Are you looking for some inspiration for what’s going on in Tunbridge Wells on 8 and 9 July? Well we’ve got Pub in the Park, Tunbridge Wells Fringe & Langton Green Festival, fetes, fairs, walks and loads more. Whether you’re looking for something for family, friends or as a couple, we’ve got plenty of inspo.
By Zoë Phillimore
Our pickS for the weekend
♥ Pub in the Park hits Dunorlan Park this weekend. Running from the Friday right through to the Sunday, there’s still tickets if you fancy popping along. Day slots are great for kids too, while evening times are fab for enjoying with friends – think sunset Aperol spritzes and glitter face paints. This is a great festival for foodies and music lovers alike. USE CODE ‘PUB50’ TO CLAIM 50% OFF YOUR TICKETS (for Friday, Saturday Afternoon and Lazy Sunday sessions only.)
♥ Good news! The Langton Green Festival is taking place this Saturday on Hollands Farm and sounds like a fabulous event! Look out for TW Fringe’s very own venue on site too – The Langton Green Hub – which has events taking place daily from now until Sunday. We are most looking forward to ‘A Night at The Musicals’ which is taking place at 7pm on Saturday. Tickets are available here.
The much anticipated ‘mini festival’ is from 11am to 5pm on Saturday. Expect live music throughout the day as well as lots of lovely local food and drink stalls, face painting, craft stalls, ticketed workshops and puppet shows. The event is free to enter and tickets can be purchased separately for TW Fringe workshops.
Here are more fab ideas for things to do this weekend in Tunbridge Wells
Cheer on some amazing human feats of endurance
♥ On 9 July there’s the Festival of Endurance at Hever Castle. This combines cycling, running and swimming around the beautiful grounds of Hever. Chances are you’ve been training if you’re competing, but it’s a lovely family event and great to cheer on competitors. Fear not if you just want to visit Hever – normal visits are not affected, although the boating lake will be shut.
Embrace life in the countryside
♥ It’s the Kent County Show on 7-9 July. This regional event is a chance to discover loads about farming, agriculture and rural life. It’s a great day out for kids who love animals and vehicles (more tractors than you can count!). There will also be plenty of stands for adults to peruse.
Get on your bike
♥ Did you know there’s a newly open pump track in Crowborough? Suitable for all ages and abilities, the 65-metre track includes rolling hills, bermed corners and table top jumps. The track is designed so you don’t need to peddle your bike at all, using just gravity and pump action to power you around.
Enjoy the most serene picnic
♥ We’re off to Castle Farm’s lavender fields this weekend for a picnic. Situated in Shoreham just north of Sevenoaks, this farm turns bright purple over July as it teams with lavender – and plenty of honey bees. The scent is amazing, and you can book picnics in the fields, or have a tour. It’s all kid friendly, too. A trip is not complete without a photo on their famous lavender bench. The season is short so get in there quick.
Fun events in Tunbridge Wells, whatever the weather this weekend
If it’s sunny…
♥ How about PYO with a bit of a different? Town Flowers on Bayham Road (on the right just before the crematorium) does PYO flowers and it’s £35 for a full bunch. The flowers are grown in no-dig, peat-free beds and the whole business is focused on being as sustainable as possible. This sounds like such a lovely thing to do with the kids if the weather is kind to us this weekend.
…. or if it rains
♥ The weather on Sunday looks a bit iffy to say the least, so what about taking the kids to a family yoga workshop? This Tunbridge Wells Fringe event is running on 9 July at 2.30pm at Langton Green Hub. The event will be focused on getting bodies – young and old – moving, and sounds like it’ll be lots of fun.
Celebrate World Chocolate Day
♥ Chocoholics unite – it’s World Chocolate Day on 7 July. This is an event we can definitely get behind. The Ashdown Park Hotel are celebrating by hosting a chocolate afternoon tea from 2-6pm on Friday, which can be taken in one of their gorgeous lounges or on the terrace. Children are welcome, and will get a Winnie the Pooh-themed afternoon tea. Book ahead on this one, all.
Read on for things to do for all ages in Tunbridge Wells
Something for younger kids
♥ It’s also national Teddy Bears’ Picnic Day on Saturday. Might sound bizarre, but you can’t argue with the cuteness. You could celebrate by having a picnic on one of these fab walks around Tunbridge Wells, or Chatham Dockyard is hosting a full-on event to mark the day. As well as space for BYO picnics and bears, there will be a zipline for teddies. Wowee!
Or wear out all the kids…?
♥ Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre are hosting their end-of-season family fun day. There will be DJs, games, bouncy castles and prizes. This is a ticketed event, and the price includes a hot dog or burger plus a drink. There are family tickets available too.
Something free to do this weekend
♥ Why not try the amazing Southborough Circular Walk? This 8.5-mile walk will take you through Tunbridge Wells Common, Southborough Woods and through the Pantiles. There’s also a bit where you jump on the train to High Brooms. This is relatively inexpensive and kids will love it, but you could always just do part of the walk if you want to keep it completely free.
If you want to get out of town
♥ We have loads of family days out ideas. But here’s one for this weekend – why not head to Treasure Island in Eastbourne? The paddling pool is now open. Hurrah!
The perfect place for a family meal
♥ Fed up of meal planning and cooking? Why not delegate the job and head out for a family meal at one of the amazing pubs with playgrounds near Tunbridge Wells? The Middle House in Mayfield has been getting rave reviews lately – we remember the food is next level!