Rightly known as ‘the garden of England’, Kent often seems like London’s back garden, a green and fertile landscape of farmland, orchards, country estates and world-famous public gardens. It also produces the renowned Kentish Ales from the Kentish hop farms and attracts beer and ale lovers from all over the world. With a variety of beach resorts and cities packed with sites of crucial importance in British history, this is truly a county that has it all.
People have been coming to Kent in droves for hundreds of years, and of all the counties it is perhaps the one with the most history, Kent is the oldest place name in Britain and in Sevenoaks at Knole it has the oldest house. There are castles in almost every town, from the motte and bailey castle in Tonbridge to the fantastic Leeds Castle and Hever Castle. There are the old well-preserved streets of Rochester, home to Charles Dickens and the stately home of Winston Churchill at Chartwell. There is the world-famous castle and gardens at Sissinghurst and thousands upon thousands of old oast houses line the country lanes.
Most famous of all is the UNESCO World Heritage city of Canterbury, one of England’s finest cities and one of the best historic sites in the world. Stand where Thomas Beckett was murdered and spend hours walking around the incredible home of the Anglican Church, Canterbury Cathedral. From the Cathedral’s gothic architecture to the ruins of St Augustine’s Abbey, destroyed in the Dissolution, to St Martin’s Church, to the impressive Roman Museum, Canterbury has enough to keep you busy for days.
For something a bit more relaxing there is cheeky Margate or the famous pier at Herne Bay, the gorgeous fishing town of Whitstable or the RSPB National Nature Reserve at Romney Marsh. Lastly, of course, there are the iconic white cliffs of Dover. From seaside strolls to hikes in the North and South Downs and the forests of the Kentish Weald, this truly is England’s garden.
Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge WellsHailed as the originators of British folk-rock music, Fairport Convention remains one of the most entertaining bands on today's concert circuit. Their sell-out gigs always attract critical acclaim and delight audiences. Fairport has a vast repertoire to draw on and this concert will mix old and new. As well as showcasing brand new songs from their recently-released studio album, the show will also feature a suite of songs celebrating the fortieth anniversary of their groundbreaking 'folk opera' Babbacombe Lee. Fairport Convention features Simon Nicol on guitar and lead vocals, Dave…
Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge WellsMulti award winning stand-up, television and movie star, Omid Djalili is back on tour with his brand new comedy show. A firm favourite at the Edinburgh Festival with his legendary performances, Omid’s stand-up awards include Time Out Award for Best Stand Up, the EMMA Award, South Bank Award nominee and Perrier Award nominee.…
Although best known through their seat in Alternative Music's class of 2005, Kaiser Chiefs originally began life as the less successful Parva in 1996. Their reinvention a decade later saw them take the country by storm, and with the combined song writing talents of Nick Hodgson and the natural stage presence of front-man Ricky Wilson they showed that they were a force to be taken seriously - despite their tongue-in-cheek attitude and songs such 'Everyday I Love you Less and Less'. After Mercury nominated debut 'Employment' the band went on to three more album, their latest - 'The Future is Med…
Churchill Theatre, BromleyFrom the land of legends and warrior Shaolin monks comes the incredible new Chinese State Circus production - the live acrobatic spectacular Yin Yang. To say the Chinese State Circus is merely a show is grossly to underestimate it; it is the embodiment of a traditional art form which can trace its history back over 2000 years. The presentation lives and breathes with the enthusiasm of its acrobatic artistes. The result is the purest, honest, most abiding and exhilarating circus that is a true privilege to see.…
Having completed an outstanding tour of the US in 2011, Joan Baez is ready to embark on a twenty-one date tour of the United Kingdom, before heading to Germany and France in the latter days of spring. Known for her gutsy vocal style, she began her career over 50 years ago by introducing folk music into the popular rock scene of the 60's. She is well-known not only for her heady music and songwriting but also for her participation as an activist for peace and justice for all mankind. Her desire to bring attention to the unfair conditions some people have to endure also began in the 60's. Ov…
Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge WellsEnglish singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist 'Paul Carrack' has seen major music success as a band member and solo performer since the 1970s. Playing with 'Ace', 'Roxy Music' 'Squeeze', 'Mike and the Mechanics' he has also released 15 solo albums between 1980 and 2010. His latest release was 'A Different Hat' which featured his solo performance alongside the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.…
Fresh from The Thick of It, Mock The Week, Have I Got News For You and his sell-out 2010 tour, Chris Addison, the man who put the 'Chris Addison' into, 'I see Chris Addison is touring again,' is touring again. He's written a brand new show, The Time Is Now, Again, specifically for the venue this website refers to.* (*And about 40 others, but the point still stands.) Top class stand-up from one of the classiest, toppiest stand-ups around. You should come and see him. …
Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge WellsFormed in 1983, Bon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey, fronted by lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi. Throughout their career, the band has sold over 120 million albums worldwide, and they performed more than 2,600 concerts in over 50 countries for more than 34 million fans. In 2006 Bon Jovi were inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame, and in 2004 they were ranked number 14 in Q magazine's “50 Greatest Bands of All Time”. Recreating Bon Jovi Live in Concert, “The Bon Jovi Experience” perform all the great hits: “Livin' On a Prayer”, “Keep the Faith”, “Bad Medi…
Tunbridge Wells Assembly Hall, Tunbridge WellsAmerican stand-up comic Doug Stanhope brings to audiences his hilarious comedy material that ranges from 'true-life graphic perversion to volatile social criticism'. Vulgar, opinionated and brutally honest, his material shocks but entertains, and is certainly not for everybody. Doug was selected by both Variety and the Hollywood Reporter as one of the Top Ten Comics To Watch.…
Winter Gardens, MargateFollowing a string of sold-out intimate gigs to celebrate the release of their fifth studio album Above The Noise, McFly return to play first arena tour in two years. Having recently conquered colossal venues around the world, McFly are excited to return and showcase their infectious and soulful electro-pop sound across UK venues. …
Fairport ConventionFriday, 10 February 2012Hailed as the originators of British folk-rock music, Fairport Convention remains one of the most entertaining bands on today's concert circuit. Their sell-out gigs always attract critical acclaim and delight audiences. Whether you are a long-t
Other concerts, music and gigs in Kent are:
Joan Baez23 Feb, Tunbridge WellsPaul Carrack28 Feb, Tunbridge WellsCity of Rochester Symphony Orchester3 Mar, ChathamThe Bon Jovi Experience3 Mar, Tunbridge WellsRoll Out the Barrel9 Mar, RamsgateWhitlive Presents The Beat9 Mar, WhitstableWhitlive Presents Dr Feelgood10 Mar, WhitstableCeltic Dream17 Mar, RamsgateThe Osmonds17 Mar, Tunbridge WellsCher Lloyd29 Mar, Folkestone
Car Boot Sales
Sport in Kent
Assembly Hall TheatreOur spotlight theatre/performing arts centre of the week is Assembly Hall Theatre, located in Tunbridge Wells. See what shows and performances are on this week at Assembly Hall Theatre.
Other theatres and performing arts venues in Kent are:
Brook TheatreCentral TheatreChurchill TheatreLeas Cliff HallMarlowe TheatreWinter Gardens
Shoreham Aircraft MuseumThe Shoreham Aircraft Museum was founded in 1978 by local enthusiasts, whose passion for the Battle of Britain period resulted in the establishment of a permanent display in 1988. The museum houses hundreds of aviation relics excavated by the group over many years from crashed British and German …Location: Sevenoaks
Some other fun family days out in Kent are:
Maritime MuseumRSPB DungenessPort LympneDeal CastleDickens House MuseumSandling MuseumThe Butterfly CentreMuseum of Kent LifeHighlands FarmDover MuseumCanterbury Roman MuseumTunbridge Wells Museum And Art GalleryDruidstone Wildlife ParkNash Court
Reculver TowersAn imposing 12th-century landmark, twin towers and the walls of a Roman fort. Reculver Roman Fort was the first of a series of forts built to protect the south east coast. Although half the fort has now been washed away by the sea the walls survive.…Location: Reculver
Some other notable historic attractions in Kent are:
Upnor CastleRichborough CastleGuildhall Museum RochesterDover Castle and Secret Wartime TunnelsTunbridge Wells Museum And Art GalleryChiddingstone CastleEast Kent RailwayMaidstone Museum and Art GalleryMinster AbbeyFleur De Lis Heritage CentreMuseum of Kent LifeEynsford CastleScotney Castle GardenRoyal Engineers Museum
By Chris HaycockA concert of epic proportion will see Elton John, Paul McCartney and Shirley Bassey perform live to …
By Lucy MiddletonDespite a slight fall in audience attendance, the West End theatre have set record box office sales …
By Amanda ArnoldConvicted pedophile Gary Glitter is set to earn thousands from this years Superbowl in America.
By Paul ArnoldAfter a weekend of pulsating FA Cup action there's a full set of midweek Premier League fixtures to look forward to.
By Amanda ArnoldEd Sheeran's debut album '+' returns to the top of the UK album charts.
View all hotels in Kent
History and Beauty of IronbridgeKnown throughout the world as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, Ironbridge is now a tranquil town full of quaint shops, cafes, and museums that visitors continue to enjoy all year round. Its charming maze of steep, narrow streets that merge with patches of woodland are ideal for walkers.
Batman Live - Holy Premier!The world's most popular DC Superhero, Batman, as you've never seen him before, as he takes to the stage in the long-awaited live action show. BritEvents' Amanda Arnold is at the world premier and after show party to see if it is up to 'holy expectations, Batman!'
Britain's Best Historic CastlesWith a long history of bloody, violent clashes and battles, castles were originally designed as territorial fortresses and used as symbols of wealth and power by kings, queens and lords through the ages. We take a look at some of Britain's best castles to visit.
British tattoo conventions 2012 guidePracticed since Neolithic times, and in many cultures and religions throughout the world, body tattooing has now become a part of mainstream fashion. We take a look at some of the best tattoo conventions taking place across the country, even though the practice is so widespread we can barely scratch the surface. Sorry, bad joke, but you get the idea.
