridge-castle-5-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/tonbridge-castle-5-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Get ready for a summer full of live tunes at Tonbridge Castle. Enjoy the vibe of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tonbridgecastle.org/events/event/120/riverwalk-music" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Riverwalk Music Festival</a>&nbsp;every Friday evening as it returns for its 4th year. From&nbsp;now until&nbsp;<strong>1 Sep</strong>, bringing an incredible lineup of live performances from jazz, pop, DJs and more along the scenic riverside. And from<strong>&nbsp;27 July – 24 Aug</strong>, the castle’s Bailey Lawn comes alive every Sunday with big band music from local groups delivering a vibrant mix of favourites from the Swing era to today – perfect for relaxing picnics or leisurely afternoons with friends and family.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-foodies">2. FOODIES</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/tonbridge-castle-4.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-115314" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/tonbridge-castle-4.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/tonbridge-castle-4-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/tonbridge-castle-4-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/tonbridge-castle-4-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/tonbridge-castle-4-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Tantalise your taste buds at this year’s fabulous&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tonbridgecastle.org/events/event/98/artisan-market" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tonbridge Castle Artisan Market</a>&nbsp;on&nbsp;<strong>27 July and 24 Aug</strong> and monthly, until November. From 10am to 4pm, explore a mix of indoor and outdoor stalls showcasing handcrafted arts and crafts, indulgent sweet treats, luxurious beauty products, to name a few. Best of all, it’s free entry &#8211; so why not extend your Sunday with a riverside stroll? Plus popular <a href="https://www.tonbridgecastle.org/events/event/118/food-and-drink-festival" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tonbridge Food and Drink Festival</a>, held at Tonbridge Racecourse Sportsground returns from <strong>6 &#8211; 7 Sep</strong>. Enjoy a delicious variety of street food, local drinks, and gourmet treats in a lively festival atmosphere. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-open-air-theatre">3. OPEN AIR THEATRE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/tonbridge-castle-6.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-115318" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/tonbridge-castle-6.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/tonbridge-castle-6-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/tonbridge-castle-6-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/tonbridge-castle-6-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/tonbridge-castle-6-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>This summer, Tonbridge Castle hosts some truly unique theatre experiences. On <strong>26 July</strong>, Four Forty Theatre returns with a raucous double bill: a retelling of <a href="https://www.tonbridgecastle.org/events/event/105/much-ado-about-nothing-and-macbeth" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Much Ado About Nothing</em> and <em>Macbeth – The Comedy</em></a><em>!</em> Both plays are performed in one night by just four actors, each lasting around forty minutes, promising a fun and fast-paced theatrical feast. Following that, on <strong>6 Aug</strong>, award-winning Illyria returns with <em><a href="https://www.tonbridgecastle.org/events/event/108/pride-and-prejudice-at-tonbridge-castle" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pride and Prejudice</a></em>, celebrating Jane Austen’s 250th birthday with their sparkling, much-loved adaptation after seven sell-out seasons.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-little-ones">4. LITTLE ONES</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="961" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/tonbridge-castle-2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-106653" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/tonbridge-castle-2.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/tonbridge-castle-2-800x513.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/tonbridge-castle-2-1000x641.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/tonbridge-castle-2-400x256.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/tonbridge-castle-2-768x492.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>If you’re looking for a fun family day out, <a href="https://www.tonbridgecastle.org/visit?categoryId=2">Tonbridge Castl</a><a href="https://www.tonbridgecastle.org/visit?categoryId=2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">e</a>&nbsp;has lots to offer and is pet friendly, so four legged friends can come too. Explore the great hall, basement and gatehouse – go back 900 years, as you climb the ramparts and winding staircases (don’t miss the views from the top). Immerse yourself in a medieval world with a self-guided tour and a colourful activity sheet for the kids. And after all that, you’ll can kick back and enjoy a coffee and an ice cream or bring your own picnic to have around the castle grounds. Extend your outing with a stroll around the town and its riverside setting. This summer, families can also enjoy special events including the child-friendly&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tonbridgecastle.org/events/event/117/kent-fire-and-rescue---water-safety-day" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kent Fire and Rescue Water Safety Day</a>&nbsp;on&nbsp;<strong>29 &amp; 30 July,</strong>&nbsp;promoting important water safety through fun, hands-on activities, which little ones will love.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-upcoming-fun">5. UPCOMING FUN</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="999" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/tonbridge-castle-2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-115316" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/tonbridge-castle-2.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/tonbridge-castle-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/tonbridge-castle-2-1000x666.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/tonbridge-castle-2-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/tonbridge-castle-2-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p><a href="https://www.tonbridgecastle.org/events/event/74/tonbridge-pride" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tonbridge Pride</a> returns on <strong>Sat 9 Aug</strong>, offering a free, lively community celebration featuring a mid‑day parade through town, live music, performers, stalls, family-friendly art and activities, river‑walk markets and a long, inclusive festival atmosphere from afternoon into the evening. Then on <strong>7 Sep</strong>, alongside the popular Food &amp; Drink Festival, you can enjoy the <a href="https://www.tonbridgecastle.org/events/event/75/dragon-boat-race" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tonbridge Dragon Boat Race</a> which brings colourful, high‑energy racing along the River Medway as teams paddle in unison, accompanied by riverside food stalls, spectator support and festival vibes.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.tonbridgecastle.org/visit"><em>tonbridgecastle.org</em></a></p>


Tonbridge Castle: 5 reasons it’s the centre of our social scene this summer

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