The National Trust at Christmas Childrens & Young Adult Book Gift Ideas
Competitions
Win a Family Ticket to The Penshurst Place Mini Panto
Win a Family Ticket to The Elderflower Fields Festival
Win an Airbrush Plush Unicorn
Win a Copy of 'Ringside Gamble'
Win a Copy of 'Love Dare'
Win a Family Day Ticket to Knockhatch Adventure Park
Hi, well Winter came around quickly! Welcome to our latest edition of The West Kent Family Grapevine Magazine.
In this edition we have some sneaky warming recipe ideas for getting veg into your kid's meals (and if you haven't started air frying yet, now might be the time).
We've also got a list of perfect book gift ideas for young adults and children, courtesy of the wonderful Lit PR, who've also kindly given us a couple of copies to give away.
In addition you can find our pick of upcoming Winter family events and of course hundreds of local listings.
Our advertisers are businesses who want to let parents, carers and families know about the amazing services they offer, so please do pay them a visit and support the wonderful hard working businesses and service providers of West Kent. Our brilliant competitions include a family ticket for 5 to the Christmas mini panto at Penshurst Place, a family weekend ticket to The Elderflower Fields Festival in the new year, a family day ticket to Knockhatch Adventure Park, two highly regarded young adult books and an Airbrush Plush Unicorn!
We have more on our website which is updated constantly with events, competitions and listings, so do check regularly at www.thefamilygrapevine.co.uk/west-kent.
Our online hyperlinked edition of the magazine, which can be downloaded from our website, also features a little bit of extra content if you fancy a read while on the go.
All of our adverts will go straight to our advertisers websites when clicked on so it's also an easy way of finding out more about them.
Please do keep hold of our magazine as a quick reference guide, and if you don't already, why not follow us on social media for regular local family information
May we wish you an incredible Winter season, Christmas and New Year!
Our Very Best Wishes James and Clare
Local Business • Family Services
Local Businesses
ABCS UK, award-winning bookkeeping practice helping parents with their business accounts www.abcsuk.com, 01732 495224
Celebrating 6 years in business, Bookmania is passionate in supporting children's literacy across families, schools and nurseries.
For partnership enquiries and to Book a FREE World Book day 2025 event with me by 31st December to win an exclusive Usborne goody bag packed full with bookish merch email @bookmania.morris@gmail.com
It’s Gin o’Chock, award winning local Gin and artisan chocolate hampers direct to your door, www.itsginochock.co.uk
Go Goosey, A kids’ unisex quick dry onesie that can be put on after swimming, beach or bath, www.gogoosey.co.uk, 07941 356353
Independent travel agent specialising in family holidays worldwide, 01892 882750
LQ Plumbing Services Ltd local reliable independent plumber www. lqplumbingservices.wixsite.com/ lqplumbingserviceslt, 07933 143755 Mum2Mum, nearly new sales in Kent MyChristie, Professional & Creative Graphic Design Services, 07796 105190
Nicole Decaux, I am a 1-1, fully qualified and insured dog groomer in Shipbourne, 07397 399996
Auditory Verbal UK- helping deaf babies and children listen and talk, 01869 325000
Demelza, delivers extraordinary care to extraordinary children facing serious or life-limiting conditions, 01795 845299 IMAGO, support and empower vulnerable groups, 01892 530330
Children with Reading or Learning Difficulties
The Inclusive Learning Partnership: SEN support services for families & schools, www.theinclusivelearningpartnership.co.uk
Counselling Services
The Children’s Wellness Centre, 0-18yrs, Grosvenor Road, Tunbridge Wells, www.childrenswellnesscentre.co.uk, 01892 320087
The Weller Way. helping families become fully functional through oaching and mentoring, 07825 411793
Domestic Abuse, Support and Advice
National Centre for Domestic Violence www.ncdv.org.uk, 0800 970 2070
Fostering and Adoption
Anchor Foster Care, Foster Care Services, Medway & surrounding areas, 01634 283140
Mediation Services
West Kent Mediation, free family mediation for families living in West Kent, 01732 469696
Parenting Courses and Support
Baby and You, a course for new parents and their babies, 6wks-6mths, 03000 411035
Baby and You, The Ark Children Centre, 6wks-6mths, 03000 411035
Daisy First Aid Tunbridge Wells & Sevenoaks, Baby & Child First Aid Classes, 07939 507662
Forest Moon Holistic Sleep Support, gentle, responsive infant sleep support & alternative to sleep training, hello@ forestmoonsleep.com
New Parents Groups, Paddock Wood Children’s Centre . New Borns-Crawling, 03000 411035
Registered Children’s
Complementary Therapists
Osteopath for the little ones with Ian Clutton, Integrated Health, 01732 464109
Speech and Language
Hayley Quinn, Speech Language Therapist, 07780 910992
The Children’s Wellness Centre, 0-18yrs, Grosvenor Road, Tunbridge Wells, www.childrenswellnesscentre.co.uk/ kent, 01892 320087
Stay
Fit and Healthy
Group and Private classes, suitable for All levels, including Prenatal/Postnatal, www.yogabymargarita.com
MyPilates group mat mixed abilities classes, Sundridge & Brasted, , 07375 200495
Tonality Dance/Aerobic Fitness Classes
- Frant Hall, Frant Near Tunbridge Wells, 07721 747201
Yogama, live and online yoga classes, vinyasa, prenatal, postnatal, Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge, 07984 585467
Antenatal Services
Hey Baby 4D is a boutique private ultrasound clinic based in Tunbridge Wells, 01892 489166
Strong Like Mama - postnatal doula support in the early weeks with your baby, www.stronglikemama.co.uk
Ubuntu Doula Tarnia, Postnatal Doula, night or day support to settle in with baby, www.ubuntudoulatarnia.co.uk, 07841 786910
Breastfeeding, Weaning Help and Support
Baby Umbrella, free breastfeeding and early parenting support in West Kent, www.babyumbrella.org.uk
BoobieMilk Ltd, Maternity and Nursing Bra fittings and sales, 07951 600777
NCT Baby Café, Manna Café, Tunbridge Wells, 01892 522323
NCT Breastfeeding Helpline, 0300 330 0700
South Tonbridge Children’s Centre, Tonbridge, 03000 418008
Spring House Children’s Centre, Sevenoaks, 03000 411035
Strong Like Mama - prenatal breastfeeding preparation and postnatal support, www.stronglikemama.co.uk
Children’s and Family Centres
Edenbridge Children’s Centre, 03000 420995
Harmony Children’s Centre, Rusthall, 03000 420890
Little Forest Children Centre, Tunbridge Wells, 03000 420892
Little Foxes Children’s Centre, Waveney Road, North Tonbridge, 03000 418008
Paddock Wood Children’s Centre, open week days 9am-12pm. Activities for 0-5 yrs, 03000 411035
South Tonbridge Children’s Centre, Tonbridge Youth Hub, 03000 418008
Southborough Children’s Centre, 03000 420891
Spring House Children’s Centre, Sevenoaks, 03000 421137
The Ark Childrens Centre, Broadwater Lane, 03000 414600
West Kingsdown Children’s Centre, 01474 854624
Babysitters and Childminders
Angel Placements Childcare Agency, 01622 815271
Nannies
and Au Pairs
A TRAVEL NANNY, professional Nanny providing travel nannying all year round, 07852 345124
Angel Placements Childcare Agency, 01622 815271
County Nannies, meeting the needs of parents and childcarers, 01795 520060
East Green Childcare Services, taking care of all your childcare needs, 01732 838417
Elizabeth Henry Nannies: Nannies, Maternity Nurses, Nursery Staff, babysitting, 01732 851313
Harmony at Home Kent Downs is a Nanny and household staff agency, 01622 801501
Katie Nanny, professional Nanny Ad Hoc, Daytime, Evening, Travel, Temporary, Emergency, 07852 345124
The Little Au Pair Agency: Bromley based, small, friendly, covering the UK, 020 8462 6041
Tinies Childcare, 0203 6918828
Hidden Veg Recipes Your Kids Will Love
Add some steamed veg to your kid’s dinner plate, alongside some tasty chicken and some crispy air fried potatoes, and they are likely to love the chicken and potatoes and leave the veg. It then feels like such a battle to get them to eat their veg.
But what if they don’t know they are eating their veg, or you make them so tasty, they are asking for them on repeat?
Here are just a few ways to sneak in some extra vegetables onto your kids’ meals: Bits & Bobs Freezer Sauce
We make this sauce to combat food waste as you can clear out veg you haven’t had chance to use, but also to sneak in some extra veg. The veg is air fried and then into a blender with your favourite seasonings and some cheese it is pulsed until smooth. You can then freeze it in freezer cubes for later. Then when you have a dinner planned where you want a sauce, grab a cube from the freezer.
Makes 4 freezer cubes, air fryer dual, prep 15 minutes, cook time 40 minutes
6 medium tomatoes
3 medium carrots
1 medium courgette/zucchini
225g/8oz butternut squash, peeled and deseeded
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp dried parsley
1 garlic bulb
1 x 150g/5½oz pack garlic and herb cream cheese (we use Boursin)
2 tsp dried basil
240ml/8fl oz/1 cup whole milk/full-fat milk, plus extra if needed Salt and black pepper
Quarter the tomatoes and peel and slice the carrots. Slice the courgette into 1cm/½ inch slices and then into quarters. Peel the butternut squash and chop it into 2cm/¾ inch cubes. Put all the vegetables in the air fryer drawer, removing the crisper plate first. Add the olive oil and parsley, and season generously with salt and pepper. Mix well with your hands until the vegetables are well coated with the oil and seasonings. Slice the top off the garlic bulb exposing the cloves at the top. Spray with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Wrap tightly in foil and place in the air fryer on top of the vegetables. Set the temperature to 180ºC/360ºF and cook for 30 minutes.
Remove the foil-wrapped garlic and shake the air fryer drawer to rotate the vegetables. Unwrap the cream cheese and place over the vegetables. Sprinkle half the basil over the cheese and air fry at the same temperature for a further 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, pour the milk into a blender or food processor. Squeeze the soft flesh out of the garlic head, discarding the papery skin, and add it to the blender. When the air fryer beeps, tip the contents of the air fryer drawer into the blender – including any juices that have collected – and add the remaining basil. Pulse until you have a creamy sauce, adding a little extra milk if it’s too thick. If freezing, pour the sauce into large 240ml/1 cup freezer cubes (or into small freezer-proof boxes) and allow to cool before adding the lid and freezing.
Sauce suggestions
Use the sauce as your base for:
Cheese sauce – add 225g/8oz/2½ cups grated Cheddar cheese. Tomato sauce – swap the milk for a 400g/14oz passata. Mexican sauce – swap the milk for 400g/14oz of salsa.
Passata Plan B – Do you have a recipe that calls for passata, a jar of pasta sauce or similar? Then next time the kids leave their tomatoes and Mediterranean style vegetables, throw it in a blender with some garlic and oregano and you have a tomato sauce. Freeze it in ice cubes for later.
Make A Soup
Another good way to use up the leftover veg is to make a soup. Roasted air fryer vegetables can be loaded into a blender and served with some bread. The kids will often adore the soup and wouldn’t realise you had used up their leftovers.
Creamy root vegetable soup
Serves 4, air fryer dual, prep 8 mnutes, cook time 30 minutes
2 medium carrots
1 large sweet potato (about 450g/1lb)
2 medium parsnips
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, plus an optional drizzle for the top
1 tbsp mixed herbs/Italian seasoning
1⁄2 tbsp dried rosemary
1⁄2 tbsp dried thyme
1 × 150g/51⁄2oz pack garlic and herb cream cheese (we use Boursin)
1 × 400g/14oz can full-fat coconut milk
11⁄2 tbsp ground ginger
Salt and black pepper
Peel the carrots, sweet potato and parsnips, and dice them all into 2cm/3⁄4 inch cubes. Put them in a bowl with the olive oil, mixed herbs, rosemary and thyme. Season with salt and pepper, and mix well with your hands.
Tip the root vegetables into the air fryer basket, or spread out between two dual drawers. Set the temperature to 160oC/320oF and cook for 15 minutes.
When the air fryer beeps, shake the air fryer basket/drawers. Take the top foil off your cheese and place the cheese in the centre of the air fryer, on top of the vegetables. Increase the temperature to 180oC/360oF and cook for a further 10 minutes.
Add a can of coconut milk to a blender, then refill the coconut can and scrape the edges, getting every last bit of coconut that is stuck to the sides. Add the roast vegetables, reserving a few of the vegetables for serving over your soup. Scoop the cheese out of the rest of the foil and add it to the blender along with the ground ginger, and pulse until you have a smooth soup. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. The soup will now be warm, but not piping hot. If you would like it hotter, pour it into an air fryer container (or into the drawer of the dual without the crisper plate) and air fry at 180oC/360oF for another 4–5 minutes.
Divide the soup among four bowls, top each one with a few of the reserved roasted vegetables and finish with an optional extra drizzle of olive oil.
Vegetable Peelings
Whilst this is not hidden, its amazing with a new texture how many kids love them. Peeling the carrots, seasoning and mixing with oil and then air frying. They are crispy like crisps and I make a batch of these and I wont get a look in.
Ask the kids to eat the skin on the carrots and they would tell you where to go but give them delicious veggie peelings over their soup for dinner, and they love you for it! We gather our peelings in a bowl as we are peeling the carrots for dinner, the same can be done with other root vegetables with parsnips being our favourite. Then like with making homemade chips you add the peelings to a bowl, with a small quantity of olive oil, season and then air fry. They are delicious and tasty a lot naughtier than they are. Plus, its also a fantastic way to avoid food waste.
Serves 4, air fryer dual/basket, prep time 10 minutes, cook time 10-18 minutes
Peeled skins from 6 medium carrots
Peeled skins from 3 medium parsnips
Peeled skins from 3 medium white potatoes
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 heaped tsp mild curry powder
½ tsp ground turmeric
½ tsp garam masala
Salt and black pepper
Peel the vegetables as you do your meal prep, with either a knife for a thicker peeling or a peeler for a skinny peeling. The ones made with a vegetable peeler will be crisper and more like crisps/potato chips. Add the peelings, the olive oil and spices to the bowl and season with salt and pepper. Mix well with your hands until the peelings are well coated with the olive oil and the seasonings.
Tip the peelings into the air fryer basket/drawer and spread out so that they cook evenly. Set the temperature to 180ºC/360ºF and cook for 10 minutes for skinny peelings or 18 minutes for thick. As air fryers differ, keep a close eye on them, and shake the drawer during cooking so that they cook evenly and don’t burn.
You can use a knife for a thicker peelings or go skinny with a vegetable peeler.
Sam and Dom Milner are the co-authors of Air Fryer Easy Every Day: 140 super-simple delicious recipes (£20, White Lion Publishing) & founders of Recipethis.com
Cascade Dance Adults • Baby & Toddler
Cascade have been running adult classes in Tunbridge wells since 2008 and now offer both Contemporary & Street Dance styles for a range of abilities and levels.
Open-Level Contemporary – great for experienced dancers
Classes run on Monday nights. The open contemporary class welcomes adults including dancers, teachers, students and those with a little more experience. These focus on contemporary techniques developing agility, strength, and stamina through fluid and expressive sequences, moving and exploring the space. These classes are full of pace, so not really recommended for beginners.
Beginner/Improver Contemporary – ideal for those starting out or are returning to dance!
Classes run on Monday nights. The beginners contemporary dance class is a back-to-basics class that’s perfect for both true beginners and improvers who want to learn the foundations of this expressive dance style. The class works through a range of short exercises, building towards a longer sequence towards the end.
Adult Street Dance – all abilities welcome Classes run on a Thursday evening at The Camden Centre. Offering Beginner & Open Level ( for those with more experience), classes incorporate a range of urban dance styles such as hip hop, street, commercial & jazz combined with a fun cardio workout.
Contemporary Dance for 55+
An opportunity to learn contemporary dance techniques and explore creative free movement in a friendly and safe environment. Classes are open to all aged 55 + regardless of dance experience, mobility, or health. Classes will commence in January 2025.
Trinity Theatre, mums and babies film club, 01892 500673
Father’s Groups
Dad & Me 0-5yrs Tunbridge Wells Baptist Church 1st & 3rd Saturdays, 01892 541118
EXCEL Fitness Programme, 11-16yrs, Angel Centre, Tonbridge, 01732 359966
Kickstart Fitness mixed games 5-10yrs, Angel CentreTonbridge, 01732 772690
Langton Green Community Sports Association, 01892 862967
Multi sports for 3-16yrs 3rd Sun 13:0014:30 Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre, 01892 540744
Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre, 5yrs +, 01892 540744
Music Groups, Centres
Brittens Music School, Tunbridge Wells, 01892 559319
West Kent Music Centre - Music lessons and groups for musicians of all ages, 01622 358408
Rugby
Rugby Tots for 2-7 yr olds, weekday and weekend classes throughout West Kent, 0345 3130807
Tennis
Evolution Tennis Coaching at Brenchley and Matlock Tennis Club Juniors, 01622 532354
Jarrett Tennis School at Tunbridge Wells Sports and Indoor Tennis Centre, 01892 538445
Jarrett Tennis School for 5-14yrs, Tunbridge Wells, 01892 538445
Oakbury Tennis Club Juniors, Sevenoaks, 07821 621403
Short Tennis, Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre 4-10yrs, 01892 540744
St Johns Tennis Club, Tennis Courses, 5-18yrs, 01892 546252
Tennis Academy, Tonbridge and Sevenoaks, 01959 523377
Tunbridge Wells Lawn Tennis Club, 01892 525625
Trampolining
Edenbridge Leisure Centre, trampolining coaching 5-16yrs, 01732 865665
Putlands Sports and Leisure Centre, Paddock Wood 5yrs+, 01892 838290
Sevenoaks Leisure Centre, Trampolining, 4-15yrs, 01732 470700
Trampolining, Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre, 01892 540744
Wildernesse Sports Centre Trampolining, Sevenoaks, 01732 451437
Uniformed Groups
Girlguiding UK for your nearest Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Rangers, 0800 999 2016
Scoutbase UK for nearest Beaver, Scout, Venture, Air and Sea, 0345 300 1818
Watersports
Tunbridge Wells RFC Girls RugbyYears 7-13 girls only / Years R-6 Mixed, 07753 933936
Snow Sports
Dry Ski Slopes at Bowles, Eridge Green nr Tunbridge Wells, 01892 665665
Squash
Tunbridge Wells Squash Rackets Club - Junior Squash and Racket Ball, 01892 527736
Wildernesse Sports Centre, Sevenoaks, 01732 451437
Swimming, Pool Sports
Alison Marks Swim School, Hildenborough, 3yrs+, 01732 365440
Angela’s Swim School, Sevenoaks, 07703 185837
Aqua Swimming Ltd, Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells venues, 01732 455800
Edenbridge Leisure Centre Swimming, Classes and fun swimming, 01732 865665
Helens Swimming School, 4 months +, 01892 662484
Holmewood House Swim School 5yrs+, Langton Green, 01892 860035
Little Fishes, parent and baby/toddler/ children 4ys+, Oxted and Westerham, 07834 737211
RTW Monson Learn To Swim (Level 3-competitive swimming), 07779 703317
Sevenoaks Leisure Centre, Classes and fun swimming, 01732 470700
Starfish School of Swimming all ages and abilities, Sevenoaks, 01732 834186
Tonbridge Swimming Pool, Castle Street, indoor and outdoor pools, 01732 367449
Tunbridge Wells Sports and Tennis, Swimming classes for all ages, 01892 540744
Bewl Water Outdoor Centre: canoeing, sailing, wind surfing etc, 8 years +, 01892 890000
Edenbridge Sub Aqua Club, Edenbridge Leisure Centre, 14yrs+, 07702 473898
Yoga
Banana Studio Yoga, Kids Yoga & Teens Yoga, 07834 518619
HM Creative, Dance and Yoga Workshops/Retreats, Entertainment and Performances, Classes, www.hmcreative.co.uk, 07887 653276
Yogama, live and online yoga classes, vinyasa, prenatal, postnatal, Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge, 07984 585467
Youth Clubs
House in the Basement Youth Café, Sevenoaks, free for young people aged 11-17, www.houseinthebasement.weebly.com, 01732 466593
The Hub, South Tonbridge, 03000 418008
Party Venues
Amazon Adventure Soft Play, 0-12yrs, Units 2 & 3, Bells Yew Green,, 01892 752042
Angel Leisure Centre, Tonbridge, 01732 359966
Birthday experiences at Bowles, Eridge Green nr Tunbridge Wells, 01892 665665
Diggerland, Medway Valley leisure Park, Roman Way, Strood ME2 2NU, 0871 22 77 007
Edenbridge Leisure Centre, 01732 865665
Extreme Ventures, outdoor rock climbing/scrambling, nr Tunbridge Wells, 6yrs+, 07835 528548
Parties at Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre, 01892 540744
I T ' S T I M E T O
C E L E B R A T E ! !
WHETHER YOU'RE ON THE HUNT FOR A UNIQUE FAMILY EXPERIENCE OR A FUN OUTING WITH FRIENDS, OUR WORKSHOPS ARE GUARANTEED TO SPRINKLE YOUR HOLIDAY SEASON WITH SWEETNESS AND CHEER. SO ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES, UNLEASH YOUR INNER CHOCOLATIER, AND LET’S CREATE SOME CHOCOLATEY MASTERPIECES TOGETHER! BOOK YOUR SPOT TODAY AND MAKE THIS CHRISTMAS A DELIGHTFUL, CHOCOLATE-FILLED MEMORY THAT YOU’LL CHERISH FOR YEARS TO COME!
Everything Party • Places to Visit
Putlands Sports and Leisure Centre Paddock Wood, 01892 838290
Sevenoaks Leisure Centre, 01732 470700
Temper Temper Chocolate, Chocolate workshops and parties, 01892 538758
Wildernesse Sports Centre, Seal Hollow Road, Sevenoaks, 01732 451437
Woodland Parties, the perfect woodland venue for children’s parties, 07889 094821
Party Supplies and Planners
Sleepy Teepeez Kent offer tailor made sleepovers for children, www.sleepyteepeezkent.co.uk
Country and Garden Tent Hire, we hire beautiful bell tents for all occasions, www.countryandgardentenhire.com
Party Bag Online, your one stop shop for personalised filled party bags, 07976 728857
Soft Play Kent, soft play hire for under 5s in Kent, www.softplaykent.co.uk
The Little Play Company, soft play hire, lots of different packages available, 07887 713436
Twilight Tents provide beautiful themed Tent Sleep Over Party packages, 07710 078467
Wishful Winks provide a stress free sleepover party experience, 07957 491146
Party Catering, Cakes
Clever Cooks, Catering and China Hire, 07768 993456
I own Special Occasion Cakes by Tess, I make bespoke cakes for all occasions, www.cakesbytess.co.uk, 01732 369736
Large selection of partyware, balloons & cake decorating in Tunbridge Wells, 01622 717177
Vintage Afternoon Tea served in your own venue perfect for that special occasion, 07545 807031
Scotney Castle, National Trust, Lamberhurst, Kent, 01892 893820
Spa Valley Railway, journey through the High Weald countryside, 01892 300141
The Observatory Science Centre, Herstmonceaux, 01323 832731
Tonbridge Castle, Motte and Bailey Castle with a splendid 13th Century Gatehouse, 01732 770929
Why not visit East Grinstead Museum and discover the history of the town including the Guinea Pig Club? Full details, including our opening times,
The National Trust
Christmas Treats and Winter Wonders
Look forward to a wonderful winter at your local National Trust places. From the run up to Christmas and into the New Year, there’s plenty for the whole family to enjoy at Chartwell, Emmetts Garden and Quebec House.
Christmas Fair and Carols at Chartwell
Come to Chartwell in November to start your Christmas Season. Find the perfect gift amongst an exciting selection of handmade crafts and local produce at the Chartwell Festive Fair. (Thursday 14–17 November.) Sing along to Christmas classics in the grounds with local bands and choral groups on selected weekend dates in November and December, including the Saturday of the Festive Fair.
Christmas Houses
Celebrate 150 years since the birth of Sir Winston Churchill with ‘Churchill’s Champagne Christmas’ at Chartwell. Selected rooms of the House will be decorated and open to visitors 23 November–23 December. Champagne bottle Christmas trees and a special birthday cake will wow the grownups, while kids can enjoy a spotter trail. Afterwards, head to the café to purchase a slice of cake or your favourite National Trust refreshments.
Step back further in time for a festive Georgian Christmas at Quebec House in Westerham. Imagine you’re a guest at an 18th century dinner party as you visit the childhood home of General James Wolfe. The house will be beautifully decorated for Christmas in exuberant Georgian style. Try your hand at parlour games in the drawing room then visit the Coach House to enjoy a taste of spiced hot chocolate and baked treats inspired by Mrs Wolfe’s recipes. Open at weekends 23 November–22 December.
Outdoor family fun
If you’re looking for outdoor family fun before or after the holidays, Chartwell and Emmetts Garden have plenty to offer.
Pick up a Christmas tree trail sheet from the Chartwell Visitor Centre then explore the gardens, seeking out stamping stations to decorate it. Collect a prize from the Visitor Centre when you’re done. Thursday 14 November–Sunday 5 January.
Head to Emmetts Garden for a winter wander using your senses to uncover the beauty of nature. Grab a trail sheet from the Visitor Centre to begin your adventure and return to collect a prize before you go. Saturday 23 November–Sunday 9 February.
Come back to Chartwell in the New Year to share memories on winter walks. From snowy landscapes to scenes of family fun, discover photographic displays of the Churchills in winters past as you explore the gardens. Saturday 11 January–Friday 28 February.
There’s plenty more to explore at the National Trust including outdoor play areas and walking routes for any season. Normal admission applies, additional charges for children’s trails with prizes. To find out more visit our websites:
A Christmas Frost at Knole, 23rd November – 5th January www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/kent/ightham-mote
Father Christmas has his wellies on and is ready to welcome you to his enchanted grotto.
With so many magical activities to enjoy, from ‘Jingle & Jangle’s Christmas Adventure’, an interactive and captivating show, to festive cookie decorating and crafts, this promises to be a Christmas like no other!
Curtain up Christmas at Scotney Castle, 23rd November – 5th January www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/kent/scotney-castle
Quebec House a Georgian Christmas, 23rd November - 22nd December www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/kent/quebec-house
Father Christmas is Coming to Godstone Farm! 23rd November - 24th December www.godstonefarm.co.uk
Emmetts Garden Winter Family Garden Trail, 23rd November – 9th February www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/kent/emmetts-garden
Paddock Wood Lights Up, 26th November www.paddockwoodlightsup.co.uk
Paddock Wood PTA Fireworks, 9th November www.pta-events.co.uk
Christmas at Bedgebury, 15th November – 1st January www.forestryengland.uk/bedgebury/christmas
The Jungle Book Christmas at Bateman’s, 16th November – 5th January www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/sussex/batemans
Christmas at Hever Castle 22nd November - 3rd January www.hevercastle.co.uk
Christmas Lights at Leeds Castle 22nd November - 1st January www. leeds-castle.com
Chartwell at Christmas, 23rd November – 23rd December www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/kent/chartwell
A Magical Grotto experience at Royal Grottos in Royal Tunbridge Wells, 29th November – 24th December www.royalgrottos.com
A Medieval Christmas at Bodiam Christmas, 30th November – 5th January www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/sussex/bodiam-castle
Experience Christmas at Kent Life 30th November - 24th December www.kentlife.org.uk
Cinderella at Hazlitt Theatre 30th November - 31st December www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk
Snow White at The Stag Theatre December 6th - December 31st www. stagsevenoaks.co.uk
A Truly Magical Christmas at The Rare Breeds Centre, 7th December – 23rd December www.rarebreeds.org.uk
Paddock Wood Primary PTA Christmas Wreath Class 7th December www.pta-events.co.uk/friendsofpaddockwoodprimary
The Ice That Nearly Cancelled Christmas! Mini Panto at Penshurst Place, 7th December - 23rd December www.penshurstplace.com
Winter Family Events in West Kent
Open Mic Night at House in The Basement, 13th December www.houseinthebasement.weebly.com
Snow White (Wicked Productions) at The EMF Theatre 13th December - 5th January www.emftheatre.com
Sleeping Beauty at The Trinity Theatre, 14th December – 5th January www.trinitytheatre.net
The Ice That Nearly Cancelled Christmas! Mini Panto at Penshurst Place and Gardens, 18th December – 23rd December www.penshurstplace.com
Goldilocks and The Three Bears, 9th January – 11th January www.pemburyvillagehall.org
Jack and the Beanstalk (The Talentz) at The EMF Theatre 9th January - 12th January www.emftheatre.com
Open Mic Night at House in The Basement, 31st January www.houseinthebasement.weebly.com
Pop Divas Live at The Hazlitt Theatre, 19th February www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk/hazlitt-theatre
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