More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Christmas isn't far away and all the county's attractions have opened their doors. Here's what'll get you feeling festive this weekend across Kent:
MAGICAL MEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS, CANTERBURY
The Magical Medieval Christmas finally arrives at the Canterbury attraction in Margaret Street on Saturday, December 15 and Sunday, December 16. The time travelling adventure returns with Santa being transported back into the Middle Ages - and young adventurers need to save him and bring him back in time for Christmas.
There will be songs, games and dressing up, plus a visit to the grotto and a gift for each child. Entry is £10.95, £13.95 for children, with £5 for under twos. The experience has been created and written by Callum Donnelly, of CBeebies’ Spotbots and Justin’s House for the second year running. To find out more, visit canterburytales.org.uk or call 01227 696 002.
FATHER CHRISTMAS, GROOMBRIDGE PLACE
Good things come to those who wait and if you’d been waiting for Father Christmas to arrive at picturesque Groombridge Place, near Tunbridge Wells, he’s finally arrived!
Santa and his elves have stopped off at the historic house and grounds and will be there every weekend and then every day between Thursday, December 20 and Sunday, December 23. Alongside a visit to Father Christmas, there will be face painting and crafts. Tickets to see Father Christmas need to be booked online, with a 15-minute slot costing £11.95. Groombridge Place is open 10am to 4pm and parking is free. To book your visit go to groombridgeplace.com
VERY VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS, THE BEANEY
Step back in time with a Christmas family activity this December and enjoy a Very Victorian Christmas.
Experience an interactive guided tour, discover Victorian objects and learn about the history of Christmas traditions at the venue in Canterbury city centre’s High Street on Saturday, December 15 between 1.30pm and 3pm. There’s a chance to investigate Victorian toys and play fun Victorian games. You can also create your own Victorian Christmas cracker! If you want to make enough to go around your Christmas dinner table, it costs £3 to make each additional cracker. You’ll need to book to take part in the activities. Activities cost £6 per child, with an accompanying adult free, and additional adults £3. To book visit one of the information desks, call 01227 862 162 or visit thebeaney.co.uk
Take a very special trip this Christmas with Steam Dreams, taking a steam train journey through the Kent countryside to a Christmas market in Alresford and Winchester. This journeys on Friday, December 14 run from Ashford International but also stop at Charing, Maidstone East and Borough Green & Wrotham. The trip costs £109 and £93 for children. To book your place visit steamdreams.co.uk/tours.
Inside Christmas at Hever: click here
Here’s an early Christmas present from Diggerland in Strood.
The theme park is offering the chance to win a family gift voucher for up to four people. The lucky winner can enjoy a day out at any one of the four UK theme parks - Kent’s site in Strood, or the others in Devon, Durham and Yorkshire. See JCB diggers, sit inside the cabs of diggers and ride and drive diggers and full-size construction machinery, including a head-reeling turn or two on the Spindizzy, rise to lofty heights and enjoy the views on the Skyshuttle. Visit diggerland.com/km-prize-draw to enter, or see the ad inside this week's KM Group What's On.
FESTIVE MARKET & DISPLAYS, LEEDS CASTLE
The beloved bear Paddington has joined Sleeping Beauty and Scrooge at the castle near Maidstone for the festive season.
Michael Bond’s marmalade-loving bear joins a selection of festive stories told through illustration for the castle’s Once Upon a Time at Christmas, running right through to New Year’s Day.
The Christmas market is also delighting visitors on the Cedar Lawn with its mix of gifts, food and drink, live music on the band stand each day and nostalgic fairground rides, including the big wheel. The market has its final weekend of the festive season this weekend on Saturday, December 15 and Sunday, December 16. The cost of the market is included in normal entry costs. For details visit leeds-castle.com
FESTIVE FALCONRY, DOVER CASTLE
In the days of wartime rationing, those with the skill to hunt with hawks and falcons were equipped to catch some extra festive fare. For the final weekend of Second World War Christmas events at the castle, on Saturday and Sunday, December 15-16, visitors can step into wartime Dover Castle and watch birds of prey take to the skies in a display of 1940s-themed falconry. There will also be stories of birds in wartime and the chance to learn about how falconry was used during the conflict. Events run from 10am to 3pm and entry costs £20 and £12 for five to 15-year-olds. Details at english-heritage.org.uk/dover
Sample a Walmer Castle Christmas with tours of the castle out of hours when the rooms are festively decorated. The tours at 3pm and 6pm, which need to be pre-booked, are on Thursday, December 13 and Thursday, December 20. Tickets cost £14 and £10 for children between five and 15. For details go to english-heritage.org.uk/walmer
CHRISTMAS AT BEDGEBURY, GOUDHURST
A forest full of festive lights has arrived in Kent at Bedgebury Pinetum in Goudhurst for its first Christmas at Bedgebury attraction. The illuminated winter wonderland will run after dark until Sunday, December 30. There are illuminated walkways, singing lampposts, giant Christmas trees and opportunities for selfies at every turn. The Tunnel of Light has a million pea-lights along a 70m walkway and there are rings of fire in the Fire Garden. Book your tickets at christmasatbedgebury.seetickets.com
SAIL WITH SANTA, JETSTREAM TOURS
Jump aboard the Jacob Marley for a mystical voyage to the North Pole this Christmas. The family-friendly experience starts on arrival at Rochester Pier to sail down the River Medway towards the North Pole. While seeing the sights you can enjoy festive music and colouring for kids, plus seasonal refreshments. On arrival at the pole – also known as Chatham Marina – Father Christmas will climb aboard to meet the children and give them a gift before heading off on his own journey. The 90-minute experience by Medway’s Jetstream Tours will run on Saturdays and Sundays through December. Book at jetstreamtours.com
CHRISTMAS MARKET, MAIDSTONE MUSEUM
The second seasonal market for the museum in St Faiths Street will be held all day on Saturday, December 15. Visitors can browse a variety of stalls selling local produce and handmade gifts and presents. For more details go to museum.maidstone.gov.uk
ICE SKATING & SANTA’S GROTTO, BLUEWATER
Santa and his elves are in The Village until Christmas Eve. Your festive journey to see Santa will begin with a traditional Christmas story presented in 4D, followed by crafts with Mrs Claus and then meeting Santa. The covered outdoor ice rink is now also open by the lakes at The Village, until Sunday, January 6. For prices and sessions, which runs until Christmas Eve, go to bluewater.co.uk.
Calverley Grounds has been transformed into a wintry wonderland for the ice rink. The sessions in Calverley Grounds run until New Year’s Day in the amphitheatre decorated with twinkling festive lights, plus festive food and drink, music and Christmas shopping inspiration. To book, visit assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk/whats-on
Ice skating has returned to Eastwell Manor, Champneys Hotel and Spa, near Ashford, for the festive season, after Dancing On Ice star Jake Quickenden officially opened proceedings with a turn on the ice. Running until Wednesday, January 2, you can enjoy mulled wine, hot chocolate, toasted chestnuts and mince pies and a 50-minute session on the rink before doing some shopping at Champneys’ Christmas boutique. To book call 0843 561 2019 or 01233 213000.
