Things to do in February half term across Kent 2022

by Angela Cole

Whatever the weather, there's plenty going on across Kent to keep everyone happy this February half term.

We take a look at what's on to do across the county...

Dover Castle

There will be an outdoor explorer quest at the English Heritage site for half term, where young visitors need to track down the fun-filled challenges around the site, between Saturday, February 12 and Sunday, February 20. Entry is between 10am and 4pm daily and can be pre-booked here.

View from the Terrace Lawn in January at Chartwell, Kent Picture: National Trust Images/Andrew Butler

Chartwell, near Westerham

A new outdoor photography display featuring rare archive photos is launching at Chartwell in Westerham. Churchill and the Crown explores special relationship between Sir Winston Churchill and the Queen, in her Platinum Jubilee year, and runs from Saturday, January 15 to Sunday, February 27. A series of hand-selected archive photographs will tell the story of the special relationship between the young Queen and Sir Winston Churchill, at his family home. Delivered in partnership with TopFoto, the photos will be enlarged and displayed on the Terrace Lawn. Book tickets to visit here.

Faversham Literary Festival

Bookworms, bibliophiles and literature lovers will want to head to Faversham this half term as the town's annual literary festival launches on Saturday, February 12. Children's authors Lucy Strange, Rob Biddulph, Tom de Freston and Kiran Millwood Hargrave are among the names appearing at this year's festival, which features authors of all genres with plenty for young readers to enjoy. Visitors can attend talks, enter writing competitions and take part in fun family games and activities, all while discovering their new favourite books and writers. Find out more here.

Get in touch with nature at Hever Castle this half term Picture: Hever Castle and Gardens

Hever Castle, near Edenbridge

For half term the historic castle will be running a Nature Week from Saturday, February 12 to Sunday, February 20. Get back in touch with the great outdoors; put on your wellies and head around the lake for a free nature-themed scavenger hunt. On arrival you’ll be given a bag with a list of items to find around Lake Walk. Then you can warm up inside the castle and get little ones to join a free creative workshop, painting and decorating a pine cone to turn them into a creature. Find out more here.

Historic Dockyard Chatham

Visitors to the dockyard can dive virtually to the depths of the ocean floor with the new exhibition, Diving Deep: HMS Invincible 1744. From Saturday, February 12, you can explore fascinating finds from the HMS Invincible, which remains at the bottom of the Solent since its dramatic sinking more than 260 years ago, and learn what it's like to tread the seabed while staying dry at the docks. During this immersive experience, you will hear the story of the ship's thrilling excavation and learn about the trial of Kent's own Captain John Bentley for his part in sinking the Royal Navy's favourite ship. Find out more here.

Hop Farm Family Park, Paddock Wood

From Saturday, February 12 to Sunday, February 20 half term attractions include the in-door soft play centre and giant jumping pillows, as well as the chance to see spring lambs and piglets and Circus Zyair is due to visit each day. Find out more here.

Half term hunters at Leeds Castle (26486209)

Leeds Castle, near Maidstone

Young visitors can discover plenty of fun from Saturday, February 12 to Sunday, February 20, with Half Term Explorers at the castle, near Maidstone. There will be an outdoor activity trail, where you’ll learn about the different wildlife that call Leeds Castle home, from the squirrels to butterflies and birds, from a robin to a blue tit. The adventure starts in the Princess Alexandra Gardens and heads through the Culpeper Garden to the Maze and Knight’s Stronghold Playground. Book your entry tickets here.

Maidstone Museum

There will be half term Make It Craft sessions from Wednesday, February 16 to Friday, February 18. The history-themed sessions for four to 11-year-olds will be themed on the Greeks, Japanese and dinosaurs, and cost £3 per child a session. Sessions need to be pre-booked here.

Samantha Womack will star as the White Witch Picture: Seamus Ryan

Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury

Step through the wardrobe and into Narnia with the smash-hit production of CS Lewis’ classic The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe. The stage show, starring Samantha Womack as the White Witch, is running at the Marlowe Theatre from Tuesday, February 15 to Saturday, February 19. With magical costumes, awe-inspiring puppets and spectacular staging, this is an enchanting family favourite you won’t want to miss. The show is recommended for ages six and up. Book by clicking here.

The Great Garden Discovery at Penshurst Place will run in February half term Picture: Penshurst Place

Penshurst Place, near Tunbridge Wells

Get up to speed on what needs to be done in the garden this time of the year with a fun and interactive new trail, the Great Garden Discovery Trail, for families, which will run daily from Saturday, February 12 to Sunday, February 20. As you travel along the garden paths, discover what the gardening team are busy with, getting tips on germination and sowing, and how to make fat balls at home. There will be a trail sheet after each job discovery to uncover a secret hidden word. The adventure playground will be open during half term, as will the Porcupine Pantry. The trail is included in the price of a standard garden entrance ticket, no pre-booking is needed. Find out more here.

Rochester Castle

This historic Medway landmark and the surrounding areas will be illuminated with spectacular light shows on Friday, February 11 and Saturday, February 12. Medway Light Nights will see a vibrant festival of lights transform the town's walls and buildings into captivating works of art. From Icon Theatre's If Not Now performance at Rochester Castle Gardens to optical illusions in Kings Head Car Park and a lantern parade through the high street, the festival features a jam-packed series of striking events over the two evenings. Find out more here.

The Spa Valley Railway will be running for half term

Spa Valley Railway, Tunbridge Wells

The heritage railway will be running services throughout half term from Saturday, February 12 through to Sunday, February 20, with the exception of February 14 and February 18.

The relaxing train ride through the countryside between Tunbridge Wells West and Eridge, calling at High Rocks and Groombridge includes the chance to hop off and see the sights along the way, or pubs to stop and have a bite at include the Junction Inn and the Crown Inn in Groombridge and the Huntsman Pub in Eridge. Return tickets are £10 for adults and £5 for children. Book here.

The Superworm trail. Image credit: Forestry England/ Crown

Superworm trail, Bedgebury Pinetum and Jeskyns woodland

There's a super chance to celebrate the unsung heroes of the forest with the woodland trail, which is at two of the county's forests.

The Superworm trail, based on Julia Donaldson's children's picture book illustrated by Axel Scheffler, highlights the small but mighty creatures in the Superworm story, such as toad, beetle and Wizard Lizard, and their amazing abilities and is a partnership between Forestry England and Magic Light Pictures at Jeskyns Community Woodland in Cobham and Bedgebury Pinetum, near Goudhurst. There are brightly illustrated panels with things to do designed to get children thinking about the unsung heroes, while questions along the self-led trail will inspire children to think about the everyday heroic feats of the minibeasts of the woods and forests. Trail packs are available for £3.50 with additional activities, including stickers, a superhero mask, creature fact cards, at-home activity sheet, pencil and crayon.

The Miraculous Mis-Adventures of Robin Hood Picture: Three Inch Fools

Trinity Theatre, Tunbridge Wells

Five actors with all manner of musical instruments give a musical reimagining of one of the world’s best-loved folk tales in the Miraculous Misadventures of Robin Hood. The Trinity has teamed up with outdoor touring aficionados the Three Inch Fools to bring their unique brand of madcap and wildly inventive storytelling to the stage with morris dancing, sword fights, awful archery and hundreds of costume changes. The show is on from Thursday, February 10 to Wednesday, February 16. Find out more here.

Wildwood, near Canterbury

Pull on your wellies and get ready for a week of mud-filled fun from Saturday, February 12 at Wildwood. You are invited to the wildlife park as they celebrate the humble wellington boot with a range of half term activities, including a children's competition to design their own welly boots and special trails to explore around the park. You can also find out all about nature from Wildwood's resident Viking, Erik the Green, and join daily talks to discover British wildlife and the animals that live at the park. Find out more here.