From lavish mansions to prison quarters, all aspects of Kent’s history will be on show in this year’s Heritage Open Days event, which offers free access to properties that are usually closed to the public or normally charge for admission. What's On previews some of the new attractions to sign up for the scheme.

It has been 200 years since Jane Austen wrote Pride and Prejudice, and to mark the anniversary, a weekend of events is taking place at one of her favourite places, Godmersham Park, near Canterbury.

A feast of music, food and dance with an international flavour will be on offer at the 11th Maidstone Mela.

Enjoy the last of the summer sunshine with open-air movie screenings of Casablanca and Blues Brothers this weekend. Cinema enthusiasts will also enjoy the Swale Film Festival, taking place in Sittingbourne.

Cherubic Geordie teen Joe McElderry won the hearts of the nation in 2009 when he was crowned as an X Factor winner and four years on he is still going strong, with four albums under his belt and record sales of more than two million. He chats to What's On ahead of a one-off Kent gig.

The first Kent Dancing festival twirls into Canterbury this weekend, aimed at offering an accessible yet innovative programme of dance shows, workshops and cinema. And there is something for everyone, from ballroom dance training to a screening of rare dance films and the opportunity to try Dad Dancing.

There are also £200 of free bulbs and seeds for every reader.

And we have a bumper bundle of prizes to be won, including:

- A Christmas party for 10 people at Kent County Showground

- Four family tickets to Battle Abbey

- A pizza party for up to 20 children at Frankie & Benny's

- Three pairs of West End comedy tickets

- 10 Roar and React Boris Dinosaur Train toys