21 things to do across Kent to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee this bank holiday weekend
05:00, 28 May 2022
Grab the bunting and dress up in your best regal finery, as we've got an incredible 21 things to do this bank holiday to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee...
Balfour Hush Heath Estate, near Maidstone
Start the four-day weekend with a delightful summer cocktail evening at this beautiful winery. Enjoy specially crafted cocktails, made with the best Balfour wines, sample a selection of tasty canapés, and take in stunning views of the estate from the outdoor balcony as you watch the sun set and raise a glass to Her Majesty.
When: Thursday, June 2 from 7pm. Tickets cost £45. Find out more here.
Bluewater Shopping Centre, near Dartford
To commemorate this historic weekend, primary children from all over Dartford have been creating their own portraits of Her Majesty the Queen. To mark the incredible 70-year reign, two of these special portraits will be part of a one-off exhibition in Bluewater’s Lower Rose Gallery for shoppers to admire throughout the jubilee celebrations.
When: Friday, May 27 to Friday, June 10 from 10am. This exhibition is free. Find out more here.
Dock Square, Chatham
Treat your taste buds to the best street food in the county at the Chatham Maritime Food and Drink Festival. Celebrate the jubilee weekend with a feast of foodie delights from a variety of independent traders, cheer on the dragon boat racing and endurance sailing, let your kids loose at the funfair and messy play area, and listen to a line-up of live music and DJs.
When: Thursday, June 2 to Sunday, June 5 from 11am to 5pm. This event is free. Find out more here.
Dover Castle
Kids rule the castle with a range of hands-on childrens’ activities and family fun. This bank holiday weekend, Dover Castle has gone back in time to the 12th century when King Henry II’s wife, Queen Eleanor, was in her Regency. Learn what it was like to be part of the royal family 900 years ago and meet the Queen as she greets you from the Great Tower.
When: Saturday, May 28 to Sunday, June 5 from 10am to 5pm. Adult tickets cost £26. Find out more here.
The Forum, Tunbridge Wells
Celebrate one Queen with another this bank holiday as tribute band Fat Freddie and the Queens perform a night of British rock anthems. The band will be performing a number of Freddie Mercury and the gang’s biggest hits, from Another One Bites the Dust to We Will Rock You, for a right royal night out.
When: Thursday, June 2 from 7.30pm. Tickets cost £16.50. Find out more here.
Groombridge Place, Tunbridge Wells
Visit this magnificent country estate and celebrate the royal reign with the Queen of Hearts herself. Kids who dig out their finest costumes and dress up as royalty will be rewarded by the Queen of Hearts with a special sweet treat - and you never know, she might even regale you with stories from her Wonderland home.
When: Thursday, June 2 to Sunday, June 5 from 10am to 5pm. Adult tickets cost £12. Find out more here.
Gun Wharf, Chatham
More than 100 boats will set sail along the River Medway and past some of the county’s most well-known sights as the Platinum Jubilee River Pageant marks this momentous occasion. The river will host vessels, such as the steam puffer VIC 96, traditional sailing fishing boats and a collection of 100-year-old Thames sailing barges, to celebrate British history. There will also be live music and a street party at the Sun Pier.
When: Saturday, June 4 from 12pm. This event is free. Find out more here.
Hever Castle, Edenbridge
Spend the jubilee weekend at the home of two former queens of England. Hever Castle was once home to Anne Boleyn and Anne of Cleves, and, over the weekend, will be home to a host of regal activities. Find the Queen's Corgis, hunt for the crown jewels in the castle and follow the Buckingham Palace beacon trail. You can also get in the spirit of things with the Guildhall Strings at the (First Night) of the Hever Festival Proms.
When: Thursday, June 2 to Sunday, June 5 from 10.30am to 4.30pm. Adult tickets cost £19.80. Find out more here.
Hole Park Estate, Cranbrook
The picturesque gardens of this country estate will be home to one of the many beacons being lit around the country and the Commonwealth. The beacon, which is part of the official Buckingham Palace programme of jubilee events, will welcome the local community to watch this significant moment at Hole Park, followed by a firework finale.
When: Thursday, June 2 from 6.30pm. This event is free. Find out more here.
Kent Life, Maidstone
Step back in time and party like it’s 1952 with this retro street party. The ‘50s theme will feature a traditional village fete, live music and a replica of the famous kitchen set from the Darling Buds of May TV series, which was set in 1950s Kent - and, of course, plenty of bunting and Union Jack flags!
When: Thursday, June 2 to Sunday, June 5 from 10am to 5pm. Tickets cost £12. Find out more here.
The Leas Bandstand, Folkestone
Spend a day by the coast and enjoy live music, family competitions, classic car shows and arts and crafts stalls, all in the name of the jubilee. Rock up to the bandstand and sing along to the traditional music and live bands, while your children can compete in a royal fancy dress competition and watch the historic lighting of the beacon.
When: Thursday, June 2 to Sunday, June 5 from 10am. This event is free. Find out more here.
Leeds Castle, Maidstone
Look back at the powerful queens throughout British history who led us to this once-in-a-lifetime weekend. Journey through the Middle Ages and discover stories of the six most famous queens who lived at Leeds Castle, watch live performers act out their reigns and take part in the Medieval Jubilee Quest.
When: Thursday, June 2 to Sunday, June 5 from 10am to 6pm. Adult tickets cost £32. Find out more here.
Margate Bookie
The friendly book festival by the sea returns, this year for the special jubilee weekend. You can celebrate the work of some great British authors, attend workshops and talks from professional writers and speakers, and watch the beloved Bookie Poetry Slam, all at various venues across the town. Authors set to appear include Daisy Buchanan, Maggie Gee and Zoe Gilbert, among many others.
When: Thursday, June 2 to Sunday, June 5 from 11am to 7pm. This event is free, but talks and workshops have an admission cost. Find out more here.
Mount Ephraim, Faversham
This is My Theatre company will visit the spectacular Mount Ephraim Gardens for an open-air production of family favourite, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Each summer, the company tours historic locations with adaptations of classic tales and, this year, their take on Lewis Caroll’s story is an exciting show packed with merriment, music and misadventure.
When: Friday, June 3 from 5pm. Adult tickets cost £15. Find out more here.
The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells
Is there anything more British than an old fashioned bake-off? The Royal Tunbridge Wells Cake Off will welcome members of the public to sample a selection of royal-themed cakes from some of the town’s best bakeries, restaurants and shops and vote for their favourite. The winner will be announced in the afternoon and, while you wait for the results, you can listen to live music from vintage jazz band Miss Kiddy and the Cads.
When: Saturday, June 4 from 11am to 3pm. This event is free. Find out more here.
Penshurst Place, Tonbridge
Get in the spirit of things with a jam-packed programme fit for a queen. Penshurst Place are running a number of activities for the whole family to enjoy across the whole weekend, from bunting workshops to traditional garden games. Make sure to stop at the special coronation exhibition and see the personal collection of 1st Viscount De L’Isle, who was present when the Queen took the throne in 1952.
When: Thursday, June 2 to Sunday, June 5 from 10am to 5pm. Adult tickets cost £13.50. Find out more here.
Port Lympne Reserve, Hythe
Take a break with a royal afternoon tea, served in one of the county’s most breathtaking outdoor attractions. Explore Port Lympne’s vast Kentish savannah where animals such as giraffes, zebras and rhinos roam, before you dine on a special lunchtime menu, created by the reserve’s pastry chefs just for this occasion.
When: Thursday, June 2 to Sunday, June 5 from 12pm to 4pm. Prices start at £40 per person and include zoo admission. Find out more here.
Reuthes Lost Gardens of Sevenoaks
Put your glad rags on, dress up as your favourite prince or princess and dance the night away at one of Reuthes' much-loved children’s parties. The Platinum Jubilee party will see Reuthes’ resident DJ playing dancefloor anthems and hosting children’s games throughout the evening, while grown ups can toast the Queen in the garden beer tent.
When: Saturday, June 4 from 5pm to 9pm. Tickets start from £2. Find out more here.
Rochester Town Centre
One of the county’s busiest festivals is back and, this year, it’s paying homage to the jubilee weekend. Dickens Festival will take over Rochester, with character parades, live music, poetry, literature and comedy performances which celebrate the British novelist taking place all over town. At the same time, the events of the Platinum Jubilee will be streamed, live from London, on the big screen in the castle gardens.
When: Saturday, June 4 to Sunday, June 5 from 11am to 3.30pm. This event is free. Find out more here.
Westenhanger Castle, Hythe
Kent-based theatre company Up the Road Theatre will be visiting this charming medieval manor house for a series of free open-air shows over the jubilee weekend. Tales Through Time: A Right Royal Gallop is a lively celebration of the Queen’s reign and is a fun whistle-top tour of the last 70 years.
When: Friday, June 3 and Sunday, June 5. This event is free. Find out more here.
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