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What's New for 2011 & Beyond
2011
This stunning new gallery which opened in Margate this April has already seen over 150,000 visitors through its doors. Upon entry you will be treated to some extraordinary exhibitions of specially commissioned works by contemporary artists as well as works by Turner. The gallery has just annoucned Rodin's The Kiss will be on display in the gallery until September 2012, on loan from the Tate Collection.
One of Canterbury's most distinctive landmarks has been given a new lease of life. The UK's largest surviving medieval gateway recently re-opened with a brand new riverside cafe and, revealing for the first time in 130 years, the old City Gaol - the original entrance for prisoners' on their route to the towers.
After extensive development, English Heritage has re-opened the Secret Wartime Tunnels with a new visitor experience ‘Operation Dynamo: Rescue from Dunkirk', re-creating the drama and tension of the Dunkirk evacuation of May 1940 in the same historic tunnels in which the desperate rescue operation was masterminded.
Opened in Canterbury this October, The Marlowe Theatre has provided Kent a world-class theatre. Audiences can enjoy state-of-the-art facilities housed in a stunning contemporary riverside building.
Located in the heart of Bluewater (one of Europe's largest shopping centres), the new, state of the art 5,200m2 events venue will be opening later this year. Approached through a spectacular new Plaza, this unique, flexible space is ensuring that Bluewater is at the future of retail, exhibition and consumer experience in the UK and will be home to a programme of spectacular events throughout the year.
2012
The bicentenary of Charles Dickens
This year will bring many activities and events to commemorate the 200th anniversary of one of Britain's best loved authors and his associations with Kent. Here are just a few events in the Dickens calendar:
- 8-10 June: Medway Dickens Festival
- 16-22 June: Broadstairs Dickens Festival
- Dickens Christmas Market in Rochester Castle (December 2011 and 2012)
- New tour at the Historic Dockyard, Chatham - Dickens' Dockyard
The Olympics come to London - Kent is Host County of the Paralympic Games
Kent is proud to be recognised as a Host County of the Paralympic Games. Brands Hatch in Sevenoaks will be hosting the Paralympic Road Cycling Events, the biggest cycling discipline within the Games taking place between 5 - 8 September 2012.
Kent has been honoured with hosting two spectacular evening celebrations of the Olympic Torch Relay; in Dover on 18 July before the flame then makes its journey to Leeds Castle on 19 July. The Torch will additionally visit many other Kent communities between 18 - 20 July 2012.
Ebbsfleet International Station is one of the official 'Park and Rail' services and just 9 minutes by high-speed rail link to the Centre of the Olympic Park. We also have a London 2012 'Live Site' big screen at Dover, with other big screens being planned across the county.
The Queen celebrates her Diamond Jubilee
As Her Majesty the Queen celebrates her Diamond Jubilee, marking 60 years of her reign, come and share our wealth of royal connections. Discover how we have provided England's kings and queens with country escapes and entertainment, a route to travels on the Continent, a beautiful place for their castles - and fortresses on the frontline of coastal defence. A full programme of events will be available shortly.
Cyclopark will be Kent's new activity place, featuring over 3km of road track, 1400sqm skate park, 7500sqm BMX track and 43 hectares of park land. The park will bring first class cycling, running and extreme sports facilities to north Kent and will be one of the leading multi sport centres in the south of England. Located just south of Gravesend, within easy access of the M25, A2 and Ebbsfleet International, Cyclopark will provide a hub for the local community, and will bring regional and national events to the area.
The Salutation Gardens, Sandwich, Centenary Celebrations
In 2012 The Salutation Gardens in Sandwich will be celebrating the centenary of the house and gardens. The house was built and designed by Edwin Lutyens in 1912 and the gardens were developed in the same year by Gertrude Jekyll. There will be an exciting programme of events at The Salutation throughout the year.
The Sandwich Celebrations - 250 years of the sandwich (12 and 13 May 2012)
In 1762 John Montague, 4th Earl of Sandwich, had his hands full - literally. He ran the mighty British Navy; he was a noted explorer, a musician, a family man, and had a passion for all-night card games! Little wonder he needed to change the way we eat.
To celebrate 250 years of the sandwich, the town of Sandwich and the present Earl of Sandwich will be hosting a weekend of celebrations, including a re-enactment of the very moment that the sandwich came into being, featuring actors in period dress.
2013
Opening of the Dreamland Heritage Park
The Park, due to open in Margate in 2013, will be the world's first amusement park of historic rides that will authentically recreate a thrilling seaside amusement park from the past.
Re-developments and 100th Anniversary at Knole
2013 is the 100th anniversary of Vita Sackville-West's marriage to Harold Nicolson in the chapel at Knole. Knole intends to mark this significant anniversary with a special exhibition. The property is currently undergoing extensive development before opening new spaces to the public, including a new conservation studio, which will allow visitors to see work taking place preserving the collections so precious to the building and its history.
