Sweet summer memories are made of this – kicking back and watching your favourite feel-good films under the stars in top Kent locations. Here's where to head for some movie magic

BETTESHANGER PARK

Memories of summer evenings spent outdoors watching your favourite film are back at Betteshanger Country Park in Deal.

The 250-acre park launched its first open air cinema season last year and it is back until September with the screen and natural auditorium uncovered – screenings will go ahead, come rain or shine.

On Saturday, June 24, there will be a sci-fi all-nighter with double bill of sci-fi hits, Galaxy Quest and Moon. There will also be star-gazing, midnight feasts and open air breakfasts, with cinemagoers aged 16 and over able to camp or bivouac. The first screening is at 9.30pm, and the second at midnight.

On Saturday, August 19, the Harry Potter spin-off Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them will be the show, after the film, starring Eddie Redmayne, grabbed 48% of a public vote.

On Saturday, September 16, Tim Burton’s adaptation of the Lewis Carroll classic, Alice Through The Looking Glass, will be the season finale. Visitors are encouraged to create their own Mad Hatter’s Tea Party before the screening at 8pm.

Tracy Brunt, Betteshanger’s event manager, said: “Being at Betteshanger after dark is a special experience that not many people have the opportunity to enjoy.”

To book tickets, visit betteshanger-park.co.uk

ALFRESCO EVENTS

Baby will be firmly out of the corner when open air cinema gets a first screening at the Kent Showground in Detling, near Maidstone.

Eighties film classic Dirty Dancing will be screened after Alfresco Events launched a second venue for their second year.

Launched in Kings Hill last year by local mothers Joanna Hillcock and Lucy Cumming, it sold out in just over a week in its first year.

The Detling site will hold an audience of 2,000 film fans sitting back and watching a 40ft screen.

Gates will open at 6.30pm, with the screening at 9.15pm on Friday, July 14. There will also be showings of Top Gun starring Tom Cruise on Saturday, August 5, and Pretty Woman, starring Richard Gere and Julia Roberts, on Friday, August 4, at Kings Hill Sports Park.

Joanna said: “We are really excited about bringing our open air cinema to Detling.
“We’re working hard to create an unforgettable experience.”

Food and drink will be available before and during the film.

For tickets go to alfrescoevents.co.uk or facebook.com/alfrescokingshill

LUNA CINEMA

Now in its ninth year, the Luna Cinema’s summer programme runs from July to October, taking in locations including castles across the county.

TONBRIDGE CASTLE

The 1986 film Ghostbusters will be on Sunday, July 16, at 9.15pm.

SWANLEY PARK

The 1961 classic Breakfast At Tiffany’s will be shown on Wednesday, July 19, at 9pm and on Thursday, July 20, The Bodyguard, starring Whitney Houston, will be at 9pm.

LEEDS CASTLE

Russell Crowe, right, stars in the epic Gladiator on Friday, July 28, at 9pm. On Saturday, July 29, Julia Roberts stars in Pretty Woman at 9pm.

ROCHESTER CASTLE

Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone will be screened on Friday, September 29, at 7.30pm and Saturday, September 30, sees a screening of Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey in Dirty Dancing at 7.30pm. The last Kent screening will be on Sunday, October 1, with Jurassic Park, starting at 7.30pm.

For tickets visit thelunacinema.seetickets.com

HEVER FESTIVAL

The Hever Festival features a week dedicated to movie magic among the live theatre and music in its picturesque setting.

Cinema under the stars will be at Hever Castle from Tuesday, August 22, to Friday, August 25.

The feel-good musical Singin’ In The Rain starts the week on the Tuesday, starring Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds and Donald O’Connor.

Another Hollywood tale, the award-winning La La Land, will be on Wednesday, August 23, the stylish Breakfast At Tiffany’s, with Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly, on Thursday, August 24 and Bridget Jones’s Baby on Friday, August 25.

Tickets are £14. See heverfestival.co.uk or call the box office on 01732 866114.