Things to do in Kent this weekend, August 1 and August 2 2020 including the opening of Deal Castle and the Rare Breeds Centre

The weekend weather is forecast to be dry and sunny.

Here are five events in Kent happening on the first weekend of August the family might enjoy...

The farmyard attraction has reopened this week
The farmyard attraction has reopened this week

1. South of England Rare Breeds Centre, Woodchurch

It's the first weekend of reopening for the farm attraction which began steadily welcoming back families this week.

All visitors must pre-book a time slot online at least 24 hours in advance of their visit and will then receive an e-ticket which must be presented and scanned at a new outdoor driveway for admissions.

The centre boasts cows, pigs, sheep, goats and birds of prey. Meeting the animal sessions will return but in family groups only. These include pig racing daily at 11am and 3.15pm.

The birds of prey display in the Falconry Arena which takes place daily at 2.30pm is also back. But tractor rides remain suspended until further notice.

To learn more about the new safety measures in place and how to book click here.

Deal Castle will open for the first time on Saturday, August 1
Deal Castle will open for the first time on Saturday, August 1

2. Deal Castle

Following in the footsteps of its neighbours Walmer Castle and Dover Castle, Deal Castle is the next English Heritage site to reopen for the first time this weekend.

From Saturday, August 1 the fortress will once again be welcoming visitors

Interested visitors will need to pre-book their tickets on line via the English Heritage website but families can stay for as long as they would like once they have entered.

Read more about the reopening here.

Hever Castle's Cars at the Castle takes place this weekend
Hever Castle's Cars at the Castle takes place this weekend

3. Cars at the Castle, Hever Castle

Having lowered the drawbridge to the Castle some weeks ago, Hever Castle is now gearing up to host one of its most popular summer events.

Cars at the Castle takes place on Saturday and Sunday (August 1 and August 2) where all makes and models from supercars to vintage vehicles will be on display.

All of Hever Castle's pre-booking arrangements to ensure the attraction can keep staff and visitors safe remain in place, and families wishing to come along and see the displays must book a garden ticket for a set date and time in order to be able to come along.

Learn more about the event and admission arrangements by clicking here.

Call the Midwife set tours are returning now that The Historic Dockyard has reopened
Call the Midwife set tours are returning now that The Historic Dockyard has reopened

4. Call the Midwife tours, Historic Dockyard, Chatham

Fans of the BBC television programme will be able to wander the streets of Poplar once again when set tours resume this weekend now that the Historic Dockyard has been reopened to the public.

There are some changes to the current tours to allow for all of the new government guidelines and restrictions including that tour numbers have been reduced from 25 to 12, and guides will wear face visors and use a voice projector.

To learn more about the set tours, which must be pre-booked, click here.

Catch a film at the drive-in cinema this weekend
Catch a film at the drive-in cinema this weekend

5. Kent Drive-In Cinema, Betteshanger Country Park near Deal

With Saturday and Sunday's forecast currently looking dry, you could catch a film amongst the raft of blockbuster being shown at the country park over this weekend.

Film fans could choose from Jurassic Park, Grease and The Goonies over the weekend whilst showings kickstart on Friday with Toy Story and Finding Nemo.

To learn more and how to book your spot, please click here.

The Paddock Wood attraction is reopening to families from August 1
The Paddock Wood attraction is reopening to families from August 1

6. The Hop Farm, Paddock Wood

The Hop Farm Family Park will be re-opening from this Saturday, August 1. The park says all the Covid-19 measures will be in place to welcome visitors back safely to its animal farm and to enjoy its children's rides.

There will be a limited number of entry tickets for each day to allow for social distancing and arrival must be booked in advance online. To learn more and to book advanced tickets click here.

Looking to make the pennies stretch this summer? Here are five places you can visit for a fiver here.

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