Broadstairs Dickens Festival - which starts on Saturday June 16 -- is the time of year when the seaside town becomes unrecognisable and turns into a Victorian holiday destination.

People will be milling about in long petticoats and dresses with bonnets or breeches and top hats to celebrate the town’s connection to Charles Dickens.

The festival promises to be bigger than ever in tribute to the author and his love for the area he named Our English Watering Place.

Thousands are expected to attend many of the events planned in the week dedicated to Dickens who was born 200 years ago this year.

The first day brings the Victorian country fair back to the town. Stalls of preserves, jewellery, antiques and Victorian outfits, among others, will be there to entice visitors. The fair will remain open throughout the week.

The Dickensian bathing party, the first of three at Viking Bay, is also on Saturday, June 16 and will present bathers the chance to be greeted by Queen Victoria.

Other chances to frolic in the waves will be on Monday, June 18 and Friday, June 22.

Get your bowling arm ready because the village cricket match will take place at Victoria Gardens on Sunday, June 17. Remember to dress in your Sunday best, as the Queen Victoria will be there too.

Everyone will be left wanting more after watching this year’s festival play at the Memorial Theatre. Oliver Twist will be showing every evening from Saturday, June 16 to Wednesday, June 20.

The garden party, hosted by the Broadstairs Dickens Fellowship, will be on Wednesday, June 20 so be ready with your mallets to play some croquet with the Queen and Charles Dickens himself. The Charles Dickens Museum will be holding its own literary festival.

Other treats include a historical display and firing demonstration by the 4th Battalion Royal Foot Artillery, Prom-on-the-Prom musical entertainment by BAE Systems Brass Band and performances from Broadstairs schoolchildren.

Dickens Diary Dates:

Grand Parade is on Saturday, June 16 from the War Memorial to Victoria Gardens at 2.30pm.

Festival opening ceremony is at 3pm on Saturday, June 16.

Victorian Country fair will be on from Saturday, June 16 to Friday, June 22.

Dickensian bathing party with the bathing belles is on Saturday, June 16; Monday, June 18 and Friday, June 22 from 11am.

Oliver Twist will be showing from Saturday, June 16 to Wednesday, June 20. Tickets £9, children £4.

Village cricket match is on Sunday, June 17 from 1pm.

The Royal Command Performance at the Victorian Music Hall by the Marley Players is on from Sunday, June 17 to Wednesday, June 20 at the Broadstairs Sailing Club. Tickets £7.

The garden party will be on Wednesday, June 20 from 2.30pm.

Broadstairs Dickens Festival runs from Saturday, June 16 to Friday, June 22. For further details visit www.broadstairsdickens
festival.co.uk