Dickens’ Bicentenary has inspired a month of things to do for this year’s Discover Gravesham Festival. Kieran Watkins reports.

Discover the wealth of history in Gravesend and the surrounding towns at the annual Discover Gravesham festival.

This year’s theme for the festival coincides with the national bicentenary celebrations of English writer and former resident Charles Dickens. Dickens lived in the country home of Gads Hill Place, Higham, near Gravesend.

Not only did he write many of his most famous novels there, including Great Expectations which features a reference to Gravesend, but Gads Hill was also the scene for his death on June 9, 1870.

Visitors can see more than 20 different exhibitions and events. Launched earlier this month at the Grade I listed building, now a school, supporters of the festival were on hand to launch the month long celebrations.

Deputy Major Councillor Lyn Milner said: “Each year we welcome thousands of visitors to the festival events and this is a very special year.

“We have a great deal to offer with the Dickens bicentenary which provides the cornerstone of many of the festival events.”

Kicking off the festival will be A Dickens of a Time exhibition, on Tuesday, May 1, followed by events such as guided tours of Cobham Hall, a concert from the Matinee Singers and a chance to sample wine at Meopham Valley Vineyard.

In July and August, there will also be the chance for the public to tour Gads Hall, which will showcase various artefacts on loan by the Dickens Museum in London, to round off the 2012 festival.

Don't miss at the festival this week:

» A small group of people will get the chance to see the Royal Terrace Pier and its lifeboat station. The RNLI will also show guests its boat and families can meet the crew in Gravesend on Wednesday, May 2 at 11am and 3pm. Tickets £2.

» An exhibition will be held at the Towncentric centre, celebrating the life of Charles Dickens. Hosted by the Gravesend Art Group and the Gravesend Historical Association, A Dickins of a Time exhibition will start on Tuesday, May 1 and will last till the end of the month. Open Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm. Free to the public.

» Taste different types of wine including rose and sparkling, along with grape juice by signing up for a tour of Meopham Valley. The organic vineyard, run by a local couple, will be open on Wednesday, May 2 and Friday, May 4 from 11.30am to 1pm. Tickets £2.

The Discover Gravesham Festival 2012 runs throughout May, starting on Tuesday, May 1. Events are priced individually, with many events free. Call 01474 337600 or visit Towncentric on St George’s Square, Gravesend. Details on www.gogravesham.co.uk