As spring blossoms, Tonbridge and its surroundings are buzzing with activities. Whether you’re into music, food, wellness, or family fun, here’s your curated guide to the weekend’s happenings.
In the Weekend Edit, we try to only include events that we would love to go to. The hand-picked events we choose are mostly in Tonbridge, but we might include a few bits in local towns- Tunbridge Wells or Sevenoaks. Or occasionally significant events around Kent that we think you might like.
🎉 FESTIVALS & CELEBRATIONS
VE Day 80: Champagne Picnic & Music
📍 Chartwell, Westerham
🕒 Saturday, 10 May, 17:30 to 22:00
Celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day with a delightful champagne picnic accompanied by live music in the historic grounds of Chartwell. There’s even an exclusive garden tour for those with tickets. Find out more and book here.
Tunbridge Wells Literary Festival 👨👩👧👦
📍 Various venues in Tunbridge Wells
🕒 Ongoing throughout the weekend
Tunbridge Wells Literary Festival is well underway, with a huge number of authors talks and workshops at different venues around the town. Look out for a talk from gardener and author Sarah Raven, children and YA authors like Eva Wong and Natelle Quek, quirky events like a Dungeon and Dragons talk and gripping presentations from the likes of Suzie Miller who wrote “Prima Facie.” Full details for all events can be found here.
🎭 CONCERTS & SHOWS
Silver Lining
📍 The Oast Theatre
🕒 Saturday, 10 May | 8:00 PM
Catch the final performance of Sandi Toksvig’s comedy “Silver Lining” at The Oast Theatre. Directed by Helen Thorpe, this production promises laughter and poignant moments. Details and tickets here.
Macy Gray Live
📍 Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells
🕒 Saturday, 10 May
Experience the soulful sounds of Grammy Award-winning artist Macy Gray as she performs live.
Chamber Music Concert
📍 The Recital Room, Tonbridge School
🕒Friday 9th May, 19:30
A free music event at Tonbridge School. Book ticket in advance to get access to the show, featuring the music of Schubert, Mendelssohn, Haydn and Gershwin. Find the full details here.
Imagine The Beatles at Chiddingstone Castle
📍Chiddingstone Castle
🕒 Sunday 11th May, 14:00 to 16:40
Spend the afternoon with The Beatles (or at least a tribute act) in the grounds of Chiddingstone Castle. Full details and tickets can be found here.
👨👩👧👦 FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENTS
Family friendly events this weekend – see also other events in the Weekend Edit with this symbol – 👨👩👧👦.
Tunbridge Wells Literary Festival: Martha Swales – Give It a Grow
📍 The Amelia Scott, Tunbridge Wells
🕒 Saturday, 10 May
Join author Martha Swales for a family-friendly gardening workshop, encouraging children to get their hands dirty and learn about plant growth. This is just one workshop being held as part of the festival – there are lots of other family friendly ones, but I thought this sounded like a hoot. Find full details here.
Lamb Bottle Feeding
📍Ockley Barn, Hawkhurst
🕒 Saturday, 10 May
Well this sounds like a dream – the chance to spend about 30 minutes bottle feeding and visiting the lambs at a farm in Hawkhurst. Yes please. Full details can be found here.
🍷 FOOD & DRINK SPOTLIGHT
Food & drink events in and around Tonbridge this weekend. Be in the know.
International Wine Festival at Mereworth Wines
📍 Mereworth Wines
🕒 Saturday, 10 May | 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
The first international wine festival is to be held at Mereworth wines – and yes, you can get there on the bus from Tonbridge! The event promises to showcase wines from “Italy, France and Luxembourg”. It’s a ticketed event and a portion of sales goes to charity. Find the full details here.
Soup Day at Fuggles Beer Café
📍 Fuggles Beer Café, Tonbridge & Tunbridge Wells
🕒 Saturday, 10 May
Celebrate Soup Day with Garage Beer Project’s special brews, including unique versions of their flagship IPA ‘Soup’. A must-visit for craft beer enthusiasts. It’s quirky, but we like the sound of it. Full details here.
Tonbridge Farmers Market 👨👩👧👦
📍 Sovereign Way Car Park
🕒 Sunday, 11 May | 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM
The monthly Tonbridge Farmers market is back this weekend. Come by to find some delicious local food.
Pantiles Food Festival 👨👩👧👦
📍 The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells
🕒 Saturday and Sunday, 10th/11th May –
The spring food festival is taking place all weekend on the Pantiles. The theme is “world of food” and a variety of culinary masterpieces is promised. Full details here.
House Party
📍 The Market House
🕒Friday 9th May
House party night at the market house on the high street. Expect drinks deals and live DJ. More details here.
🚶♀️ HEALTH & WELLNESS EVENTS
Health and wellness events in and around Tonbridge this weekend.
Tonbridge Parkrun – 5km Run 👨👩👧👦
📍 Tonbridge Park
🕒 Saturday, 10 May | 9:00 AM
Start your weekend with a refreshing 5km run around Tonbridge Park. Open to all levels; just register online beforehand.
Junior Parkrun – 2km Run 👨👩👧👦
📍 Tonbridge Farm Sportsground
🕒 Sunday, 11 May | 9:00 AM
A fun, free 2km run for children aged 4–14. Encourage the young ones to participate and enjoy the outdoors.
Ride Castle
📍Juddian Rugby Club
🕒 Sunday, 11 May
Cycling enthusiasts can choose from routes ranging from 33 to 124 miles, exploring the scenic countryside around Tonbridge. You probably need to have booked your place, and started training by now! But you can always come out and support. Find the full details here.
Rock Climbing Intro
📍Harrisons Rocks, Tunbridge Wells
🕒 Saturday 10th May 12:30
Ever fancied rock climbing? There’s an intro to climbing session being held at Harrisons Rocks this weekend. There are currently just four places left if you want to join. It promises a relaxed trial experienced. Full details can be found here.
Qigong & Forest Bathing
📍Hever Castle
🕒 Sunday 11th May, 09:30 to 12:30
A three hour workshop including a yoga session followed by forest bathing. Expect full tranquillity, and an epic venue in Hever Castle. Full details can be found here.
🖤 THE BLACK BOOK
A little bit boujee and only for the adults. Unique events in Tonbridge and beyond that we love, from our Little Black Book.
Local Writers Book Fair 👨👩👧👦
📍 Victoria Place, Tunbridge Wells
🕒 Sunday, 11 May | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
As part of Tunbridge Wells Literary Festival, you can find local writers in the concourse at Victoria Place on Saturday. They will be talking about their books, reading excerpts and giving you the chance to meet them. A totally free event. Find full details here.
Soulful Sweat Yoga – Half Day Retreat
📍 Flourish at Kingdom, Penshurst
🕒 Sunday, 11 May | 14:00 to 18:00
This half day retreat sounds so dreamy. Vinyasa flow followed by yin yoga, a sauna session and a sound bath. An ideal way to unwind on a Sunday afternoon. Find the full details here.
Sevenoaks Spring Foraging Walk
📍 Sevenoaks
🕒 Sunday, 11 May | 11:00
A two hour walk in Sevenoaks which promises to be “fun and educational”. An “experience exploring the area while learning about the edible treasures it has to offer.” Tickets and full details can be found here.
Dark Horse Comedy
📍 The Forum presents at the Sussex Arms, Tunbridge Wells
🕒 Sunday 11th May, 18:30
Comedian Rob Copeland headlines the “forum presents” dark comedy evening. A pint and a laugh on a Sunday evening. Details here.
📣 QUICK HITS
More inspiration for your weekend ahead.
- National Trust Visits: Consider a visit to nearby National Trust properties like Emmetts Garden or Chartwell for picturesque walks and historical insights.
- Local Dining: Explore Tonbridge’s culinary scene with a meal at Verdigris or The Market House. Both offer delightful evening menus.
- Pub Garden: Shake the week off with a pint in a pub garden – find our guide to the best ones in the area here.
Stay tuned for more events and updates in our next edition. Enjoy your weekend in Tonbridge!
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