WELCOME
It ’ s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas …
Well , actually , for us at iKHQ Christmas started back in the summer ! Yes , that ’ s right , when the rest of the county was basking in its five minutes of heatwave glory , yours truly with the rest of the iK Editorial Elves were beginning our mission to bring you everything you could possibly wish for to make your Christmas in Kent even more wonderful this year … And now you get the chance to sit back , relax and delve into our biggest and most festive issue of the year so far !
So grab your hot chocolate , a rich glass of red , or your candy cane Martini and prepare to get into the seasonal swing , one Kentish Christmas adventure at a time …
Grab your family , your friends and your dog as our whistlestop sleigh tour whisks you through pages of must-see events from p15 ; prepare to be dazzled , quite literally , by the county ' s best lights , brights and festive delights from p35 ; and delve into all that is festively new in Kent this Christmas on p56 .
One hour , afternoon or evening not enough , then how about spending a festive 48 hours in one of Kent ’ s top yuletide cities ? We ’ ve rounded up all you need to do , see and eat - and even thrown in the best places to stay should you wish to lay your head somewhere cosy - starting on p41 .
On your marks , get set , shop !
iK ’ S EDITORIAL ELVES WITH THE BIG MAN F . C . HIMSELF AT MARKS & SPENCER ’ S CHRISTMAS LAUNCH – FIND ALL YOUR M & S CHRISTMAS FOOD AT christmasfood . marksandspencer . com
We ’ re helping you make present picking stress-free this year with our bumper gift guide inspiration for her , him , them , the kids and even the pooch all starting on p61 . So , whether it ' s this year ' s top gadgets , some glorious edible treats , THE must-have countdown advent calendar or some delectable gifts that are all ‘ Produced in Kent ’, your lists will be bursting with ideas in no time .
Shopping now under control , then why not switch your attention to making your home Christmas decor bang on trend this year with our lowdown to 2022 ’ s decor tips starting on p147 ? From wreaths to tree care tips with a side order of mauve no less - you ’ ll be upping your decor wow factor in no time .
And of course Christmas just wouldn ' t be Christmas without food !
So , whether it ' s our alternative Christmas treats and eats on p97 ; some local producers and suppliers to fill your food shopping trolleys on p103 ; a heap of tasty and handy make-ahead recipes on p109 ; or even our guide to throwing a pre-Christmas
‘ Friendsgiving ’ on p141 , we have you covered ! We ’ ll even cover you from head-to-toe in show-stopping celebratory style too with our top fashion picks for party season starting on p131 .
Just writing this has got me reaching for ALL the M & S Christmas snacks - the team and I had a very sneak peek of THE must-have picky tea bits , chocolates , cakes , spirits and more which you can see on our Instagram and find out more about in our December issue !
I ’ m off for another Percy Pig Slushie with a side order of Christmas Colin …
Here ’ s to the start of Christmas Kent !
www . insidekentmagazine . co . uk
@ insideKENT
Publisher Adam Ready Editor Samantha Ready Features Editor & Administration Manager Karlene Gannon Deputy Editor Polly Humphris Features Writer Jess Marshall Features Writer Ashleigh Britten Features Writer Olivia Riccini Senior Designer Dave Leo Yogore Graphic Designer Lorna Morris Graphic Designer Kareena Ross-Cumming Sales Manager Jen Crisp Senior Account Manager Jerry Barrett Senior Account Manager Alex Perseval Intern Mia Chapman Contributors David Ellis , David Ware , Forestry England , Julie Alexandersen , Mandy Murphy , Produced in Kent , Ruxley Manor , Sarah Coleman , Shirley Clark Cover : © Millbrook Garden Centre
insideKENT Magazine is published by Sideways Media Ltd , Coachworks , Dover Place , Ashford , Kent TN23 1HU www . sidewaysmedia . co . uk For general enquiries , please contact hello @ sidewaysmedia . co . uk or 01233 226519
For all advertising enquiries , please contact Adam Ready on 01233 226519 or email adam @ sidewaysmedia . co . uk For all editorial enquiries , press releases or news stories , please contact insidekent @ sidewaysmedia . co . uk
© Copyright 2022 . The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher . Neither the publisher nor any other person associated with the production and publication of this magazine make any guarantees , warranties or claims as to the accuracy , currency or truthfulness of any of the contents of this magazine . No part of this magazine may be copied , reproduced or transmitted in any form without the publisher ’ s written consent . No responsibility is taken for unsolicited editorial , images or photographs published . While every care is taken , prices and details are subject to change and the publisher takes no responsibility for omissions or errors . Publisher is not responsible for any variation in image colour due to printing processes .
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