Things to do this weekend in Kent including where to pick your own pumpkin, Extreme Robots and Brogdale's Apple Festival
It's the first weekend of the half term holidays and there's parades, musicals and festivals a-plenty.
Here's our round-up of things to do with the kids this weekend.
Annie, The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury
Running until Saturday, October 19
Dance and sing your way into half term with a trip to this hit West End musical. Starring Lesley Joseph as Miss Hannigan the family-friendly show is proving a big hit with audiences young and old this week. To read our review of Monday's opening night please click here.
Canterbury Festival 2019
From Saturday, October 19
Kent's International Arts Festival opens this weekend with fanfare, singing and dancing. The opening day parade starts at noon on Saturday and will make its way through the city's streets.
This year’s parade celebrates 50 years since the Apollo Moon Landing, so visitors can expect a sea of costumes, banners and flags inspired by this historic moment. Following the parade will be a number of pop-up performances in Whitefriars, Longmarket and Rose Square. To learn more click here.
Shorne Wood Half Term Activity Trail, Brewers Road, Shorne
From Saturday, October 19 until Sunday October 27
The country park's half term activities kick off this Saturday morning. Pre-book online or drop-in to the visitor centre between 10am and 3pm to collect a trail sheet. Explore the woods following the self-led activity trail and see what you can discover about the park. All completed trails will receive a small prize. More information here.
Jeskyns Woodland near Cobham also has a new 'Glow Trail'. To learn more about the activity, using UV lights and pens, please click here.
Pick your own pumpkin, Saffery Farm, Faversham
From Saturday, October 19
Saffery Farm in Faversham opens its site for its first Pick Your Own Pumpkin weekend this Saturday and Sunday. The popular patch will be open between 10am and 4pm, and will also be open for half term from Monday, October 21 to Friday, October 25 between 10am and 4pm daily. You can also pick away on the weekend of Saturday, October 26 and Sunday, October 27. Pumpkins are priced by size and start at £1. Make sure you don your wellies.
For a round-up of other pumpkin farms and patches open to visitors this weekend, please click here.
Extreme Robots, Mote Park, Maidstone
Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20
The machines from Robot Wars are rumbling into Maidstone this weekend. Leaving the television arena behind there are set to be some thrilling battles on the Kent leg of the popular programme's tour. The live shows will be held across the weekend. For tickets please click here.
Apple Fayre, Perry Court Farm, Canterbury Road, Ashford
Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20
Morris dancers, shire horses, vintage engines and ploughing demonstrations will all be part of the Apple Fayre at Perry Court Farm. There will also be farm walks and animals to meet together with country crafts in the marquee, including spinning and woodwork, farm refreshments and tasting of all the apples. It takes place between 10am and 5pm each day. To learn more click here.
Brogdale National Apple Festival, Brogdale Road, Faversham
Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20
Learn about Tudor and Victorian apples, apples from all over the world, and the difference between cider, cooking and dessert apples with the National Apple Festival takes place at Brogdale this weekend.
Apples of all sizes, shape and colour will be available to try and buy. Families will also be able to enjoy tractor trailer tours of the orchards, tuck into local food and drink, browse craft stalls and enjoy festival games alongside apple crafts, apple pressing and cookery sessions. And just in time for Halloween will be spooky apple head carving. To learn more about everything happening over the weekend and how you can get tickets, please see here.
Half term Halloween events, countywide
From Saturday, October 19
As it's the first weekend of the half term holidays plenty of attractions in Kent begin their half term Halloween-themed events this Saturday and Sunday. Alongside pumpkin picking and carving is the chance to meet spooky animals, make and bake, dress up and take part in creepy trails. See our full round-up here.
