Plan your summer days out with our essential guide

Kent Life diary of events for August

Out and about

Be a Farmer for a day

Until 3 Sep

Tickets: From �10.35

Tel: 01622 872068

The Hop Farm, Paddock Wood

Get your wellies ready! It’s time for you to see what it is like working as a farmer. Get involved in everything from The Big Dig – Giant Vegetable Patch to grooming the donkeys and ponies in the Animal Village. Each day will be packed with fun and entertaining activities for all children (and those not so young) to indulge in their ambitions to be farmers! Along with these fun-filled treats, there is also, Farmer Bob’s Barrel Ride and a whole host of other adventures.

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Gruesome Quest

1 to 7 Aug

Tickets: �9.90 to �42.90

Tel: 01304 211 067

Dover Castle, Dover

Looking for something to entertain the young troops while they are on their summer holidays? How about following a gruesome trail of clues that have been dotted around Dover Castle and you might be in with a shout of winning prize? Of course, you have to find them all. Have you got what it takes?

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Guided Hydrangea Walk

2 Aug

Tickets: �1 to �12

Tel: 01233 740735

Beech Court Gardens, Challock

Enjoy a guided stroll around the picturesque gardens of Beech Court, and learn about the 15th- century property’s history and the wildlife that lives there. Make sure you take the opportunity to admire the impressive red and blue hydrangeas and imposing trees that can provide you with shelter from the hot, summer sun.

Sculpture in the Gardens

Until 12 Aug

Tickets: �5 (adults)

Tel: 01233 643854

Godinton House, Ashford

Talented new artists will be exhibiting their innovative and creative work in the inspiring grounds of Godinton House. Individuals from as far afield as Australia will be represented, along with plenty of local Kent-based talent. Don’t miss out.

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Medieval Quest

8 to 14 Aug

Tickets: �9.90 to �42.90

Tel: 01304 211 067

Dover Castle, Dover

A group of miniature knights and squires have managed to get themselves well and truly lost around the grounds of Dover Castle. There’s only one person who can help. Yes, that’s right, you. Help track down our miniature men and you could be in the running for a reward.

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Hockey Masters World Cup

14 to 24 Aug

Tel: 01227 769159 (for more information)

Polo Farm Sports Club, Canterbury

The inaugural Hockey Masters World Cup, the largest international hockey event ever to be staged in England, will take place in Kent this year. Eighty teams from across the world will be participating, including squads from as far afield as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Singapore and the USA.

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Smallholding Fair

18 and 19 Aug

Tickets: �1 and �4

Tel: 01580 710700

Sissinghurst Castle, near Cranbrook

The star speaker at this year’s fair is none other than smallholder, writer, green developer, TV presenter and part-time cider-maker Kevin McCloud. So, if you’ve ever contemplated producing or growing something on a small or large scale, then this is the ideal event to attend.

Kevin McCloud photo -Glenn Dearing

Roman Festival

25 to 27 Aug

Tickets: �9.90 to �42.90

Tel: 01304 211 067

Dover Castle, Dover

Saturday 25 August – Monday 27 August

March back in time to when Britain was under the iron fist of Imperial Rome. Visitors to the festival can witness first-hand period combat and drill; they can see Roman cavalry and an authentic racing chariot. Any brave children who attend can also find out what life was like as a Roman soldier by pretending to be one!

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Music, theatre and dance

La Boheme

3 Aug

Tickets: Varies

Tel: 01892 891115

Bayham Abbey, Lamberhurst

This event is being organised by Lamberhurst Music Festival and is the showpiece event of their calendar. La Boheme is probably one of Puccini’s most well-known works and tells the emotionally charged story of two star-crossed lovers in a community of artists in Paris in 1830. Tickets can be purchased from the Lamberhurst Post Office or by calling the above number.

King Arthur and the Sword in the Stone

6 Aug

Tickets: �6 to �40

Tel: 01580 710700

Sissinghurst Castle, near Cranbrook

Ancient British legends take to the road this summer as Cambridge Touring Theatre brings its lively outdoor production to one of the most picturesque places in Kent. Based on the age-old stories of King Arthur and Merlin, this brand-new version includes songs, dances and interactive family fun.

Volunteer open evening

7 Aug

Tel: 01322 220000

The Orchard Theatre, Dartford

Calling all theatre fanatics! Would you like to be part of The Orchard’s future? Have you ever thought about becoming a volunteer usher? Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer should attend the open evening. To register your interest, email Zelda Kitto on zkitto@orchardtheatre.co.uk. Please make sure you include your name, address and telephone number.

Les Miserables-School Ediition

9 to 11 Aug

Tickets: �10, �12, �39

Tel: 01732 450175

The Stag Theatre, Sevenoaks

One of the longest-running productions in the West End, it is now the turn of Bullfrog Productions to undertake the challenge of breathing new life into this musical. Originally adapted from Victor Hugo's timeless novel, the tale recounts the epic story of the struggle against adversity in 19th-century France; young and old are sure to enjoy this version.

Rollin’ Stoned in the Park

10 Aug

Tickets: �18.50 to �20.00

Tel: 08448 717 620

The Bromley Amphitheatre, Bromley

Described as being ‘the nearest thing to the real article’, The Rollin’ Stoned are a great tribute act to one of the longest-running legendary bands of all time. Guess which one? Anyway, expect all the hits, the posturing and the pizzazz of a Rolling Stones show, but at a fraction of the price of an enormodome gig.

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Pride and Prejudice

Romeo and Juliet

15 Aug (Pride and Prejudice)

24 Aug (Romeo and Juliet)

Tickets:

Tel: 01892 872746

Chiddingstone Castle, Edenbridge

Both William Shakespeare’s story of doomed young love and Jane Austen’s timeless tale will be brought to life in the historic and idyllic grounds of Chiddingstone Castle’s Orangery. What better way to spend two summer evenings than watching an outdoor theatre performance, while drinking in the sumptuous surroundings of a beautiful Kentish landmark.

Jonathan Lemalu and Joseph Middleton in concert

17 Aug

Tickets: �12

Tel: 01892 750665

Frant Church, Nr Tunbridge Wellls

The Grammy Award-winning singer Jonathan Lemalu will be giving a recital in Frant Church. Boasting a mentor of the calibre of Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Lemalu has enjoyed a meteoric rise in the world of opera. He will be accompanied by the brilliant young pianist Joseph Middleton. Tickets are available on the number above, or by visiting Frant Stores.

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Charles Dickens’ The Haunting

20 to 25 Aug

Tickets: �12 to �32

Tel: 08448 717 620

The Churchill Theatre, Bromley

Dare you take a journey to the very edge of terror? Starring Peter Bowles and James Roache, The Haunting tells the tale of book dealer David Filde, who is asked to catalogue an incredible array of rare and antiquated books, but he gets a lot more than he bargained for when he tries to discover the source of some ghostly night-time visitations.

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The Old Man of Lochnagar

23 to 25 Aug

Tickets: �10 to �15.50

Tel: 01732 304241

EM Forster Theatre, Tonbridge

In its Silver Jubilee year, the National Youth Ballet will be restaging its version of The Old Man of Lochnagar. Inspired by the book by Charles, Prince of Wales, this production features talented young dancers from Kent and all over the UK who could very well turn out to be the shining stars of tomorrow.

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LONDON

Great British Beer Festival

7 to 11 Aug

Tickets: �6 to �23

Tel: 0844 412650

Olympia, Hammersmith Road

The world’s biggest pub is returning to London this summer! The Great British Beer Festival, organised by CAMRA, is back at Olympia and is better, bolder and more beer-filled than ever. From established British breweries and producers, to an enormous selection of brews from as far afield as Japan, USA and Australia, there is endless variety to be found sloshing about in a pint glass.