New quiz trail puts the town on the map for the summer holiday
Seasonal festivals come and go, but the streets of town are open year-round and free to access, which is why the Quiz Trail books are so brilliant.
Written by Rochester-based amateur history buff Liz Foster, the Royal Tunbridge Wells Quiz Trail and Town Souvenir is a circular trail around town, with clues to follow and riddles to unravel. You can even submit your answers for a prizes, in a draw at the end of November.
Many of the picture clues are street signs where you have to be there to find out what has been blacked out… but you cannot cheat with Google StreetView, because the trail starts in The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells’ original pedestrian promenade.
Along the way, additional walks are suggested, to destinations including Wellington Rocks and Calverley Grounds, but the author and testers have limited the main trail to a manageable 1.2 miles, and have also taken care to design wheelchair- and child pushchair-inclusive workarounds for those who need slopes not steps.
The trail also works on two age levels – adult and child – with adult questions in blue and child questions in yellow. The prize draw on November 30 is also tiered, offering £100 for correct adult answers and £50 for correct junior answers.
In between the steps of the trail, the booklet includes pages of history which will appeal to both pub-quizzers and fans of ‘Horrible Histories’ – note that you may find some clues to the trail here – or you may just find out the origins of phrases like ‘get shirty’ and ‘pig in a poke’.
Booklets can be ordered from quiztrail.co.uk for £4 (half price this summer). The publishers offer free P&P for ordering two or more Quiz Trails.
On Stage & Screen
Awful Auntie by David Walliams has been adapted this summer for the outdoor stage at Hever Castle’s Anne Boleyn’s Walk on July 29. Heartbreak Productions’ thrilling tale features owls, ghosts, chases, and escapes as main character Stella evades her menacing Aunt and saves the family home. Make sure you bring a blanket or chair to sit on, weather-appropriate gear, and a picnic, as the tale could take some time to tell, and storytelling can be hungry work!
Join Mr. Tom Carradine on the ol’ Joanna as he presents an evening of timeless songs with audience participation on July 29 at The Green Duck Emporium. Let your host lead you through a traditional cockney sing-along, with classics from the music hall era, WWI and II, the West End stage and popular tracks from across the decades. Tickets cost £20 per person which includes an antipasti board each to keep you well fuelled throughout the night.
For a summer’s night of live open-air music, head over to Tonbridge Castle on July 27 as symphonic wind group Sevenoaks and Tonbridge Concert Band take the stage. Set in the spectacular setting of the castle grounds, visitors can expect music from film, stage, and concert band repertoire in this free admission event.
Going Live
Join Jon Holmes on July 29 at Hever Castle’s Two Sisters’ Theatre where current affairs melts into music, movies, and popular culture soundbites in The Skewer: DJ Set. The BBC Radio 4’s multi-award-winning satirical river of sound re-imagines up-to-the-minute events as a DJ set packed full of surprising songs and satire.
A.H. Artistes presents: The Rod Stewart Songbook – an outstanding theatre production featuring Pete McCall, Europe’s foremost tribute. The sensational production is set to celebrate the music and career of Rod Stewart, one of rock music’s greatest legends on July 30 at the Assembly Hall Theatre. Along with McCall’s impeccable band, ticket holders will be taken on a musical journey spanning 50 years, featuring unforgettable hits including Maggie May and Baby Jane.
The Forum presents their first under 18s summer show next Thursday (August 4). The first of their summer showcase lineup features popular bands who have played for the Under 18 Mic Nights throughout 2022 including Civil Complex and The Street Lights plus solo artists Ash Dodd, Nimueh and Rosie; performing live with the specially formed Under 18s House Band. A great night to kickstart summer and celebrate the end of the school year.
Family Fun
Painting without a paintbrush is a revelation. It loosens your style, and anyone can give it a go. Most of the paintings in Linda Moore’s: Who Needs a Paintbrush? exhibition have been constructed using chopped up old loyalty cards dipped into acrylic paint. The results? Unexpected, vibrant, and often stunning. Come and see for yourself on July 28-August 1 at Trinity Theatre.
Cranbrook on the Green is the perfect day out for the family and classic car enthusiasts. On July 31 expect a variety of market stalls offering lots of lovely produce and gifts, alongside a children’s corner with activities, rides, and fun entertainment. The combination of stalls, a dog show and classic cars means there is fun for everyone.
Spend summer holiday Mondays in Green Court at Knole with craft activities and colouring. On August 1 at 11am-3pm, children can exhibit their creative flair making their very own stained-glass window and heraldic animal (all materials provided). Be sure to arrive early and dress for the weather, as all family Mondays take place outdoors.
Beat the heat over the summer holidays with air-conditioned bowling, air hockey, video games like Space Invaders and Mario Kart and more. Open from 10am, Hollywood Bowl Tunbridge Wells also offers discounts to cool your costs, with 25 per cent off games bowled before 11am and meals for a family of four from £20. Sign up for the VIP mailing list for 50 per cent off your next visit.
For more mature families who fancy treating their tastebuds to some top-notch wine, board the 11:55 Spa Valley Railway service at Tunbridge Wells West this Saturday (July 30). Alight at Eridge for the award-winning Wildwood Vineyard, which has teamed up with Spa Valley Railway for a laid-back afternoon sipping on the good stuff.
