Things to do this weekend in Kent including the Will Adams Festival, Hops n Harvest at Kent Life and Medway Model Show

The fun doesn't have to stop just because the kids are back at school! There's plenty of family-friendly events for anyone suffering from the summer holiday blues.

Here are seven suggestions for Saturday and Sunday we think the kids will love...

Will Adams Festival last year
Will Adams Festival last year

Will Adams Festival, Gillingham

Saturday, September 7

Experience maritime history and Japanese culture at this Saturday's annual Will Adams festival in Gillingham Park.

The festival celebrates the life of Will Adams, who grew up in Gillingham during the Tudor period before becoming an experienced sailor in the Royal Navy.

After retiring from the navy, Adams navigated a fleet of five Dutch ships from West Africa but his ship ran aground on the island of Kyushu in Japan, he was captured, questioned and imprisoned. After being released he was ordered to sail to Tokyo where, so impressed with his knowledge of shipbuilding and navigation, he became a trusted aide and diplomatic adviser and was granted the honoured title of Samurai and given a small estate in Hemi, now known as Yokosuka.

To celebrate his life and legacy will be story telling, displays,drumming, origami, martial arts and living history events. It all takes place between 11am and 5pm.

Dragon Boat Racing at Bewl Water
Dragon Boat Racing at Bewl Water

Dragon Boat Race, Bewl Water Lamberhurst

Saturday, September 7

The annual Dragon Boat Festival comes to Bewl Water on September 7. Bring a picnic and enjoy watching the teams compete on the water. There will also be stalls selling cakes and other goodies, entertainment and people in interesting and unusual fancy dress!

You can enjoy Bewl Water all day just for the cost of your parking which is £4 per vehicle.

McLaren LEGO car, Bluewater Shopping Centre, Greenhithe

Saturday, September 7 and Sunday, September 8

It took almost 5,000 hours and half a million LEGO bricks - but now the full-scale McLaren car model is on display at Bluewater.

The weekend a team of LEGO experts will be showing visitors all of the amazing features of the car.

And there are some realistic additions - including an authentic lightweight carbon-fibre driving seat and original steering wheel and pedals. The car is on display outside M&S on the lower level in the Moon Court.

Tonbridge Castle Medieval Fair (16172612)
Tonbridge Castle Medieval Fair (16172612)

Medieval Fair, Tonbridge Castle
Saturday, September 7 and Sunday, September 8

Families can go along for free to Tonbridge's popular Medieval Fair which rolls into town this weekend. There will be re-enactments, jesters, music, knights in armour, juggling workshops. Punch and Judy shows and a hog roast amongst the attractions and entertainment. And Sunday will also include the addition of a Dragon Boat race taking place on the River Medway near the castle.

Dover Western Heights North End Tunnel
Dover Western Heights North End Tunnel

Dover Western Heights Open Weekend

Saturday, September 7 and Sunday, September 8

Visit the largest Napoleonic fortress in Britain when it opens its doors to families this weekend. The Western Heights was an essential base for the British Army throughout the nineteenth century and an excellent example of British defence from the Napoleonic period through to the Second World War.

The open weekend is being organised by the preservation society which aims to make the unique structure available to the public to visit. There will be military re-enactments, musket fire, drills and the chance to explore the fort, its tunnelts, view the cells and enjoy amazing views of Dover and France. Cakes and hot and cold drinks will be sold in the Casemate Cafe.

Free parking is available at the Citadel sports field and admission is £5 per adult with children under 18 free. Visitors requiring a postcode for Sat Nav should use CT17 9DZ.

Hops ‘n’ Harvest at Kent Life
Hops ‘n’ Harvest at Kent Life

Hops ‘n’ Harvest Festival, Kent Life, Sandling near Maidstone

Saturday, September 7 and Sunday, September 8

Join in with the traditional hand-picking of hops this weekend. You can witness the hop making process from picking to drying, visit one of the last working coal-fired oast houses in the country and meet some of historical's characters from Kent's past.

There will also be live music to keep everyone entertained and the chance for adults to sample up to 50 varieties of locally brewed ales and ciders.

Children’s favourite Basil Brush will also be performing shows in the Big Top! Kent Life members can enter the Hops ‘n’ Harvest Festival for free and for other ticket information click here.

Medway Model Show is this weekend
Medway Model Show is this weekend

Medway Model Show

Saturday, September 7 and Sunday, September 8

Fort Pitt Grammar School is hosting the Medway Model Show between 10am and 5pm on the Saturday (7) and 10am and 4pm on September 8.

There will be a variety of layouts to see to interest both enthusiasts and visitors looking for something to do with family members, plus modelling demonstrations and a range of hot and cold food available.

There is free on-site parking as well as a free shuttle bus service running and admission is just £2 for children, £5 for adults or £12 for a family.

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