Plan your month ahead with the county’s most comprehensive guide
Late April
Bluebell Walk
Often described as one of the best places to see bluebells in the country, Hole Park Gardens is also renowned for its mature rhododendrons and magnificent standard wisterias.
Tickets: £1 (children); £6 (adults)
01580 241344 or 01580 241386
Hole Park Gardens, Rolvenden
Satnav: TN17 4JA
4 and 5 Apr
Blind
A one-woman show performed by the UK’s leading female beat-boxer Grace Savage exploring the life, journey and experiences of a visually impaired young woman.
Tickets £12
01227 787787
The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury
Satnav: CT1 2AS
4 to 5Apr
Scooby-Doo – The Mystery of the Pyramid
Clamber aboard the Mystery Machine and experience first-hand all the scary fun had by Scooby and his intrepid gang of investigators. With the instantly recognisable signature theme song, spectacular sound effects and a plentiful supply of Scooby Snacks, this show is a must-see spook-tacular!
Tickets: £10-£58
01892 530613
Assembly Hall, Tunbridge Wells
Satnav: TN1 2LU
5 Apr
Heritage Transport Show
Celebrate transport through the ages; This year represents anniversaries for the bus fraternity. It is the 60th anniversary of the AEC Reliance, 75th anniversary of London Transport RT and the 60th anniversary of the iconic Routemaster. Car and bike clubs will also have displays.
Tickets: From £5.00
01622 630975
Kent Showground, Detling
Satnav: ME14 3JF
5 Apr
Requiem
To raise money for the Thanet Pilgrims’ Hospice, choirs and clergy from around Thanet will be joining together to present words and music for Passiontide and Holy Week.
Tickets: Free (but a donation would be welcome)
All Saints Church, Birchington
Satnav: CT7 9RS
6 Apr
Psychic Mediumship
Author, TV star and medium Tony Stockwell will use his ‘gift’ to help people in their quest for consolation. He will bring messages of comfort to those who need to hear and understand that a friend or a loved one can still be with them.
Tickets: From £20
0844 8713015
Channel Suite, Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone
Satnav: CT20 2DZ
9 Apr
Joe Brown
The legendary rock’n’roller is returning to Kent. Joe plus his five-piece band including his son, record producer Pete Brown, will be cranking out timeless classics, rockabilly, gospel, country, folk and rock‘n’roll, all interwoven with Joe’s light-hearted banter.
Tickets: £22.50 to £27.50
0844 871 3015
Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone
Satnav: CT20 2DZ
12 Apr
Come Dancing
All the magic and excitement and inspired by the smash-hit TV series, there will be show-stopping shuffles, dazzling dances and plenty of sequins. In addition to the moves, you can also enjoy a three-course meal. Spaces are limited.
Tickets: £65 per person
01303 267441
Hythe Imperial, Hythe
Satnav: CT21 6AE
12 Apr
Story Hunt
Daniel Bye will be gathering stories and fables from Margate locals, ready for his new show Story Hunt. Audience members can accompany Dan as he strolls through sights that can no longer be seen and marvel at monuments that are yet to be raised.
Tickets: £5 (limited capacity of 15 per show)
01843 292795
Theatre Royal, Margate
Satnav: CT9 1PW
12 to 13 Apr
Long Bow Archery Display
Archery displays from The Fraternity of St George, using techniques that date back to medieval times.
Tickets: Contact venue
01732 865224
Hever Castle, nr Edenbridge
Satnav: TN8 7NG
12 to 13 Apr
Science Museum Live
For those with curious minds, this is an ‘electrifying’ new show. Follow Annabella and Phil, two futuristic science students, as they race against time to prove their knowledge of energy through a series of live experiments.
Tickets: £12-£15
01892 530613
Assembly Hall, Tunbridge Wells
Satnav: TN1 2LU
15 and 17 Apr
Spring Photo Walks
Improve your photography with guidance from Robert Canis. He will discuss such things as composition, lighting, exposure and lens selection. Maximum of eight people per session, must be pre-booked.
Tickets: £40
01622 765400
Leeds Castle, Maidstone
Satnav: ME17 1PL
16 Apr
Suggs: My Life Story
“I’ve just turned 50, the kids have left home, and my cat just died.” The Madness front man takes to the stage in a hilarious yet moving one-man tour de force, which represents a personal quest to discover what happened to the father he never knew.
Tickets: £26
01892 530613
Assembly Hall, Tunbridge Wells
Satnav: TN1 2LU
16 Apr
Morecambe
This Olivier Award-winning production stars Bob Golding as the man ‘what brought us the sunshine’. He dons the glasses made famous by the comedy icon Eric Morecambe.
Tickets £19.50
01227 787787
The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury
Satnav: CT1 2AS
17 Apr
Soul Legends
Boasting more soul classics than any other show, that’s a lot to live up to. So, cramming hits in from legends such as Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Wilson Pickett, Tina Turner, Luther Vandross, Barry White, The Four Tops, The Jacksons, Martha Reeves, Stevie Wonder and The Pointer Sisters and more is a great way to live up to the claim.
Tickets: £23; £22 (concs)
01227 787787
Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury
Satnav: CT1 2AS
19 and 20 Apr
Peppa Pig’s Big Splash
From the creators of Peppa Pig’s Treasure Hunt comes another all-singing, all-dancing adventure that is jam-packed full of songs, games and muddy puddles.
Tickets: From £13.50
01227 787787
The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury
Satnav: CT1 2AS
21 to 26 Apr
The Two Worlds of Charlie F
Performed by serving and veteran soldiers, this poignant production explores the effects of injury and its impact on others, before, during and after war.
Tickets: £14-£27.50
0844 871 7620
Churchill Theatre, Bromley
Satnav: BR1 1HA
25 Apr
Roaring Forties – Ed Byrne
Since his twenties Ed Byrne has been a self-confessed ‘miserable git.’ Now, having reached his forties, the comedian is embracing middle age with open arms.
Tickets: £22.50
01634 338338
Medway Theatre, Chatham
Satnav: ME4 4AS
EdByrne.jpg
25 Apr
Sinatra, Sequins & Swing
Expect to hear plenty of superb standards that come swingin’ straight out of the glamorous 1950’s Hollywood era of Sinatra and Swing’s significant ‘Capitol Records’ era.
Tickets: £19; £20
01732450175
The Stag, Sevenoaks
Satnav: TN13 1ZZ
26 Apr
Mark Thomas
Mark Thomas is back doing what he does best: making mischief. He set himself the task of committing 100 Acts of Minor Dissent in the space of a year, this show is his catalogue of those acts.
Tickets: £14
01303 858500
Quarterhouse Arts Centre, Folkestone
Satnav: CT20 1BN
26 to 27 April
1940s Wartime Weekend
Commemorate the vital role that Dover played as both a port and a hub of national defence during the Second World War. The Victory Wartime Band will be playing 1940’s music and, will be joined by Tacky Annie’s Swing Dance Club and Channel Hoppers, who will take to the dance floor.
Tickets: £3.50 to £15
01304 822409
Dover Transport Museum, Dover
Satnav: CT16 2JX
26 Apr
Right Plant, Right Place
Get some help to liven up those spots in your garden where nothing seems to thrive. Learn how to select plants for difficult places, and go home brimming with ideas that you will want to try out.
Tickets: £55
01233 643854
Godinton House & Gardens, Ashford
Satnav: TN23 3BP
27 Apr
Cyclo Sportive
The Heart of Kent Hospice challenges all keen cyclists to join its cycle of care – a 100km timed cycle through the heart of Kent countryside. Get fit and raise some money for charity.
Tickets: £35 per person.
01622 790195
East Malling Research, East Malling
Satnav: ME19 6BJ
27 Apr
Seedling Swap and Plant Sale
As well as all the usual bits, there will also be an audio-visual presentation by Ginny Oakes that outlines all the highlights of the Kent Group Garden Tours.
Tickets: Contact group
01303 863951
Headcorn Village Hall, Headcorn
Satnav: TN27 9NR
27 Apr
La Bohème
Considrered to be one of the most romantic operas ever written, La Bohème, tells the tragic tale of the doomed, consumptive Mimi and her love for a penniless writer.
Tickets: £17.90 to £36.40
Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone
Satnav: CT20 2DZ
EASTER EVENTS
5 to 21 Apr
Step into Easter
There will be plenty to do over the Easter holidays, including an Easter Egg hunt, craft workshops and an Easter bonnet competition.
Tickets: Contact venue
01732 865224
Hever Castle, nr Edenbridge
Satnav: TN8 7NG
5 to 21 Apr
Easter Quest
A family nature trail will be available through the Woodland Walk at Leeds Castle, with clues to collect in reward for a small prize. Additional charge of £1 per child applies.
Tickets: Contact venue
01622 765400
Leeds Castle, Maidstone
Satnav: ME17 1PL
7 to 17 Apr
Kids for a Quid
If you are looking to spend time with the family, have a great day out and save a bit of cash over the Easter Holidays, then the Kent & East Sussex Railway has the answer. ‘Kids for a Quid’ offers families the chance to enjoy rides on the KESR for just £1 per child.
Tickets: £1 (per child); other fares apply
Tel: 01580 765155
Kent & East Sussex Railway, Tenterden
Satnav: TN30 6HE
18 to 21 Apr
Easter Fun
Just Puppets will perform a slapstick production suitable for ages four to10 years. Follow Mrs Mouse as she visits the magic cake shop to buy a birthday cake for her hundreds of baby mice. Meet her friends along the way, sing and laugh along with the characters on their adventures. Or you can have a go at hobby horse jousting, children’s mini battles and knight’s training at Knight School.
Tickets: Contact venue
01622 765400
Leeds Castle, Maidstone
Satnav: ME17 1PL
18, 19, 20 Apr
Easter at Brogdale
Spot the spring lambs, have a look at the hatching chicks and meet the Easter Bunny - just some of the treats on offer at Brogdale over the Easter period.
Tickets: £3.50 to £25.00
01795 536250
Brogdale Farm, Faversham
Satnav: ME13 8XZ
19 Apr
Cadbury’s Easter Egg Trail
Follow a specially created trail around the gardens of Ightham Mote to claim your Cadbury’s Egghead. See also page xx.
Tickets: £2.50
01732 810378
Ightham Mote, Sevenoaks
Satnav: TN15 0NT
21 Apr
Easter Egg Trail & Fun Day
Come and join in the fun around the castle grounds. Once you have finished hunting high and low for chocolatey goodness, there is a petting zoo complete with spring lambs, and other activities, including face painting and an adventure play area.
Tickets: £3 per child (Easter Egg Trail) (chocolate egg for the first 200 children)
01227 281726
Whitstable Castle, Whitstable
Satnav: CT5 2BW
Until 1 Jun
A Squash and a Squeeze
Discover how Julia Donaldson wrote classics such as The Gruffalo, Room on the Broom, Princess Mirror-Belle and The Troll in this new exhibition. During Easter, there will also be some themed events including ‘Monkey Business’ (5 Apr to 19 Apr).
Tickets: £11.50 to £49.50
01634 823800
The Historic Dockyard, Chatham
Satnav: ME4 4TE
