Nature’s Calling
See Hever Castle’s gardens as you have never seen them before: blanketed in a carpet of snowdrops for their Snowdrop Walk on February 8. Around 80,000 snowdrop bulbs have been planted in the gardens over the past few years, including a giant galanthus called Colossus which at nine inches is one of the tallest snowdrops you can find. This is fun for all the family or for a romantic stroll with the historic backdrop of the castle. Ticket prices and booking details can be found at www.hevercastle.co.uk
Fantastic beasts and where to find them
The OBS Gallery at Tonbridge School is currently hosting its BEAST exhibition every weekend until February 23. The show features the work of a number of artists including Laura Ford, Mark Fairnington and Nicky Coutts, all of whom have drawn on the animal world for their inspiration. Large scale drawings of a gorilla using sign language to communicate, a five-foot-high sculpture of an elephant boy standing awkwardly in pyjamas and a round oil painting depicting a minotaur’s eye in exquisite detail are just some of the oeuvres which remind us how our relationship with animals is both complex and conflicted. Entrance is free and the gallery is open on Saturdays and Sundays. For more information visit www.oldbigschoolgallery.co.uk
Let there be light
The Winter Lanterns parade takes place on the evening of February 8. It will start at 5.30pm at Royal Victoria Place, then proceed down Camden Road finishing at the Auckland Road entrance of Grosvenor and Hilbert Park. Children and adults alike are encouraged to bring lanterns of all shapes and sizes to ensure a special spectacle to illuminate the town.
Lip service
Absorb yourself in a new exhibition at Art Hub Gallery on Mount Ephraim from the highly acclaimed British contemporary artist Sara Pope. From February 5-28 her latest work, Love Bite, will be featured, capturing the glamour and power conveyed by the lips and mouth, exploring questions about the ideals of beauty and femininity.
Fill your boots
The big West End hit Kinky Boots The Musical, which was filmed live at the Adelphi Theatre in London, will be strutting onto the big screen at the Trinity Theatre on February 9. Based on the novel written by Harvey Fierstein with lyrics by Cyndi Lauper, you’re invited to the telling of a story based on true events about two people who have nothing in common but they embrace their differences to create a line of the sturdiest stilettos the world has ever seen! Tickets start at £20 and can be booked by visiting www.trinitytheatre.net
For the one you love
Shower your partner in historic opulence with an evening of romance and a luxurious stay at Hever Castle for St Valentine’s Day on Friday February 14 and Saturday 15. After having drinks in the reception area from 7pm there will be a delicious Valentine’s dinner consisting of locally sourced produce in the stunning surroundings of the castle. Tickets start at £185 per person and include a night’s accommodation. You can book at www.hevercastle.co.uk
Heartwarming classic
Little Women, the iconic story we all know and love written by Louisa May Alcott in 1868, has been reimagined by Greta Gerwig with a cast that includes Saoirse Ronan and Emma Watson. If you missed it at the cinema over Christmas then you can catch a number of screenings at Trinity Theatre from February 9-11. Tickets start at £11 and screenings vary so check timings by visiting www.trinitytheatre.net
Roast and a ramble
Penshurst Place’s final Roast and Ramble event takes place on February 16, and its theme is Penshurst Love Stories. Arrive from noon for a 12.30pm start and your taste buds will be treated to a delicious carvery in the Garden Restaurant. You’ll then be taken on a tour of the magnificent house and gardens, which are closed to the public at this time of year. A specialist talk about the romantic side of Penshurst will also form part of the tour. Tickets cost £22.50 per adult and £11.25 for children aged 5 to 12. Drinks incur an additional cost. There will also be a special Amazing Inventions trail running throughout the half-term holiday at Penshurst Place from February 15-23. See www.penshurstplace.com for more details.
Theatre of dreams
The Oast House in Tonbridge will be performing Playhouse Creatures by April De Angelis from February 15-22. The action takes place in 1669 when the playhouses are open again after 17 years of Puritan suppression. And for the first time women are allowed to take to the stage so this is a story of five of them, as they develop strong friendships and fierce rivalries. Performances are at 3pm and 8pm and tickets cost £11 and £10 on Sunday. Book at www.oasttheatre.com
Plot’s twist
Trinity Theatre Club present the murder mystery masterpiece Deathtrap from February 25-29. The plot by Ira Levin promises to leave you on the edge of your seat as the tale of a cunning, hedonistic plan takes on a sinister and murderous turn. Tickets start at £15, and can be booked at www.trinitytheatre.net
Funny guy
The Last Leg host Adam Hills is trialling out new material for a future stand-up tour and one of his pitstops will be Trinity Theatre on February 15 at 8pm. Tickets to the show entitled Work in Progress are on a return basis only. You can register your interest at www.trinitytheatre.net
Finely tuned
The Tonbridge Philharmonic Orchestra perform their first concert of 2020 at Tonbridge School’s St Augustine chapel on February 22 at 7.30pm. Expect to hear classical pieces by Ravel and Shostakovich. See www.tonphil.org.uk for more details.
Disco kids
On Saturday February 29 The Forum hosts One Night in a Disco. It kicks off at 7.30pm and features all the greatest disco tunes spun by DJs Alex MacNutt and Kelvin Hill. Tickets cost £8 from www.twforum.co.uk
