Notebook Garden Bliss Rotherfield Village Open Garden Trail on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 <strong>August</strong> (11am-5pm) is a perfect opportunity <strong>to</strong> explore this picturesque village in the High Weald, just 8 miles from Tunbridge Wells. Fourteen lovely gardens, small courtyard gardens, gardens with views and formal gardens will be open <strong>to</strong> peruse and inspire. Why not take a wander around this designated Conservation Area with many Grade II listed buildings in its centre and a 1,500-year-old yew tree in the churchyard of St. Denys’ Church – which will also be open. This beautiful Grade I listed building features medieval wall paintings, a stained glass window made by William Morris and a Vic<strong>to</strong>rian graveyard. Entry <strong>to</strong> the Trail costs £8 and children go free. Tickets and refreshments are available from Village Hall, North St, TN6 3LX. For information, email sheila_hicks@hotmail.co.uk Food Fest From 28-30 <strong>August</strong>, visit Hamp<strong>to</strong>n Court Palace – the home of Henry VIII – for their Food Festival. Savour the ultimate summer celebration of food and drink in the iconic East Front Gardens where you can feast on delicious street food, sip on cocktails and pick up tasty treats from hand-selected artisan producers and companies. There will be plenty of activities on offer <strong>to</strong> keep children of all ages entertained, from face painting and shire horse rides <strong>to</strong> arts, crafts and live entertainment on the Bandstand. Book online at hrp.org.uk/hamp<strong>to</strong>n-courtpalace Comedy Club This summer, join Scoot Theatre for outdoor, family-friendly, sixty-minute productions of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ and ‘The Comedy of Errors’. Touring (mainly) cricket clubs in the South East, six ac<strong>to</strong>r-musicians present their take on Shakespeare’s favourite comedies, with a Scoot Theatre ‘spin’! Prepare <strong>your</strong>self for confusion, chaos and costume changes. Whether you’re 5 or 105, a Shakespeare newcomer or a Bard aficionado there will be something for everyone. Bring a picnic blanket, enjoy the hospitality of <strong>your</strong> local cricket club and let Scoot entertain you. Expect music, magic, and cricket bat sword fights! Find out more and book tickets at scoottheatre.com/summer-<strong>to</strong>ur Ahoy there! From Friday 6 <strong>to</strong> Friday 20 <strong>August</strong>, Captain Hook and Peter Pan will be visiting Groombridge Place for some pirate fun as they entertain children in the gardens and along the canal path which leads <strong>to</strong> Crusoe’s World with its wooden fort, pirate ship and rope bridges. Keep children entertained by exploring other play areas in the forest including the long board walk with its rope swings and chain bridges and, right at the <strong>to</strong>p of the forest, visi<strong>to</strong>rs can discover the exhilarating giant tree swings which adults and children can enjoy <strong>to</strong>gether. Tickets are also available for the Canal Boat which takes you on a journey from the gardens <strong>to</strong> Crusoe’s World (£1.50 for adults and £1 for children). Admission for adults costs £8.95, children (<strong>to</strong> 12) £6.95 and a Family Ticket is £25. Book in advance at groombridgeplace.com is<strong>to</strong>ckpho<strong>to</strong>.com/WaffleBoo LOOK FORWARD: The stunning Hever Castle will provide the backdrop <strong>to</strong> the Craft In Focus event, from 9-12 September. From 9.30am <strong>to</strong> 5.30pm daily, buy from a veritable treasure trove of original and affordable designs created by some of the finest craftsmen and artists in the UK. Explore textiles, paintings, furniture, metal, leather, ceramics, jewellery, glass, fashion and more. Craft Fair entry is included in the normal Hever Garden admission charges. Due <strong>to</strong> Covid-19 precautions, tickets must be booked in advance. craftinfocus.com priceless-magazines.com 24
MILL LANE ST MARTIN’S WALK CAR PARK NORTH STREET CHURCH STREET ST MARTIN’S CHURCH HIGH STREET WEST STREET SOUTH STREET St Martin’s Walk Car Park May – December, first Sunday of each month * 11am – 4pm May 2 nd June 6 th July 4 th <strong>August</strong> 1 st September 5 th Oc<strong>to</strong>ber 10 th November 7 th December 5 th *Except for Oc<strong>to</strong>ber, which is the 10 th of the month hellodorking.co.uk