The Times’ guide to keeping everyone entertained over the upcoming holiday break…
Master bushcraft at Penshurst
Penshurst Place and Gardens reopens for spring on April 1. Bring the children down to Camp Wilderness Bushcraft Activities on April 7, from 10am to 4.30pm. Spectacular activities on offer include axe-throwing, archery, and bushfire cooking. Recommended for children aged 8 and above, all the activities are included within the admission tickets to Penshurst Place.
For information on the activities, visit: penshurstplace.com/whats-on/events-and-activities/2023-04/
Free forest school activities on the Commons
The Friends of Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall Commons are running free forest school play sessions on the Commons. Join in with fun activities, including supervised fire lighting, whittling, bug hunting, mud kitchens, woodland craft and marshmallow toasting over an open fire. Sessions take place on April 4 at Tunbridge Wells Common, just off Castle Road (follow the signs from Fir Tree Car Park) and on April 5 at Rusthall Common, at the Marlpit pond (signposted from Common View). These free drop-in sessions run from 10am to 12 noon, and 1pm to 3pm. Children must be accompanied by adults and wear suitable clothes for woodland play.
For more information about the event, visit: twcommons.org/events
Join the Easter fun at Hever
‘Join in an Easter quest and egg-cellent craft egg decorating workshop at Hever Castle & Gardens this school holiday.
Celebrate spring by helping the Easter Bunny find his sweet treats, and spell a special word as part of an Easter egg hunt around the grounds. Once you’ve worked out the word, head to the Information Hut to receive a chocolate treat.
Spring also offers a great chance to explore the gardens. Enjoy a dazzling display of spring blooms, from late-flowering daffodils to hyacinths, camellias and tulips. With the opening of the Woodland Walk, there are an additional 25 acres of outside space to enjoy.
For more information about Hever, visit: hevercastle.co.uk
Bee a nature lover at Hole House
‘Beecome a Conservation Hero’ at Hole Park, with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust on Friday April 7. This special experience is open to anyone who wants to learn more about the types of bees found in our home county. Learn how to identify the different species of bees already resident in your garden and get tips on which flowers and plants to grow at home to encourage bees. The event includes a tour of the gardens to see the many bee species found at Hole Park and is included in the admission price to the gardens. Two sessions take place: At 11.15am and 1.45pm. Numbers are limited, so book early to avoid disappointment. Admission in advance through the website costs £10 for adults and £2.50 for children (5-17). At the gate: £11 for adults and £2.50 for children.
Visit: holepark.com or phone 01580 241 344
Explore National Trust sites in Kent
Treat your loved ones to a spring adventure at one of the many National Trust properties in Kent: From Sissinghurst Castle Garden, to Knole, Scotney Castle, Chartwell, Emmetts Garden and Ightham Mote, there are plenty of new experiences to enjoy with the family.
Climb into a giant bird’s nest at the Scotney Castle egg-stravaganza, or follow the ‘Being Winston’ trail to learn about Churchill in the gardens at Chartwell. Each National Trust Easter trail ends with a chocolate egg, or vegan and free-from egg.
National Trust Easter egg trails cost £3 per child, plus regular National Trust admission (free entry for National Trust members).
To discover your nearest National Trust Easter trail, visit: nationaltrust.org.uk/easter
Feed your curiosity on Discovery Days
The Amelia Scott Centre will be holding spring Discovery Days on April 1, 2, 3, 5, 12, 14, 15, 16, from 10am to 4pm.Explore the beautiful courtyard and play nature-themed bingo. There is also a digital forest for you to explore in the temporary exhibition space next door.
Get creative and plant your own seed bombs on April 1, 2, 3, and 5, or join in and make a wild bee hotel on April 12, 14, 15, and 16.
For more information, visit: theamelia.co.uk/whats-on/
Playtime with Pinocchio
Showing at the Trinity Theatre on April 1, this delightful show combines puppetry, shadows, illusion, and specially composed music. It is suitable for ages four upwards and is a delight for all ages.
For more information about the show and to book tickets, visit: trinitytheatre.net
Who’s that moth?
Join the free moth identification session at the hub Grosvenor and Hilbert Park on April 1 at 10.30, when Dr Ian Beavis will check the moths have been discovered in a local garden overnight.
Further information at: fogh.org.uk/events
Holiday activity camps
Mega Camps
Ofsted-registered and catering for children aged 4-14, this camp offers a range of sports and activity days out for both boys and girls. It is held at St Mark’s Primary School on Ramslye Road, and the hours are 9am to 4pm, or extended hours of 8am to 9pm.
Call: 01892 525402
Ultimate Activity Camps
Children can enjoy a range of more than 40 sports, games and craft activities each week, from Monday April 3 to Friday April 14, at Rose Hill School, Coniston Avenue. All staff, safeguarding practices, facilities and activities meet rigorous Ofsted standards.
Drop off from 8.30am to 9.30am and pick up from 4.30pm to 5.15pm. Extended passes are available.
To find out more about Ultimate Activity Camps, including a range of special offers, visit: ultimateactivity.co.uk
Southeast Kids Camps
Taking place at Pembury Primary School, this camp is open to all children in the area, every day during the holidays, from Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm, excluding bank holidays.
An Ofsted-registered childcare provider, the camp offers 50 fun gaming and sporting activities.
Call Pembury Club Directly: 07534 361181
Camp Beaumont
Held at Kent College Junior School in Pembury, the rural backdrop is complemented by a range of top facilities that facilitate inspiring adventures throughout the school holidays, including sports, arts, crafts, and games. The camp is open to 3 to 14-year-olds.
For more information, visit campbeaumont.co.uk/our-camps/kent-college
Holmewood House
Set in 30 acres of beautiful grounds at Holmewood School in Barrow Lane, Langton Green, the camp offers a wide variety of activities to children aged 5-12.
These include Disney-inspired art, baking, crafts, basketball, cheerleading, cricket, football, handball, hockey, multisports, tennis and bikeability.
For more information, contact Course Director Claire Masterson: cmasterson@holmewoodhouse.co.uk
Stagecoach
Let your children have fun improving their performing arts skills in front of friends and family. The Stagecoach camp runs from April 3-5 at Southborough Primary, Broomhill Road, and is open to children aged 4-18.
For more information, call 01273 835884.
Craftd
Join the Craftd Bus Sewing Camp from April 3-6, from 10am to 12.30pm or 1.30pm to 4pm at Tonbridge School for some fun, creative sewing sessions.
More details at: recre8courses.co.uk
Tigers Gymnastics Club
Join the Easter holiday club for gymnasts of all abilities for week 1: April 3- April 6, or week 2: April 10 to April 14. Half-day or full-day options are available. All activities take place at Tigers, Unit 5, Chapman Way.
For more information, visit: tigersgymnastics.com/holiday-club
The Weald Gymnastics
Gymnastics holiday club sessions will be held from April 3-6, and April 11-14 at the club at 6a Sovereign Way, Tonbridge.
For more information, email: info@wealdgymnastics.com
Firstclass Football Soccer School & Multisports Camp
The Soccer School & Multi-Sports Camp is open to children of all abilities in years 1-9. Sessions are progressive and content is devised to enable children to develop and advance. Camp takes place from Monday April 3 to Thursday April 6 at Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys 3G and Sports Hall, from 9am to 3pm. Early drop off and late collections available.
To book, visit: firstclassfootball.com
