What's On

We are now open to the public until Sunday 26th September 2010, however we welcome pre-booked groups and school visits throughout the year.  In addition we are open for special events and Family Activity Days as detailed below:

SPECIAL EVENTS FOR 2010

Wednesday 28th July - The Veteran Car Club's 'Best of West Kent' Run - 11.30am

The Castle is delighted to welcome once again members of The Veteran Car Club for their annual 'Best of West Kent' tour of local places of interest.  Come and admire the amazing collection of vintage and classic cars as they enjoy a 'coffee stop' at Chiddingstone from 11.00 until 12.30.

Friday 6th August - "Batty about the Castle" - An evening bat walk in the grounds - 8-9.30pm

Suitable for adults and children from ages 5 upwards.  Pre-booking is essential.  Entrance: £3 per person for those with a membership pass, £5 per person for non-pass holders, all children £1.  Hot drinks on sale.

Thursday 11th November - Christmas Fair - 10am-3pm

Find the perfect present at our popular annual fair.   Admission £2.50.  Stallholders, please contact events@chiddingstonecastle.org.uk or 01892 872746.

Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th December - Christmas Concerts at Chiddingstone

Join us here at the Castle in the Great Hall for a festive evening of winter songs, readings and perhaps even a ghost story or two.  Laurence Taylor and friends will once more delight audiences with songs ranging from folksy, through Joni Mitchell, to Elvis! Tickets will be available soon and will be priced at £15 to include a glass of mulled wine.  Performances will commence at 7.30pm on both evening, with a matinee on the Saturday at 2.30pm.  A preview evening is also planned for Thursday, 2nd December.

FAMILY ACTIVITY DAYS 2010*

Most activity days run from 11am-5pm (last entry 4.15pm), with a variety of craft and discovery activities suitable for all ages.  There is no need to pre book.  Normal admission charges apply for 5 year olds and over - 2-4 year olds will be charged £2 to cover the cost of materials on activity days.

Monday 26th July - The Stuarts in Secret

All is not as it seems: uncover the fall of the Stuart Royal Family and the secret Jacobite plots; try code breaking in the Castle's collections.

Monday 2nd August - Wild about the Castle

From mini-beasts to mammals - what creatures can be found lurking in the Castle grounds?  To include guided nature trails, Static Owls on display, and story telling.

Monday 16th August - Victorian Games

A world before computers!  What did the children play?  Join in the fun and frolics from the Victorian era and meet Charlie the Shoeshine Boy.  Sample Victorian cakes and delights. 

Bank Holiday Monday 30th August - Chiddingstone Castle's Japanese Festival

An  extra special, action packed day to suit the entire family!  To further spread the word of our exciting and unique collection of Japanese artefacts and ancient armour, we are thrilled to be welcoming Mr Nakagawa, an old style Bushido samurai, who is visiting from Japan - especially for our Japanese Festival Day.  Mr Nakagawa will demonstrate the art of Tameshigiri (the samurai art of cutting with a sword) and also perform the traditional Tea Ceremony, to display the samurai's artistic and gentle side.  The day will also include Taiko Drumming demonstrations and workshops (for 8yrs+), a display of ancient Bonsai trees and lots, lots more!  Not to be missed!

Sunday 12th September - Woodland Craft Day

For all ages.  Try your hand at many traditional woodland and country crafts from wood turning to wattle and daub.  Find out why woods in the Weald are so important for people and wildlife, both today and in the past.  NB: Open from 12-5pm.

Monday 25th October - Mysterious Mummies

For Halloween we unwind the secrets behind the Egyptian afterlife and encounter our very own Egyptian.  A Big Draw event (www.campaignfordrawing.org).

Sunday 5th December - Victoria and Albert's Christmas

Celebrate with traditional games, crafts and stories and write a special letter to Father Christmas.

FAMILY MEMBERSHIP PASS

Chiddingstone Castle's Family Season Pass (2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children) includes free parking, entry on normal opening days and 13 family activity days throughout the season and during the school holidays.  It excludes free admission to public events. The membership pass is valid for 12 months from the day of purchase.  The feedback from last Summer is that this pass provides exceptional value for family days out in Kent.  To request a Family Season Pass form, please call the Events Office on 01892 872746.

New prices for 2010 are on our visiting us page.   Individual passes also available.

* Free to Family Membership Pass holders otherwise normal admission prices apply.  We reserve the right to change the format or content of the activity days at our discretion  

DUE TO THE CONSTRAINTS OF SPACE AND SAFETY, WE ARE NO LONGER ABLE TO ALLOW PUSHCHAIRS OR PRAMS INSIDE THE CASTLE BUILDING, AND APOLOGISE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE THIS MAY CAUSE.

We have a constantly evolving programme of events throughout the year and this page is regularly updated