Visit Kent for Cultural Inspiration this Autumn

Canterbury tops the charts!

It's official! ‘Canterbury tops the charts' says the new Lonely Planet England travel guide. And it gets even better in October when the brand new and world class Marlowe Theatre opens, coinciding with the start of the Canterbury Festival, Kent's annual international arts festival. From the Soweto Gospel Choir to the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as theatre, dance, comedy, exhibitions, walks and tours, the Canterbury Festival offers something for everyone.

Celebrate the Harvest at Kent's food and drink festivals

Visit Broadstairs Food Festival from 30th September until 2nd October for a weekend extravaganza dedicated to Kent's famous food and drink delicacies. Situated in Victoria Gardens, visitors can enjoy cooking demonstrations, food and drink tastings, entertainment and special festival menus in the picturesque surroundings of Broadstairs seafront.

The Apple Festival at Brogdale Farm from 22nd to 23rd October offers mouth-watering tastings, demonstrations and displays of the 3,500 different varieties of delicious seasonal fruits that are grown in the Brogdale orchards. The expert tour guides will give you a fascinating background to the current fruits that are in season, including apples, pears, plums and cherries.

Harvesting at Biddenden Vineyards, Kent's oldest vineyard, typically begins in September and lasts for about six weeks. Take part in a fantastic free guided tour to watch grapes being hand-picked and transported across the vineyard in large buckets to the winery for immediate pressing. Tours and tastings are free and run on selected Saturdays throughout September and October, with a dedicated Harvest tour on 15th October.

There are more than 40 Farmers' Markets dotted around the county selling exceptional local Kent produce. The Goods Shed is on the doorstep of Canterbury West railway station and serves seasonal British produce in its traditional restaurant, all sourced from its neighbouring market. Penshurst Place Farmer's Market has also recently been named one of the UK's top ten markets and runs on the first Saturday of every month.

Inspirational events in the Garden of England this October

Britain's first class music and arts venue, the Marlowe Theatre will re-open its doors on 7th October to showcase its magnificent transformation. Visit Canterbury for an exciting weekend celebration of music, dance and street entertainment. A full list of events for My Marlowe Opening Weekend, and throughout 2012, can be found in the Theatre's online events diary.

Experience the sights and sounds of the magnificent Bedgebury Pinetum forest through a whole new light as you watch the beautiful forest transformed into a dazzling array of illuminations. For one week only, from 22nd to 30th October, Bedgebury's woodland trails and water features will be lit up by an award winning creative team from The Forestry Commission to present the spectacular Electric Forest.

Win a fantastic break for two in the Garden of England with Shepherd Neame!

Visit Kent has teamed up with Shepherd Neame, Britain's oldest brewer, to offer an exciting two night break in the Garden of England.

Enter now for a chance to win a two night break in a wondeful Shepherd Neame hotel together with a magnificent hot air balloon flight and a personal shopping experience at Ashford Designer Outlet with £200 spending money. As part of your prize, you will also get free entry into many of Kent's leading attractions including Dover Castle, Hever Castle and the historic Canterbury Tales.

The competition closes on 28th October, so make sure you get your entry in now!

Nothing in the World but Youth at Turner Contemporary

A fascinating exhibition inspired by youth experiences throughout history in the seaside town of Margate is now open at Turner Contemporary. With over 200 'youthful' works, alongside early paintings by JMW Turner who himself visited Margate during his youth, the exhibition examines the complex lives and views of young people.

For more on Turner Contemporary and its exciting schedule of exhibitions for the coming year, visit www.turnercontemporary.org