It's in our Nature...Tonbridge

Oktoberfest

Friday 13^th – Sunday 14^th October

Oktoberfest is coming to Tonbridge this October at the Racecourse Sports ground for the second year! Expect to find traditional Bavarian food with a range of Bratwurst, freshly cooked from the outside grill, amazing entertainment including live music, as well as DJ’s, and…are we forgetting something? Oh yeah, the beer of course! With a large range of drinks available including wine, prosecco, soft drinks & spirits, you’ll have plenty on offer to fuel your energy for your evening of dancing.

Christmas events at Tonbridge Castle

Illuminate Tonbridge Castle

Nothing counters losing the daylight to winter than heading to a light show! Illuminate Tonbridge Castle is a family-friendly event that promises to add that little winter sparkle through its Light Trail, where visitors can walk through a dazzling display of illuminations, with sparkling lights transforming the winter landscape into a wonderland of colour. The whole trail lasts approximately 35-45 minutes and once you've wandered you can finish at the Christmas market and Alpine bar...

Tonbridge Christmas Market

What makes winter warm and comforting? A Christmas market! For that perfect west Kent idyll, Tonbridge Castle Christmas Market features over 30 traders each day offering something for everyone - whatever present you need to get the family and friends - and is open every day from the 26th November until the 23rd December.

The Alpine Bar 

Dreaming of skiing over Christmas? Get the atmosphere without the travel right here in Kent. The Alpine Bar at Tonbridge Castle is the perfect place for a night out with friends or family, with plenty of festive ambiance and live entertainment - and of course there'll be plenty of mulled wine! 

Haysden Country Park

We’re slowing down the pace now and stepping into the landscape and exploring the wildlife… because that’s another thing in Tonbridge's nature. On the outskirts of Tonbridge lies the Green Flag awarded park, Haysden Country Park which is home to a range of natural habitats such as river, grassland, freshwater lakes, marshland and woodland, covering an area of 65 hectares. A wander around this Natural England accredited park on a summer's day, with the birds chirping might sound like music to your ears. Why not bring the little ones to play in the adventure play area or add a little excitement to your day and check out the fishing and watersports facilities?

You can also step into Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, like the Kent Downs and High Weald AONB. Exploring the stunning areas of natual beauty is just another part of Tonbridge's nature that needs to be discovered.

Tonbridge Castle

So, we spoke about some of the amazing festivals taking place at the glorious Tonbridge Castle, but let’s not forget, visiting the castle to learn about its history and walk its stunning grounds is an experience in itself…

Dating back 950 years, Tonbridge Castle is a proud landmark for the market town of Tonbridge and overlooks breath-taking views across the town. There’s so much history to be discovered right on your doorstep, so let’s transport you to a medieval world, where you can uncover some of the stories of kings, archbishops and tyrants. If that sounds like it’s right up your street, then an Audio Tour of the castle might be just the thing you and your family are seeking. This hour-long tour is included in your ticket price and brings the sounds of the sights you see to life on this interactive journey through time. After soaking in all the history, why not stay a little longer and explore the grounds further with a riverside walk or, if you feel it’s time to relax, then stop for a picnic on the Bailey Lawn amongst the surroundings of the picturesque castle.

Explore the surrounding areas...

First stop, the 14th-century moated manor house, gardens and estate, Ightham Mote. Enjoy a family day out here and you’ll find yourself surrounded by 700 years of history, architecture and stories. Explore the magical 24 acre gardens bordered by water features, lakes and woodland, with over 500 acres of landscape in the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to explore. Your little ones can be entertained by their natural play area, splash in the natural stream, and play with the chimes, balance beams and stepping stones. Or, why not plan your visit around one of their Summer of Tudors events throughout the summer holidays with exciting Tudor displays, trails, performances and activities?

Next stop, the 14^th century stately home and gardens, Penshurst Place. Let’s explore the house… In 1341, the medieval Baron’s Hall was completed and used as a country retreat for the Lord Mayor of London. The home has since been passed down through generations and has been looked after by the Sidney family since 1552. Did you know, the home and gardens were visited by King Henry VIII as he used it as a hunting lodge? Now, the house is a beautiful representation of Penshurst’s history and has even been showcased in popular TV and film productions. Don’t forget, there’s also 48 acres of Grounds, including the 11 acre formal Grade I listed Gardens to discover, and we have just the thing to help you and the family explore – an interactive map!