Wealden Times | WT260 | January 2024 | Good Living Supplement inside

FESTIVALS
Fri 16 – Sun 25 Feb
Venues throughout Faversham
FAVERSHAM LITERARY
FESTIVAL 2024
A week-long programme that
is eclectic, thought-provoking
and jam-packed with events! It
offers an exciting mix of wellknown
authors, leading thinkers,
up-and-coming writers and local
talent, plus writing competitions
for all ages, workshops,
spoken word, slam poetry,
children’s and family events.
favershamliteraryfestival.org
LUXURIES
Fri 26 Jan 10am-1pm
Brooklands Museum, Brooklands
Drive, Weybridge KT13 0SL
THE CONCORDE
CHAMPAGNE EXPERIENCE
Discover what it was like to fly
on Concorde, with a glass of
Champagne in your hand. The
experience begins with your ‘preflight’
briefing in The Members’
Bar in the original Edwardian
Clubhouse, with tea and coffee
served in your ‘Departure
Lounge’. Then it’s time to board
Concorde and take your seat
on a real Concorde seat, ready
to take your virtual flight and
discover the incredible history
and legacy of this supersonic
aircraft. Before you disembark,
you’ll have the opportunity to
visit the Flight Deck too. See the
world’s only working Concorde
Simulator and watch as she takes
off from London Heathrow, flies
a low-level pass over Brooklands,
and lands back at Heathrow.
Entry: £65
brooklandsmuseum.com
OUTDOOR FUN
Daily at 1pm (also
11.30am Weds – Sun)
Kenward Place, Kenward Road,
Yalding, Maidstone ME18 6AH
ALPACA WALKS AT
KENWARD PLACE
Meet Kenward’s herd of eight
lovely (and occasionally rather
cheeky) alpacas. You can book an
Alpaca Experience throughout
the week to spend a magical hour
learning about these amazing
creatures, getting to know their
distinct personalities, and then
taking them for a walk through the
Kenward woodland. Rest assured
the alpacas will be looking forward
to it just as much as you – you’ll
see them waiting by the gate when
you arrive. Do make the most of
the lovely tearooms on your visit
too. Suitable for children over 10
years. Not suitable for those with
mobility issues. Private Meet &
Greet sessions are also available
for those with additional needs.
Entry: from £25
kenwardplace.co.uk
Sun 14 Jan 10.30am-4pm
Weald & Downland Living
Museum, Town Lane, Singleton,
West Sussex PO18 0EU
WASSAILING DAY
Bless the Wealden and Downland
Living Museum’s apple orchard at
their traditional winter Wassailing
– all in the name of encouraging
a good harvest. Join a procession
with music, song and performances
from the House from Sole Street
to the orchard at 11.15am, 1pm
or 2.45pm. In the orchard, a
tree will be decorated and you
can join in the ‘Wassail’ shout
(bring along something to make
plenty of noise – a tin to bang or
something to rattle or whistle).
The musicians will let you know
when to make a noise! Wear warm
clothes, good walking shoes and
all children must be accompanied.
wealddown.co.uk
Sat 3 Feb – Sun 3 Mar
Kew Gardens, Richmond
TW9 3AE
ORCHID FESTIVAL
Drawing inspiration from
the unique flora and fauna
of Madagascar, 2024’s orchid
extravaganza at Kew will reflect
the island’s lush rainforests,
tropical dry forests and over
3,000 miles of coastline. One of
the most iconic symbols of the
island, the Lovers Baobab, will
be recreated in a breathtaking
display on the waterlily pond,
and floral sculptures will conjure
some of Madagascar’s most iconic
wildlife, including ring-tailed
lemurs, radiated tortoises and the
enigmatic aye-aye, the world’s
largest nocturnal primate. Orchids
After Hours will also return on
select evenings during the festival.
kew.org
WELLBEING
Sat 20 Jan 10am-1pm
Hever Castle and Gardens,
Hever Road, Hever,
Edenbridge TN8 7NG
NEW YEAR FOREST
BATHING
A grounding, reviving 3-hour
forest bathing workshop that
finishes with herbal and wild
teas, snacks and a closing
reflection and gratitude circle.
Entry: £35
hevercastle.co.uk
Listings are correct at time of going to press
but may be subject to change. Readers are
advised to check with venues before making
arrangements. We can list your event in
the next issue of Wealden Times for only
£75+VAT. Please supply up to 200 words
that should include date, time, venue,
contact for enquiries and any entry price to
whatson@priceless-group.com or send with
payment (cheques payable to Priceless Media
Ltd.) to What’s On, Priceless Media, Kettle
Chambers, 21 Stone Street, Cranbrook,
Kent TN17 3HF. Priceless Media reserves
the right to edit text to fit space allocated.
Deadline for the next issue is 8th January.
istockphoto.com/ RolfSt & michelangeloop & ViewApart / ErithJohn
ORCHID FESTIVAL WASSAILING DAY ENTRANCE TO BROOKLANDS MUSEUM
105
priceless-magazines.com