Historic and scenic county with rich heritage, dramatic coast, and vibrant culture.
7–8 Oct, 12–16 Oct…
An expert volunteer guide leads an intimate tour of selected rooms at Chartwell, exploring Winston Churchill’s leadership in peace and war and his legacy. The tour includes access to Churchill’s bedroom.
Chartwell is a historic English country house near Westerham, Kent, best known as the home of Sir Winston Churchill for over forty years. Visitors can explore the restored interiors, including Churchill's study and memorabilia, as well as extensive gardens and lakes designed by Churchill himself. The site includes a restaurant, shop, and exhibitions reflecting the life and legacy of Churchill.
5 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
A display in Scotney Castle’s Mansion House showcases early 20th-century dresses belonging to Betty Hussey and Maud Kerr-Smiley, including a Schiaparelli designer dress. It also presents research into the garments and their owners.
6–7 Oct, 12–14 Oct…
A volunteer-led tour in Bodiam Castle’s courtyard introduces the castle’s history and the people who built, lived and worked there.
Merriments Gardens is a creatively designed four-acre outdoor garden featuring sub-tropical and herbaceous borders, water features including ponds and a waterfall, and a wildlife area with bird-hide. It offers a vibrant seasonal display of plants and an organic vegetable garden providing produce for the on-site restaurant.
7–11 Oct, 14–18 Oct…
Visitors can discover collection items linked to the history of Smallhythe Place and Ellen Terry, including theatre props and historic pub objects from the 1800s. The items are rotated monthly and displayed inside the house.
Smallhythe Place is a Tudor-era historic house and theatre museum in Kent, dedicated to Victorian actress Ellen Terry, featuring her theatrical collection, costume displays, beautiful gardens, and an active barn theatre hosting numerous productions annually.
7 Oct
Chartwell’s Collections conservators give live demonstrations of preventive conservation work and answer questions about the collections and Churchill’s heritage.
Toys Hill is a large woodland area in Kent known for its scenic walking paths, diverse wildlife, and historical landmarks including a bat tower and old manor ruins. Visitors can enjoy peaceful walks, nature observation, and the natural beauty of the Greensand Ridge.
10–11 Oct, 17–18 Oct…
Visitors can dress up in Halloween costumes, take spooky photos and enter the best-dressed competition in Bodiam Castle’s courtyard.
Bodiam Castle is a 14th-century moated castle in East Sussex, England, known for its distinctive quadrangular design with towers and battlements. Set in a landscaped environment with an ornamental moat, it showcases medieval architecture and history. The castle is a ruin open to the public under the care of the National Trust and has been featured in films and television.
9 Oct, 16 Oct…
Knole Fawns is a baby and toddler group with time for play, games, books, music and a small craft activity. Sessions also include songs and a story, with children accompanied by an adult.
The Royal Oak Foundation Conservation Studio is a National Trust conservation workspace housed in a historic medieval barn in Sevenoaks, Kent. It offers visitors a unique indoor experience of seeing expert conservation work on decorative art and exhibits, supported by interactive displays and knowledgeable volunteers.
Sevenoaks is a historic market town in Kent, England, featuring medieval landmarks like Knole House and Knole Park, with commuter rail links to London and a vibrant town centre offering shopping, cultural venues and local food experiences.
23 May–1 Nov (another 23 days)
A family trail at Bateman’s inspired by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s Monkey Puzzle. Visitors explore the house and garden, helping Little Monkey find his mum through interactive games and challenges.
Bateman's is a 17th-century Jacobean house in Burwash, East Sussex, known as the home of Rudyard Kipling. Visitors can explore the house preserved as it was in Kipling's time, including his study and collections, as well as the garden and the historic water mill on the estate.
8–9 Oct, 15–16 Oct…
An exhibition at Red House presents personally significant domestic objects selected by architects, designers, local residents and young people from Bexley, exploring the memories and stories connected with everyday possessions. It can only be visited as part of a guided tour of the house.
Red House in Bexleyheath, London is a seminal Arts and Crafts building designed by William Morris and Philip Webb, featuring medieval-inspired architecture and original Pre-Raphaelite art. It serves as a historic house museum managed by the National Trust, showcasing Morris' pioneering design ethos and craftsmanship.
9 Oct
A beginner-friendly fused glass workshop introducing basic glass-fusing skills. Participants can create coasters or light catchers and small hangers or keyrings; finished pieces are available to collect from Belmont House 14 days later.
Belmont House is a beautifully preserved Georgian neo-classical country house in Kent featuring impressive collections of clocks and furniture. Visitors can explore both the historic interiors and the surrounding gardens, with guided tours available and facilities including a cafe, picnic area, and events for children.
29 Aug–1 Nov (another 23 days)
Visitors can follow a family-friendly trail around Knole’s parkland and into the Orangery to find 12 giant, hand-painted sculptures inspired by The Gruffalo.
Knole is a large English country house of Jacobean architecture set in a 1000-acre deer park near Sevenoaks, Kent. It features extensive historic gardens, rich collections of 17th-century Stuart furniture, and a medieval chapel with one of the oldest playable organs in England. The house is a National Trust property with public tours and occasional cultural events. It has been used as a filming location for famous films and music videos.
9 Oct, 16 Oct…
Join a costumed medieval character for a guided tour around Bodiam Castle’s moat, hearing about the castle’s construction, landscape and past inhabitants.
10–11 Oct (this weekend)
A large-scale re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings, with Saxon and Norman soldiers, living history camps, falconry displays, traditional music and a performance telling the story of the Bayeux Tapestry. Children can take part in sword school and a re-creation of the battle.
Battle Abbey is a historic Benedictine abbey site in East Sussex, England, built on the site of the Battle of Hastings. Visitors can explore the abbey ruins, enjoy the visitor centre with exhibitions and film, participate in audio tours of the battlefield, and use child-friendly facilities including a discovery room and playground.
9–13 Oct, 16–20 Oct…
An exhibition exploring the connection between Max Beerbohm and Henry James, featuring Beerbohm’s caricatures of James alongside sketches by William Rothenstein and John Singer Sargent.
Lamb House is an 18th-century writer's house museum in Rye, East Sussex, showcasing the home and garden of renowned authors like Henry James. Visitors can explore the historic interiors and the walled garden, enjoying both indoor and outdoor heritage experiences.
Rye is a picturesque historic town in East Sussex, known for its medieval streets, cobbled lanes, and rich maritime history as a former Cinque Port. It offers a vibrant arts scene, cultural festivals, and local seafood specialties, making it a popular tourist destination.
23 May–1 Nov (another 23 days)
A display of four prints by Axel Scheffler from Julia Donaldson’s book *Monkey Puzzle*, showing the illustrations and their detail in the kitchen at Bateman’s.
Pashley Manor Gardens offers 11 acres of beautifully maintained English country gardens surrounding a historic Grade I listed manor house. Visitors can enjoy seasonal displays of flowers including tulips, roses, and dahlias, art exhibitions, and a café with garden views. The site provides good wheelchair accessibility and facilities including accessible parking and toilets. Admission is free for Historic Houses members, with fees for others, especially during the annual Tulip Festival.
10 Oct (this Saturday)
Join a volunteer-led walk along the White Cliffs of Dover to South Foreland Lighthouse, hearing about the cliffs’ natural and human history and seeing wartime remains and coastal views. At the lighthouse, the guide gives a brief introduction before visitors can explore the grounds and make their own way back.
The White Cliffs of Dover offer dramatic cliff-top walks with stunning views over the English Channel, historic WWII tunnels tours, and a striking Victorian lighthouse. Visitors can enjoy walking trails, a café with panoramic views, and a play area, making it suitable for families and history enthusiasts alike.
Dover is a historic English town and major ferry port in Kent, known for its White Cliffs, castle, maritime heritage, and vibrant cultural and retail scene, accessible by train and local transport.
25 Jun–31 Oct (another 22 days)
A display in the ground-floor rooms of Scotney Castle’s Mansion House presents previously unseen photographs of the Old Castle and the Hussey family, drawn from the estate’s photography collection.
Scotney Castle in Kent is a National Trust property featuring a medieval moated manor ruins and an early Tudor Revival country house surrounded by picturesque gardens with seasonal floral displays. Visitors can explore both indoor historic house spaces and outdoor gardens with historical and natural highlights.
9–11 Oct (another 2 days)
Browse and buy handmade crafts, homewares and gifts, alongside locally produced food and drink, from local makers at an autumn market held under a marquee at Emmetts Garden.
7 Oct–23 Dec, 26 Dec 2026–3 Jan 2027
An exhibition in Churchill’s studio at Chartwell presents the winning paintings from the Inspired by Chartwell competition alongside works by Churchill.
7–11 Oct, 14–18 Oct…
An exhibition at Quebec House explores the story of children cared for by the Westerham branch of the Foundling Hospital and the tokens their mothers left with them. It also displays tokens made by local schoolchildren in response to the story.
Quebec House is a Grade I listed historic house museum in Westerham, Kent, featuring exhibitions and memorabilia related to General James Wolfe. Visitors can explore the historic interiors, 18th century styled gardens, and enjoy a tea room and bookshop on site.
10 Oct–1 Nov (next week)
Families can follow a magical, Halloween-themed trail around Bodiam Castle, making potions, discovering spells and taking part in activities. On weekends, visitors can also enter a spooky best-dressed costume competition in the castle courtyard.
6–30 Oct (another 21 days)
A short outdoor introductory talk gives an overview of Rudyard Kipling’s life, family and writing, and explains his connection to Bateman’s before visitors go inside the house.
7–11 Oct, 14–18 Oct…
A display at Smallhythe Place traces changes in women’s fashion from the late 1800s into the 1900s, using clothing, photographs and paintings to explore changing attitudes and the lives of some of the house’s residents.
10–11 Oct (this weekend)
Two local concert bands perform live music on the meadow at Emmetts Garden, with programmes including film scores, popular classics and traditional favourites.
9 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
Families can follow an outdoor activity trail around Emmetts Garden, completing nature-based challenges to help characters Fun-Gus and Myrra protect the forest’s underground network and discover a secret code.
7–16 Oct (another 7 days)
An outdoor display marking 60 years since Chartwell opened to the public, featuring memories and stories shared by its visitors. Visitors can wander through the display and explore personal connections to the house and grounds.
7 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
Families can follow an outdoor Halloween ghost-hunt trail through Chartwell’s parkland, completing games and activities at eight spooky stops before collecting a sticker reward. The trail is designed for children under 8.
9 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
A family digital folklore adventure at Emmetts Garden, designed for children aged 7–12 and imaginative adults to play together. Using the Stranger Folk app, participants follow a character through magical tasks to find the Stranger Folk and heal a rift between the human and spirit worlds.
Emmetts Garden is an Edwardian estate featuring six acres of arboretum and gardens on a high sandstone ridge near Ide Hill, Kent, offering expansive views and a rose garden next to a Victorian house, though the house is not open to the public.
9–13 Oct, 16–20 Oct…
Visitors can discover a featured novel inspired by or connected to Lamb House and the history of its notable residents. The featured book changes monthly.
Camber Castle is a 16th-century Device Fort built by Henry VIII near Rye, East Sussex, to protect the coast from invasion. It is a ruined concentric artillery fortress operated by English Heritage, open to visitors for guided tours. The castle is notable for its historic military architecture and coastal location.
7 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
Visitors can explore the restored Uniform Room at Chartwell and view Sir Winston Churchill’s recently conserved uniforms and other clothing, including his Siren Suit.
Toys Hill is a hamlet in Kent known for its scenic viewpoint from a steep wooded escarpment, extensive National Trust woodland, and significant natural conservation value as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
8 Oct–8 Nov (another 30 days)
Celebrate Diwali at Bateman’s with displays of Indian objects, artworks and decorations, family crafts, and opportunities to browse Indian gifts and books. The event also highlights Rudyard Kipling’s connections with India.
9–10 Oct, 14 Oct…
A behind-the-scenes tour of Knole’s attics, exploring decorated ceilings, graffiti, ritual protection marks and historic artefacts, with visible conservation work revealing the house’s structure.
Riverhill Himalayan Gardens is a historic garden in Kent featuring seasonal floral displays, themed garden areas, panoramic views, and family-friendly outdoor attractions including a playground and hedge maze.
7 Oct, 14 Oct…
Visitors can meet the millers at Bateman’s Park Mill, watch them demonstrate traditional grain grinding, and ask questions about the flour-milling process.
7 Oct, 14 Oct…
Visitors can view a display of medieval armour at Bodiam Castle and learn from volunteer experts about how armour evolved during the Middle Ages.
5 Oct–31 Dec (another 83 days)
A portrait of Rudyard Kipling by Sir Philip Burne-Jones goes on display in Kipling’s Study at Bateman’s, alongside the portrait of his wife, Caroline. The display marks the start of a three-year loan from the National Portrait Gallery.
7 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
An exhibition of prints of Deborah Pritchard’s Music Maps, paintings that explore the character and structure of music by her and other contemporary composers. The works are displayed in the Old Chapel at Ightham Mote.
Ightham Mote is a medieval moated manor house in Kent, England, featuring over 70 rooms arranged around a central courtyard and surrounded by a moat. It is a Grade I listed building owned by the National Trust, offering visitors a unique glimpse into medieval architecture with notable features such as a Tudor barrel-roofed chapel and extensive gardens.
5 Oct 2026–14 Feb 2027 (another 128 days)
An exhibition of Su Blackwell’s paper artwork, a house created from copies of Rudyard Kipling’s handwritten manuscript of The Jungle Book. The artwork is displayed in Elsie’s Room on the ground floor of Bateman’s.
7 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
Explore 30 illustrated Pikachu trading cards around Ightham Mote, learn facts about the character and design your own Pikachu card as part of an indoor and outdoor art trail.
Oldbury Camp is a large Iron Age hill fort in Kent featuring defensive earthworks and archaeological rock shelters, with public access to its wooded southern area managed by the National Trust.
26 Sep 2026–6 Jun 2027 (another 240 days)
An exhibition exploring the influence of Italy on Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson, featuring objects, love letters, photographs and multimedia experiences.
Sissinghurst Castle Garden in Kent is a renowned historic garden created by Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson, featuring an influential series of garden rooms, including the iconic White Garden. Located on Tudor-era estate buildings, it showcases a vast collection of old garden roses and other plants, attracting large numbers of visitors and managed by the National Trust.
27 Sep, 8 Oct…
Bateman’s gardeners give a short talk about the Mulberry Garden Project, covering the planned changes, the historical research behind them and how the project reflects the garden during Rudyard Kipling’s lifetime. Attendees can ask questions about the project.