Joust for laughs
Hever Castle’s annual summer jousting tournaments start on July 13 and is run on selected weekends until the end of August. This historic equine entertainment is brought to the thousands of spectators who descend on Hever Castle by the Knights of Royal England. Each session is packed full of action including stunts and faux fights and it takes place in an authentic jousting arena, complete with a royal box. For ticket info and timings visit www.hevercastle.com
A labour of love
The Oast Theatre in Tonbridge will be putting on its production of the classic English farce Charley’s Aunt. Directed by Phill Holden, it’s the tale of two young Oxford undergraduates, Jack and Charley, who want to woo their sweethearts, Amy and Kitty. But to meet them the girls have to have a chaperone. When Charley’s mysterious Aunt Donna from Brazil fails to arrive the boys have to improvise with their friend Babbs – and a few innovative costume ideas. But the fun really starts when Charley’s real aunt eventually turns up . . . Tickets cost £11 per person, for more details visit www.oasttheatre.com
Go on a bear hunt
Michael Rosen’s charming and timeless children’s book We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, which is currently celebrating its 30th anniversary, will be brought to life at the EM Forster Theatre in Tonbridge on July 24 and 25 courtesy of Sally Cookson’s fun-filled adaptation. The West End show, which is now touring across the country, is a delight for both young and old audience members. Set to a live score by Benji Bower, it sees a family navigate the ‘swishy swashy’ grass, a ‘splish splashy’ river and ‘thick oozy’ mud, in search of a bear. Tickets cost £12.50 and there are numerous performance times. For more information visit www.emftheatre.com
Prepare to be amazed
Penshurst Place’s Maize Maze is back for another year of summer fun. The agricultural creation officially opens on Saturday July 13 with a new design for 2019 that’s been kept under wraps until the launch. Both adults and children can be challenged by the main maze and there is also a special mini section for younger kids. Tickets for £12 for adults and £6.50 for children. For more information visit www.penshurstplace.com
Catch The 39 Steps
Richard Hannay is a man bored by life. Until, of course, he finds himself caught up in an enormous secret spy operation to save the country from a mysterious and diabolical force known only as ’The 39 Steps’. He’s Britain’s last hope. The only problem? He has absolutely no idea who The 39 Steps are, what they’re doing, when they’re doing it, or how he’s going to stop them. See how he gets on when Tobias Cornwell’s theatre company Get Out of My Space perform this at The Beacon from July 9-13. Tickets start from £12 and theatre dining from £16. For more information visit www.gooms.co.uk
We’ll drink to that
The Westerham-based wine estate Squerryes’ hugely popular seafood restaurant and alfresco terrace is now open for summer bookings. Guests can relax on the terrace with breathtaking views of the vineyard and enjoy Squerryes’ champion wines – including the 2014 Vintage Reserve which triumphed with a platinum medal at last month’s Decanter Awards. To book, call 01959 562345. squerryes.co.uk
Turn over a new leaf
Wednesday July 3 will be your chance to see Clare Mackintosh, the award-winning author of I Let You Go, I See You and Let Me Lie. The best-selling crime writer will be chatting to Hannah Begbie about her latest novel, After the End. The event is organised by Sevenoaks Bookshop and will be held at The Drive Methodist Church in Sevenoaks. Tickets are £8.50 per person and can be booked at www.sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk
