Kentish Express Ashford & District - What's On
Squeeze the very last drops out of the summer with the final weekend of holiday happenings.
It’s the last gasp for the summer this weekend, before backpacks and school runs begin. Angela Cole looks at where to squeeze out the last drops of the holidays across the county
ASHFORD DESIGNER OUTLET
The centre’s open air summer festival garden area runs until Sunday, September 3, with an ice cream stand and giant games, including Connect 4 and Jenga, plus a kids’ reading corner and an Ashford Introduces battle of the bands on Saturday, September 2.
BATTLE OF MEDWAY
Uncover the 350-year-old story of the Battle of Medway through a collection of art and objects on loan from national and international institutions, including the British Library and the Rijksmuseum with the Breaking the Chain exhibition at the Historic Dockyard Chatham, which runs until Sunday, September 3. Doc.yard and her assistant Bunsen is also at the dockyard with some mathematical fun and games, until Sunday, September 3. For details go to thedockyard.co.uk. There are also battle-related activities at Upnor Castle through to Friday, September 1. Go to new.medway.gov.uk for more.
BLUEWATER
Twelve giant Gromit sculptures can be found around the centre until Sunday, September 3 for the Gromit Unleashed® Character Trail, costing £2, with a trail map to pick up from the concierge desk outside M&S, and a prize for completed ones. The centre’s first ever beach, with sands, deckchairs and a giant paddling pool, plus funfair rides, is open until Sunday, September 3 at The Village. There are small charges. Details at thebeachbluewater. com
THE FORUM
There will be a variety of sporting activities at the Sittingbourne shopping centre every Saturday until September 2, between 11am and 4pm, with challenges including hula hooping, giant egg and spoon, skipping, crazy golf and bowling.
HOP FARM
Hopper the Rabbit is having some summer holiday fun until Sunday, September 3, as the park is open every day from 10am and there will be entertainment including shows in the Big Red Barn, face painting and bouncing on the giant jumping pillows. For more information go to thehopfarm.co.uk
KENT LIFE
Head to the seaside without leaving Maidstone as the farming attraction has seaside themed events until Sunday, September 3. Dig into the sandpit and enjoy the Punch and Judy Show.
Or be daring and join the knobbly knees competition. Pick up an explorers card – each child that completes one will get a free child’s ticket to the fireworks spectacular in November. For details call 01622 763936 or visit kentlife.org.uk.
LEEDS CASTLE
Summertime activities run through to Saturday, September 2 with the final event of the summer being the Chapterhouse Theatre Company’s performance of Pride and Prejudice. For details go to leeds-castle.com
PENSHURST PLACE
The waving walkways of the Maize Maze – this year in the shape of the ancient Sidney Oak tree, which stood on the estate for some 1,000 years – are open daily until Sunday, September 3, plus next weekend, Saturday, September 9 and Sunday, September 10, with a route for younger visitors and a more challenging option. Entry is included in the standard grounds admission price. Details at penshurstplace.com
QUEX PARK
There’s a field of fun at the Birchington site through to mid September,
with the Maize Maze and an African Expedition taking visitors on a journey around the continent, with an interactive quiz.
Head to the Giant Tractor Maze, to track down a lost tractor, and try out a Maize-opoly interactive quiz. You also won’t want to miss the only Jumping Pillow in Thanet. For entry charges and times, visit quexactivitycentre. com or call 01843 841119.